This morning we woke up in Klawock. Population estimated to be a smidge above 700. We decided to stay on board even though tomorrow is an at sea day powering down to Vancouver.
The terrain is definitely different now. From the low lands of Katmai, to the glaciers, down to the mountains and now this view with so much blue I don’t even know how to photoshop the pine trees to green…:
Yesterday we stopped in Sitka. The weather remains sunny and clear. By the time we reach Vancouver it will be in the 80s again.
We had a nice little tour around the nice little town, population about 8,000. Including a visit to the tribal community house…a modern version of the traditional long houses where entire families lived together on terraces inside around a large fire pit. The higher your clan status the closer you were to the fire. The chief’s living space was behind the elaborately carved screen. This one depicts the lovebirds at the top. A raven and an eagle, the two moieties or descent groups in Tlingit culture. I cannot see any difference at all in the two carvings. Maybe that is intentional as the distinction in the tribe is spiritual not physical.
This is also the city where Russia signed the final documents selling Alaska to the United States followed by the lowering of the Russian Flag and the raising of ours.
We visited the raptor rehabilitation center. And saw a bunch of totem poles.
Sitka’s other natural, towering landmark is the volcano, Mt Edgecumbe, affectionately referred to as their Mt Fuji. So for comparison purposes I offer both:
Life is so much nicer…
Woke this morning in Haines with this view. We could see the tops of the mountains!
And that thing called sky. Disembarking into Fort Seward.
Our excursion today was a drive up the Haines Scenic Byway to the Summit which took us into Canada and back. Gorgeous scenery as we drove from temperate rain forest through forest and then tundra. At one point the trees disappeared in the blink of an eye. ( Of course I can’t load video so trust is key. )
And then up high
First, we are, at least temporarily, past the rough seas. Yay!
And last night before dinner, the bar we were going to was full. So we continued on to the Observation Lounge and were rewarded with seeing a pod of three orcas and then three more singles (or the same single three times). No pics though. Those guys don’t stay on the surface long but at least they contrast well with the color of the sea.
Now here in Juneau. This morning’s view…overcast and drizzling. One could be led to believe that we are in the Pacific Northwest or something.
Today was all/only about seeing the Hubbard Glacier.
It’s still mostly overcast, and our expectations were low. This is what the view looked like this morning.
But at least the glacier didn’t disappoint. It is definitely a glacier - a huge, very impressive glacier.
Oh and some folks asked us to play team trivia with them. Then they didn’t show. And we won!
After a lazy morning in Seward, we got to the Silversea ship, the Silver Nova just after noon. For all of our travels, we have not been cruising people. The cruises we have taken in the last couple years have been to places you have to see by boat: the Galápagos Islands, Antarctica, and the Kimberley coast of Australia. Those trips were also all on small expedition ships with 200 to 250 passengers. This ship can hold 728 passengers. It seems enormous.
As I type this, the Captain just made an announcement that we will be encountering 13 ft waves that may impact our comfort and our it itinerary. 🫣. We will be underway soon.
There isn’t much more for me to write today except to post our view here in the Harbour. And to take this belated opportunity to point out that Alaska, the 49th US state, is Michael’s 50th state visited. He has now been to all 50 states and earlier this year all seven continents. 🎉
A more scenic travel day today on the scenic coastal train from Anchorage to Seward. The 5:45a check in was a bit of a downer but the seats were comfy. Breakfast in the club car was nice, and the scenery was stunning. Also saw a moose, a beaver, eagles and swans. Yes, swans. Not sure why that surprised me, but it did. As it turns out, though, Alaska hosts tundra swans and is home to 80% of the world's trumpeter swans.
Hanging now waiting to embark on the cruise tomorrow. Seward provides a free shuttle that loops around town (about two miles long and just one loop) and one of the stops is right outside our window.
Meanwhile some pretty pics. One mountain and a few glaciers.
