Jeff & Sherry's Great Alaskan Adventure 2013: The "Morning Mountain" report June 28 8:50 AM

I just added something new - "Blogs I follow". Actually there is only one, "Arash's Recovery" - a moving and inspirational diary of a young man learning to cope with a spinal injury. It's more than that, it's his absolute determination to walk again. To me it's motivation for anyone's 'darkest days'.

Valdez Wilmington
Sunrise 4:08 AM 6:02 AM
Sunset 11:25 PM 8:27 PM

The mountain is MIA this morning, and we are having something unheard of in Valdez - a thunderstorm. It is an "event"!

Hopefully it will clear up for tomorrow's Kite Festival. It should be a fun day and a good photo op.

Some facts about Alaska

Entered the Union: Jan. 3, 1959 (49)	Capital: Juneau
Origin of Name: from the Aleut word Alyeska, meaning The Great Land.
State Nicknames: The Last Frontier • Land of the Midnight Sun"
State Motto: North to the Future	State Flower: Forget-me-not
State Song:“Alaska's Flag”	State Bird: Willow Ptarmigan
State Fish: The Giant King Salmon	State Tree: Sitka Spruce
State Marine Mammal: Bowhead Whale	State Mammal: Moose
State Sport: Dog Mushing	State Gem: Jade
State Fossil: Wooly Mammoth	State Mineral: Gold
State Insect: The Four Spot Skimmer Dragonfly
National Forests: 2 • State Parks: 100+
Famous for: Majestic Wilderness, Scenic Cruises, Gold Rush, Oil, Fishing
Famous Alaskans: Benny Benson (13-yr old designed state flag), Vitus Bering (explorer), Susan Butcher (sled-dog racer), Carl Ben Eielson (pioneer pilot), Joe Juneau (prospector)

Here 's a link to a video with"Alaska's Flag" with the words

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXduAfqo6s

Here is another video featuring actor and songwriter, George Holly - the first part is a native prayer to the tune of "Alaska's Flag" and then he sings the state song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=fvwp&v=sa51FuyNjYw

Giant King Salmon