Day two in Juneau feeling better than day one although the rain is pouring down. I don't mind so much though. It's kind of nice to be inside relaxing a bit more and I am used to the rain coming from Philly. Yesterday we went downtown (there were 5 cruiseships docked in Juneau harbor) and went to the museum. The exhibits of native arts and crafts were wonderful. Our favorites: a skin diaper, waterproof parkas made of seal gut.
Afterwords we visited Barbara's friend Mary Ellen Frank (picture of Mary Ellen and my hostess Barbara above) who is a doll artist. She makes these amazing dolls of natives Some of Mary Ellen's dolls.
Barbara made sure I picked up the Alaska hunting guide -- a newsprint throwaway. Do you know that out-of-staters pay $18 to 20 thousand to hire a guide and outfitting to go bear hunting? The guide is full of photos of women -- mostly women -- and their kills. It is a different world entirely. Many people eat only wild animals -- either salmon,halibut, crabs, or venison and moose. In fact, the recipe for venison-spam chili is in demand -- Sam if you can find it, can you send it to me? Everyone is very appreciative of what Spam and Venison can do to a pot of chili.
Last night we had an amazing dinner of fresh halibut and salmon in a pecan-panko crust. Yum!
Today we go whale watching on the skiff. Of course it is raining, but one has to adapt.
