The views from the ship were just breathtaking. Here is just one such mountain that comes right down to the sea.
Juneau, the capital of Alaska, is a sizable place. This is taken from the bridge between Juneau and Douglas - which is across the sound from Juneau.
We went to Mendenhall Glacier - about 8 miles north of town (and at the end of the local road system.) This is a retreating glacier (there are only 4 growing glaciers in Alaska.) It was right at the door of the visitor's center when they built the center but has been retreating ever since then. Last year it retreated about 500 feet. It only retreated 30 feet or so in the 90's.
From the glacier we went to a tourist trap - like the Mystery Spot - called Glacier Gardens. It was pretty and included a chance to see the temperate rain forest first hand. It was beautiful - they took some trees and dug them up and replanted them upside down and then planted plants in the root system. Quite unique.
At Juneau we were the only ship in port when we arrived. By afternoon it became a ship convention. Ours is the second one from the left.
What do you do when there is no room on a hill side for a street? In Juneau they build a set of stairs and call it a street. This is an actual street. The city even maintains it and when it snows they shovel it every day.
That's all for today. More to come.
Juneau, the capital of Alaska, is a sizable place. This is taken from the bridge between Juneau and Douglas - which is across the sound from Juneau.
We went to Mendenhall Glacier - about 8 miles north of town (and at the end of the local road system.) This is a retreating glacier (there are only 4 growing glaciers in Alaska.) It was right at the door of the visitor's center when they built the center but has been retreating ever since then. Last year it retreated about 500 feet. It only retreated 30 feet or so in the 90's.
From the glacier we went to a tourist trap - like the Mystery Spot - called Glacier Gardens. It was pretty and included a chance to see the temperate rain forest first hand. It was beautiful - they took some trees and dug them up and replanted them upside down and then planted plants in the root system. Quite unique.
At Juneau we were the only ship in port when we arrived. By afternoon it became a ship convention. Ours is the second one from the left.
What do you do when there is no room on a hill side for a street? In Juneau they build a set of stairs and call it a street. This is an actual street. The city even maintains it and when it snows they shovel it every day.
That's all for today. More to come.
2 comments:
I love you kids, have fun for me. Be careful on the glaciers, planes, rafts, or whatever you are doing!
Hope you are taking care of mom! Be careful with all the moose crap and other adventures you have planned to come! I like that street. I'd hate to be the garbage man with that street on his route :-)
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