Raptors, Fort Seward, Chilkoot Lake and Farewell

Yesterday, Jim & Pat joined us to visit the Bald Eagle Foundation. Lydia was a young volunteer who told us about this “Attack Owl.”

We also saw a Great Gray Owl…

…and a Red-Tailed Hawk.

Other animals appeared in well-done exhibits, but none of them were alive.

There was even a tiny hummingbird we were challenged to find – Don spotted it among the larger birds.

We decided to have lunch at Big Al’s, recommended by the locals.

There was a slight drizzle, so we huddled under a broken umbrella. The food was good, even though the ambience left a bit to be desired!

After lunch, we tried to go to the Hammer Museum, but it was closed to allow staff to attend the Fair. (Go to Karen & Fran’s blog to see their excellent report.) Instead, we drove around Old Fort Seward, once the regimental headquarters for the U.S. Army in Alaska and now a National Historic Site. Most of the buildings are over 100 years old, and some have been restored to serve a new purpose. This was the Post Exchange and Gymnasium, now a restaurant.

This was the hospital, now the home of Alaska Indian Arts.

Several homes of officers have been turned into privately-owned condos, with a Bed & Breakfast on the left.

We then drove to Chilkoot Lake, where Don spotted this Bald Eagle. It was hard to get a clear picture because he was so far away.

Several people were fishing along the inlet and from this boat in the lake, but it didn’t look like anyone was catching.

There were a few kayakers, even though it was cool and drizzly.

A tour bus driver was passing time by juggling.

We ate hamburgers at the Elks Lodge for dinner. They tasted pretty good, even though our order got mixed up and two of our burgers took a long time to arrive.

Early this morning (Saturday), we said goodbye to Jim and Pat as they left to ride the ferry to Juneau and southward. Safe travels – we’ll see you in a few months in Quartzsite, if not before.

Later, we watched the Parade that was part of the Fair that ends tomorrow. We had a beautiful, sunny day and several of the locals showed up in shorts, tank tops and sandals. A few were even barefoot! Instead of a Color Guard, the flags were carried by a motorcycle.

Several fire engines carried children tossing candy into the crowd.

These Native Alaskans chanted and sang as they played drums.

Wooden cutouts created clever whales.

Contestants from the Most Loveable Dog Contest participated.

There was even a real parade float!

A few more highlights follow. The whole parade was only about 15 minutes long, but it was fun to see.

Now we’re on our own until Sunday when we meet Larry & Marilyn in Whitehorse. Traveling with the “Last Frontier Gang” has been fun, but sometimes we feel like we’re operating on overload. Dennis did such a great job of planning and organizing the trip, figuring out places to stay and keeping in touch with all 5 rigs that followed him and Carol on this adventure for the past 2 1/2 months! We appreciate their friendship and all that the two of them have done for us!