The intersection of University Avenue and Geist/the Johansen Expressway: (It reality, this actually looked quite a bit worse. . . .)

   The view along University [Avenue], westbound:

   The view from the front of the front of the Natural Science Facility (incidentally, (Normally!) the best view in town :) ), to the south-east. . . .

    . . . And to the south-west:

   The year of 2002 was a pretty bad year for consistency--for number of consecutive days with smoke--however, it was by no means an unusual year for severity.  Somtimes, the smoke is so bad---that one can only see about 10 feet.  (!!) And when it get that bad, it also perpetually "rains" ash. . . .

   Well I hope you've enjoyed my little tour of Alaska's "forest fire season." -Of all the things one can experience in/about this state, I think that this one might be one of the ones that most peeps would want to avoid.  :)