Alaska, Alaska, Alaska

Even the name, Alaska, means large one, in the words of its Native Americans.  It is an understatement to even
use the words large, enormous, or maybe even immense.  The sky and mountains and forests go on forever. We travelled by air, by foot, by more busses than I can count, by train,and finally by cruise ship. Miles and miles of natural beauty in every minute.  We saw bright yellow foliage across the Fairbanks area which made us think we were back in New England, except without the reds or oranges. (Because of the cold and altitude, none of our deciduous trees cab grow there).  We saw glaciers that were white, blue, gray,silver, and black -all at the same time. We even walked on the Mendanhal Glacier in Juneau, a half hour spent in heaven.
We went down a river by raft that is through an area only reached by boat, surrounded by wildlife and nearly untouched by any human influences.  We passed through fjords (deep, long, fingerlike harbors) to see glaciers , that from our twelth floor deck were at eye level; twice the ship did a slow circle turn with a panoramic view of the glaciers from one side of the ship across to the other.  We saw moose, reindeer, beaver, eagles, whales, and stuffed bears (real, but not still alive). We learned about the salmon (5 different varieties), the caribou (who summer in Denali ,then winter in the North), and wild birds (who summer in Fairbanks, then winter all over the globe).  We rode in a helicopter and stood on a glacier.  We had a dog sled ride (in a summer training cart).  We saw a Lumberjack competition iin Ketchican.  We saw where the Gold Rush began in Skagway.  We ate ourselves full for days and days. We walked so much we didin't even put on weight. But the absolute best thing we saw was Mount McKinley, or as they prefer to call it Denali, the Great One, standing tall and bright at 20,320 feet.   Pictures, and more sharing to follow soon....

Where did everyone go?

It never fails to amaze me.  One day we are wall to wall tourists and the next day most of them have gone.  This week is so quiet that it seems more like late September than the first week.  Of course , it IS September and the fact that Labor Day is late probably accounts for it. The weather is certainly more like fall than summer.  The air is fresh and clear, with the temperature at night down to fifties.  Brrrr!  Feels kinda nice to pull a blanket up and snuggle at night, but the mornings, not so good.  I even gave in and took a shower indoors today.  I love using the outdoor one, but 52 degrees is just too cold.

September is usually my favorite month here.  This year, however, we will miss much of it, as we carve two weeks out in the middle for our Alaskan cruise.  We leave next Wednesday (9/9 -9/22) and won't be back to work until September 23.  I can't wait.  The countdown is on and the lists are being crossed off.

If you are coming to visit the Rainbow during September, I'll be sad to miss you, but come visit anyway.  We will be open our usual hours (Sunday 10-5, Monday -Saturday 10-6). We still have a sale section highlighted on many of the lower shelves.  We even still have a "indoor yard sale" area, but don't wait too long.  As our things for Fall, Halloween/Samhain, and Christmas/Yule start arriving, we will be needing the room.