Next day beckoa came by around 8 for the start of the big
day. Picked up Moomba at the Sheraton and CD King and nor4
at Inlet Towers.

Plenty of time, so we got security passes and looked forward
to hoisting a couple in the Boardroom, which, as it turns
out, doesn't offer alcohol until after 10. So our enjoyment
was confined to less ethereal pleasures such as the amazing
pancake machine (amusing). beckoa is certainly WELL known at
the club.

Presently it was time to trek to the north terminal (which
was the regular terminal back when I used to fly here
frequently) and our ANC tour: we did the fire station, AS
ops, and the AS baggage facility, followed by a nice lunch.

Back to the Boardroom for a very mild Alaska Cream Ale and
a glass of somewhat okay Columbia Crest Syrah. Also I was
convinced to taste the tomato florentine soup, which I
didn't care for - it reminded me of Campbell's minestrone
without the beans.

My lost luggage was at CO, so that was dealt with with
satisfactory results.

Then, slightly tardily (coordination issues) to the state
fair an hour northeast of the city, with BD-NYC, Alysia,
and lili.

The cabbages were disappointing, though we did get to see
a 900-lb pumpkin (the pumpkins at Topsfield, my usual fair,
weigh in at 1000-1300 lb these days).

I was supposed to meet my friends at the Sluice Box,
apparently an Alaska tradition, but I'd stupidly left my
ID in BD-NYC's car. Consternation, which I solved in my
unsubtle way by going in there anyway, to much commotion and
shouting. Some young person with that jutting jaw look that
always puts me on edge threatened me with the state
troopers, and I said, bring 'em on. It was dark and noisy
inside, and I didn't find my friends, so I was on my way
out when the guy grabbed me from behind and frog-marched
me out; I was shoved out the door in the way generally only
seen in old comedy movies. Bill and Connie had witnessed
the whole proceeding and appeared to be quite amused when
they came out to greet us. lili was mortified, I think.

Well, we had to eat something, so we went to Roscoe's, whose
rather spare beef ribs were nicely smoked, the meat, what
there was of it, tender and tasty. The sauce was exceedingly
salty but didn't taste bad. Not a great deal, 3 ribs for $9,
with the a la carte price being 1 rib for $3. I also went to
the oyster stand and got half a dozen Prince William Sounds,
nice and briny and easy to eat, for those who eat such.

Then on to the lumberjack show, which was quite impressive,
especially the part where they raced up climbing a 40-ft
pole (something I couldn't even conceive of doing, though
I could, in half an hour, chop a tree that it took them
a minute or two to do). As it was the Heineken Stage, we
had to get a couple of them. No ID required, though the
"beverage control" people were patrolling, as it turns out
to keep all beer within the confines - so I said that
perhaps I could be thrown back into the bar area! and
achieving a double.

To reconnect with Alysia and BD-NYC, we'd counted on there
being phone service, which we couldn't get. So we wandered
around until we ran into the large FT contingent, borrowed
a phone, and tried again - no such luck. Decided to go
toward the entrance and then out to the car. Just as we
got to the entrance, we heard a greeting, and there they
were, having had the same idea as we. We decided to abandon
the fireworks and get back to civilization before everyone
else figured it out. The only regret: we never found the
famous chocolate-coated bacon.

We repaired to the Embassy Suites, where we took advantage
of the free wine, which was, as Ms. Life is Good said, not
too bad, and as I thought, not too good either.

BD-NYC and I took our leave of the lovely ladies and
returned to the airport for our flights. I got my 3rd
security screening, the total of which took less time than
one typical one back down, as people here are fond of
saying, in America.