Blogs from Skagway, Alaska, United States, North America - page 10

Needless to say, we slept-in this morning after a late night last night. Dave was “under the weather” and did not want to do much of anything, but it was such a beautiful day, sunny with no clouds in the sky, and I wanted to be outside. We had planned on doing the hike up to Lower Dewey Lake, which is a short but steep hike. Instead after lunch we drove downtown and treated ourselves to ice cream cones and drove to the harbor to eat them. Then we headed up the Dyea Road to the scenic overlook of Skagway and then to Smuggler’s Cove. While Dave “rested his eyes” in the car, I took some nice nature pictures along the beach. Usually there are seals and eagles around, but I did not see any today ... read more

Yesterday’s sun and warmth has been replaced today with a cold rain. We decided that we would drive over to Dyea (pronounced Die E). The ride to Dyea is on a twisting gravel road which is very well maintained and very scenic. Dyea was and actually still is the starting point for the Chilkoot Trail which took the stampeders to the Yukon Gold Rush. There are famous photos of the Chilkoot Trail, which shows hundreds of men, tied together, climbing a very steep mountain with heavy packs on their backs. Because men were showing up in Dawson City with no supplies, there was a famine there. The Canadian Government decided that each prospector needed a ton of supplies before they could enter Canada. The men needed to lug that ton of supplies up this mountain in ... read more

Our cruise itinerary was departure Vancouver 24 May 4.45pm through the Seymour Narrows, 25 May pilots disembarked and we continued on for 1 day at sea passing the Canadian boarder to the USA at 10.30pm. Arrived at Juneau Alaska on 26 May - we were in the Pacific Ocean that night, the Captain said when in the Ocean expect a bit of Motion which we did, 20 knot winds and fog. I didnt sleep but Barry did. Tuesday 27 May at Skagway - you will note that I have spelt Skaguay in two different ways but I think we are meant to write it with a 'w' but in the town it is written with a 'u'. In Skagway we took the White Pass Railway to the Summit which was another neat train ride - photos ... read more

We got to Skagway on Friday afternoon after a ferry ride from Juneau.....and hit the trail! . The Chilkoot Trail is in the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. It was a 12 mile hike up the mountain...we went as far as we could go before we hit snow at Sheep Camp........ read more

Just want to make a quick little note that we are in Skagway, Alaska now. Our phones are a not working as of now so we either have to resolve something with that company or get another one. Internet is a little limited for now but should be more easily accessible once all the shops are opened. Everyone here is gearing up for the season; making touch-ups on the paint and having all displays well displayed. I wiped the dust off a banister at the hotel today; it's a mess there but it's opening next week so it'll just have to transform. So, just wanted to state that our communications are somewhat down, but we'll get more accessible. When we can use my laptop we'll add the rest of the pictures and maybe make some notes ... read more