Open Thread – Turn Again
~Beluga Point, Cook Inlet, Alaska
It’s an interesting day in Alaska history for one of our favorite bodies of water here in the 49th State. On April 12, 1794 Captain George Vancouver and his ships entered Cook Inlet and discovered it was not a river.
I know. You are thinking to yourself, “But April 12th was yesterday.” And technically, you are right. BUT, I am actually sitting here typing this way back in yesterday your time. So for me it’s actually April 12th. And all this is just a fancy justification for the fact that I’m a day late, but you’re going to pretend we didn’t have this little discussion and that you just bought my first excuse.
So, George Vancouver named Cook Inlet after Captain James Cook with whom he had sailed in 1778 looking for the Northwest Passage. That was back in the day when you could have a business card that listed your name, and underneath “Explorer.”
Not unlike most hominids, Cook Inlet has two arms.
Turnagain Arm was named by William Bligh of HMS Bounty fame. Bligh served as Cook’s Sailing Master on his 3rd and final voyage, with the aim to discover the Northwest Passage.
Upon reaching the head of Cook Inlet, Bligh was of the opinion that both Knik Arm and Turnagain Arm were the mouths of rivers and not the opening to the Northwest Passage. Under Cook’s orders Bligh organized a party to travel up Knik Arm, which quickly returned to report Knik Arm indeed led only to a river.
Afterwards a second party was dispatched up Turnagain Arm and it too returned to report only a river lay ahead. As a result of this frustration the second body of water was given the disingenuous name “Turn Again”. Early maps label Turnagain Arm as the “Turnagain River”.
And, of course, now Anchorage has a Turnagain section of town, a Turnagain Boulevard, a Turnagain Elementary School, Turnagain House Restaurant, Turnagain Pass, the Turnagain Times newspaper, and on and on, illustrating a valuable life lesson. Be careful what you name things when you are frustrated. At least he didn’t name it “Well, crap” or “Are you freaking kidding me?”
So, Anchorageites, Kodiakkers, Homeroids, Sewardites, and all those who live on the shores of the mighty Cook Inlet, tip your hat and give a nod as you drive past today. And imagine if you were there 217 years ago, you’d be waving at George Vancouver and company.
The queen’s undoing might be closer than we think.
http://www.businessinsider.com/sarah-palin-baby-hoax-2011-4
Capt. Fitzroy was the skipper of HMS Beagle on its historic voyage around the world with the young naturalist named Charles Darwin. A peak of spectacular stature was named after him…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File%3AFitzroy_2.jpg
They never went near Alaska. I would heartily recommend to everyone reading “The Voyage of the Beagle”. The prose is a bit stilted in terms of our modern sensibilities but it is enlightening. Then I would refer everyone to a later work, “The Voyage of the Spaceship Beagle”, by Garrett Hardin (sp?). In it he expounds an idea which he calls *the tragedy of the commons*. His book is becoming more and more prophetic as time passes.
I wonder when the time will come that people driving along in Turn Again Sound stop at Beluga point and their children ask, what’s a Beluga? And the parents won’t know.
Our history, the world’s history is full of the stories of women and men who have not been afraid to strike out and seek the unknown actively and ardently. They are the ones who for the most part have given us our modern technology, warts and all. Politicians get an exaggerated amount of attention for doing the same thing over and over and over again and expecting a different result.
Thank you for the citation for Captain Fitzroy. His peak in Argentina is one of the landmarks of my heart, and the area around it, Glaciers National Park is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Of course, befor the peak was named for Fitzroy, the Indians who lived there called it Chaiten. It was the place where the Son of Heaven climbed down to earth, bringing the gifts of fire and knowledge of hunting to the people below. As he descended, he had to battle the three Ancient Enemies: Snow, Ice, and Wind.
I strongly recommend the book “The Age of Wonder” by Richard Holmes. It’s a history of English society in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, where invention and discovery were exalted social goals, and where mere commoners were making incredible scientific discoveries.
Mag, thanks for the suggestion, I will make a note of it and obtain it.
I was vaguely aware of the earlier naming but none of the mythology. That is interesting to be sure.
I’m sooooo glad our elected representatives spend so much time and effort learning the facts about the issues before they act.
Not to be left out of the march towards Stoopidity, Texas State Rep Leo Berman proposed yet another piece of (unnecessary) legislation to outlaw (the non-existent danger of) Sharia law. He insisted that Dearborn, Michigan’s horrifying experience with the perils of Sharia law were proof that it was an imminent threat to Texas. And how did he know about this dangerous threat to democracy? (Warning: Before continuing to read, it might be best to place a pillow in front of your head to protect it when you bang it on the desk)
“I heard it on a radio station here on my way in to the Capitol one day,” Berman said Monday in an interview. “I don’t know Dearborn, Michigan but I heard it (Sharia is accepted law here) on the radio. Isn’t that true?“
Because THAT’S where I want all my legislators to get all their critical information…from some chucklehead DJ on a freakin’ morning RADIO show!!!!
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/04/13/texas-sharia-ban/
By the way, the Mayor of Dearborn has apparently not received the memo informing him that Sharia law has taken over his city.
(Berman also introduced a birther bill in the TX state legislature so that Kenyan, Muzlin, commie, soshalist Obama can’t run for President in 2012 in Texas. Oy!)
Taking advantage of the OT but this does have to do with Anchorage.
Did anyone go to see the musical “Caroline or Change” last May in Anchorage? Seems I’m doing a short run of Cararet with the guy who was the musical director!
He’s a Brit and was impressed with Anchorage’s cultural life.
Everyone start singing “It’s A Small World” …
Here comes our mayor, again. Good grief. Weren’t we just in a fiscal crisis that required laying off police and firefighters? Now we have a surplus and a crumbling infrastructure. And, the city was ordered to pay $93,000 to the ACLU in the court battle over homeless camps.
http://www.adn.com/2011/04/13/1808426/mayor-proposes-cuts-in-property.html
Wow, I knew a little about Cook because he discovered Australia. However, I had no idea that he was in Alaska as well. We used to have a little rhyme about him when we were going to school in Australia and it just popped into my head as I read your post.
“Captain Cook chased a chook, all around Australia.”
A chook is a hen!
He “discovered” the Aboriginal Homelands later named Australia. In the same way Vitus Bering “discovered” Alaska, and Columbus mistook the Americas for India (thus naming the Natives “Indians”). No offense, just can’t pass up the opportunity to correct the historical record. It always get a groan, but, oh, well.
No offence taken. Actually when I wrote the comment I grimaced at my use of the word “discovered” as well but I was lazy and hoped no one would notice. 😉
When I was a child, my ma used to laugh and hug me when I asked a lot of how-could-they-find-us-when-we-were-not-lost? questions.
She laughed even more and hugged me harder when I asked where Alaska was when my older maps of the US were made.
I’m glad I came back to this thread. It was bugging me all day and I finally remembered the end of that little rhyme.
“Captain Cook chased a chook, all around Australia….
Jumped a fence and ripped his pants, and landed in Tasmania.”
🙂 Australian education for you. I’ve never knocked it.
Thanks CRFlats and Pi for the gentle reminder.
I remember asking my mum if she knew what was going on in Germany during the 2nd WW, why didn’t she stop it. Innocence is a lovely thing.
I don’t get to take the time on Mudflats other than a quick look these days, but I am always struck by the cozy community that has developed. This was the first blog I ever participated in, way back in 08, and it often feels like coming home. Thanks for the comments.
Just wanted to add: delight post! Thank you.
I always appreciate a good history lesson, sprinkled with a spattering of humor. That was something I didn’t know.
And about those who would have Explorer listed on their business cards – it really amazes me what those early day explorers were able to do. I just can’t imagine setting out on a journey like that with no real knowledge of what would be at the end of the road or the end of the river. I’ve always said that had it been left to me, we would all still live on the east coast.
The President is on with his fiscal policy speech – live stream from The Dish:
http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/
Speech over, I’m enthusiastic about the budget and glad to see we’re going to trim waste from Medicare but not privatise it completely (PUBLIC OPTION Mr. President!!!)
Liveblog over at The Dish and at Daily Kos.
I feel much better after the President’s speech. But I’m not optimistic about the repubs reaction. They are really like a stubborn four year old who refuses to listen to anything but his own voice.
Turnagain Arm…
The place my sweetie took me on our first offical date.
The bore tides rock. Extreme tidal action. Gravitational pull at it’s finest.
He explained to me that the extreme tides cause a stronger pull in a human’s water content as well.
Well I don’t remember experiencing any inner gravitional pull, but the date was pretty hot. LoL
I love exploring, and explorers. Thanks, AKM.
And now for something completely different, an honest article about the budget of Paul Ryan:
http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/04/paul-ryan-adult-budget
Using the word “adult” to describe the Robin-Hood-in-reverse tactic of taking every bit of security from the poor, the elderly, and the environment in favor of those at the top disgusts me.
Here’s a nice little article about Alaska I was very pleased to read!
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/04/08/state/n183329D70.DTL
And, in another era of human exploration and achievement, April 12 has been associated with two other events of significance. On April 12 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space orbit. Twenty years later, April 12 1981, John Young and Robert Crippen flew the maiden voyage of the space shuttle Columbia.
April 12, 2011 is the 50th anniversary of the dawn of human space flight, and the 30th anniversary of the space shuttle program.
Lately, it seems that too often we are narrowing our view of the world and of our possibilities in the name of false austerities and a grasping poverty of vision. As we pause today to remember all the explorers that came before us, let us recognize the incalculable value of their discoveries and honor their vision, courage and the sacrifice of those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of visions beyond the horizon.
Explorers, indeed.
A good reminder to us all to keep reaching for the stars…wherever they may be.
and a bonus song this morning from the Byrds
Turn, Turn, Turn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4ga_M5Zdn4
OK. Now I’m ready for the day…
hope it’s ready for me!
hahahahahaha caw Caw CAW CAW CAW CAW!!!!!
the Byrds and Ecclesiastes, also, too, eh?
And, now 91 year old Pete Seeger, who has a new verse on his Grammy winning kid’s CD. 🙂
Oh, Gawd – I love Pete Seeger!
Fresh air must be real good for you.
love those intrepid explorers like Carmen Sandiego and Dora the also, too 🙂
and how about Matt, dancing around the world?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY
Here’s to happy feet, open arms, and curious minds wherever we find ourselves!
L’Chaim! L’Shalom.
thatcrowwoman
I LOVED that. Thank you!
{{{{{{elsie}}}}}}
I love, love, love Matt. He’s my go-to guy when I need a smile.
sweet Crow.
Thanks mucho. It’s the kind of You Tube my beloved sister would’ve enjoyed. RIP, Midge- she lost her fourth valiant fight with cancer and passed away February 26th.
I’m so sorry to hear that. ((CO)).
i am saddened to hear of your loss Colorado. may she rest from her labors.
I’m so sorry, (((CO)))
CO almost native {{{{hugs, prayers, & condolences)))) I’m on my fourth battle and I pray that I manage a fifth or sixth or seventh battle before I pack it in……….prayers are always welcome!
{{CO almost native}}
She was obviously a brave and strong woman and I suspect you are a lot like her.
How can you watch Matt dance and NOT smile???
Haven’t seen him in a while…thanks for the reminder.
Watching that video reminded me to check in with the ‘Playing for Change’ website and watch a few of their videos. Listening to Grandpa Elliott, Roger Ridley and Clarence Bekker never fails to make me smile! ‘Stand By Me’…love it!
http://www.playingforchange.com
An incredible story of adventure and leadership is the story of Ernest Shackleton.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Shackleton
read a book about him; watch a video. You won’t regret your investment!
I’ve been in awed admiration with Shackleton ever since I was introduced to him in the November 1998 National Georgraphic Magazine. Talk about perserverence and sense of purpose against all odds! IMHO, it’s too bad so few know about him. beth.
Several years ago, the Anchorage Museum had a wonderful exhibit on Shackleton and his men, including an actual-sized model of one of his lifeboats. It was about the length of an old Cadillac from the 60’s. Thinking of his party, crossing the roughest water in the world, stearing by sextant on an extremely choppy base, was awe-inspiring. He and his Number One, Tom Crean, a Kerry man, were incredible leaders and remain my heroes. There was a wonderful BBC drama on the expedition, with Kenneth Branagh as Shackleton, produced back in the early 90’s. Highly recommended.
Tom Crean was great!
He coaches men’s basketball at University of indiana if memory serves me correctly. No,this is not a joke.
I am a captain Bligh fan. He did not go down in history as a very humanitarian captain(understatement). But he was brilliant as a navigator. I am actually trained in celestial navigation, and am really in awe of his accomplishments.
Most people today cannot find the way to the nearest mall without GPS. He sailed around the world using the stars as guides. And never got lost.
Fishing Mama – I just finished reading “Maiden Voyage” by Tania Aebi. – the story of a teenage girl who sailed around the world. It was the first time I had ever had celestial navigation explained,, and I was captivated. Here’s to you!
Please tell us how you use it in your life. We are reading this in book club, and I would love to brag that I actually know of someone who uses it!
Well. celestial navigation is actually triangulation. You can pinpoint your location by measuring your distance from something else. People do this automatically when there are lots of landmarks, such as buildings, but when you just have features like mountains, it is a little more difficult, but the same concept.
And the EXXON Valdez fetched up onto “Bligh Reef”, a well marked reef extending from Bligh Island in Prince William Sound, named by Vancouver for his, then, Lt. Bligh. The reef has always been a well marked danger for over 100 years. The Exxon Valdez had Loran, GPS, fathometer, radar, latest charts, dedicated channel, coastguard tracking, but, unfortunately lousy oversight, a lousy crew and a lousy company.
An understatement, indeed 8-)>
Dang. I can never get those emoticons to work. 😉
and a drunk driver.
As an ex Sewardite, I loved Turnagain Pass and Turnagain Arm almost as much as life itself. I used to want to live smack in the middle of Turnagain Pass! I got to see the Belugas, and the the hooligan fishers, the marshes, the northern lights, the moose & all the change of seasons on that scenic drive many many times… I miss it all so very much.
Er, uh, Seward is on Resurrection Bay.
All of this activity took place on Joe McGinniss’s Twitter account last night:
Rumors fly that Young Turks http://bit.ly/fLkHlD will have webcast re Sarah Palin & Trig birth tomorrow. New info? Or trashing Truthers? 1 hour ago via web
YoungTurk@TimOnAir sez “SarahPalin is a dirty liar and we’ll be proving that tomorrow on @TYTNow. TRIG IS NOT HER SON.” “Proving it?” Hmm.
http://goo.gl/vjqXY
Sorry to change the topic, but I am watching gavel to gavel and the right wing whack jobs are at it again. There is a house bill to create “specialty plates” stating choose life, in god we trust, and national rifle association member.
Why the republicans insist on bringing political and religious debate to state plates is beyond me. It seems like a violation of constitutional law.
It’s hard to believe we pay these people to sit in Juneau. It’s amazing to watch these religious nuts in action.
So when do I get my license plate saying “choose Wiccan”?
Or how about, “I’m Wiccan and I vote.” 🙂
I want one. Of course, if that bill goes through, I think atheists and agnostics should have a category as well as all other faiths — all of them adding Gimme-a-break, Sarah’s phrase “and I vote!”
Yes, I would add the exclamation point just because I like enthusiasm (and shoving a point up the noses of narrow thinkers).
I watched the one meeting/hearing that Bob Lynn ran and it was a mess to follow.
I don’t like the idea of abortion even being indicated on a license plate! Pro or con – has no place!
As fast as a certain political party wants to turn back the clock on our economic standing,you may get to meet a certain George Vancouver-Explorer-in person.
Sorry ’bout the wall