I don't have a picture to go along with John Zarnowsky, but I am eternally grateful to him for giving me a "Z" word for my last post of the challenge!
A Russian, Zarnowsky has a dubious claim to fame, as he is known for unwittingly selling half of the richest gold claim on the richest gold creek in the Alaskan Far North for a sack of flour and a side of bacon.
Zarnowsky believed he was too late to strike it rich with his claim, which was along a small stream known as "Bonanza's Pup." That small stream would eventually become known as Eldorado Creek, which was the most valuable placer discovery in history.
Alex McDonald, who bought Zarnowsky's claim for that bacon and flour in 1896, later became known as the "The King of the Klondike," and made a fortune during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-1898.
I can't say for sure, but I would imagine poor Mr. Zarnowsky spent the rest of his life kicking himself.
And that's it for me and another round of the A-Z in April challenge! Thanks to everyone who has come by here, it's been another great year of A-Zing. :)
My A-Z theme of Alaska is inspired by my debut novel, Polar Night, which is set in Fairbanks and the Alaskan Arctic. Click here for all the info on the book.
Worst business decision ever.
ReplyDeleteYour theme has been really cool, Julie! I'm definitely going to mention it in my Reflections post as a great way to blog about one's book.
Whew, now that's one rough regret!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your Challenge posts, Julie. Happy A-Z! :)
Well, I have to say I truly enjoyed the A to Z Challenge. I'll miss it. Your posts have been great, Julie. Stop by my blog tomorrow. Nana Prah and I have reviewed your great book Polar Night.
ReplyDeleteWow, there's a lesson to be learned there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great month of posts, Julie, and congrats on another successful A to Z.
Barbara
Z is for Zzz-z-z... and an SOS
The Daille-y News
@Alex, thank you, I really appreciate that!
ReplyDelete@Madeline, isn't it? And I thought I've made some bad decisions LOL. Thanks so much!
@Cathrina, oh wow, thank you! That is so nice of you. And I'm so glad you enjoyed the challenge.
@Barbara, thank you! And congrats to you as well.
Great wrap up. I would kick myself if I was Zarnowsky too. But haven't we all given up on something too soon? I guess this is the great lesson in your post. Thanks for the inspiration. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Julie - that's a great Z for the Zed post .. such interesting information .. and I bet he died embittered .. poor chap ..
ReplyDeleteAlex McDonald was one lucky chap .. still that's the way it goes isn't it ..
Cheers Hilary
I'd say you're right about the kicking of self, Julie. He and Colonel Saunders might be exchanging notes wherever they are.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on coming through to Z!
Oh goodness, I can't imagine him not kicking himself for the rest of his life... eek!
ReplyDeleteIt's been great reading your posts in this challenge, I do hope you are now more than ready to get a sequel out with all this Alaska research. I can't wait to join in the fun of this challenge next year ;)
He must have been hungry.
ReplyDeleteSo Zarnowsky got zilch? (OK, not really.)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing the A-Z!
I would kick myself too in his place. You did wonderful, Julie. Congratulations on making it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrible decision! Know he must have really regretted it. Sometimes you wonder if the man who benefited from Mr. Zarnowsky's mistake couldn't have been generous enough to give him back a little of the claim!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for following my painting journey on A to Z!
Mary Montague Sikes
King of the Klondike....makes me feel like having a Klondike Bar. Great story! - wow!
ReplyDeleteTexas Playwright Chick
Oh man, that poor guy.
ReplyDeleteGreat job with your theme Julie. It's always fun to read your work.
I also feel badly for Mr. Zarnowsky. You did a great job, and it was so much fun sharing another A to Z experience with you!
ReplyDeleteJulie
oh man. He must've hated that. worst decision ever made.
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Oh wow, if he had just held on a little longer!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your theme, Julie. Congrats on completing the A-Z!
Congratulations on making it all the way to the finish line. Great job! Poor Mr. Z. (Then again, you can't eat gold, and when you're hungry, you're hungry.)
ReplyDeleteAnd Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for some beans and stuff....
ReplyDeletePoor Zarnowski--I wonder whatever happened to him?
See you on the return of normalcy.
Loved the theme Julie! I didn't get around to too many blogs, but I was always eager to get here. Alaska is such a fascinating place and you picked some of the best parts for the tour!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I'm sure he went to his grave with regret. Poor guy.
Congratulations in completing the A to Z Challenge.
ReplyDeleteYvonne
A to Z AMBASSADOR.
@Mary, oh, that's so true! I didn't even think about it from that perspective but what a great point.
ReplyDelete@Hilary, thanks, and cheers to you as well. :)
@Lee, thank you, you too!
@SK, oh, I hope you will join in next year. It's so much fun and I know you'd love it. I hope you will have your own book to promote by then too! :)
@Michael, haha, maybe that was it LOL. The poor guy just needed something to eat.
@Linda, thanks, you too!
@Al, thank you, and congrats to you too. :)
@Mary, yeah, that's a good point. But I guess he wasn't particularly generous. I really enjoyed your paintings!
@Texas, oh, I love Klondike bars! Thanks!
@Tim, thanks, yours too!
@Julie, wasn't it fun? Can't believe we made it through another one. :)
@Nutschell, yeah, it has to be right up there, poor guy!
@Gwen, thanks, and congrats to you and Indigo too! :D
@Susan, true enough. And thanks!
@Susan, looking forward to it, thanks so much. :)
@Elizabeth, oh, that's so nice of you to say, glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!
@Yvonne, thank you!
Poor guy! I've totally enjoyed learning so much about Alaska here. Thanks for sharing your research.
ReplyDeleteVery cool. I love your theme and congrats on finishing the Challenge! :)
ReplyDelete@Carol, I'm so glad you liked it, thanks!
ReplyDelete@Christine, thank you! Congrats to you as well.
Poor man. Congrats on completing the challenge.
ReplyDeleteI hope to never have a *kick yourself* moment like that one.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on making it to Z!
It certainly has been a fun month! Congrats on completing the A to Z this year. It has been more of a personal journey for me than a blog hop, but that's OK. I can always hop along a bit now that it's over.
ReplyDeleteAlways pretend its worth something, even if its not. Certainly those American Picker dudes prove you can sell rust for a good $$.
ReplyDeleteHappy Z!
Ooops... Poor guy.
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed your posts and learned so much about Alaska from you in a painless and entertaining way!
Great story!
ReplyDeleteLoved following your blog and reading all the posts.
Thanks for stopping my mine and commenting!
Now back to normal, right?
Oh, wow...I think I'd be kicking myself, too!
ReplyDeleteThat was a bum deal. Poor old Zarnovsky!
ReplyDeleteI now know much more about Alaska than a month ago. Great theme and congrats on getting to the finish!
Oopsy! That sucks! Poor Mr. Zarnowsky...
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed learning more about Alaska, Julie. Thanks for sharing this info throughout the month.
And congrats on crossing the finishing line!
Writer In Transit
Oh dear - what a heart break! Something that would take many many years to get over, if you ever do. The poor sap!
ReplyDeleteGreat posts this month Julie!
Congrats! What a fun month and now your book is in my to read pile :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, if I was him I'd probably struggle to find a reason to live. ;)
ReplyDeletewow that's quite a claim to fame - congrats on making it to the end - great theme and posts too...
ReplyDeleteWow, now -that- would suck, big time...lol....poor guy.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing A to Z and I really enjoyed your theme :)
@Sheena, thanks@
ReplyDelete@Jenn, me too LOL. Thanks and congrats to you as well.
@Inger, I can imagine it's been very personal for you. I really enjoyed learning about your story here in the US!
@Mary, haha, true enough. :D
@Larua, thank you, I'm so glad.
@Yolanda, thanks! And I am looking forward to normal even though it's been a great month LOL.
@Heather, me too. The poor guy!
@Nick, thank you!
@Michelle, thanks so much and congrats to you as well.
@Nancy, isn't it? Makes me feel better about some of the dumb things I've done LOL. Thanks!
@Regina, oh, thanks so much, I hope you will like the book. :)
@Trisha, me too, the poor stiff. :D
@David, thank you!
@Mark, thanks so much!
That decision was about as bad as the guy that turned down the opportunity to be the drummer for The Beatles :D
ReplyDeleteI've loved your theme! I so want to visit Alaska now!!
Enjoy your break :)
I would've felt terrible.
ReplyDeleteGreat theme and congrats on finishing.
Bummer...What a great A to Z theme. I have really enjoyed learning about Alaska this past month. Such an amazing state. :) Can't wait to get more of the state in your book- I'm really looking forward to it!!!! :) Have a great night and 'chat' soon :)
ReplyDeleteOh no!! The poor Mr Zarnowsky!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on making it to the end of the challenge!!
@Samantha, thank you!
ReplyDelete@Medeia, thanks and congrats to you as well.
@Rebecca, thank you! I hope you will enjoy the book, thanks so much.
@Lynda, quite a claim to fame isn't it? Poor guy. Thanks and congrats to you too!