Celtibillies In Alaska

Seldovia and the final days

2008-08-05T14:21:00.019-08:00

Well every time we think we have seen the most beautiful view in the world, we come around the corner, or over a hill, or some clouds settle on a mountain, and it changes everything. Never before have we said "Wow!" so much from the views we were taking in. I don't believe these photos can really convey the beauty and vastness of the sights.

The ride over the water to Seldovia was wonderful. This was originally a Russian village set up around fishing. The name "Seldovia" is Russian for "herring".

What a place this was. We asked if there were any horses in town. They said there was one. We got a kick out of that. The town is accessible by air or water only. Many of the people in the town volunteer to take care of the many things a small community needs. The beauty was incomparable. They have a small church, a police officer, a bar, a grocery store, a volunteer EMS team who is on-the-ready to take people across the water to the hospital in Homer. They have a hotel as well as a bed-and-breakfast. We were greeted at the dock by two young girls playing violin. The Seldovia Arts Council puts a lot of work into bringing artists into their community to host concerts and make even more of wonderful place to be.

Did I mention that we got to see bald eagles and sea otters? Beautiful. There were wood carvings which were so impressive, placed in front of homes and businesses in Seldovia. What became even more impressive was when we found out the were done by chainsaw! Amazing!

We included photos of friends met while in Alaska, friends we made who helped loan us instruments to make our trip possible, as well as friends who helped coordinate all sorts of other stuff, including putting up we Jack and myself. If it wasn't for these people, I don't know if we could have done. Thanks to everyone who made this trip possible and everyone who made it more beautiful.

Jeff, Jack, Tim, Becky, Ann

Day 7 - Heading to Homer

2008-08-01T18:21:00.024-08:00

What a drive!!! Wow, the scenery keeps getting better and better.

Picture driving down a gently rolling road along side wetlands. Then you head down further beside the body of water called Turnagain Arm. We were struck by the blue colors coming through the clouds that sat on the mountains as the early sun tried to gleam through. This road took us further down to the Kenai Peninsula. As we went through Sterling, AK, we saw the signs warning of the high number of moose killed by cars each year(no mention of the drivers...I'm sure they were OK....oh yeah, we saw no moose there)....we went on to Homer where you come down the mountain to look out over the Kachemak Bay at Cook Inlet. Across the water we saw a the Kenai Mountain which were ice covered and included three volcanoes. The people are great, and we caught maybe what the locals referred to the fifth day of summer. (It has been a record-cold and wet summer.)

We played for the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra Summer Concert Series, where we met another couple from Virginia. We have had someone from Virginia in every crowd on this tour! Small world. It was there I met the bassist from the original run of the production "Up With People." We also got to meet the wonderful owner of the hammered dulcimer that we were provided with for the tour. By the way, if you ever make it to Homer, AK, make sure to go to the the Pratt Museum. It is wonderful!!!

Day 6 - Back to Anchorage

2008-08-01T17:49:00.013-08:00

Just now getting settled in with a hotel room and wi-fi.

Now I can update yesterday's photos.

Hope you enjoy.

Jeff

P.S. that first photo....trust me....do what they say....long story.

2008-07-31T10:28:00.001-08:00

Day 5 - Leaving Denali July 30, 2008

Leaving Denali and headed back to Anchorage

Dear diary, today has been the coldest morning yet....upper 40's and very damp.

I didn't layer quite as much as I should have. We went to see the dogsled demonstration while Jack and Becky went whitewater rafting. I'm not sure how we'll meet up with them again....man I should have worn more layers...

The dogs pulled a sled around a gravel path with ease, as if if on on snow....I MEAN THIS IS REALLY COLD!!!

....is this the published blog page??? OOPS!

Today was the last morning to take in a bit more of Denali before heading back into Anchorage. We were glad to have had enough gas to get back without refueling there. The gas prices in Cantmore were the highest yet...$5.649/gal !!!

A mama bear and two cubs jolted out of the woods attempting to cross the road, but saw the cars and darted back in. We Celtibillies stopped to see if they tried for a second attempt. We saw the mother poke her head out of the woods and then went back in. While we stared as hard as possible with cameras focused on that spot, Jack noticed out of the corner of his eye, they had cut around beside us to dart across a driveway. Clever girl! They were too quick for us.

Also not included in our photo montage was the elusive Alaskan husky ATV 4-wheeler. That's right....a dog team hooked up to a four-wheeler for summer training. By the time we stopped and got the cameras out, they were off into the woods. Maybe we'll be quicker next time.

Later, we arrived in Anchorage and went to dinner with a friend who lives there. Coincidentally there was an informal Celtic music jam going on. Jack sat on on fiddle for a couple of songs. When we explained we were in town to perform for the "Out North" concert series, they exclaimed..."Celtibillies?" We were pleasantly surprised.

For now we are settling down for a quiet rest of the evening. It's 10:30PM and the sun is low on the horizon. Tomorrow there will be a radio interview followed by our concert later in the evening. Thanks to everyone who is following along on our trip, and thanks for the wonderful comments Don't hesitate to add something. We love the support. More to come soon.

Jeff

Day 4-DENALI !!!

2008-07-29T21:45:00.001-08:00

Wow! We were fortunate today. The sun came out. We had nice weather for viewing lots of amazing animals and mountains. Here's a few of them.

Day 3- Leaving Delta Junction - July 29, 2008

2008-07-28T23:18:00.001-08:00

Day 3 - Leaving Delta Junction, AK....

The day started off with a cold, windy morning.

We then ate a huge breakfast at one of the town's famed restaurants called Poorboy's, where we sat at the bar and heard "Brown Sugar" by the Stones.

I knew it was going to be a good day, despite the cold rain and the 8 miles of construction leaving the town.

Fairbanks, was much more clear and warm. The Walmart Super Center was huge!

We ate the the Chowder House, which I highly recommend if you ever make it to Fairbanks. I had the smoked salmon chowder. Beck had the corn and halibut chowder. The spoon stood up in the bowl. Now that's chowder! (see picture below).

We had been scanning ponds, fields, and woodlands for wildlife, but then

one of the trip highlights was as we approached the town limits coming into Fairbanks. A moose and her two babies walking along the fence next to the highway. (Female moose are called cows....and yes, teh correct plural of moose is moose, even though everyone will understand you if you choose to say mooses or meese..my favorite).

As we approached Denali National Park, we were taken by the beauty and vastness of its mountains, many of which we could not see the peaks of, as they were hidden in the clouds. Then the wind and rain picked up again.

I was disappointed to look out of the back of the cabin-style hostel where were staying to see the view pictured below. It consisted of snow capped mountains behind us, and right next to the cabin was a blue fast running glacial run-off creek...yes, I said blue. I don't know if the photos can show how blue it really was.

We are hoping the weather is more kind tomorrow for our trip into Denali.

Stay tuned for more to come.

Jeff

Celtibillies - Day 2 continued

2008-07-28T10:24:00.000-08:00

This first photo was from 10:ooPM looking out over the delta at Delta Junction, AK. Wow!

Celtibillies - Day 2

2008-07-28T10:16:00.000-08:00

Delta Junction, Home of the Annual Deltana Fair. We hope to come back. This was a blast!

celtibillies Day 2

2008-07-28T10:09:00.001-08:00

Delta Junction, home of the annual Deltana Fair. We saw lots of cool stuff. We hope to come back next year!

Alaska- Day 2

2008-07-27T20:25:00.000-08:00

Alaska- Day 1 continued

2008-07-27T00:11:00.000-08:00

Below were some of the wonderful and shocking things we saw.

Alaska- Day 1

2008-07-27T00:06:00.000-08:00

We started off our trip on a rainy day.

Alaska -Day 1

2008-07-26T23:51:00.000-08:00

After getting some supplies, we hit the road. It was a rainy day, but we enjoyed the ride. We kept being shocked every time we we stopped.

Alaska- We made it!

2008-07-14T20:17:00.000-08:00

Well, we made it!

Alaska is great. What a strikingly beautiful place. The people are great, and the scenery is indescribable!

We played our first performance in Delta Junction at the Deltana Fair. Good times, good times. We will have photos of our trip.

Once we got to Anchorage, we had to drive to Delta Junction. This was more than a six hour drive but worth it.