Last hours in Alaska and to the Airport - 7/6

The last day had us turning in the RV in the morning and since we had a late night flight, they gave us a car for the  day. One of the stops we made was at Joint Base Elmendorf to see their Yukla 27 memorial. The memorial is for the crew of an E-3 AWACS that crashed as it lifted off when it ingested a flock of geese. An example of why airfields have Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) programs.

Then we walked around anchorage some more. Watched a movie on the Aurora Borelis. Walked an outdoor solar system display (well from the Sun to Mars, would have been a 5 1/2 hour walk to get to the end).

It seemed like it was snowing as we walked but it was cottonwood (weed)!

But the flowers were out everywhere and flourishing in the 20+ hours of sunlight. 

One last try to see salmon coming up stream.

Visitors center

Is it a selfie when you are pointing the camera away from you and at the shiny metal?

Had our last dinner at the 49th State Brewery with Avocado fries  (seemed like it would have been a California thing) and Halibut Cheeks Fish and chips. Then some ice cream before taking car back and heading to airport. 

And to the airport and the end of a fantastic vacation 

And by the time the plane taxi' d to the runway,  Toni was settled in. 

Palmer, last full day 7/5

So just cruised around Wasilla and Palmer.

Started by visiting their Veterans memorial wall. Talked to a local husband and wife originally from Maine and Vermont. He put his cousin's name on the wall. Their childhood homes were within sight of each other and they grew up together. His cousin was killed his first day in Vietnam 45 years ago.

Then we went back to Palmer. Toni wanted to go back to look at a few things she had seen earlier.  And Rob weren't looking for a barber for a trim.

Well one place was booked for the day and the other had a 90 minute wait.  So Rob decided to go to the Purple Moose, not exactly the Ocean City variety, but still with good beverages. 

A selfie with a Moose 

Mural 

One more Ham and cheese wrap with Colemans mustard. 

Statue of Balto the Wonder Dog from the original dog sled run to take medicine to Nome  that had led to the Iditarod.

The visitors center had a walking tour telling the story of the original colony in  Palmer and the people from Michigan,  Minnesota,  and Wisconsin that came here.

Of the original three churches,  only one of their buildings is original. Made from the logs of the tree that were standing here when they arrived, it is known as the church of a thousand trees.

One of the stories was about the contest to name the colony's  creamery and the 7 year old that drew a colony girl in a massive Alaskan outfit on ice skates and called it Matanuska Maid. She bought a bicycle with the winnings. 

After we returned to the campground for awhile, we headed out to dinner. Someone during the trip said to go to the Trout House in Wasilla for the open faced Prince Rib sandwich. So wet did. 

The home made desserts like so good we split the sandwich but not the desserts. So good we were half done before we thought about a pic. 

Ann's finally packing.  Turning in the RV in the morning before exploring Anchorage some more before the evening flight. 

Fourth of July

Celebrated Independence day with a traditional small town parade in Wasilla. It was followed by the Mayor's Picnic in the town park (Sarah Palin is a former mayor of Wasilla).

The volunteer handing out flags had a shirt I had to take a picture of. I had just mentioned to Toni that I was surprised how little NFL and college stuff I had seen throughout the trip. And no Steelers or Ohio State (though Pirates and Penguins I had seen). And later in the day,  a young boy had a Buckeye jersey on. 

The streets were lined with people

We had our spots early...

... right near the Wasilla City Hall

Police 

Military members

One running for governor

Big trucks

Hot rod with an extension

Seniors

Fred Meyer (grocery store) volunteers padding out candy to the kids from shopping carts/ 

buggies.

All the candy was going to the kids but Rob was happy when the Girl Scouts included is in their gifts. 

Rodeo riders and the Navy flag

 

tractors

More tractors

Old cars

The current governor

Parade was two hours long. 

Three fire department had their ladder truck spraying water for the kids. Everyone was commenting on the stifling heat (high 70s and may have hit 80 today) so even a few adults enjoyed the water. 

Loved their emblems

So joined the Wasilla community and the mayor for the day. Free hotdogs,  chips and soda. Music. 

And the Boy Scouts were making Root Beer floats for a donation. Rob got two even though Toni doesn't like them.  Thus the smile. 

The park was filled

And took some time in the afternoon to start packing up the suitcases and organizing the camper for the Friday return. 

Final campground dinner

The evening sun on the mountains