Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Cruise to Alaska -Leaving Endicott Arm for Rainy Juneau
The 4th day of our cruise started early – 1:00 a.m.to be exact, when the captain came over the loudspeaker to tell us the northern lights were up ahead. I got up to see the dim, green highlights in the sky, then went back to bed; I learned later the colors were brilliant at 3. Oh well. Morning would come soon enough as we would sail into Endicott Arm before sunrise.
All was peaceful as we entered the fjord and slipped past the Hanging Glacier under the cloak of darkness.
Slowly, the sun began to rise, illuminating the beauty surrounding us.
At the end of the fjord we came face to face with Dawes Glacier (as close as a giant ship can safely get.)
Wrapped in a blanket with coffee in one hand, and camera in the other, I enjoyed the marvelous views outside as we continued through the Inside Passage – the mountains, forests, islands, and ice floes.
“Shaped by the staggering force of massive glaciers millions of years ago, Alaska’s Inside Passage stretches 500 miles along the Pacific Ocean and boasts wildlife-filled fjords, tidewater glaciers, and lush island scenery. The Tongass National Forest— the largest national forest in the United States and the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world — covers the vast majority of the Inside Passage.”
Travelalaska.com
The weather held the next few hours but as we approached Juneau it was not to be – we were greeted with heavy rain.
I was glad we hadn’t purchased an excursion. Instead, we carried umbrellas and walked the few blocks to the Alaska State Museum where we saw historical artifacts including this Thunderbird Screen from 1905.
“In Southeast Alaska, Tlingit clan history was preserved in precise detail between generations. Stories of their origins and early activities were passed orally over thousands of years. These histories are also represented in song, personal and place names and as symbolic crests on regalia, totemic carvings and other decorated objects.” This screen documents the history of the House of the Yakutat Tlingit.
Alaska was considered a colony of Russia until purchased by the United States in 1867 for 7.2 million, a purchase known at the time as ‘Seward’s Folly.’ (There’s been quite a return on investment.)
The native inhabitants of Alaska protested the ‘selling’ of their land which was never owned by Russia, but it would take years before any settlement and payment to the natives would occur.
After the museum we headed back into the rain which hadn’t abated – in fact the wind picked up, turning our umbrellas inside out.
We gave up any ideas of shopping and returned to the ship for an early dinner.
No, it was not a good day for sightseeing, but fortunately we explored Juneau on our first cruise to Alaska a few years ago,
including a visit to Mendenhall Glacier, a few miles from town.
And that will do for now.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
There are many magnificent views up there, Susanne! ❤️
Truly! Thanks, John!
You’re welcome, Susanne. 😊
Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed them.
We got so lucky when we visited Alaska! We had rain but only at night. We geocached and walked all over Juneau! We even were invited into the Governor’s Mansion!! And took photos too!
Wow! Sounds amazing! We had better weather on our first cruise to Alaska but still had a great time. 😊
Those icy, still waters are a sight to see indeed, Susanne.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete. Definitely my favorite!
So very fine. The sky pictures are breathless!
Thanks so much, Don!
A shame you missed the best of the lights, and about the rain in Juneau, but the museum sounds interesting, especially the Thunderbird screen. And scenery like that looks good in any weather!
The best part of the day was definitely Endicott Arm. I was glad we explored Juneau on our first cruise as the heavy rain prevented all but indoor activities.
Gorgeous photos of this amazing trip. I enjoyed Juneau and did some shopping while there. I still wear the amber pendant hubby bought me from there.
Thanks, so much, Darlene. The heavy rain prevented much exploration in Juneau, so I was glad to have done my shopping earlier in Ketchikan.I bought my necklace there. 😊
You managed to capture great photos despite the rain. I would be ok being awakend to seeing the northern lights! The inner passage is quite beautiful! I love that huge totem pole!
Thanks, Terri! If I’d known how fantastic the colors would become later, I might have gone up top. (Next time I will.) But I knew we’d be entering Endicott Arm early that morning and wanted to be up for that too. Tough choices, but all was beautiful.