Alaska Cruise, Part Five - Skagway

Our final port in Alaska was Skagway, a gold rush town and jumping-off point for the Yukon.  We tied up at the Mining Pier and were met by busses to take us to the various excursions.  It was a beautiful sunny day, but chilly.

The predicted high was 54°F (12°C).  (Edit:  click on the pictures to biggify.)

My bus took us through town to the small boat harbor, where we boarded the ferry to Haines.  Yep, I got off the ship and onto a boat.

It was about thirty minutes to Haines, cruising up a fjord.

We boarded a bus and headed out of town along the Chilkoot River toward Chilkoot Lake.  We stopped along the way to view an eagle’s nest (visible with binoculars but not to my camera) on the left hand side of the road.  On the right was the river with gulls and eagles after salmon.  This area of the river is tidal; perhaps it’s more appropriate to call it an estuary. 

Pictures just can't convey how spectacular it was.  Gulls and other birds in constant motion and constant voice, the river flowing, the scent of the grasses and slight hint of salt air, the breeze ...

Back on the bus, there was a bear on the river bank as we approached the lake.  I was on the wrong side of the bus to get a photo.  We waited by the lake and the bear appeared.  She was a beautiful bear with a thick, shiny coat.  No pictures.  I was not comfortable being that close to a wild grizzly!  The guides carried bear spray.  But still ... wild grizzly. 

We had lunch at a Tlingit meeting hall.  Not native food, but good chicken caesar wraps.  Then it was back to the pier to catch the ferry to Skagway.

The summer population of Skagway is just under 2000.  Our cruise ship carried 2000 passengers, and there were several other ships in port, both larger than ours!  Our bus driver/guide Sally said next year they’re expecting ships that carry 5000 passengers!  It may be a struggle for the little town to cope.  I'm sure they'll figure it out, though.  A lot of their income comes from the tourists. 

The Red Onion Saloon was a famous bordello during the Gold Rush days and is now a restaurant, museum, and National Historic Building. 

A group of us from the tour went in.  No empty tables!  So I’ve been in the Red Onion, just like I was in the Red Dog.  Didn’t have any beer.  :-(

Did some shopping, and just strolling.  Two fire fighters were walking along selling raffle tickets to raise money for Alaska Fire Fighters.  I bought one.  $10 could win you $15,000!  The drawing is September 21.  I'll let you know if I win anything. 

I caught the shuttle back to the ship.  I still didn’t have a boat plus flying thing picture for Skagway.  So I improvised. 

Two helicopters!  (One white fuzziness around the center, and another paler fuzziness to the lower left.)  And the Sea Princess.