“Live” – Alaska – Radiance of the Seas August 19, 2016 – Indecision Cruise

[PCWalton1]

 

 

 

 

 

We stopped a a place north of the town for a BBQ lunch. They had a museum with and exhibit on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They also had a lot of stuffed animals on display.

 

 

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

They also had sled dogs which for a fee you could rise a dog-driven sled.

 

 

 

 

This is Emerald Lake and my picture does not do the colors justice.

 

 

 

We then had the opportunity to stop in a first nation village called Carcross. It used to be called Caribou Crossing but there were too many places witht that name so mail would get lost. So they switched.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then drove back to Fraser where we boarded the train for the trip to Skagway. This is where I get to complain (or rant). The other van arrive before us and filled up many of the seats in the train car. They must have also been told for the southbound route the most scenic views are on the right side as that is where they were all sitting.

 

The issue I had was a group of six that were taking up FIVE of the bench seats on the right side The only male of the group was sitting next to us daughter and to me looking somewhat embarrassed the rest of his group was spread out one per bench with their stuff and legs covering the rest of the seats posting the nonverbal sign "we are not sharing".

 

These were obviously the same type of people that lay a towel on the lounges in the solarium for 4 hours and never stop in. So excuse me for the not so good pictures on the train trip as I had to go out on the platform most of the time to get a shot.

 

 

 

 

 

These are flags they have at the official border

Edited August 23, 2016 by PCWalton1

[bigeck]

Bill, thanks for the detailed review.

You just sorted our excursions out for next year.

I was going to hire a car but Chillkoot it is.

[PCWalton1]

This is an old trestle that was taken out of commission in the 60s.

[PCWalton1]

 

 

Another shot of the trestle, glad they are not still using that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We made two stops along the way to pick up hikers.

 

 

[PCWalton1]

I look down the valley towards the cruise ships Radiance and Explorer.

 

 

 

 

A few shots of Skagway

 

 

 

 

 

Our driver told us there are 31 jewelry stores in the little town of Skagway. I guess cruise ship passengers are easily distracted by bright shiny objects.

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

Bill, thanks for the detailed review.

You just sorted our excursions out for next year.

I was going to hire a car but Chillkoot it is.

 

Hey Alex, glad I could help. :)

[jaspercat]

 

 

We stopped a a place north of the town for a BBQ lunch. They had a museum with and exhibit on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They also had a lot of stuffed animals on display.

 

 

 

Oh the donuts --- they were so delicious, I could have eaten just them for lunch (kidding -- I enjoyed the chicken and coleslaw; not so much the wooden fork and knife:)).

[jaspercat]

They also had sled dogs which for a fee you could rise a dog-driven sled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We did the sled portion --- we enjoyed it. Our musher was fun and we found it very informative.

 

Did you get to see/pet/hold the puppies??

 

[PCWalton1]

We did the sled portion --- we enjoyed it. Our musher was fun and we found it very informative.

 

Did you get to see/pet/hold the puppies??

 

 

No, we didn't pay for that part. We were told that the current puppies are most likely half wolf as the mother got loose for a while and there was no male dogs around for her to mate with. They are already getting much bigger than normal which is another sign. The owner is trying to get home for them as quick as possible while they are still at the cute stage. :p

[PCWalton1]

Hello, I am caught up on today's journey so I will post now. Neither of us were to keen on getting up at 5:30am (on vacation, remember?) but thanks to Hoonah Travel Adventures it was a worthwhile day. We set out to see bears and we accomplished that.

 

The weather was grey with a slight mist early on but cleared off to be a beautiful morning. The good weather has been following us since the Hubbard Glacier and I do hope it continues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The van was really nice, individual seat for about a dozen but we just has four of us and the driver. The big noise cruise ship buses passed us after we go out in the woods and I am glad we didn't take them. Looked like rebuilt school buses and probably just as comfortable.

 

 

 

A few shots of downtown Hoonah.

 

 

[PCWalton1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

This is the view from the bridge where we did most of out bear watching.

 

 

 

 

 

There was a lot of salmon in that creek.

 

 

 

 

Our first sighting, a smaller dark brown who never really got too close. He just did a walk through and didn't really look for any salmon.

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

Marie with our driver and protector Mike.

 

 

 

In between bear watching there was salmon watching, they did a lot of jumping.

 

 

 

 

 

We also had a minx visit, came by to see what these foolish people were doing on the bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

It was quiet for awhile.

[PCWalton1]

Our next sighting was even farther away. In the middle of the creek where the branch overlap the water you can see that dark smudge.

 

 

I think it was the same one from earlier and he was trying to beat feet out of there because shortly after this big one arrived. I wish there had been something in the pictures to give you size perspective as this was was really big.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

Our last bear sighting of the day was way downstream but it gave me a chance for a couple of artistic shots.

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a couple shots of the hillside I posted earlier and you can see the weather just kept getting better.

 

 

 

 

You can see the moon here too if you look close.

 

 

 

Mike pointed out this beaver pond on the way back.

 

[luvscruising2007]

Your pics are fantastic. Your review is making me want to return to Alaska.

 

Was your Skagway excursion through the ship or did you book privately? We took the train but I don't remember getting off. Also, it was a roundtrip and I am thinking your tour is much more thorough.

 

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us.

[PCWalton1]

We also spotted an eagle's nest with a mother and juvenile in the nest. The youngster was trying out his wings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DeadPhish]

Awesome review so far

[jaspercat]

Your pics are just amazing. That bear looked big! Nice shot of the rainbow. Love your artistic photos.

 

[PCWalton1]

 

 

A few shots on the way back to the ship.

 

 

 

This would have been a much better shot if I had caught it about a second earlier when the bush wasn't there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marie wondering what's next.

 

[PCWalton1]

Maybe the zip line? Not this time.