July Newsletter

The 4th of July is full of activities! Here are some things happening in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Borough.

From Anchorage.net:

Independence Day Early in Eagle River

The community of Eagle River gets a jump start on Independence Day celebrations on July 3. Sponsored by the Eagle River Lions Club, food, entertainment, and games in Eagle River Lions Park make the most of 19 hours of daylight. The extra sun means plenty of fun before nightfall, and fireworks as the sun gently dips for a few hours. Doors open for the annual Finis "Uncle Sam" Shelden 3rd of July Fireworks Extravaganza at 5 p.m.

Fourth of July in Anchorage

Anchorage’s Fourth of July celebrations includes everything from baseball to fireworks and an all-day festival at Downtown’s Delaney Park Strip. The 2023 celebrations feature the popular parade at 11 a.m. and the annual Alaska Baseball League Fourth of July doubleheader between crosstown rivals the Anchorage Glacier Pilots and the Anchorage Bucs.

After a full day of activity and celebration, there's nothing quite like unwinding in a cozy room. Anchorage lodging choices provide the perfect combination of sophistication, comfort, and convenient amenities.

South of Anchorage

A mountain tradition two hours south of Anchorage, the party in Seward begins at 12:01 a.m. on July 4 with fireworks. The biggest bang comes later that morning with the town's famed race, Mount Marathon. The course is straightforward, but far from easy: start downtown, run to the top of the 3,022-foot mountain, then run back to the finish.

It is rumored the race originated as a bet between locals that the mountain could not be tackled in less than an hour. Runners get schooled by steep slopes and gravity, inertia and loose shale, and get introduced to oxygen debt and lung capacity. The winners are usually locals who can practice on the mountain, or Alaska Olympians who can turn oxygen into speed.

From alaskavisit.com:

Fourth of July Celebration

Wasilla is home to a large community Fourth of July celebration every year. The town has several events planned that celebrate Independence Day.

Each year, Wasilla hosts a large parade that winds its way through town, with blocked off streets, starting at 11 a.m. The parade route is approximately 1.6 miles long and there are numerous locations that are ideal for viewing the floats, fire trucks and festivities. It is one of Alaska's largest Fourth of July parades and is a highlight of the summer. Following the parade, the Mayor's Picnic is held each year at Iditapark at the intersection of Lucille and Nelson avenues. Free food and drink is provided starting at 1:30 p.m. each year.

While Wasilla's parade is large, Talkeetna's parade may be the most unique you'll ever see. The small town celebrates with a parade that goes down the short Main Street, but if you miss it, don't worry - it turns around and does the same route in reverse!

While there isn't a parade in downtown Palmer, there are often concerts featuring live music at Palmer Alehouse and other locations.

The community of Willow also celebrates the Fourth of July with a small community parade at the community center.

If you live in Anchorage, or are in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, you live in one of the most sought after destinations in the world! Over 2 million people come to Alaska to visit each summer and seek activities to enhance their experience. Sadly, many Alaskan residents never take the time to enjoy these activities that are right in our own back yard. Many of these are free, or at least low cost. Here is a list from the Visit Anchorage website at anchorage.net:

1. Explore the Moose Loop. This 32-mile route around Anchorage is a great way to experience the city's four major bike trails (and yes, chances are good you'll spot a moose along the way).

2. Spend a day at the Kincaid Park beach. Part of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, it's the perfect spot for an afternoon picnic.

3. Cast a line at Ship Creek. The annual Slam'n Salm'n Derby takes place June 11-20 this year, and the fish run all summer long.

4. Take time to smell the flowers. Stroll through the Alaska Botanical Garden, visit a municipal greenhouse, or enjoy a downtown detour through the Delaney Park Strip's Centennial Rose Garden.

5. Ride the trolley. Anchorage Trolley Tours begin May 4 and run all summer long; you'll see the city and learn some surprising local history.

6. Experience Eklutna Lake. Kayak, bike the lakeside path, or hike the mountain trails overlooking the turquoise blue water.

7. Pan for gold. Local destinations like Indian Valley Mine National Historic Site and Crow Creek Historic Gold Mine offer great opportunities to learn about the rich history of the Anchorage area, too.

8. Learn about local landmarks. Anchorage is located within Dena'ina Elnena, the traditional homelands of the Dena'ina Athabascan people, and traditional place names are an important way to learn more about the area's long heritage. Start with this exhibit from the Anchorage Museum, then make plans to visit these places in person.

9. Go for Alaska Grown. Find a neighborhood farmers market (Anchorage has plenty from which to choose), then stock up on all the fixings for a fresh salad or other favorite dish. It's one of the best ways to savor a true taste of Alaska.

10. Cruise Portage Lake. This unique day trip gives guests a chance to get close to Portage Glacier aboard the mv Ptarmigan, a quick and scenic cruise unlike any other in Alaska.

11. Travel the Trail of Blue Ice. Another way to enjoy the scenic glaciers studding the walls of Portage Valley, the Trail of Blue Ice is a flat, accessible route idea for walking or biking.

12. See the sunset over the city. Head up to the Glen Alps trailhead for golden evening views of the Anchorage Bowl, Cook Inlet, Fire Island, Mount Susitna, and beyond.

13. Unwind in Girdwood. Enjoy a day trip to the resort community south of the city, explore a new trail, and pick up a meal or a sweet treat at your favorite local restaurant (there are pleny from which to choose).

14. Ride the rails. Take a train trip up to Talkeetna or explore the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop — Anchorage is the perfect base.

15. Gain some elevation in Arctic Valley. The Chugach State Park hiking trails branching out from Arctic Valley offer prime aerial views of Knik Arm, the South Fork Eagle River Valley, and the surrounding mountain peaks. Looking for something a little more laid back? Head up to the Arctic Valley Road overlook to enjoy big views without ever leaving your car.

16. Spend some time on the water. Cool off with a trip to a local favorite like Mirror Lake, Beach Lake, or Portage Creek, and rent a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard for a day full of paddle-powered fun.

17. Dine on a deck. Soak up the sun while sampling creative Alaska cuisine, locally caught or grown ingredients, craft brews, and other Anchorage specialties.

18. Dive into a local museum. Learn about Alaska's unique aviation culture, military history, and more. Check out the Alaska Jewish Museum, or the Little Lithuanian Museum & Library.

19. Catch a flight. A flightseeing tour is the perfect way to enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the city, Chugach State Park, or even Denali.

20. Explore public art. Anchorage murals and other outdoor art installations are a wonderful way to experience the city's culture, history, and community.

21. Browse for berries. The late summer months are filled with natural abundance, from wild Alaska blueberries to tart cranberries and succulent raspberries.

22. Watch for whales. Beluga whales are best spotted off the coast of Anchorage between July and August, when the salmon are running in Cook Inlet.

With the onset of summer, Alaskans embrace for the rise of the mosquito. The small and mighty hunter will invade our homes, cars, tents, bedrooms (usually when we try to sleep) for 2 to 3 months before suddenly disappearing into the fall. But what do they want? What are they after? Let's look for some answers. Perhaps knowing more about them will help us to live in harmony with these amazing creatures.

Mosquitos are known for carrying disease in other parts of the world, mostly in warmer climates, however in northern climates. Here in Alaska, Although mosquito bites can leave you with itchy and irritated skin, you're not likely to contract any severe illnesses from mosquito bites in Alaska. Only two of the 35 species can transfer West Nile Virus while Malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus are also non-factors for Alaska mosquitoes. There are approximately 3500 species of mosquitoes, comprising the family Culicidae (from the Latin culex meaning "gnat").[1] The word "mosquito" (formed by mosca and diminutive -ito)[2] is Spanish for "little fly". The oldest known mosquitoes are known from amber dating to the Late Cretaceous. Three species of Cretaceous mosquito are currently known, Burmaculex antiquus and Priscoculex burmanicus are known from Burmese amber from Myanmar, which dates to the earliest part of the Cenomanian stage of the Late Cretaceous, around 99 million years ago.[13][14] Paleoculicis minutus, is known from Canadian amber from Alberta, Canada, which dates to the Campanian stage of the Late Cretaceous, around 79 million years ago.[15] Priscoculex burmanicus can be definitively assigned to Anophelinae, one of the two subfamilies of mosquitoes alongside Culicinae, indicating the split between these two subfamilies occurred over 99 million years ago.[14] Molecular estimates suggest that the split between the two subfamilies occurred 197.5 million years ago, during the Early Jurassic, but that major diversification did not take place until the Cretaceous.[16].

Like all flies, mosquitoes go through four stages in their life cycles: egg, larva, pupa, and adult or imago. The first three stages—egg, larva, and pupa—are largely aquatic. Each of the stages typically lasts 5 to 14 days, depending on the species and the ambient temperature, but there are important exceptions.[25] Mosquitoes living in regions where some seasons are freezing or waterless spend part of the year in diapause; they delay their development, typically for months, and carry on with life only when there is enough water or warmth for their needs. For instance, Wyeomyia larvae typically get frozen into solid lumps of ice during winter and only complete their development in spring. The eggs of some species of Aedes remain unharmed in diapause if they dry out, and hatch later when they are covered by water.

Eggs hatch to become larvae, which grow until they are able to change into pupae. The adult mosquito emerges from the mature pupa as it floats at the water surface. Bloodsucking mosquitoes, depending on species, sex, and weather conditions, have potential adult lifespans ranging from as short as a week to as long as several months. Some species can overwinter as adults in diapause.[26]

Although it may seem like an uphill climb to fend off these little creatures, there are some things that you can do that will help keep them at bay:

• Wearing loose cut long sleeve shirts and pants creates a physical barrier that keeps bugs away from your skin. Tighter weave cotton shirts and pants work better than more porous synthetics.
• Wear khaki, white, neutral colors, or colors with short wavelengths like blue or green. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors with long wavelengths like black, red, and orange.
• Don't use scented soaps, lotions, or shampoos.
• If you're taking a multi-day backpacking or float trip, bring a headnet for backup.
• Use repellent. No question, DEET is the most effective method of combating our pesky neighbors. DEET becomes much more effective as its concentration increases from 0% to 40%. So 30-40% DEET is all you’ll normally ever need. The increase in repellency beyond that is very small. But if you’re backpacking in a heavy bug territory, 95%-100% DEET completely protects you. The bugs will come near, and then fly away—as if an invisible shield protects you.

  DEET is a strong chemical. You can sometimes taste it in your mouth from being absorbed through the skin. So only apply it directly on the skin of your face, hair, neck, and hands. For the rest of your body, rub it on your clothes, or use permethrin-treated clothes. And never use 95% or more DEET on small children.
  
  When using DEET:

1. Follow the product directions—it WILL melt certain camera cases and jacket fabrics!
2. If used with a sunscreen, apply the repellent 30 minutes to one hour after the sunscreen.
3. Never use it on wounds or irritated skin (it stings and gets absorbed)
4. Wash it off as soon as you're out of mosquito land.

Wherever you go this summer, be prepared, and remember to bring the bug spray!

Did you know that we have a collegiate baseball league right here in Alaska? Teams consisting of players from different colleges, AAA teams, an others who are just looking for their shot at the "Big Show". This writer has spent many of late nights watching the Anchorage Glacier Pilots with their pursuit becoming that year's champions. There is something about spending a sunny day watching a baseball game that just makes the summer right.

The ASBL has five teams:

• The Anchorage Glacier Pilots
• The Anchorage Bucks
• The Chugiak(sic)-ER Chinooks
• The Matsu Miners
• The Penninsula(sic)Oilers

Players in the league must have attended one year of college and must have one year of NCAA eligibility remaining. In the past, the ABL has sent its top teams to compete at the National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series, where the league's representatives have won multiple championships. Anchorage has won in 1969, 1971, 1986, 1991, and 2001, Fairbanks in 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1980, and 2002, Kenai in 1977, 1993, and 1994, and Matsu in 1987 and 1997. League teams have also finished second in several years.

The season for the Alaska Summer Baseball league starts in June and ends July 31rst. If you have a chance, go check out one of the games. Fun for the whole family.