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Mollie Walsh, seen here in “cabinet card” photograph from 1894 at age 25 in Butte, Montana, is the subject of a biography by Art Petersen who said Walsh’s life is the story of the Klondike Gold Rush. But, Petersen said, there was quite a lot of fact to be sorted from the fictions recorded about Walsh’s life. (James Schultz / Courtesy of Richard Gibson via Art Petersen)
Mollie Walsh, seen here in “cabinet card” photograph from 1894 at age 25 in Butte, Montana, is the subject of a biography by Art Petersen who said Walsh’s life is the story of the Klondike Gold Rush. But, Petersen said, there was quite a lot of fact to be sorted from the fictions recorded about Walsh’s life. (James Schultz / Courtesy of Richard Gibson via Art Petersen)
This photo shows Sitka, Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Bethany Sonsini Goodrich)
This photo shows Sitka, Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Bethany Sonsini Goodrich)
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On the Trails: Bears and bugs in summer

Insects? For a big critter like a bear? Sure.

  • Jul 20, 2021
  • By Mary F. Willson For the Juneau Empire
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Tree trunks that La Perouse Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve ran over in the 19th century. (Courtesy Photo/ Ned Rozell)

Visit to glacier begins with wildlife encounter

Many bears, fallingf blue ice and a first taste of peanut butter for a thumb-sized bird.

Tree trunks that La Perouse Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve ran over in the 19th century. (Courtesy Photo/ Ned Rozell)
Colorful pinesap stems rise up, flower buds still pendant;  the plant lacks chlorophyll and depends on other plants for nutrition. (Courtesy Photo / Kathy Hocker)

On the Trails: No problem finding at least 3 interesting things on this trip

The sights and sounds on the Boy Scout/Crow Point Trail.

Colorful pinesap stems rise up, flower buds still pendant;  the plant lacks chlorophyll and depends on other plants for nutrition. (Courtesy Photo / Kathy Hocker)
Cooley’s buttercup is one of the early flowers to bloom on Mount Roberts. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Summer comes in Juneau

What a difference those 10 days made!

Cooley’s buttercup is one of the early flowers to bloom on Mount Roberts. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
Artwork by Christine Lewis, like the the painting seen here, will be featured at Juneau Artists Gallery for July. Lewis, who is this month's featured artist, will be present at the gallery for First Friday. The work will be exhibited throughout the month.  (Courtesy Photo / Christine Lewis)
Artwork by Christine Lewis, like the the painting seen here, will be featured at Juneau Artists Gallery for July. Lewis, who is this month's featured artist, will be present at the gallery for First Friday. The work will be exhibited throughout the month.  (Courtesy Photo / Christine Lewis)
The author's wife releases a Kenai River rainbow trout during the first day of their honeymoon on the Kenai Peninsula. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Sometimes the end comes without fish

Sometimes despite all the colors and sizes of flies in your box, it’s probably not going to happen.

  • Jun 30, 2021
The author's wife releases a Kenai River rainbow trout during the first day of their honeymoon on the Kenai Peninsula. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
A hummingbird carving marks a site on Grave Island against the backdrop of the Tlingit community of Kake. (Courtesy Photo / Lione Clare)

Resilient Peoples & Place: Youth support community through summer workforce and leadership development program

By Lione Clare with the Kake Alaska Youth Stewards Crew In the Tlingit community of Keex’ Kwaan (Kake), early summer is in full swing. It’s… Continue reading

A hummingbird carving marks a site on Grave Island against the backdrop of the Tlingit community of Kake. (Courtesy Photo / Lione Clare)
A bear cub perches high in a cottonwood tree.(Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: Seeing bears and woodpeckers in the trees

Furry bears, hairy woodpeckers.

A bear cub perches high in a cottonwood tree.(Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
The showy white bracts of dwarf dogwood surround a cluster of flowers that are just starting to open. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: Taking in flower colors

Just before the summer solstice, a little group of friends walked out onto Cowee Meadow.

  • Jun 22, 2021
  • By Mary F. Willson For the Juneau Empire
The showy white bracts of dwarf dogwood surround a cluster of flowers that are just starting to open. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
Eirn Heist plays guitar during the recording of her forthcoming single and EP, which share a title, "Another Rainy Day." (Courtesy Photo / Annie Bartholomew)

Forecast calls for ‘Another Rainy Day’

Singer-songwriter Erin Heist records 1st EP, releases single.

Eirn Heist plays guitar during the recording of her forthcoming single and EP, which share a title, "Another Rainy Day." (Courtesy Photo / Annie Bartholomew)
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Planet Alaska: Spruce tip bathing

The perfect spruce tip is tightly bound needles without the brown papery casing.

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A male western tanager’s red color comes by a different pathway than the yellow, although both are carotenoid pigments. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: On tanagers and silverweed

We live near the northern limit of the western tanager range.

A male western tanager’s red color comes by a different pathway than the yellow, although both are carotenoid pigments. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
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Slack Tide: I’m so tired

Dealing with summertime exhaustion.

  • Jun 12, 2021
  • By Geoff Kirsch
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This snarl is evidence of an unlikely series of events and a messy fight. (Courtesy Photo / Steven Dahl)

Writers’ Weir: Three leader king

An essay by Steven Dahl.

  • Jun 10, 2021
  • Story and Photo by Steven Dahl
This snarl is evidence of an unlikely series of events and a messy fight. (Courtesy Photo / Steven Dahl)
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On the Trails: Diving into seaside flowers

There is an unsung gallery of flowers on beaches and intertidal meadows.

  • Jun 8, 2021
  • By Mary F. Willson For the Juneau Empire
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The author cooks steak over a beach fire over the Memorial Day weekend. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Finding success on its terms

Any weekend adventure typically has a few objectives with varying levels of enthusiasm.

The author cooks steak over a beach fire over the Memorial Day weekend. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Alaskan Brewing Company recently won an award for the art on their newly-released Citrus Wheat ale. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Can you dig it: Alaskan Brewing Co. wins award for zesty beer can art

It’s their first time winning an award from this organization.

Alaskan Brewing Company recently won an award for the art on their newly-released Citrus Wheat ale. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
An adult male American redstart is brightly attired with contrasting black and orange (Courtesy Photo /Mark Schwann)

On the Trails: Hither and yon in late May

Daily walks seldom lead to disappointment.

An adult male American redstart is brightly attired with contrasting black and orange (Courtesy Photo /Mark Schwann)