3rd Port Aug 8 - Skagway

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The town of Skagway is a quaint town with friendly locals and an interesting history. I'm discovering that prostitution was very popular in Alaska since every port has a historical brothel tour. Guess those gold miners needed something to do.



Here are some quick Skagway Facts:

There are 923 people living in Skagway during the summer peak the town dwindles down to 200 people who live in town year-round. Business are open 5 months out of the year so locals who live her year around have to earn enough to last until tourist season begins in June. The nearest hospital is in Juneau. Most citizens of the town are born in Canada so they have dual citizenship. However, most women will choose to fly down to Portland or Seattle to have their children. There is one road in and one road out to Skagway, however before 1977 the only way in or out was by ship or plane.



Today excursion was a scenic route up through KlondikePass. I got some beautiful pictures and our tour guide was quite entertaining. Here are some interesting facts he passed along.

For the last 110 years there have been no moose. When gold miners came through during the gold rush they killed off the entire population and it has never recovered. One of the gold miners who came through the town on his way to Canada to mine gold has a long legacy. He was one of the few who was able to stake a claim and eventually sold the claim for $13,000. He took the money to open up a little shoe store that we know as Nordstrom. No wonder they are so expensive, they are now trying to claim their gold from us. J



If you find yourself in Skagway take the Summit Express Tour through M&M Tour Sales (tour company outside the cruise ship located on the cruise ship dock). If your tour guide is name Paul you will have an entertaining time.



Highlight: Found a way to download my pictures so I can share them. Thank You Radio Shack in Skagway.

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