Moose?

Probably no animal says Alaska like the moose.  I always think of the old tv show, Northern Exposure, where the moose is wandering through the town in the opening scenes.  You knew immediately that you were seeing a town in Alaska.  Where else would you see a moose in town?  So consequently, we spent a lot of time intently hoping to see a moose.

In truth, you really don't want to see one, especially up close.  The locals will tell you that few animals are more dangerous or more unpredictable in their behavior. They will charge on the drop of a hat and can kick in all four directions.  They are enormously tall and have a tremendous range in their kicks. They also tend to show up anywhere they think they will find a tasty shrub, which often includes cabin clearings. Moose meat tastes great and for that reason they are eagerly sought during the hunting season.  At all other times they are strictly left alone and avoided.  All this being said we still looked as hard as we could to see one.

Our efforts had been unrewarded until we took the train from Talkeetna to Seward where we would board our ship for the last leg of our journey.  The train took us through some of the beautiful wilderness that is so much a part of Alaska.  We had been rewarded on the trip with sights of beavers and their marvelous dams, eagles and their nests, but no moose.  We were entering one part that was actually part of the airforce base outside of Palmer, when our guide told us to keep a sharp look out because there were lots of moose in this area.  She said that during the winter they became real pests for the locals because they tended to walk in the road because it was easier.  These animals are really big, so in an argument with a car, the car is going to lose.  So about all you could do is wait until they moved on.

Naturally, we were glued to the windows from then on.  Suddenly the cry went up from the front of the car,  "MOOSE".  Immediately everyone lunged to the side of the train.  Sure enough there beside the railroad tracks was a huge moose, standing and looking away from the train and into the woods. In a blink we were past it and everyone was excitedly chattering about their "moose sighting".  The guide said she was very surprised to see one that close to the train since they were usually seen running away.  She said we were very lucky. 

About that time one of the couples returned from the lounge car.  They immediately started ridiculing us for being such suckers.  It seems that the car attendant told them that it was a fake moose.  A grand discussion (dare I say argument) arose between those who glimpsed the moose and those who thought it must be a trick.  To this day, part of our group insists it was a fake while the rest (me included) believe we saw what we saw.  It was quick, but  honestly it looked incredibly real.  After all who would go to the expense of putting a stuffed moose out in the weather just to fool some tourists?  Alas, we didn't get a picture. 

I'm going to believe I saw my moose.