They say you can tell a lot about someone by looking through their garbage. They also say a picture is worth 1000 words. So this could qualify as 1000 words about people.

Transfer stations are, to my knowledge, uniquely Alaskan. When people live 20 or more miles from town on remote dirt roads waste disposal becomes more challenging. So Alaska has stations set up where people take their refuse. Often these also serve as recycle centers where people look for discarded items they deem valuable. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

This transfer site is located in the community of Two Rivers, about 17 miles North East of Fairbanks on Chena Hot Springs Rd. I’m not trying to say this picture is indicative of the community. What I really love about this frame is the mix of subtle and, well, in your face.

Please click on the image to see it full size.

Two Rivers transfer station

The eye is immediately attracted to the slightly covered profanity. But then the eye is allowed to wonder, taking in a very demolished truck, old TV, animal carrier and fridge complete with mayo and a Mickey’s fine malt liquor. The high mid-day sun helps give the feeling of harshness. Also helping: red, green and blue, the three primary colors, are also the main colors of  the picture.

To me, the picture is representative of the presumed racial slur. We don’t know exactly what it means, but we get a pretty good idea.