That story I promised you…well, stop me if you’ve heard it before.

See, back at the turn of the last century, when the world economy had taken one of its ordinary dips in the Panic of 1893 (i.e., the Gay 90s), people were roaming the land looking for work.

My wife’s grandfather, out in the western part of the lower 48 states of the US, joined his brother on the quest for Yukon/Klondike gold. The brother stayed in Seattle but the grandfather returned home and paid off loans, using the remaining gold to make three rings, one which belongs to my wife.

Lucky grandfather, lucky wife.

You and I sit here pondering life over 100 years later, another dip in the global economy pushing people to seek jobs all over the world.

My wife and I bid farewell to our land cruise tour director, Ashley, this evening. Sad to see her go on to the next adventure with Holland America “VIPs” like us, without us, creating the next moose-eum (no more “300 dollar” jokes, though please).

The five pillars of Alaska’s economy: tourism, timber, minerals (gold, silver, copper, etc.), fishing and oil/gas, according to Steve Hites, Skaguay’s man about town.

We support all of them in our trek across the nether reaches of Alaska/Yukon/Canada.

We also said goodbye to our last bus driver, Caroline, who dropped us at scenic spots like Emerald Lake and Carcross (where my wife’s grandfather may have seen Lake Bennett on his way to Dawson City).

Some people to thank: Shannon Flynn (who hasn’t cut her hair in 2 years) and Teodora at Bonanza Bar & Grill; Jessica at White Horse Westmark restaurant, who sat in beer tent and listened to music at DCMF; Lynch & Kennedy; Alaska Fur Gallery outlet; Wells Fargo; Dan, Emma, Johanna, Jasmine, Anna, John and Tim (married to Jasmine) of Temsco helicopter glacier tours; Kendall and Windy Valley Boys (Paul Murray, ukelele) of Red Onion Saloon.

Before I started this, I connected to the AT&T 3G service in hotel room, read about the recent shooting/murders in Colorado theatre, Sally Ride dying, major drought in US, Greece’s economy in “great depression,” and the world continuing to let Syrians kill each other.

Had stood outside a store on Broadway and noticed the crowds were significantly smaller between lunchtime and dinner time…had tourists returned to their ship? Clouds covered mountain tops, patches of old snow near peaks.

It takes a worried man to sing a worried song.

Not me.

Your pics for the day.