The Governor, a Picnic, and Rainbows

July 24, 2013

When I was growing up in Alabama, one wouldn't dream of an open-to-the-public picnic with the Governor and the First Lady. It just didn't happen. But up here in Alaska, the Governor has a family-style picnic not just in the capital city, but throughout many locations across our great state. The 2013 Governor's Family Picnic in Juneau at Sandy Beach was hosted by lots of volunteers and proved that Alaskans can have fun - rain or shine!

Members of the Governor's Cabinet were on hand to serve the public scrumptious Alaska WILD salmon.

With Department of Public Safety Commissioner Joseph A. Masters

This very artistic photo was created by my awesome friend, Deb Quinn.  Thanks, Deb! — This very artistic photo was created by my awesome friend, Deb Quinn. Thanks, Deb!

And my - oh my - how time flies... here's an old photo of me and Governor Parnell at the 2009 picnic - right after he became governor. 2009 was also my first year in Alaska (and I was about 60 pounds heavier). What a difference four years makes!

Oysterfest!

July 21, 2013

Raw, roasted, steamed. Fried, scalloped, stewed. Baked, stuffed, boiled. Marinated, poached, sautéed.

No matter how you cook them, oysters are delicious. And oysters from Alaska - well, they're primo.

Haa Aani (HAH AH'-nee) and the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute recently hosted the Second Annual OysterFest in Juneau. Alaska-grown oysters were featured, and executive chef Sandy Ingber from the Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant in New York City was on hand for the festivities.

As if all of that wasn't entertainment enough, a beer garden sponsored by Alaska Brewing Company provided the perfect backdrop, and the evening included an Oyster Crawl to local restaurants. Oh, and there was sunshine. Lots and lots o' sunshine!

Downtown at the Sealaska Corporation parking lot.

Fresh seafood, practically from our backyard.

After filling my belly with yummy oysters, I strolled downtown with my friends, Mary and Chris, and we found a sunny spot at the Flight Deck to sit, nosh, and watch the floatplanes return to the Gastineau Channel. It was a terrific seafood-filled Saturday.

Juneau's Fourth of July Festivities

July 14, 2013

The Fourth of July in Juneau is a BIG DEAL. There are so many events taking place throughout the community that it's difficult to choose how to maximize your time. I opted to start my morning with a pancake feed hosted by the downtown fire department, then I strolled over to Egan Drive for my first time watching the Juneau parade.

In years past, I've only gone to the parade near my home on Douglas Island, so the downtown Juneau parade was a real treat. I wrapped up the morning with a hot dog fest at my church, Resurrection Lutheran. After traffic subsided, I mosied back over to the island for the Douglas parade, a real slice of small-town Alaska.

The Fire Department's Pancake Feed was terrific, with 50% of proceeds benefiting the families of the fallen firefighters from Prescott, Arizona.

The sun and blue skies finally peeked through the clouds.  Such a blessing there was no rain on the parade! — The sun and blue skies finally peeked through the clouds. Such a blessing there was no rain on the parade!

The hot dog fest at my church was very well attended.  It was a nice tribute to one of the church's members, Bill Johnson, who passed away recently. — The hot dog fest at my church was very well attended. It was a nice tribute to one of the church's members, Bill Johnson, who passed away recently.

With Pastor Sue.  She's a gem! — With Pastor Sue. She's a gem!

Fourth of July, Small-Town Alaska Style

July 14, 2013

There's a whole slew of Fourth of July events in Juneau each year. But none are as unique and Alaskan as the parade on Douglas Island. Check out my photos, and don't miss the video below - the kiddo's expression at minute 2:18 is PRICELESS!