On our first trip to Alaska, we absolutely *had* to stop in at the Alaska Chainsaw Carvers (actually called Town Of Living Trees) in Sterling. Not only could we watch the carver working on large sculptures of salmon and bears and eagles and people, but there were also lots of completed carvings there that you could pose with and take pictures of ourselves. We had a fine time, and several of those pictures are favorites of mine in our 2001 scrapbook.
In the years since, I've gone back on every trip I've made to Alaska. The Chainsaw Carver has changed a lot. Some of the old oversized carvings that we posed with are no longer there, presumably worn down by all the tourists and the weather. In their place are some new carvings for photo ops, as well as the Alaska Carousel, featuring animals native to the area. There are more buildings there to walk through, too.
Here's a favorite photo of mine from 2001: Ten-year-old James riding the saddled salmon. Contrasted below it is a photo of 18-year-old James in 2009.
Jim (as Captain Morgan) tries out the salmon on this trip, also:
And for the first time, I think, I got up there, too.
With some old favorites gone from the touristy lineup of carvings to pose with, James posed with the bear in the den:
Ah, this place just never gets old for me. :^)
WOW! I was thinking small put in your front yard carvings! HUGE Salmon!
ReplyDeleteYou gonna get one for your new front yard?
Do they make them with springs on the bottom? LOL
A spring salmon would be awesome! LOL
ReplyDeleteThey do make small carvings, too. Jim's got a painted salmon on his office wall from there. They had some really cute bear cubs laying down that are meant to go on porch railings, and I think I have just the place for one!
So, how much were the Big Salmons?
ReplyDeleteThat would be a riot, especially for tourists. Way to make a few dollars......
Ride the Wild Salmon and make friends with a dragon...
Oh goodness, I can see it now. Jim's Wild Ride Amusement Park. Feed the moose, mark a stone cast footprint, ride the Wild Salmon, and, you could sell cookies and James sushi.
Where can I buy a ticket?
Okay, I'm going, I'm going...
I can't remember the prices on anything, even those bear cubs. I guess I'll have to go back again. :^)
ReplyDeleteYou forgot about funnel cake. Must have funnel cake.
Funnel Cake?
ReplyDeleteEgads, are we in the same country? lol
note to self, learn about towels and funnel cake
Don't tell me you've never had funnel cake!! Batter similar to a waffle batter that's drizzled into hot oil from a funnel or funnel-like thingy, and fried up into the crazy shapes it makes when it hits the oil. Then it's very generously sprinkled with powdered sugar and sometimes syrup or fruit. YUM!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd oh yeah, Happy Towel Day!
Nope, never had funnel cake. I lead a sheltered life, lol
ReplyDeleteNever had funnel cake. Doesn't know what to do with a towel (put it over your head). What other educational deficiencies are we talking about here?
ReplyDelete