I've posted some photos from our road-running last week

[Blue_In_AK]

at my website here: http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Vacation/A-Week-in-June-2011/17723992_fBQG5n#1352824354_8rhG7wf

We went to Homer, Seward, Talkeetna, Eklutna, and Whittier, where we were lucky enough to get a glacier cruise without reservations. It was such a beautiful day, we couldn't believe it.

We had a 5.2 earthquake that morning (which we didn't feel since we were in the car), but the train bringing the cruise passengers over from Anchorage was delayed while the integrity of the tracks in the Whittier tunnel was checked. Because of the delay, the glacier cruise was held held up for half an hour, which is when we went in to the Major Marine Tours office to see if we could get on. Had it not been for the earthquake, the boat would have already sailed. :thumbsup:

[NV Whino]

1. Thanks for taking us on your vacation

I particularly liked The Call of the Wild and Small Businesses on the Spit. The rookery was amazing, and loved the little seal waving at you. Good stuff all around.

[alfredo]

2. Very good! I liked the one with the solo bird and the waterfall.

[postatomic]

3. The landscapes, nature, wildlife are exceptional

But I find the 'street' photo ops very interesting. Very unique. Very colorful. I need to also learn more about 'Spirit Houses'. Not something I've ever seen, and I've been in lots of cemeteries.

[Blue_In_AK]

4. I'm not finding a whole lot of info on the spirit houses

but here's a little something. http://eklutnahistoricalpark.org/

The interior of Alaska is home to the Athabaskan Native Peoples. Specific to the Eklutna area are the Danaina or Tanaina, Athabaskans. These colorful spirit houses are a uniquely Athabaskan tradition; according to cultural beliefs. Spirit houses were built by the family after the person’s death. A wonderful and unique mix of this native tradition with the practices and beliefs of Orthodox Christianity can be seen in the cemetery. The graves of the Athabaskan people are marked not only with their traditional spirit houses, but also with an Orthodox Christian Cross. There are also graves marked only with crosses, honoring the resting places of the Orthodox non- native members of the church.

[postatomic]

5. Information on the internetz seems to be all over the place

It does imply that midwestern native american tribes started the basis for this form of burial rite and it found its way to Alaska. It also implies that traditional christian burials borrowed from the concept of 'spirit houses'. I found a couple of books that I think I'll pickup and read. There are still a few sites in the lower 48 where you can find remnants of the original 'spirit houses'. Since most were made from the earth they have disappeared into the earth.

I knew about the whole east west thing. East=birth. West=death.

Bottom line. Much of the original knowledge has died off with the elders. It does give me something to add to my list of 'shit I'd like to learn more about'. See what you've done. :P

Again. All beautiful photos. You are truly blessed to live in such a wonderful place.