Alaska is truly awesome..... Natural beauty is around every corner and there are so few people in such a big land. In Alaska there is a joke about the size of Alaska compared to Texas. When Alaska applied for statehood back in 1950s, there was a Texas congressman who wanted Texas to continue be the largest state so we filed a bill to have Alaska divided into two states. As the joke goes, the problem with that was that if it had passed, Texas would then become the third largest state.
From Vancouver, British Columbia, friends Susan Bagwell and Cathy Haberle and Sally and I left on ten day sea and land tour of Alaska. We chose Princess Cruises with port calls in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Whittier. From Whittier, we would travel by rail to Denali National Park. After two days in the vicinity of Denali which would include a natural history tour of the park, we would travel by motor coach to Anchorage which would be the final stop on our tour. After our ten day Princess tour, Sally and I said our goodbyes to Cathy and Susan and rented a car for an additional four days. We traveled down the Kenai peninsula as far as Homer where I even managed to squeeze in some pickleball.
The following is a photo log of the first few days of the cruise.....
Somewhere along the coast of British Columbia
Fog is rolling in
Arriving at the Village of Ketchikan
Ketchikan
Float planes
Ketchikan
Ketchikan
It rains almost everyday in Ketchikan but we came prepared
Visiting with Dolly
Family History
Life aboard ship
Juneau
Our ship at dock in Juneau
There she blows!
Whale watching excursion out of Juneau
Humpback Whale
Saw approximately 15 humpback whales on the whale excursion
Humpback waving goodbye
Humpback Whale tail
Humpback Whale
Humpback Whale model in cabin of excursion boat
Steller Sea Lions
Steller Sea Lions
Steller Sea Lions
No neighbors and the mail is delivered by boat
Volunteers needed to live at this lighthouse
Who wants to spend a month in this outpost?
Beautiful scenery everywhere
Reindeer food on a stick
Hiked to Mendenhall Glacier
Mendenhall Glacier
Blue ice
Ok, I was fascinated by the blue color of the ice
Nugget Falls |
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Zip-lining excursion in Juneau
Sally just before she went into the helicopter spin
Hurry up or the ship will leave without us
Sally out on the balcony
Honeybee made of fruit
Docked at Skagway - Tradition is that ships that dock in Skagway leave their name painted on the cliffs
Train trip to White Pass and on into Canada
Bridal Veil waterfall
Somewhere between Skagway and the Yukon territory
Scenic railway
Beauty is all around us
Tunnel, wooden trestle, and look close to see rappelling
The Klondike gold rush trail to Yukon Territory from Skagway - called the trail of 1898 - many died trying to make it up to White Pass. The railway was built later but followed the same path.
Historical picture of Gold miners heading up to White Pass
Border between British Columbia and Alaska
Beyond White Pass
British Columbia, Canada
Beyond White Pass
Beyond White Pass
Beyond White Pass
Beyond White Pass
Beyond White Pass
Suspension Bridge in British Columbia
"Cossed the Yukon river and they found the bonanza gold":
Tutshi River
Tutshi river Suspension Bridge, British Columbia
Returning to Alaska
Road winding back down to the sea and Skagway
Had a fun time at Poppie's - Carrot Coconut Soup was actually super delicious
Lunch at Poppie's - quiche, salad and carrot/coconut soup
In Jewel's garden the Alaska State Flower - Forget-me-nots
I'd love to stay in that light house! Where do I sign up?
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