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Day 13
18 May 2019
Skagway – Alaska
White Pass Summit Scenic Railroad
We were up early to watch us dock into Skagway as we had an early tour at 9 am. Again breakfast and then off we hopped and walked to the train. Today again we are blessed with the weather as it was sunny and only a few clouds, cool but not cold. We boarded the train which had been restored and was looking amazing. Off we went on this amazing rail journey up to White Pass. The guide explained how it took 2 years, 2 months and 2 days to complete the rail line at a cost of 47 lives. It was built in the earl 1900’s when it was thought to have lots of gold here. The men who worked on the rail line could only work one hour at a time to prevent exposure and frostbite. The men had to hike for up to 4 hours up the mountain before they started work and then back down at the end of the day. The men had built a Trestle bridge which then went straight into a tunnel and that bridge
is still used today although it has been repaired and maintenance carried out on it on a regular basis. We kept climbing until we passed the USA Canada border crossing which isn’t actually located at the boarder as it is said to be too cold. We went past Bridal Veil Falls which were beautiful and a definite photo opportunity. We passed through another tunnel and then the climb flattened out as we passed the actual boarder. We climbed 2,865 feet on the journey here. We were up in the snow and you could see the water that was from the snow flowing down little rivers which in turn become the waterfalls lower down. The views all of the way were spectacular and the rail way is a tribute to the men who built it. Once back in the town we had a walk through some of the shops. Skagay struck me as on old Western town straight out of the movies. The regular population of the town is only 450 people; however this increases during the tourist season. The buildings were all panted brightly and there was one that the façade was made out of pieces of branches. It was
built in 1899. Back on board we headed for our room. We ordered a special coffee for the following day that would be delivered to our room to sip on and enjoy while cruising in Glacier Bay, and then off to have a quick lunch and relax in the room. We watched the ship leave the port from our balcony which was beautiful. It is amazing how little space the ship needs to turn and head off. We had dinner in the dining room and then back to the room for the evening. We sat watching the scenery and we were amazed as to how late sunset was today. Skagway had 17 hours, 15 minutes and 27 seconds of daylight which meant the sun rose at 4.20 am and sunset at 9.35pm. Add in that the official twilight was at 3.16 am and finished at 10.39 pm and it is a very long day. Hey but that is what you want when on holiday. I found it difficult to want to go to bed but the sky was clear and our room was facing east, so we stayed up to watch the moon rise over the mountains. All I can
say is that it was stunning. I don’t think that there will be a lot of sleep tonight as I am already excited about tomorrow. The alarm is set for 6 am as that is when we enter Glacier Bay and I don’t want to miss a second of it.
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