The Alaska landscape is unreal. Locals describe it as “the Rockies on steroids.” There was a staggering amount of natural beauty, and we found Alaskans to be incredibly generous, laid-back people. Lots of fur hoods and trendy flannel. The women all wear local turquoise jewelry and everyone has a good moose story to tell.  We played for enthusiastic crowds in Anchorage and Homer, and were greeted with offerings of guided hikes, family cottages, and smoked fish. (We plan to take all of them up on their offers!) The views and the people were beautiful, but it wasn’t all beauty on the…