After he survived a plane crash in Summer 1963, Ralph traded in his Corvair coupe for a Buick Skylark convertible and left for a weekend road trip to Homer, Seward and back. He recalls the hospitality and scenery along the way. Later in the year, he learns of President Kennedy’s death at the office on a melancholy winter day. After a year marred by tragedy and disappointment, Ralph and two friends decided to throw a fabulous Christmas party.

This is about the same as Ralph’s 1962. The sound quality on this video isn’t great but the owner and the guy he’s speaking with know their history and the details about the car.

The former Edgewater Hotel, Old Seward Highway, Anchorage. Candidate John F. Kennedy stopped here in 1960. After a stint as Alaska Laborers Training School, it is now home to Remade, a non-profit organization with a thrift shop and classes on up-cycling. Photos by Clark Yerrington, 2020.

Turnagain Pass. Photo by Clark Yerrington, 2010.

Our Point of View Lodge, Kenai Lake photographed April 24, 1963. Alice and Bob Arwezon photographs, Consortium Library, UAA.

Alice Arwezon at the junction of the Sterling and Seward Highways (Tern Lake) in 1963.

The old general store in Cooper Landing is now part of a museum. Photo by Clark Yerrington, 2016.

Liquor store in Moose Pass. Photo by Clark Yerrington, 2008.

Fishing boats in Ninilchik, 1960s. Harry and Norma Hoyt family papers, Consortium Library, UAA.

Ninilchik Village with the Russian Orthodox church on top of the hill behind. Francis J. Huber slides, Consortium Library, UAA.

Ninilchik church. Photo by Clark Yerrington, 2009.

Stacked stones on the beach, Homer Spit with the top of the Salty Dawg Saloon behind. Photo by Clark Yerrington, 2007.

Homer Spit beach. Photo by Clark Yerrington, 2009.

Homer Spit and mountains beyond on the other side of Kachemak Bay. Photo by Clark Yerrington, 2014.

The Bay View Inn, on the hill on the way down into Homer had quaint 1950s rooms and a panoramic view. Photo by Clark Yerrington, 2009.

Homer cabin. Photo by Clark Yerrington, 2009.

Seward, AK in 1960. Charles Cassata photographs, Alaska Historical Society Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.

House with a Mission style gable roof treatment, downtown Seward. Photo by Clark Yerrington, 2008.

A page from Ralph’s photo album from the 1963 Christmas party at his Anchorage 4th Ave. apartment.

Alaska Architect Ralph Alley gets admonished at work in 1962 for freelancing on houses, and keeps his head down henceforth. Can he avoid a lot bigger trouble a few months later?

“Standard cumulus activity.” Photo by Clark Yerrington.

The Hill Building, W. 6th Ave. and G Street, downtown Anchorage. Photographed the day after the 1964 earthquake. Photo from John Cerutti Slide Collection.

4th Avenue Theater, downtown Anchorage. The Goonies is on the marquee so it must be 1985. The Bob Hamilton designed penthouse apartment on the west side of the original building’s roof. Photo by Jet Lowe, from Library of Congress.

Early ‘60s on the Homer Spit. Photo from Christine M. McClain Papers.

Beluga Lake, Homer Airport and Homer Spit from East Skyline Drive, Homer, AK. Photo by Clark Yerrington, 2011.

Winter beach walk, Homer Spit, 2011. Photo by Clark Yerrington.