We stopped by the first G Street art market, which was a lot of fun. We didn't get away from this booth without dropping some cash.It was an odd summer solstice weekend.

The weather was kind of ehhh, so-so. It wasn’t really nice enough to enjoy all the outdoor fun that solstice invites, but it wasn’t bad enough to hole up inside.

So we did some outdoor stuff that wasn’t too weather dependant. We visited a couple farmers’ markets and also stopped by the opening weekend of a new downtown art show – a two-block, outdoor art party on G Street.

Several vendors brought out all variety of art and goods at the G Street art market on Saturday. It is a nice complement to the Anchorage Market and Festival, which takes place near Third Avenue and C Street. It's just a couple blocks between the two venues.

Stopping by the Art on G Street show cost us a lot more than a hike in the woods. It seems whenever we stop at a gallery, art show, etc. we come home with something. I guess that’s what happens when you love art and you’re married to an artist. It’s hard to avoid filling the house with things that look cool. This time, we came home with some fiber art. I think that was the first time we’ve done that.

The art show continues Saturdays through the summer, but there is no show on the Fourth of July weekend.

The G Street art market on Saturday also featured live music.

And if you’re a visitor in town –- and especially if you’re an independent traveler –- you should stop at one of the farmers’ markets to stock up on groceries. You’ll probably be shocked at the variety of food options – we bought a pint of blueberry ice cream at the Anchorage Farmers Market on 15th Avenue and Cordova Street (9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays). Other markets include the Downtown Market and Festival, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and the South Anchorage Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays near Old Seward Highway and O’Malley Road.

So even though the solstice wasn’t one for the record books with some 30-mile hike or 100-mile bike ride, we made the most of the longest days of the year.

-- Steve

We stopped by the Anchorage Farmers Market on Saturday. You could buy oysters, vegetables, eggs, cheese, plant starts and that sort of thing. We walked away with a wonderful pint of freshly made blueberry ice cream. Mmmmmmm.