Day 52: Skagway, Alaska

A perfect day:  a boat trip to Juneau through the Lynn fjord aboard the Fjordland, a 65-foot, fast-hulled catamaran to Junea, the capital of Alaska; (the only way to get to Juneau is by boat or seaplane as no roads lead into the area); and a narrated bus tour of Juneau and the Mendenhall Glacier & Visitor Center (& film of the glacier over time). 

Paul and Joan walking towards the Fjordland

 We took a ferry from Skagway to Juneau, stopping briefly at Haines to pick up a few more passengers. The ferry headed south through Lynn Canal, the continent’s longest and deepest glacial fjord.  Lynn Canal stretches over 100 miles long and is over 2000 feet deep; it empties into the Pacific Ocean.  Marine life abounds in these waters, and this narrated wildlife cruise was a highlight of our trip. On the way over to Juneau we saw beautiful snow-covered mountains, waterfalls, hanging glaciers, bald eagles, Stellar sea lions, Dall porpoises, a black bear, and a light house.

OtStellar Sea Lions on resting to the rocks

Bald Eagles basking in the sun

View of  the Fjordland from our bus/tour ride

Light House

On the way back we were privilage to see the "humpback Whales Bubble Feeding" —a rare treat according to our captain. Another rare treat was the calm waters and blue skies. Our captain said he had never seen it so calm, and also said that they have had only about 5 days this whole summer of sun and blue sky as they traveled through the Lynn Canal. Fish abound in the Canal as well, including all five species of salmon, halibut, lingcod and rockfish among others.

 

Tail of the Humpback Whale

Humpback Whales Tail

Bubble Net Feeding

Juneau was first settled by Alaska natives thousands of years ago.  The first white explorers to the area found an Auk Indian fish camp at the mouth of what later became known as Gold Creek.  There are several native tribes still living in the area including the Tlinglit (pronounced kling-it). Gold was discovered here in the early 1900s and there are still two deep rock gold mines here. 

Juneau is surrounded by intercoastal waterways, lush rainforests, rugged mountainsides, and awe-inspiring, accessible glaciers.  The Mendenhall Glacier, an arm of the 1,500 suqare-mile Juneau Icefield, is one of the few glaciers in Alaska one can reach by car. 

Mendenhall Glacier

Juneau’s main highway extends from downtown about 45 miles along the mountainous coastline.  They have a public transit system, and of course, private cars for those who live there, as well as visitors who come over on a larger ferry.  Juneau is the first town founded after Alaska’s purchase from Russia.

 

We enjoyed hot seafood chowder, a whole-grain roll and a chocolate chip cookie on the ride back, and watched the sun set over the mountains and a full moon rise—a perfect ending to a perfect day!

Moon Over the Mountains

Just about dark with the Water and Mountains

 

 







 



Submitted by Rig #18

Nancy & Dan