Skagway Alaska

We had a great time in Skagway exploring, shopping, drinking, and relaxing! We flew in on Sunday, July 11 (me from Colorado Springs and Kevin from Atlanta). We met up at Juneau International Airport, which consists of a total of 6 gates (1/2 the size of Colorado Springs Airport), and boarded an 8 seat prop plane to Skagway. It was quite the experience to check in for the flight and not even be handed a boarding pass! The gate agent called role and then said “follow this guy; he will be your pilot today”. Let me just point out, our pilot, Ryan, barely looked old enough to drive let alone fly us 100 miles to Skagway. Needless to say, we arrived in one piece and thoroughly enjoyed the transportation! It was like one of the shore excursions that people pay hundreds of dollars for and we got to do it on the company dollar! We checked into the Westmark Inn, one of the very few hotels in Skagway (population 862), and proceeded straight to the Skagway Brew Pub! Then called it an early night – thanks to the blackout curtains we taped to the wall (remember Alaska doesn’t get much darkness in the summer)!

A stuffed polar bear at Juneau International Airport

The inside of our little 8 seat prop plane!

On the runway in Skagway. The flight was so beautiful!

We had 2 ship inspections on Monday and 1 inspection on Wednesday. We also managed to fit into our busy schedule a trip to the Gold Rush Cemetery, The Days of ’98 show, and a beautiful hike up to the Lower Dewey Lake. In our downtime we ate good food, drank great Alaskan beer, shopped up and down Broadway (particularly in the bookshop), and took frequent naps! We also bumped into my college room mate, Meg's, parents! It was so surreal! All in all, it was a fabulous trip to the Yukon!

Overlooking the quaint little town of Skagway from the ship

Kevin on Broadway Street. The main drag in Skagway. LOTS of SHOPPING!

The perfect sized Totem Pole.

I learned to appreciate fine beer!

Part of the White Pass and Yukon Route Train. This train takes guests on a scenic ride through the Yukon for the low price of $115 per person. We decided to pass on this attraction, but got to see and hear the train multiple times a day!

Up at the Gold Rush Cemetery. This is the grave of "Soapy" Smith, who was the town salesman/con artist back in the time of the Gold Rush.

The beautiful Reid Falls, named after Frank Reid - a very respected politician during the Gold Rush. He is credited with shooting "Soapy" Smith, but died himself just 12 days after the shooting.

With the "Can-Can" girls at the Days of '98 show. The show was a musical about the Gold Rush and the rise and fall of Jefferson "Soapy" Smith. It was a fun way to spend one of our evenings and a great way to get some history!

Up by the reservoir on our hike up to Lower Dewey Lake. Gorgeous!

We saw this little black bear cub on our hike! So stinking cool, but scary too! Momma Bear was not in site, but I am sure she was not far away!

Kevin in front of the snow plow on the train! This thing was massive!

The Mendenhall Glacier - Juneau, Alaska

We are sitting in Juneau again now, waiting to board our flight to Seattle, and then we are on our way to London! Kevin and I will have about 2 days in London and then my mom is flying in and meeting us there! I am so excited to share this experience with my mom! We will be in London for 5 days and then we are off to Paris for 3 days! Keep posted for updates!