Sunset Serenade

I stayed home most of yesterday, taking care of some neglected chores. While I worked, I also listened to and watched the televised memorial service for our beloved Uncle Ted. There were a number of out of towners there--Vice President Biden, several members of Congress, dignitaries from overseas. Those who spoke mentioned Uncle Ted's love for Alaska.

And then, around seven o'clock, I could fight the craving no longer.

I laced on my hiking boots, grabbed the truck keys, and drove some twenty miles into the mountains. I should say, I guess, FARTHER into the mountains.

I was heading to the bottom of this hill and around the corner. Click on the photo to enlarge it to full screen to get the full effect of the layered mountains.



When I reached the exact spot I wanted, I parked, grabbed my grab stick and started filling yellow bags. It took me two and a half hours to cover a mile of highway--one mile up and one mile back.

I could have done it much quicker had I not stopped to watch the light show and take pictures of it. Here are some photos that show the progression. I've divided them into two groups--one set looking north and the other looking south.

Here's the looking north batch:









And, looking south:






Finally, west:


I wonder if any of the out of town mourners were still in Anchorage this evening. I wonder if they happened to look outside sometime between 8 and 9:30 p.m. If so, they saw something of what Uncle Ted loved about this land.

Thank you, Uncle Ted

Dear Uncle Ted,

The country, the world, knows you as Senator Ted Stevens, R-Alaska.

We know you as Uncle Ted. You, more than anyone else, has had a profound impact on the building of this land known as Alaska.

Thank you for that and for your life dedicated to the service of Alaska and to the United States of America.

They are gathering today, this afternoon, to say goodbye. The Vice President, many Congressional members, state officials past and present, foreign dignitaries, and movers and shakers from all over the country are there.

I'm not there, but I'm thinking about you.

Thank you, Uncle Ted. To Catherine and your family, I send my deepest condolences.