Trip of a Lifetime

This blog is about our trip to Alaska, the Trip of a Lifetime. We have long spoken about such a trip but the timing or the finances were never right. When Tom's father passed away and left a sum of money we were left with the decision of what to use it for that would honor his memory. Certainly not a piece of furniture or home repair. Those things pass out of service and are left curb-side. We wanted a memory that would be with us forever.







And so idea of a trip to Alaska was formed! On a visit to the AAA office in Appleton, I inquired about such trips, explaining that we just were not a "dinner and dancing with the Captain" sort of couple. Existing on a ship that could pass for a small city along with several thousand other passengers, and dressing formally for dinner just did not hold appeal. The brochures from a company named Cruise West caught our eye. As Goldilocks said, this one was "just right!"



My intention was to maintain this blog as we continued on our travels. I failed to take into account the fact that most of the areas we were in had no internet connections available (also no TV or phone!) ... so the remainder of the blog will be an "after the fact" accounting. I hope you enjoy it!

PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE ADDED AS SOON AS I GET THEM LOADED AND EDITED...............









Friday, August 27, 2010

Ferry Moon

We traveled from Fairbanks to the entrance to Denali via a domed rail car with tables. During the trip, the guide would provide narratives about areas we were passing.  One such story was about the conflicts of North Ferry and South Ferry. The residents could not visit the other side unless they had a boat, so when the railroad bridge went in, they rejoiced.  They were able to drive across and were so happy!  The Railroad discouraged this dangerous activity and put up signs warning them to stop. They did not.  So the Railroad put down spikes.  Ferry residents retaliated by putting down boards over the spikes!  The Railroad took them to court and won.

But that wasn't the end of things. Oh, no. On July 4th, the decision came down and Ferry residents stood along the tracks and mooned the train.  They did so every July 4.  The Railroad asked the State Troopers to keep order; on one side was a stern fellow and everyone kept their pants on but on the other side, the trooper turned his back and there he had $100 on each side.   And it has been a tradition ever since, called the Ferry Moon.  It is the only full moon you will ever see there in July.

Whether true or not, the guide continued to tell us that last year an 80 year old man joined in the fun and when he bent over to display his buttocks, he threw his back out. His wife had to help him get his pants back on while all the passengers pretended not to notice.  I'm surprised there isn't a YouTube video somewhere.

I wasn't sure if this was fact or fiction, but found this article:

Is a Full Moon Rising Over Ferry, Alaska?
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