Friday, June 26, 2026

Under the Duct Tape Moose

 So I have embarked on another travel book that I hope will bring many new sights to discover on your next road trip. It's also an anthology of unique and funny road trip experiences.  Do you have a unique road trip experience that you would like to share?....I would love to include it in the collection of stories! Let me know at: Julieetta05@gmail.com  Here is the forward for my book and also explains what the heck is a Duct Tape Moose?!

Under the Duct Tape Moose--

American Road Trip Curiosities


Forward

Everyone has a story to tell about memorable travel experiences that bear repeating.  Many times the most memorable stories are the ones that occur on the road to our chosen destination.   This book is an anthology of  favorite stories along the Road Less Traveled.

Our first family trip to Alaska was when my sons were young teen boys, anxious to explore the Great White North.  My sister-in- law and brother- in- law lived in Anchorage and were happy to help guide our explorations on the “must see” portions of our trip.

The road trip north from Anchorage to visit Denali National Park, took us through Wasilla. We stopped at the local Walmart for snacks and a break.  Walking through the front door, in the front lobby stood a life size replica of a bull moose entirely constructed from duct tape.  We found out that, in 2003, Wasilla had been awarded the honor of : "Duck Tape Capital of the WORLD!"   This particular Walmart had sold more duct tape in the world  than any other location.  The Wasilla Walmart sold the equivalent of 325 miles of duct tape in one year! Since it was Alaska, how fitting they sculpted a Duct Tape Moose to commemorate the occasion.

 After several trips to Alaska, my son Dan, fell in love with Alaska and also fell in love with a woman who grew up in Wasilla.  They are now both living in Anchorage. While at a family gathering years later, discussing how they met, and the Wasilla Duct tape Moose came up.  Of course this was long before they met, but we laughed and wondered at the possibility that maybe they met “Under the Duct Tape Moose” and saw each other years before “officially” meeting one another.  Unbeknownst what the future would bring. Oh alas, the romance of meeting Under the Duct Tape Moose.

Hence the title of my book was born. On our travels it’s truly amazing that it’s the unique little things that make a memorable impact, not necessarily just the main attractions. The curiosities along the way provide opportunities to make every trip more memorable.   One is bound to see a moose when visiting Alaska, but how many have seen one made of Duct Tape?  It’s little distinctions like that, that make every journey distinctly one’s own. 

Happy Travels.      JES

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