Amidst the warmth of the Staunton Senior Center, seven members, one staff member and one volunteer “traveled” to Alaska this morning thanks to the expedition Dr. Bob Weiss took his family on one summer thirty-two years ago.
Bob, his wife, and two young daughters drove to Alaska, camping for most of the way in their modified Dodge van. They traveled on the Alaska Highway, 1523 miles in fact, seeing along the way such animals as caribou, moose, grizzlies, humpback whales, porpoises, and bald eagles. They saw the Canadian Rockies and visited such places as Fairbanks, Juneau, Anchorage, Kotzebue (on the Arctic Ocean), and Nome, traveling by airplane, ferry, and car at various points.
The family experienced salmon bakes, the viewing of Mount McKinley, and the long days of summer in which the sun never really sets. One interesting fact is that people who live in Alaska don’t live in igloos as often envisioned but merely use them for shelter from storms if they get caught. The picture of an igloo that Bob had was actually made from sod.
Needless to say, the small audience of nine who gathered in the conference room at SSC greatly enjoyed the breathtaking scenery and interesting stories of the venture. Thanks to Bob for another most enjoyable getaway!
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