From Donna

We arrived at 1am after an uneventful but spectacular flight over the mountains into Anchorage. Our biggest surprise was how light it was outside when we arrived - the sun was just at the horizon. Apparently, the days are so long here in the summer that they basically just don't end.

Today we explored Anchorage a bit. We weren't quite hitting our stride. First, we tried to go to a museum with a simulated earthquake exhibit, but couldn't find it, only to learn it had been torn down. Then we went to a movie about the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) which was quite lovely and interesting for the first ten minutes but unfortunately went on for thirty more minutes. Then we decided to go to the Native Heritage Center by walking to the bus, waiting fifteen minutes, and then only finding it was full, and refused to take us, with another one an uncertain amount of additional wait. (Taxi to the rescue.) At the Center, we stopped for lunch, where they were out of salmon, out of lobster, and had no milk or OJ. Hmmm ... they're still working on this tourism thing in Alaska!

Things looked up when we explored the Native Heritage Center. They had terrific replica villages of native Alaskans, staffed with articulate young guides. We also watched demonstration of native games and dances.

The weather was spectacular, so we all ended up quite happy with our goofy day. At dinner, we met the tour guide, who seems quite capable, and noticed (but did not talk to) the many other teenagers on our trip.