Alaskan Cruise - Skagway (Part 2)

After we visited Caribou Crossing, Carcross,

 Carcross Desert and Emerald Lake,

we then turned around and headed back to Skagway.

The entire trip was so scenic and peaceful.

We arrived back in Skagway, AK around 3 PM.

Todd and I had the option to be dropped off at

the cruise ship, or in the middle of town.

We opted for town because we wanted to do a little exploring.

In 1897 the Klondike Gold Rush began.

Prospectors from all over rushed to the area

in hopes of finding money.

Most never found gold, and the population

declined from 10,000 to just over 3,000 in a matter of 2 years.

It was an interesting little town to visit.

There are historical buildings throughout,

and some are very unique.

This building was faced entirely with driftwood.

So cool!

Of course we had to visit the Red Onion Saloon.

It was build in 1897 and was Skagway's finest Bordello.

While we didn't actually go inside,

actual tours are available, as well as food and drinks.

Because we were limited on time,

Todd and I window shopped mostly and enjoyed

the unique buildings.

Some knick-knacks and wind chimes.

During our bus tour, the guide told us about

a wonderful beer we should try if that was

the sort of thing you enjoyed.

Of course, I obliged.

We stopped at Skagway Brewing Company

and tried some of their Spruce Tip Blonde Ale.

Indigenous Alaskans used Spruce to

make a beverage and drink it to help cure scurvy.

The prospectors tried the original recipe

(which sounded more like a tea),

and really disliked it.

But one thing the settlers were good at was making beer,

so they adjusted the recipe to their liking,

and it is still being served to this day.

Apparently it has 3 times the amount of vitamin C

than you can get from orange juice.

So because I wasn't going to pass

up the opportunity to be healthy,

I of course, had to get a glass.

Skagway Brewing Co. Spruce Tip Blonde Ale

Cheers!

If you're wondering what it tasted like,

it was sweet and tasted exactly like a Spruce tree smells.

No joke!

After my beer, and our small lunch,

we were exhausted, so we decided to head

back to the ship.

It was about a 15 minute walk from where we were,

and it was starting to get late,

so we threw in the towel.

On the walk back we saw this train locomotive

with a massive fan looking mechanism on the front.

Apparently, when the trains ran during when their

was snow to deal with, they used this bad boy

to eat up and spit out the snow on the railroad track.

Don't think you would want to get in this

monsters way while it was doing it's job - Yikes!

The short walk was beautiful,

and I loved all the flowers and the color of the water.

We were told that it is this color because of

all the silt left over from the glacier.

Speaking of...Harding Glacier

is visible from the port.

Can you see it?

No.

Well here is a better close up picture.

Still having trouble?

Here you go.

It was a fantastic and exhausting day.

We packed so much into the day,

and I'm so glad we did.

Next up...

Sitka, AK

Alaskan Cruise - Skagway (Part 1)

We had a busy day planned at Port of Skagway.

I booked a 6 hour train/bus excursion on

the recommendation of my parents.

The excursion did not disappoint.

 

We left the boat at 7 AM and were bussed to

the train.  Todd and I laughed when we

saw the U.S.Customs and Border Protection Building.

 

 

I think it might be a shed that you buy at Home Depot.

 

We boarded the train at 8 AM to tour the

White Pass and Yukon route railroad.

The entire tour took approximately 8 hours,

and was worth every penny spent.

 

Todd getting ready to start the fun.

 

 

We viewed scenic waterfalls and lakes.

 

 

 Apparently the lakes that are formed in this part of

the Yukon territory are generally long and deep

instead of wide and shallow.

This is because of the harsh weather in the area.

 

We passed an old portion of the railroad.

It was a little scary because if you look closely,

the bridge is collapsing.

Thank goodness we passed right by it.

 

When we reached our final destination

by the train, we had a nice tour bus

waiting for us.

 

Selfie in front of the train.

 

 

After a jarring and semi rough train ride,

it was really nice to board a bus.

It had comfortable seats, tv, a/c,

and most important...

a bathroom.

 

Our first stop after boarding the bus was

Caribou Crossing, Yukon, Canada.

 

The trading post has a wildlife museum,

petting farm, dog cart rides and husky puppies,

gold tours and of course food.

 

Our visit started with a complimentary

all you can eat lunch.

Lunch included fresh made donuts!

I can't say that I'm used to donuts at

lunch, but I'm not going to complain :)

 

There were several animals around the property.

 

My favorites, however, were the husky dogs.

They actually train at Caribou Crossing for the Iditarod.

People pay for dogsled rides,

and in turn the dogs get practice and exercise

 

They were beautiful dogs,

and there was lots of information about them

that you could read if you so liked.

 

Dogs training in the Summer.

My favorite experience of the entire excursion...

 

 

Getting to hold the puppies!

I wish I could have snuck one out in my jacket.

They were just precious.

 

After our time was up at Caribou Crossing,

we made our way to Carcross.

Carcross has a population of less than 300,

and relies heavily on tourism.

It reminded me of some of the small towns

that I live near.  Rich in history...small in size.

 

It's located on Bennett and Nares Lake.

 

 

Notice something wrong with the building?

Ya, there are no stairs coming down

from the doors.  Our tour guide said this was by design.

They get so much snow in this area,

there was no need to build stairs.

 

Just outside of Carcross is the Carcross Desert.

I don't believe it considered a true desert,

but it is a sandy area covering about 1 square mile.

It was formed during the last glacial period,

where the glacial lakes dried up and left silt behind.

 

After we were done visiting the desert,

we made our way to one of the most

beautiful lakes I've ever seen,

Emerald Lake.

 

While the pictures aren't outstanding,

the lake is gorgeous.

It has a bright "emerald" color

because the light deflects off of the marl

(clay and calcium carbonate mixture).

 

 

The last thing that I wanted to share from

our excursion (we had 800 pics - I have to cut back some pics),

was a cantilever Captain William Moore Bridge that was built

over an active earthquake fault.

It is built with only one side secured

so that when there is a quake the bridge may

move and adjust instead of tear apart.

 

It was a scary experience,

but our tour bus driver was fantastic

and helped people feel a little more at ease

with some comic relief.

 

Next up...Skagway (Part 2),

or the actual town of Skagway.

Alaskan Cruise - Juneau

The stop after Ketchikan was Juneau.

We had to take a tender from the Golden Princess

into port.  It was quite the experience. 

The tender is the orange boat above.

 

Our "Captain" of the tender had some difficulty

docking us.  We drove around in circles for

about 15 minutes before we were actually able

to disembark the boat.  I'm not sure if this was his first time

driving, but Todd and I were laughing the entire time.

Todd enjoying the 15 minute spin in the boat.

 

After we got to shore, the first thing we wanted to do

was to see Mendenhall Glacier.

 

 

We paid for a tour bus to take us because it was several

miles out of town.  It was a nice leisurely drive,

and our bus driver pointed out some great little

adventures to take if we were to come back

and visit (and have more time).

 

When we arrived at Mendenhall Glacier,

it was raining, but we were dressed for the

weather and didn't mind.

It actually made for some awesome pictures

as the sun wasn't super bright, and casting harsh shadows.

By the time we made the walk from the Visitor's Center

to the actual end of the trail, the rain had

pretty much subsided.

 

We did the touristy thing and took tons of pictures,

cause that's what were good at!

 

After Mendenhall Glacier, we were starving and

we decided to go get some lunch.

This was the only actual lunch that we

bought the entire trip. 

Look at the view out the window!

 

We had a delicious lunch of Salmon Chowder

and Crab Flatbread.  Todd and I couldn't get

enough of it!  If you like Clam Chowder,

you have to try Salmon Chowder.

It is FAR superior!

 

Salmon Chowder...nom, nom, nom!

 

After lunch we kind of wandered aimlessly

for a little bit.  We ended up visiting

The Red Dog Saloon.

 

 

We bought a shot glass there and then

decided we wanted to take the

Mount Roberts Tramway

up to the top of the mountain.

I'm so glad we did.

 

The views were incredible,

but more than that, they had trails

that you could hike if you liked,

or you could wander through the visitor center,

or visit with this pretty lady.

 

I introduce to you, Lady Baltimore.

Isn't she beautiful.

She lives at the top of the mountain

and is taken care of because some

jerk shot her through her beak,

and she is unable to survive in the wild.

 

I really enjoyed our time on top of the mountain,

and would recommend the tram to anyone who is

going to be vacationing in the area.

Carving in one of the trees on one of the trails.

 

Before we knew it, it was time to head back

to the ship so we could head out to our next port.

Todd and I really enjoyed Juneau

and would like to visit there again.

 

Next up....Skagway.