Elton hibernates until the spring
On the WaterfrontBy Elton Engstrom
I think my friends the black bears are getting tired of kicking the garbage cans on South Franklin, in the Highlands and everywhere else in Juneau. As the country song goes they will soon be "on the road again" heading up into the hills and onto the mountain slopes to find a snug warm den to spend the winter. No Taku winds to worry about nor the high price of diesel fuel.
Like them I feel the need to hibernate for the winter. I'm not going to San Diego or Arizona or Hawaii. I'm staying here, and I hope with the deference of my wonderful editor Mike Plett and the publisher of the Empire that I can come back in the spring to write again.
I'll poke my head out of the snow like my bruin pals to touch the soft down of the puzzy willows growing along Gold Creek to know it is the right time.
My son Allan and I are on the road again, too, for a trip to Kodiak where on Oct. 8 he'll speak to the State Historical Society meeting about the departure of Alexander Baranov from Sitka in 1818, after a 28 year service in Alaska. Some historians believe Baranov left under a cloud, with the prospect even of a trial in Russia.
We reject that idea. We believe that along with King Kamehameha of Hawaii he was one of the great men of the Pacific world in that formative time of 200 years ago, and even an illustrious figure of great compassion, wit and energy.
I'll try to store up some stories during the winter months of an uplifting character. That's the advantage of being on the Neighbors page, where we only have good things to say about our neighbors.
Finally, let me say to my readers that it is a privilege to write a weekly column for you.
• Elton Engstrom is a lifelong Alaskan, retired fish buyer, lawyer and legislator (1964-70) who lives in Juneau.