Coffee shops are even more abundant. A coffee table book could easily be published featuring all the crazy little coffee shops. The operative word here is "little". These shops are about the size of your living room couch, decorated to the max, sporting a catchy name. Of course there's a drive-up window because the inside barely has room for the barista. On every corner of every town, crossroads, and snow machine path is one of these happy little places advertising espresso and the fact that they are open.
If you prefer to sit down inside to drink your coffee, there is no shortage of coffee offered in 90% of the other stores scattered around. Mismatched tables and chairs dot the shabby interiors. Unpainted walls are festooned with local art work. Shaky shelving displays whatever else is being sold there-----souvenirs, books, clothing, sporting goods. It doesn't matter because there's always coffee. My theory is that because of the long winter and lots of dark, Alaskans have a basic need for all coffee all the time.
And then there are the dogs. Alaska is dog central. It was weeks after we moved here before we saw our first cat. I have never, ever seen as many dogs as there are here. One would think there's a law stating that every citizen is required to own at least one, preferably two or three dogs, and the dogs must go everywhere with the owner. Rare is the truck or car in a parking lot with no dog in it. When you invite friends to your home, be prepared that their dog(s) will be with them.
Once in a while a small dog will be seen, but nine chances out of ten, the accompanying dog is 40 pounds or more. There's a reason for this. Eagles need to eat. Stories abound of little "Fluffys" being snatched up in eagle talons right from the sidewalk where they were strolling happily with their owners. Leash dangling in the air, and the owner shrieking and jumping after it, poor little Fluffy soon learns whether or not dogs really do go to heaven.
We did not bring our dog, Tuhlula, with us. She hates cold. Beyond that, we decided she'd be bear bait.
She's a lab-boxer mix weighing 60 pounds so is beyond eagle bait. The problem is she thinks that being called is a suggestion rather than a command. That attitude is potentially lethal here. We have acquired a "loaner" dog, Nuka, who shows up at our cabin every few days for a tummy rub and a treat. She's a sweetheart, but we're reminded every time we see a dog how much we really miss Tuhlula.
Alaskan dogs ready to
run the Iditarod.
Tuhlula, wondering where
we are. (That's my caption,
and I'm sticking with it)
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