Alaska. Getting there is a trip in itself, but a trip full of rewards. Getting there, in my experience, involves multiple modes of transport, including boats (vessels?) which for me double as not just a way to get from point A to B, but as a way to experience the place you are in. But more on all the wonders on the southeast waters in a bit.
We took the express route to Juneau (jet) and were hiking Mendenhall before noon. By the way, if you don’t believe in climate change, go visit Alaska. It has been just one month shy 10 years since I was here last and the glacier isn’t quite what it used to be.
The arctic terns were there looking for food to share as they nested. And the varied thrush offered a full-throated welcome. If I learned one bird while in southeast it was the varied thrush. The sounds of the gym whistle (click play below) seemed to be ever-present.
There were some nice icebergs making their way across the lake and a newborn (2 days old!) mountain goat within view. We took it all in, how amazing it is to be in such a different place in the matter of a few hours.
It seemed like spring was just getting to Alaska, and signs were everywhere.
We still had enough time in the day to get another hike in so we headed to Mt. Roberts. There was thought of a refreshment at the top, but due to Mother’s Day and a seeming labor shortage everything was closing early and we quickly caught a tram ride back to town after our steamy ascent. It’s not quite so humid in central Oregon.
Once back to town we were happy to find that the cruise ship weighed anchor and left town with several thousand people emptied of their wallets and now safely back aboard ship. With the crowds gone all of downtown was essentially closed. Talk about boom and bust, on an hour by hour basis!
The next morning we were up early to catch a ferry and move on to the main part of our adventure. It was time to head a bit further afield than Alaska’s capital.
After a bit of a ferry ride to Gustavus we made the rest of our way in a slightly smaller but ever capable craft. The seas were a bit on the rough ride on our way but we were delivered into a quiet place to spend a few days soaking in the views and experience the place. We were here at last.
