Good Friday Memories

I'll never be able to think of Good Friday without remembering the Good Friday earthquake in Alaska. Surviving a 9.2 magnatude earthquake will leave quite an impression on a little girl.

At the time we lived on Fire Island in Cook Inlet, just outside of Anchorage.

It was a radar site for the FAA and my dad was stationed there. When I was young, I always thought the radar towers were haunted because they had a wierd glow at night! And the sweep of the radar inside the dome looked like a witch riding a broom going round and round!

The island installation wasn't much to look at...

For the FAA  families, there were apartments. For the Air Force, barracks, a chapel, a bx, just the basics. To get groceries, we would fly off the island to Anchorage, shop and then fly back with our groceries! Ah, the joys of powdered milk!

 

From the island, you could make out bits of Anchorage and the mountains behind her. And during the earthquake I remember only seeing the mountains at times and not seeing Anchorage or the water.

I also remember my dad yelling at me to get down because of the cracks that were opening up. The ground was shaking so hard, it sounded like a good idea... but I really thought my mom would be angry with me for getting my dress dirty. We were on our way back from chapel and I had my best dress on. The things that stick in your mind! I remember my dad crawling toward me and pulling me to the ground and I remember feeling relieved that I didn't have to try to remain upright anymore.

The last thing I remember was that it was really loud, a huge roar, and that it seemed to go on forever. And when it did finally stop, the adults seemed to not have answers for the first time in my memory. Everyone had questions... How bad was it? Was anyone hurt? How would we get in touch with the outside? Was the radar knocked out? Was everyone accounted for? Did we have phone or radio?

Ultimately, the damage on the island was less than that of other parts of Alaska, although we did lose our beach landing strip for several months. The waves took it out. We were able to let our family in Oregon know we were okay via hamm radio which for a while was our best means of communication.

A few months ago, my dad called me because he found this picture online. It's my dad looking at earthquake damage on the island on his way home from work.

These pictures easily bring back a number of the memories I have of that day in 1964. Although in the traditional measure of time, the earthquake was many years ago... that little girl in her best dress trying to 'surf' the earthquake is not too far away at all.

Wishing you all the best of Good Fridays!

From Alaska

TOG took the D80 up to Alaska on his fishing trip last week. He came back with mostly good shots. The learning curve on the D80 meant that some of the shots just weren't quite in focus... which is unfortunate because I think he has a real eye.

So I snuck into my old camera case and downloaded a few shots! Wanna see?

This first shot is Ketchikan at night. Or early in the morning. Or dusk. Not sure. But I'm impressed because he didn't take the tripod and I've had no end of issues shooting lights at night without picking up vibration...

Next we have a shot of this eagle. TOG had caught a small fish and returned it to the sea to live. It wasn't doing well, and was kind of swishing on the surface. It caught the eye of this eagle who did... well... did what eagles do... I think this is the best shot TOG took.

Moving on... here's the obvious shot of TOG holding one of his many salmon. It's a lovely fish. Would you like to know a secret? He tastes good too. I had a little chunk last night and he was delightful!

Finally... TOG took this shot just for me. Because he knew it would set me off.

As a dedicated fan of Deadliest Catch, and a former resident of Alaska, I know where the Bering Sea is. It is NOT near Ketchikan. So these folks are obviously luring the tourists off the cruise ships for....

...their official "Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour"... In Ketchikan. I don't know what part of the Bering Sea they're going to be shown on an excursion from Ketchikan... and yes, TOG was right. I'm outraged.

Thanks Honey.... for letting me show off your shots! Even though I didn't ask. I'm sure if I had, you would have said yes. Right? Honey? Sweetheart?

Asthmagirl out!