An Odyssey across the Americas: A dash of Alaskan culture

This is our story...

Being both motorcycle riders with a love for travelling, we talked about touring the world on bikes about two years ago.

After looking into logistics/constraints and places we wanted to explore, we decided to tour the Americas from Alaska, USA to Ushuaia, Argentina.

We also wanted to have the same motorcycle to simplify maintenance, and find something we would both feel comfortable riding. We ended up chosing the Suzuki V-Strom 650, a 07' grey one for Chad and a 05' red one for Caroline.

We left for our journey on 6/14/09 from Washington, DC and arrived in Ushuaia, Argentina on 4/19/10. Click here and read below to see what it took us to make it to Ushuaia.

On 6/9/10, we flew back to the United States almost exactly a year after we had left for this journey.

Monday, August 31, 2009

A dash of Alaskan culture

In addition to the post below, we wanted to share a few things we learned in the unveiling of the new Totem pole in Haines.

Description of the meaning of the figures on the pole

Right after the pole was unveiled, the carvers shared with the crowd the meaning of each item. We found it fascinating and well worth sharing as it provides a unique insight into the native culture.
- The base has two rows of rope carving to show of the library helps to bind our community together.
- The crouching female figure represents the start of the Haine's Library by the Hines Women's Club and the organization's continuing support of the library. The woman is presenting the Chilkat Valley with the Box of Knowledge. This carved Box of Knowledge is a time capsule to be opened in 25 years.
- Raven in profile on one side and Eagle in profile on the other side represent the people of the valley with the human figure in between being the patrons of the library.
- Three Tinahs (one in the middle, one on each side) represent the cultural wealth which the library protects. The three Tinahs also signify the three incarnations (buildings) of the library.
- The carved Chilkat blanket represents the Chilkat Valley and the wealth donated to the library, most recently by the founding donors of the Friends of the Library's Legacy Fund.
- The Dragonfly represents the Dragonfly Project, a partnership between Chilkoot Indian Association and the Library. It also traditionally represents a seeker of knowledge.

Alaska's Flag Song

During the ceremony to celebrate the new Totem, the whole crowd got to sing the official song of the Alaskan State. Not knowing that such a song was in existence, we wanted to copy here the lyrics. We were even able to sing along with the rest of the community.

Eight stars of gold on a field of blue,
Alaska’s flag. May it mean to you
The blue of the sea, the evening sky,
The mountain lakes and the flow’rs nearby,

The gold of the early sourdough’s dreams,
The precious gold of the hills and streams;
The brilliant stars in the northern sky,
The "Bear", the "Dipper" and, shining high,

The great North Star with its steady light,
Over land and sea a beacon bright.
Alaska’s Flag to Alaskans dear,
The simple flag of a last frontier.