My dear sweet Momma is visiting from Bama for a few weeks. I have been determined to show her the REAL Alaska, and I think she got the gist. Rain doesn't deter Juneauites - even for a Fourth of July Parade.
Fourth of July, Juneau-Style
Rain doesn't deter Juneauites from outdoor celebrations, and it certainly didn't deter me from getting my Momma out and about for her first Fourth of July in the Last Frontier. Because of late-night brightness in the Alaska sky, official fireworks traditionally start at 11:59pm on July 3, a big change for my Mom who's visiting from Alabama. Having her by my side to watch the brilliant fireworks light up the Juneau 'skyline' was an awesome kick off to the Fourth of July weekend.
Downtown Juneau's parade is one of my favorite summer events, and I think the cruise ship passengers who happen to be docked in Juneau on the fourth are oh-so-lucky. What better way to see a slice of southeast Alaska!
Want to see how the celebration changes from year to year? Check out my blog post from 2013 for more photos and videos.
NBC's The Today Show, From All Angles
Before the crack of dawn on an unseasonably dry July morning, over fifteen hundred Juneauites visited the Mendenhall Glacier for the chance to appear on national television. NBC’s The TODAY Show – in their first LIVE broadcast from Alaska – featured a cadre of tourism highlights during their filming in Alaska’s Capital City.
What started with Roll Tide hecklers progressed with a little girl and her penguin making their way through the crowd. The behind-the-scenes action didn't stop there. Our obligatory selfie happened not once, twice, but three times with the ever-gracious AND gorgeous Natalie Morales. The rain held off, daylight peaked, and the morning’s festivities wrapped up with NBC’s anchor-extraordinaire petting our fur hats and playing a guessing game of “What kind of fur is it?” (Note: Mom and I were wearing fur seal and fox fur hats, respectively. Natalie guessed, "Bear??")
For more behind-the-scenes highlights, check out my Vimeo video (below) and TODAY Takes Off.
The Crowd and the Signs
The Lady in Yellow
But First, Lemme Take a #Selfie
Dressing the Part with Cozy Kuspuks and Fur Hats
Here's a big shout out to the ever-talented Karena Perry of KM Perry Photos for taking these shots of me and my Momma. Mom is wearing a traditional kuspuk made by Nita Y. Rearden, and I am wearing my favorite kuspuk made by my Mom in 2013.
Chasing Rainbows
Just when life seems darkest, a rainbow of hope shines brightly in the Alaska sky.
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