3 ports in the last 3 days

So it has been a while since we were able to post about our journey through Alaska because we have been so busy, but we've found some time where we could sit down and write about what we have been up to.

Since our last post we have been to three ports. The first port that we came to was Ketchikan. The ship was only in port there for about a half a day, but in that time we were able to accomplish and experience a lot. We went to "The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show" in Ketchikan which could basically be summarized as 5 comedians with chainsaws ;)

Then we went to a national park where they display totem poles that are recreations of some of the original totem poles that were built by native tribes in the area. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and had a lot of information to offer.

That day was pretty much the first time that we had set foot in Alaska and I think we were both a little taken back by the natural beauty of the place; however, it wasn't until the next day when we were in Juneau, that it really hit me.

Pictures from Ketchikan

Pictures from somewhere between Ketchikan and Juneau

In Juneau we started with a trip to an Alaskan cooking school where we learned about some techniques, background, and recipes for cooking in Alaska. We didn't get any pictures of this but it was a good time.

Then we went to see the Mendenhall Glacier from the Visitor Center where we were able to learn about the glacier, the "river of ice", and how it has been moving and melting/building up over time. In the pictures you can see some really blue ice. The ice is blue inside the glacier when it is in its crystalline form; however once it becomes exposed to oxygen the structure begins to break down and then appears white. So these pieces of blue ice that you can see are recently broken off pieces of the glacier.

Next we went for a tour of the Alaskan Brewery where we learned some of the history of the brewery and the beers that they make. We were also able to indulge in a number of samples of their various beers.

We wrapped the day up with probably the coolest thing that I have ever done. We went sea kayaking in the Gastineau Sound which is between Juneau and Douglas Island. We actually took the camera with us while in the kayak and took some pictures, but I do not think that it even comes close to capturing the experience that we had. This is where the beauty and perfection of it all hit me.

While we were both a little tired before we even went kayaking, afterwards we were both throughly exhausted. After another excellent dinner in the Bordeaux dining room we headed off to bed to prepare for another busy day.

Pictures from Juneau

Finally, today we woke up in Skagway, Alaska -- the smallest of the three ports that we have been to. It only has an annual population of about 750 people. We were supposed to start the day with a trip to the 'Lotus Spa' for a couples massage but unfortunately that had to be rescheduled due to a scheduling conflict made by the spa. We will be able to enjoy a massage tomorrow morning instead.

Since we had some "spare time" we decided to just go walking throughout Skagway, the downtown area is only 5 blocks by 20 blocks. We found some good shopping and a little museum in town.

Pictures from walking and shopping in Skagway

Later in the day we had an excursion scheduled to go to the Klondike Summit, the Yukon Suspension bridge in Canada, and then go to a salmon bake in Liarsville, Alaska. It was a good trip; we had a tour guide that was willing to do whatever it was we asked. We actually spotted some black bears while we were on this tour and got the tour guide to turn around for us to check them out!

The salmon bake was pretty nifty too; we were able to enjoy some more beer from the Alaskan Brewery while pigging out on salmon grilled over a pit fire and an assortment of sidedishes.

Pictures from touring in Skagway

Upon our arrival back in our stateroom we started to review the literature provided on Glacier Bay, where we will be tomorrow. I'm planning on getting up tomorrow for the sunrise, which is at ~3:45am and there will supposedly be some good sights early in the morning as we arrive in the Glacier Bay National Park.

I'll try to upload the pics but the connection isn't very good as I mentioned earlier.

We'll post again when we can!

Travis