Wrangell: Day Two

June 30, 2023

Today was a day to sit back, relax (a day without worrying about wind, waves, and straits), finish a few boat projects which included exchanging the old rusted out windshield wipers for new ones that didn’t fit quite right (enter in MacGyver and wire), and a few cultural events.

This morning I woke early and did the wash at the local laundromat, picked up the wipers and experienced what happens here but definitely NOT—as they say—in the “lower 48.” I came upon numerous cars and trucks parked by a store or a bank with their motors running, keys in the car, door cracked open, whilst they went about their errands. Wow, that would never happen in most American cities that I am aware of. I do recall when I was growing up in Spokane, Washington that people left their cars running outside establishments, especially in the winter. Those days are long gone—except for the wiles of Alaska.

The first place Marlene and I visited was the Chief Shakes Tribal House, a reproduction of the 1775 original tribal house. There were interesting totems and artifacts. This is definitely worth a visit.

Then we were on to the local Quilt Store. Marlene has never passed up an opportunity to visit a fabric store, regardless of where in the world we are. She picked up fabric by local artists that can only be purchased in Alaska.

We are planning on visiting the Tlingit petroglyphs on the outside of town on the rocky shore tomorrow. It’s pizza tonight at the local bar/restaurant. And, oh yes, I did have several more “bear encounters.”