Alaska Escape - Day 3: Juneau Critter Count

"That sure is a funny looking dawg, y'all"

One critter - two photos

Porcupine Passing

Alaska Escape - Day 3: Juneau Hiking

Always favoring real experience over trinkets made in Taiwan and crowds of tourists, our *free*, self-propelled port excursion took us up and out of Juneau, walking through winding steep residential streets affording wonderful views of Gastineau Channel, until finally, we left all that behind and climbed Perseverance Trail, past Mt. Juneau, past Mt. Roberts and closer to British Columbia.

Leaving Town....

Juneau's Perseverance Trail, a National Recreation Trail

 Caveat discipulus!                  

In spite of rough terrain (boulders in the trail), very steep spots and the like, several intrepid bicyclists passed us along the way. They  were friendly and observed proper trail etiquette too!

Alaska's First Road

Alaska Escape - Day 3: Juneau

Juneau! State Capital of Alaska.

"The area of Juneau [Alaska] is larger than that of Rhode Island and Delaware individually and almost as large as the two states combined."

--Wikipedia                            

Alaska Escape - Day 3: Tracy Arm

Alaska Sunrise, 3:51 a.m. Tracy Arm

This is what "Purple Mountains Majesty" refers to, right?

 

Mt Sumdum 

South Sawyer Glacier

Critter count included a mother & young harp seal, relaxing on an ice floe.

Alaska Escape - Day 2: Ketchikan

view from Ketchikan

Haida Memorial Pole, Old Kasan     

An early arrival in Ketchikan (5:30a.m.) obviated any possible need to linger among the tres touriste Old Historic District with the Red Light section on Creek Street. Whew! Instead, walking along Ketchikan Creek, and through the blooming park in the light north coast rain,  we arrived in advance of the bright yellow Humvee of tourism lassitude (involving a $$$ per person "convenience" fee) at the Totem Heritage Center. Really, there's nothing like free, self-powered transpo to help you get a real feel for a place! I liked walking in the rain though I'd neglected  to bring "proper rain gear" (all the better for getting wet!) One thing we walked past was the local baseball field, which we noted was completely GRAVELED (both infield & outfield). This field was in stark contrast to the opulent luxury of our local high school's  newly  renovated track & field in the heart of SilliValley. 

Here's a totem I like:

Beaver

Halibut

Alaska Escape - Day 1: At Sea

6/20/2011

Alaska Escape - Prelim Seattle

Seattle was a short stop en route to Alaska. Paging through Seattle Weekly, I saw several bands I'd have loved to see...if I'd come in time for Thurs, Fri & Sat night shows.

IF I'd planned it right, I might have incorporated music right into the trip and crashed on a friend's couch, floor, lawn.... but I'm not alone, and planning is for ... somebody else, I guess.

Nevertheless, a short bus ride from the pier to Downtown and a lot of walking at Pike's Place Market. I like Seattle. A little touristy at times, but ok.  

Red Umbrella, Inside-out. It wasn't raining anyway. Just Seattle-grey.

Don't forget to look down! courtesy of Random Refuge .