Saturday, August 4, 2012

ALASKA:  KISSIN' THE MOOSE IN TALKEETNA


 

I tried kissing a moose a couple of times.




I tried BECOMING a moose once.


And I even tried to dance with a bear.


But cousin Adele REALLY kissed a moose antler, and it wasn't pretty.
When we left Anchorage to start our land tour, we boarded the Wilderness Express train to go north.


Our cruise company (Celebrity, owned by Royal Carribbean) had private cars with a restaurant on the lower deck and huge windows on the upper.  It allowed us to walk during the trip, to look for moose and bear, and to learn a lot of info about Alaska from our tour guide.




Tom and his wife Rita



Our first stop was in the small town of Talkeetna.  It's often advertised as being like the town of Cicely in television's Northern Exposure.  Broad streets, quaint buildings, VERY low-profile and quiet.



Although 50 miles from Denali, it is the starting place for climbers, who fly in to Base Camp.  Talkeetna has a small museum that talks about the history of climbing...and also a cemetery that honors some of those who have lost their lives.  At least six men have died on the mountain this year.


The shuttle bus dropped us off at the town, and we were off!  The very very first tourist shop had a cute decorative garden of gravel, flowers, and several moose antlers laying there, and when Adele walked past this lovely decor, she slipped and fell!  FLAT ON HER FACE, wham!  Down!

Of all the impossible things to happen, her face hit a moose antler, and the point of the antler went INSIDE her mouth and punctured the inside of her cheek!

Did you ever hear of such a thing?!

It was large enough to be concerned about, and so a doctor was consulted, but they decided to leave it untouched.  The whole side of her face was bruised for the rest of the trip.

But you have to admit, there's a lot of humor to be found in it too.  Of course we were concerned about her, but it was hard not to laugh as well.  I imagine the doctor did--and went off to add it to the book he's going to write some day, called My Crazy Adventure with Tourists in AlaskaMeanwhile, Adele got a lot of "ribbing" about moose every day.

9 comments:

  1. I hope you have some idea how cute you are. :)Did you actually buy the amazing moose hat? If so, I think your doc needs to see you styling in it. I would start by telling him I was concerned about these new growths on my head...and poor Adele. Accidents are often so humiliating.  

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  2. No, TobyBo - I did not buy it.  A lot of people told me I should have, but really, where would I wear it?  At least I got a great photo and that's surely all I need!  

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  3. just make sure your doc sees it. I'm sure it would make his (?) day.  :)

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  4. Just now reading this!  Funny!  Yet.....not.  Not a great way to meet a moose.

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  5. Wow, that moose story sounds painful! I see I wasn't over here for awhile. Your visit sounds like a wonderful experience. I like the moose hat too. God bless you with a wonderful day too. I must stop by more and visit.

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  6. It always dangerous to kiss the antlers of a moose :¨Poor Couson Adele . But this could turn more serious .BTW you are cut with tour antkers hat !!I wnat to get the same !I like the wild train .This was a wonderful travel in Alaska .Love [v}Michelps:  I did not hear from you for a while )

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  7. About your comment, I got the book from a guy who has a lot of stuff, mostly junk but lots of old books too. I think it was printed in 1912 and had a pencil written price of $23 inside the front cover. That sounds a little expensive since it lists books for sale back then, which can be bought at your local booksellers for 50 cents. Interesting. I love old books!

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  8. Miriam, I found it online for free!  I love stories like this; will have to read it.

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  9. @mcbery - Miriam, I found it online for free!  I love stories like this; will have to read it.

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