Hiking and lots of tourists in Skagway

6/13/11

2.5 hour hike to Lower Dewey Lake this morning. Nice view overlooking the harbor and town. Went to the grocery store for supplies and walked around town in the afternoon watching all the tourists from the 3 cruise ships. The steam locomotive came back in from its trip through the mountains. Would love to do the train through the mountains but gotta cut back on expenses. Doing the train trip from Seward to Denali and that will have to do. You can not do everything on every trip.

Another day in Skagway

6/15/11

Still amazed at the number of people that descend on Broadway Street in Skagway each day. There are always 2-4 cruise ships arriving with up to 12,000 people. Luckily for those staying here it ends each evening as the people board their enormous ships and set sail. The town must make their profit for the year in the 3 months of tourist season. After that, most board up their stores until spring except for 2 cafes and the local grocery store.

Today is the last full day in Skagway. Leave tomorrow on the 10 am ferry for Juneau. Expecting another beautiful day and hope to see whales and seals. Will do a little hiking to Reid Falls later today.

Ferry to Juneau and New Hostel

6/16/11

Early 7 am ferry to Juneau. We saw about 15 killer whales playing around, though not too close, and a couple of humpback whales. I think the ferry rides from town to town see as much whale action as the whale tours that are expensive. After arriving at the Juneau ferry terminal, 14 miles from town, decided to walk the two miles to the bus stop rather than paying $30 for taxi to Juneau. Beautiful day and saw an eagle in the tree along the road.Made it to the hostel at 4 pm but the hostel does not open until 5 pm.

I have never seen a hostel like this one. It is a beautiful large house and they only charge $10 per night for the dorm bed. You must sign up to do one chore a day to help keep costs down. You must leave at 9 am every morning and cannot get back in until 5 pm. (this is a lockout)  Many hostels have a lockout for a few hours to cleans but never seen one all day. A good way to make u get up and do something. Will either hike today or spend day in library posting many pictures I have to upload.

Juneau's scenery is BREATHTAKING. It is called "little San Francisco".

Juneau, Alaska and State Museum

Juneau is called little "san francisco" due to its street and houses dot the surrounding mountains, Mount Roberts and Mount Juneau, and bordering the ocean.

The town usually has several cruise ships landing each day during the summer.

Lighthouse Lantern