Anchorage Downtown

"Yesss! We get to ride the lightrail!"  We're going DOWNTOWN everyone!" said in the most enthusiastic voice.

Yes we are going downtown, but there is NO lightrail.  However, we did explore a little bit of Anchorage Downtown with THE FRIENDS. (like one street)  We started off with the federal building. I just got luck and parked right across the street from it.  This was by chance.  You have to parallel park downtown.  I was terrible with a smaller vehicle and now I have a larger one.  So I drove around until I found one that was on the end that I could pull right into and then back up with LOTS OF ROOM so I wouldn't hit a car. Totally pathetic I know.  Something to work on!

Inside the federal building is a small museum that explains a lot of Alaskan Wildlife.  Some of the animals we learned about are Orca whales/dolphins, otters, seals, sea lions, ravens, bald eagles, polar bears, other bears, arctic fox, squirrels, lemmings, salmon, wolf, moose and many others.  The kids had a great time.  I even learned a few things...that a male orca has a staight fin on top (dorsal fin).  A female has a curved top (dorsal) fin.  Who knew? 

We were able to do a search and find on the exhibit and watch a short film.  It was great fun and so informative.  And they were very kind to us having six kids in tow.  Good thing they were not very busy is all I can say.  They just may have kicked us out!

The kiddos having fun even when it is snowy and cold. 
We should learn from thier examples.  They are so adaptable.

Then we walked down the street to the earthquake museum/memorial.  In 1965 there was a tremendous earthquake in Valdez that was a 9.2.  It reeked havoc on all of Alaska.  I was able to see the pictures of the damage it did.  The street where the museum is now located is where the plates shifted over 10 feet.  One side of the road was 10 feet above the other side of the street...building included.  Roads were fractured 5 feet wide.  How amazingly SCARY!  I hope that we do not have to be around for one like this...how 'bout EVER!  Below is a picture of the epicenter and the kids showing where in Alaska they live geographically. 

Then we continued our adventure by walking along the street to get our picture by a TOTEM POLE.  Saw a strip of downtown.  Looked in an Alaskan gift shop...found moose poop preserved in all kinds of unique fashionwear and other crazy things.  Pen Pals Beware:  You just may end up with some of this unique stuff!

Then we ended with a nice dinner at Outback Steakhouse with the family to celebrate the end of the semester and the welcome to Christmas/Winter break .  We had a great evening.  The kiddos all fell asleep in the 30 minute drive home.  What a great day...even if we didn't get to ride the lightrail!