From Alaska to Alabama: Week One

(blogging today from Huntsville, Alabama)

Today marks one week that I left Alaska for a long-awaited and much needed excursion down South.  It has been a whirlwind of a trip so far, catching up with family and close friends, eating a ridiculous amount of Southern food, and marveling at the warm winter temperatures.

Traveling from Alaska to Alabama isn’t always easy.  This trip included the “milk run” out of Juneau, which took me through rural Southeast Alaska with stops in Petersburg, Wrangell, and Ketchikan.  I then traveled to Seattle, took the red-eye to Atlanta, and a short hop over to Birmingham, Alabama.

Regardless of the jet-lag, it is so much fun being back in The South.  Here’s a photo synopsis of my trans-continental travels and my first week in Bama:

All aboard the Boeing 737-400 Combi aircraft in Juneau!  This is a combination cargo and passenger aircraft with all passengers way in the back.

It never fails.  The moment I depart rainy Juneau, the sun starts shining!

De-icing the plane in Petersburg, Alaska.

Petersburg Airport.  Not to be confused with St. Petersburg Airport.

Wrangell Airport

Ketchikan International Airport

An Eskimo and the moon.

Deplaning at the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport

First class fruit plate. 

Watching "The Dark Knight Rises" and drinking champagne during my red-eye flight to Atlanta.

First stop in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport : CHICK-FIL-A!

Catching up with my good friend, Eduardo, who wore a Nome Ice Golf Classic t-shirt in honor of my visit. 

Noshed on a Krispy Kreme Doughnut Milkshake at the Flip Burger Boutique in Birmingham, Alabama.

A little bit of Alaska at the Anthropologie store at The Summit in Birmingham, Alabama.

I wasn't expecting it to be this warm IN THE WINTER.

The weather was so balmy and hot for me, we had to drive with the windows down.

Sassy shoes!  Glitzy stilettos = a fixture of Southern couture.

I'm not sure if this is practical in Alaska, but it sure is cute in Alabama!

You know you're close to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center when you see Astronaut Ice Cream for sale.  (I think I prefer Eskimo Ice Cream now.)

Catching up with my very good friend, confidant, and mentor, Audrey, who also happens to be a big reason I moved to Alaska.  This woman has changed my life!

Finally able to wear my sunglasses - something I don't do very often in the temperate rainforest of Juneau!

Scoping out Alaska fish condition and prices in Birmingham at the Whole Foods market.

Milo's, it's been too long!  <gulp, gulp>

Shameless promotion of my site at Whole Foods.

Yes, this happened.  Why I'm not working for them, I do not know.

Celebrated my best friend Carmen's 30th birthday with a Murder Mystery Party.  Unbeknownst to me, my character was cast as the killer!

Took part in an OUTSTANDING Christmas service at a new place called Church of the Valley.  I partook in communion and was pleasantly surprised with their use of disposable communion sets.  What a neat idea.

Two Southernisms: "Bojangles" and a fast food discount for going to church.

Stopped in to see "Mr. Jerry," a great family friend.  Jerry Swanson is the founder of Alabama Orthotics and Prosthetics which provided artificial legs to my Dad throughout the course of much of his life.  It's always a pleasure visiting with Mr. Jerry and his wife, Bonnie.

Had a lovely visit with friends, Deb and Tim.  These folks ooze Southern hospitality, and I enjoy soaking up time with them.

There isn't a Target store anywhere in Southeast Alaska.  Needless to say, I was beyond surprised to discover Target is collaborating with Neiman Marcus now!

Talkin' Tuesday: How to Speak Like an Alaskan

(blogging to you today from Birmingham, Alabama)

"Down South"

phrase: an Alaskan's way of referring to the Lower 48.   Also known as the place of unlimited shopping choices, terrific eateries, and warmer temperatures.  Also generally known for traffic and tornadoes.

Example: "I can't wait to fly Down South and catch up on my retail therapy at Saks 5th Avenue!"

Not to be confused with "The South" - land of Chick-Fil-A, Krispy Kreme, and unlimited Southern twang.

According to Alaskans, "The South" is "Down South."

Something Alaskans can only find "Down South" - Krispy Kreme MILKSHAKES!

Fancy footwear you'll likely only find "Down South."  (Sorry, Alaskan fashionistas, but Christian Louboutin doesn't sell stiletto ice grippers.)

At the Guvnah's House

(blogging to you today from Atlanta, Georgia)

Alaska Governor Sean Parnell and First Lady, Sandy, continued an Alaska tradition on December 11 with opening the Governor’s Mansion to visitors for a festive holiday celebration.  The annual open house welcomed more than 3,200 visitors to savor the holiday spirit and enjoy an assortment of cookies, nuts, fruit, and oodles of delectable fudge. 

This is one of my favorite events in Juneau and a big reason I enjoy living in the capital city of Alaska.  The proximity to state officials is remarkable, and I appreciate this sizable event gives Alaskans the chance to hob-nob with the Governor, First Lady, Lieutenant Governor, and Cabinet members.  It is also a neat occasion to see the inside of the home of Alaska’s top public servant.  Exploring the impeccably decorated interior and exterior really puts me in the Christmas spirit. 

According to the Juneau Empire, this event has been held since 1913, with the exception of a two year hiatus during World War II.  I first attended the Governor’s Holiday Open House in 2010, and it has become an annual tradition for me and my friends.  It is delightful to stand outside the mansion and socialize with my Juneau neighbors in freezing weather.  Being served hot cider and homemade treats by the Governor’s Cabinet members makes the low temperatures, snow, and ice more tolerable. 

This year’s event also included 24,000 cookies and 200 pounds of fudge, all locally made.  It was charming to see kiddos and adults alike, exiting the home of the Governor while hoarding plates and piles of sweet treats as they trudge back to their homes.

If you’re planning a visit to Alaska in early December, try to schedule a stop in Juneau during the Governor’s Open House.  You won’t be disappointed.  And you might, just might, get to shake hands with the Guvnah.

A rare blue-skies Juneau day, overlooking the Federal Building (left) and the Governor’s Mansion (right).

Same view as above, but at night.

 

The Governor’s Mansion is so brightly lit, you can see it a mile away.

My Christmas photo with Governor Sean Parnell, First Lady Sandy Parnell, and Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell (right to left).

A visit to the Governor’s Mansion isn’t complete without the requisite photo at the door.

Talkin' Tuesday: How to Speak Like an Alaskan

Akutaq                                 [a-goo-duck]

noun:  a common food in western Alaska, usually made with ingredients such as Crisco or animal oil, berries, sugar, and fish.  Yupik word for “something mixed.”  Also known as Eskimo ice cream.

Example: “That Akutaq was so tasty, I’m still grinnin’ like a possum eatin’ a sweet tater.”

I first tasted akutaq in Kotzebue, north of the Arctic Circle.  I was at a public event, and a young girl approached me with an old shoebox full of small paper cups, each packed to the brim.  “Would you like some Eskimo ice cream?” she asked.  Famished, I said, “Yes, please,” and took the fullest cup.  This Southern woman never turns down ice cream.

It was then explained to me that the variation of ice cream I was so eager to spoon into my mouth was actually a combination seal oil, salmon, Crisco, loose snow, salmonberries, blueberries, and sugar.  Since trying akutaq with an open mind was the respectful thing to do, I did my usual countdown… 3-2-1… and BOOM!  Flavor explosion!  Rich, gooey, bitter, tart, saccharine, indescribable texture, and unexpectedly pleasing to the palate.  

Try it.  You just might like it.

My first cup of akutaq in Kotzebue, north of the Arctic Circle.

The tentatively first taste.

A box full o' akutaq at the 2012 Alaska Federation of Natives in Anchorage, Alaska.