Arriving in the pouring rain we chose to go to a bar. A good choice in any weather, of course. We chose Rayne's bar. Sporadically quiet then very busy, complete with minor family disagreements and 'storming out in a huff' type stuff, the bar was proving entertaining. An elderly first nations gent took a shine to Sarah (Not an uncommon occurence) and on hearing we were English he rendered an excellent impersonation of Wintson Churchill's speeches, complete with crackling radio signal.
So good, he repeated it 32x times. I began to feel like I was in Groundhog Day. A taxi driver eventually came and escorted him out of the bar. It felt a little like the Dolphin, Plymouth.
We were attempting to leave when a large, tipsy group came in and rang the large bell hanging in the centre (Editor: English spelling) of the long bar. This meant he had to buy everyone in the bar a drink, without exception. (Drunkenness on the part of the bell ringer was considered to be no excuse).
So we had to stay. I asked a local how the custom had started. He thought it was to do with landing a boom catch and sharing the bounty, but he had only been drinking there 30 years and it predated him.
That is a bar to have fun in.
The next day was Ok weather, and we thoroughly enjoyed Wrangell (Although it is a place you could go and have a miserable time). I kid you not when I say the town museum was superb.
The following day we waited on the misty dock for the ferry.......
Boarding her on a beautiful morning we headed southward down the coast, and away from Wrangell, away from Alaska. Until next time.
Fantastic photos! Wow.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the July 4th pics you can feel the fab atmosphere.
Really enjoying my Monday morning at my desk.