Alaska Wild Berry Products

Jumping back to the end of July, you might recall that one Irish Siobhan had come to visit, and I promptly headed off to knee surgery.  Just because I couldn't walk very far was no reason to not get some Alaska Urban Exploration time in.  I had made a little list of all the places I had been meaning to check out, and post op or not, a girl has got to eat, so there were several restaurants on the list.  While researching those, I came across a note in the tourist books about Alaska Wild Berry Products, that said their local shop hosts the worlds largest chocolate fountain.  It got added to the list in big bold letters right away.

The upper portion of the world's largest chocolate fountain

Located on the South side of Anchorage, and conveniently right on Airport Road for any tourists, it's pretty easy to get to Alaska Wild Berry Products, and the area is a perfect tourist stop for several reasons.  It is located next to two great lunch/supper spots, the Peanut Farm and the Sourdough Mining Company (ok, I haven't tried to food here yet but the name sounds great).  Alaska Wild Berry makes chocolates, jams, jellies, smoked salmon, buffalo, venison, and caribou (most of which I would rather photograph than eat) and sells loads of great T-shirts, jammies, pictures, postcards, magnets, etc etc etc.  You will find a souvenir item to take home if that's on your list.  They have also created a little historical village for their shoppers to wander around and take pictures at.

There is the big water tower....

The really big Inukshuk (with a small Shibby at the base).  Most people know what an Inukshuk is now, as it was one of the major symbols of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.  Inukshuks were used by the Inuit (Canadian) and the Inupiat (Alaskan American), Yupik (Alaska  American and Russian), and Kalaallit (Greenland).  These man made landmarks were established to be reference points to finding trade routes, hunting grounds, food caches, camps, and fishing sites.

This lovely little totem carving highlights some of Alaska's most recognizable residents -- the Bald Eagle, the Bear, and the Salmon.  

Here is the the mock village that lines the parking lot.

Inside is the chocolate fountain.  This chocolate waterfall of copper kettles is home to s]3000 pounds (yes POUNDS) of liquid chocolate goodness. 

the upper part of the chocolate fountain

And the lower part of the chocolate fountain

 They have big signs and staff keeping a careful eye to make sure that nobody sticks their fingers in the chocolate fountain -- there are delicious sample chocolates available right outside the candy window, where you can watch your chocolates being made.  But by the looks of this guy, he might stick a paw in at night when no one is looking.

Chocolate thief bear?

As far as the chocolate itself -- delicious!  We bought some to taste, and ended up going back later in the trip for more for souvenirs -- both for Shibby to take back to Ireland and me to take to Canada on my trip home for the wedding.  Even my brother who is not a chocolate hound loved these...I know what I will be sending home for Christmas parcels this year!