Discover Alaska with Folk Lore and Alaska Car Rentals
Folklore holds a special place in the northern territories, and Alaska is no different. In your journeys with your Alaska car rentals, you may see or hear hints of the history of mythology in these regions without even realizing. But these stories tell more than just haunting tales of beasts and inhuman creatures – they speak to a history of the region and the people.
If you really want to get to know the state, rather than simply race through in your Alaska car rentals, then you may find interest in the lore that still whispers through the region.
Taught in schools
While it cannot be a general statement for all schools across the state, some elementary and secondary schools continue to teach of the folklore in Alaska and of the Inuit peoples. Alaska’s history as an American state is not so long, after all, and history classes must be filled with all of Alaska’s past.
In the art of the state
Perhaps because of the prevalence of folklore and because the tales are still told in indigenous communities, mythology and folklore continue to be present in the art of the state. Artists across Alaska depict Qalupalik, Adlet, Tizheruk, and others. If you know the lore, you may be able to immediately identify these figures. If you don’t, however, all you need to do is ask. Some of these pieces may also have explanatory placards. We highly recommend taking the time to read these – the lore is not only informatory of Alaska’s history, but they are thrilling tales of ethereal, super human mystery. You may just find yourself driving your Alaska car rentals all over the region to find more art with this lore on display.
One Alaskan artist who hopes to revive the prevalence of mythology is Kray Van Kirk, a finger stylist singer-songwriter who plays both 6- and 12-string guitars. Though he does not specifically focus purely on Alaskan folklore, his newest album entitled “The Queen of Elfland” hopes to bring back mythology. He sees mythology as one of the major driving forces in contemporary culture – one that has been ignored and forgotten by many today. He would like to remind mainstream culture of the significance of mythology by remaking the myths in his music. He has traveled across the United States and internationally to perform. If he is playing a show near you when you visit, it’s well worth a trip in your Alaska car rentals to see him play.
The hunt continues?
It’s tough to believe that any one in the 21st century would continue a hunt for these mythical creatures, but in fact, it has happened in recent years. In the early 2000s, there was in fact a hunt for a sea serpent that became known as “Caddy”. On the hunt were brothers and expert fishermen, Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand. They based the origins of their hunt off of video footage from 2009. In the clip, which was taken off the coast of Alaska, there appears to be some kind of enormous white sea creature that does not perfectly match a description of any other kind of sea creature. The Hillstrands believed this was the final proof that Caddy – a creature that has claimed sightings over the past century – truly exists.
They began their hunt along the Pacific coast, into British Columbia, Canada. There are skeptics, however. The video is extremely dark and out of focus, making the description of the creature both ambiguous and unreliable. Of course, this isn’t the first time that seafarers and myth-chasers have hunted after legendary creatures. Stories of sightings have popped up around the world for centuries and continue to do so, even into the 21st century. Though many of the most recent sightings have proven to be false identification or even well-planned hoaxes, the desire to discover these creatures as real remains strong.
Why not take a drive to the coast in your Alaska car rentals? You may see Caddy for yourself – or at the very least, catch a glimpse of a walrus.
Why has mythological creatures fascinated so many for so long? The answers are varied, and debatable. What’s not debatable is that Avis Alaska car rentals will offer you the best deals on comfort and style for your trip to Alaska this January. Reserve your Alaska car rentals today.
