Did you know that the Japanese invaded Alaska in World War II?

An entirely new 'trail' started with Ghosts in the Fog: the Untold Story of Alaska's WWII Invasion, by Samantha Seiple. A highly secret, mostly forgotten part of WWII. In 1942 Japan invaded Alaska. The Navy denied it happened. What followed would be the loss of many lives, the evacuation of several small towns (some of which never recovered) where those who were relocated were treated ... indifferently ... and POW's treated badly (Japan did not follow the Geneva Convention). When the survivors finally returned to their villages (if they were even still standing) they found that everything had been stolen except the toilets and bathtubs. It was very sad to read how badly humans can treat each other. Finally, in 1988 President Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act, a reparations law for the Aleuts and Japanese Americans so they could receive some restitution for their loss and suffering. This is a tween read so it won't take long.

This quickly took me to The Thousand-Mile War: World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians, by Brian Garfield. The author originally was going to write a novel (he has written many Westerns) but when he realized what a small amount of information was available he decided the true story needed to be told. For several years he tracked down every report or document, and interviewed and/or corresponded with veterans or local citizens of the islands. The result was a book that was nominated for the Pulitzer.

Staying in the 'area' I then read Sideways Rain: 20 Years of Medicine, Music, and Good-luck Landings in the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands of Alaska, by Nancy Elliott Sydnam, M.D. Born in Lynden, WA, the author worked as a physician in Alaska. At age 60 she left a growing, established practice in Anchorage to work in the Alaskan Bush. (In a time before cell phones, computers, etc.) Fortunately she kept a journal which resulted in this book. She liked to hike and hunt and take pictures so she made sure she did so anywhere she was based. (She often traveled with a dog. Or her cello.) One of the entries was about the 50th anniversary of the WWII bombing of Dutch Harbor.

For thirty years or so The Alaska Geographic published a quarterly magazine, each with a specific theme. (You'll see a few others in future posts). The one that completed this 'trail' was the one titled The Aleutian Islands. There are articles on the flora and fauna, the geography of the islands, the people who live there, and, of course, the weather. Travel here is by boat or plane so in each and every book the weather was of primary focus, and often delayed arrivals and departures ... of supplies or invading armies. (Some of our PNW weather starts here). As with all these publications, the pictures are wonderful.

Reading Hermit With Dog