goinmobile68 Posted February 17, 2011 #1 Share Posted February 17, 2011 I noticed mention of common/special/must have souvenirs & wondered what you may have seen or actually brought home that might be considered a bit out of the ordinary? I didn't start out to collect them, but I've gathered reuseable shopping bags from grocery stores from Florida to Alaska. They fold flat, so they don't take up space in my luggage, they are handy to carry the stuff you didn't know that you needed, and when I've come home they have sparked some conversations in the local grocery line! Then there were the huge pine cones-I actually paid to mail them home! My husband thought I was crazy, but the post office clerk said he sees it all the time! OK, there's my confession-how about yours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Posted February 17, 2011 #2 Share Posted February 17, 2011 If you want a real conversation piece, the choice is easy in Alaska (if you have a big budget) - a scrimshawed oosik!! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glaciers Posted February 17, 2011 #3 Share Posted February 17, 2011 I would vote for the oosik as well although I did see a Denali National Park refrigerator magnet with nothing but the words Denali National Park and a photo of a whale on it . I suppose it was for those rare whale sightings in the park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goinmobile68 Posted February 17, 2011 Author #4 Share Posted February 17, 2011 I would vote for the oosik as well although I did see a Denali National Park refrigerator magnet with nothing but the words Denali National Park and a photo of a whale on it . I suppose it was for those rare whale sightings in the park. Darn! We didn't see any whales in Denali. I think to see them you have to be on the "Pontoon Bus"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyroot Posted February 17, 2011 #5 Share Posted February 17, 2011 LOL and I thought moose poop earrings was bad!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Posted February 17, 2011 #6 Share Posted February 17, 2011 LOL and I thought moose poop earrings was bad!! One of my favourite stories from back in the days when I was guiding tours was seeing one of my guests caressing a particularly large and beautifully scrimshawed oosik. I told her what it was, and she almost dropped it trying to get rid of it! (the Devil made me do it :D ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassycruiser Posted February 17, 2011 #7 Share Posted February 17, 2011 I brought home a hand made ceramic sink one time - from Mexico (haven't been to Alaska yet) Made my son carry it through 95 degree heat, got it home without breaking it and it now proudly adorns our basement bathroom sink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingJs Posted February 18, 2011 #8 Share Posted February 18, 2011 I brought home a hand made ceramic sink one time - from Mexico (haven't been to Alaska yet) Made my son carry it through 95 degree heat, got it home without breaking it and it now proudly adorns our basement bathroom sink. I love those things! I always wondered how I would get one home. We're usually flying when we go to Mexico. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingJs Posted February 18, 2011 #9 Share Posted February 18, 2011 If you want a real conversation piece, the choice is easy in Alaska (if you have a big budget) - a scrimshawed oosik!! :D You know we all had to google it to see what it was! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glaciers Posted February 18, 2011 #10 Share Posted February 18, 2011 The first day I arrived Fairbanks in 1980 the Tanana Valley State Fair was in progress. I went into a little tent with several oosiks on the table and I was holding one and then asked the question that they were all waiting for. What is it? It was my first of many cheechako moments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr green Posted February 18, 2011 #11 Share Posted February 18, 2011 A suntan in May.:) john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mendenhall Ranger Posted February 18, 2011 #12 Share Posted February 18, 2011 I have a French "No Parking Day Or Night" sign in my cube. Bought it at a hardware store in Paris. The customs inspector did a double-take when he saw that on my declaration form :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agabbymama Posted February 18, 2011 #13 Share Posted February 18, 2011 While not exactly wierd, I thought my Mammoth ivory ring was unusual. Guess that scrimshawed oosik takes the prize!:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Posted February 18, 2011 #14 Share Posted February 18, 2011 You know we all had to google it to see what it was! I was counting on it :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rditton Posted February 18, 2011 #15 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Fish ear bone earrings - they're gorgeous, look like ivory feathers, and a perfect souvenir from my first fishing trip in Alaska. The charter fishing guide I was with made them from the catches! I get quite a lot of comments on them and when I tell them they are ear bones people are amazed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmtee Posted February 19, 2011 #16 Share Posted February 19, 2011 I have 6 screws in my ankle that I picked up in Estonia. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb in Cali Posted February 19, 2011 #17 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Years ago I went to a convention that had reps from all 50 states. Each state group was to directed to create a basket from their state as door prizes. The one from Alaska was the best one IMHO. It was a very beautiful hand carved moose that stood about 12 inches high. But there was more to it than met the eye. It also dispensed fudge from its backside :eek:. Talk about a conversation piece. Needless to say it the hot item for the door prizes. Alas I didn't get to bring it home, but I did win the basket from Mississippi. I have beautiful seashells painted with the Mississippi light houses and a few other items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Posted February 19, 2011 #18 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Years ago I went to a convention that had reps from all 50 states. Each state group was to directed to create a basket from their state as door prizes. The one from Alaska was the best one IMHO. It was a very beautiful hand carved moose that stood about 12 inches high. But there was more to it than met the eye. It also dispensed fudge from its backside :eek:. Talk about a conversation piece. Needless to say it the hot item for the door prizes. It's usually called a "poop moose" - available from a few shops online :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goinmobile68 Posted February 19, 2011 Author #19 Share Posted February 19, 2011 I got a small one a few years back at a local discount store. I've also seen them in cow & chicken form-for some reason my sister decided that Mom should collect these! (NO, she wasn't a little kid at the time!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytime53 Posted February 20, 2011 #20 Share Posted February 20, 2011 I got a small one a few years back at a local discount store. I've also seen them in cow & chicken form-for some reason my sister decided that Mom should collect these! (NO, she wasn't a little kid at the time!) Which...the pooping animals or the oosiks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artrina Posted February 20, 2011 #21 Share Posted February 20, 2011 My husband says it's the wooden lobster trap from Maine that took up half of the back seat in the car. He put a plexiglass top on it and we use it as a table outside. I think it's the pix I took of a port a potty next to a sign for a U Storage facility in PA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitegirl Posted February 20, 2011 #22 Share Posted February 20, 2011 We just love the unique items you can get in Alaska... My hubby brought home a wallrus wisker toothpick.... I saw the moose poop items the first trip and wanted to buy some our next trip and they were all gone... lets hope this trip in May I can get some...LOL And yes...I too googled scrimshawed oosik ... think I will get one of those too in May.... ROFL... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firechiefswife Posted February 20, 2011 #23 Share Posted February 20, 2011 TALK about a conversation piece....... Saw "Cow Pie" clocks in my travels.:eek: Laughed so hard and thought "where the heck would I hang this?" Didn't buy one....too funny:). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alabama ghost Posted February 20, 2011 #24 Share Posted February 20, 2011 My DH picked up some reindeer droppings at a gift shop in Talkeetna for his male buddies. He enjoyed it...I'm not sure they did! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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