Wednesday, July 16- Barrow

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We took it easy today. Maria and Perry went somewhere and Diana and I took a three mile walk around Barrow. We went to the AC store where I found a nice pair of Columbia boots for less money than they would cost in San Diego. That is astounding since a gallon of white vinegar is almost nine dollars here. 

Later in the day we went to the Inuipiat Heritage Center and watched the show. Then we walked back to the hotel and went to Joe's Museum which is quite a place. After that, it was off to the airport and the flight to Fairbanks. Tomorrow is the train to Denali park at 8:15 am.

(As usual, click on the little picture to see the big picture.)

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Vickie is the TSA supervisor in Barrow and is one of only two normal people I've met at TSA. The other is her boss. 

Nice folks doing a difficult job.

Vickie recommended Joe's Museum

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NanNookie walking along the road toward the Inuit Heritage Center.
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The Polar Bear Club.

All you have to do is jump into 28 degree water all the way over your head and let Fran Tate (far right) watch you do it. 

Then you get a certificate and holes in your soles when you go back into the hotel and walk up the steel stairs in your bare feet.

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I can prove I went to the museum. See, there I am in the mirror.
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I can also prove that NanNookie went to the museum.
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This little guy is resting before he has to go on and entertain the tourists.
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Perry and NanNookie watch the show. You can tell by NanNookie's smile that she is having a good time. You can tell by Perry's camera that he is, too.
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This is the program we watched. It was done by high school kids who, I'm sure, would have rather been at the beach catching some rays.

 Of course, the beach was 34 degrees, it was overcast with no sun, and there is no sand on the beach, only ice.

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Grandma is demonstrating how to make winter boots. If you were growing up in this culture you would want a woman with strong hands. (Of course, if you made her angry, she could do many nasty things to you with a number of sharp objects.)

This is a lost skill. North Face and Columbia have single handedly killed the native boot making art. 

Nike has helped, too.  

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This little guy was so happy to be part of the program. I took about seventy photos of him and these are the best. 
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You cannot watch him without smiling.
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He is doing the Inuit Macarena.
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When it gets too difficult he sits and watches the audience watching him.
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Boogie on, kid!
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This gentleman was telling us about the history of the region. He comes from a family that was involved in the early history of Alaska and his grandson is in the next photo playing the drum.
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Grandson also teaches this friends how to make the drums they play.
Blanket Toss
You will have to ask Perry or Diana what this is all about. There is some deep symbolism that I don't know because I was more interested in taking photos of the little kid than I was in listening to the explanation. 

I think the idea is to stick this young girl's head through the ceiling.

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Diana and Maria dance some native dance.
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Then they take a bow. 
Joe Shults' Museum

For 28 years, Joe delivered water to homes in Barrow who did not have plumbing.  He was known as Joe the Waterman and his claim to fame was that he delivered water in a T-shirt. This is no mean feat since some days that meant that he was in shirtsleeves in 40 below (or more) temperatures. His mom is Fran Tate, owner of Pepe's Restaurant and the Polar Bear Club lady (above).

Joe's real claim to fame is one of the most interesting collections of native stuff and stuffed animals in this region.  


Joe Shults
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Diana with Perry's bear. This is one of only 28 stuffed polar bears in Alaska.

If Diana had been with one of these in the wilderness, she would have been dressed as NanNookie and had a sign on her back reading, "If you see me running, try to keep up!"

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Joe, Perry and Maria with a set of walrus tusks. This is the closest that Maria will get to her own pair.
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The poster advertising his museum. You pay what you feel it's worth.

I thought it was worth a lot. 

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Maria tried to put her hand in the bears mouth and couldn't . She wouldn't stand a chance in the wilderness. The bear would hold still as long as he could chew on her.
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I don't know why Perry isn't more nervous about where this wolves head is. 
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The article about his retirement.
 

 

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