north of Anchorage

lakes, river, scenery

The landscape in around Eklutna is less dramatic than some others. This area is between Anchorage & Wasilla-Palmer. 



a cool church with a very cool cemetery

This new church dates from the 1960s.      

                                    

The old church is believed to be the oldest in Alaska. Its bell tower has been removed as it's being renovated. 

The burial practice here resulted from a compromise between the Athabaskan tradition of cremations & the Orthodox tradition of burial. After a burial here, a blanket is placed over the grave for 40 days to keep the soul warm as it transitions to the next world. Then a wooden spirit box is built over the site. 






Well, this was interesting. 


There's a bit more about the spirit boxes here: 
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/burial-spirit-houses


And, I missed posting this pic from Anchorage yesterday. For at least a year, the Disney animated movie version of "Balto" was our daughter's favorite movie.  

                                                

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