Continuing our early Christmas shopping spree, we drive to Anchorage, see creatures and machines that fly, enjoy some fine dining and catch both Santa and the police at work

Yesterday, we began our early Christmas shopping spree by staying out here in the valley, but at the end of the day, hardly had anything to show for it. So today, we decided to see if we could do better in Anchorage. So here we are, leaving the valley, about to cross the Knik River on our way to Anchorage.

Once we got to Anchorage, we had to stop at a red light as we waited to make a left turn. A couple of young people wanting to cross the road also had to stop for their own red light.

As we sat waiting for the light to change, a raven flew by. I wish there had been enough time for me to roll the window down so I would not have had to shoot through the dirty glass, but the raven appeared just like that and disappeared just like that so I had to shoot just like that.

We finally got the green light and turned left. We drove one more block to another left turn lane. This time, we had a green light but had to stop anyway. I don't know what this means, but I hope it was minor and doesn't mean that Christmas was completely ruined for someone or for several someones, but it might. Tragedy respects no holiday.

We went first to Northway Mall, which once thrived but is now nearly dead. As we walked through the chill air toward the entrance, this plane flew over after taking off from Merrill Field.

We didn't buy anything at Northway Mall, so we went to Penny's Mall, which continues to thrive. We were hungry by then and decided to have lunch together with a whole bunch of other people. This is a place where everybody in a party can choose a different restaurant yet still sit at the same table. Margie had food cooked on a wok from an Asian eatery and I had Mexican - chicken quesedilla with fried rice and refried beans.

I've had much better. Still, it was pretty good and I enjoyed it.

We bought a couple of things at Penny's Mall but not much. Next we went to Diamond Mall, where we came upon this family of happy mannequins. There are some new malls in Anchorage, too - constructed in the new American style of non-enclosed malls where you get to walk over snow and ice from one store to the next.

We didn't go to any of those malls.

Santa was at Diamond and his beard was real. My doubts as to whether or not Santa really exists had been growing, but, as you can see for yourself, here he is.

I just wondered where he had parked his giraffes.

We bought a couple of little things at Diamond Mall, but not much. It is really hard to know what to buy anybody. We are going to have to finish up tomorrow, out here in the valley. In fact, right here in Wasilla.

On the way home, we stopped at Carl's Jr. in Eagle River for dinner. Whilst we ate, a policeman herded some young people* into the parking lot where they all appeared to have a nice discussion. I hope that when they parted company, they all spoke these words to each other:

"Merry Christmas!"

*Yes, even though it weakens the picture I have blurred the images of the kids. I like to catch life as it unfolds around me, but all of us who have been kids have likely been where these ones are right now and I have no desire to embarass them.

Comments

[KatzKids]

A very Merry Christmas to you & your family Bill! Thanks for all the wonderful pictures & stories you bring us through the years.

[WakeUpAmerica]

Thank you for my dialy dose of sanity in an insane world! Warm wishes for a very merry Christmas with family.

[Logbook - Wasilla - Beyond]

Thank you, KatzKids and Merry Christmas to you and your's too.

WakeUpAmerica: Although I sometimes wonder how the word "sanity" could apply to anything I do, you are most welcome and Merry Christmas to you and your family and loved ones, too.