SIGHTS AROUND SKAGWAY

Black Lake, just a mile or so above where our motor homes are parked.

The distinctive sound of a steam engine whistle got our attention yesterday morning, as we tried to time the arrival of engine #73 on the face of the cliff above Skagway.  By the time we drove the few miles up the South Klondike Hwy,  and parked across the canyon from the tracks, the train was already farther up the hill.

Part of the morning was spent in town, before the crowds started leaving the 4 cruise ships that were in port yesterday.  The picture below, more clearly shows the Holland America Cruise Ship Amsterdam, docked at the Broadway dock.  Skagway's main street (Broadway) begins at this dock, and when the cruise ships are tied up there, it looks like they're about ready to sail right into town.

Then, we drove 9 miles out to the Dyea valley, where the famous Chilkoot Trail begins.  Taking the road up West Creek, we dead ended at the new pedestrian bridge. Patty and I had never been up this road to the end, and it was worth negotiating the pot holes, as the view of West Creek Glacier was incredible.

When we returned to the Taiya River, we stopped at the beginning of the Chilkoot Trail, where thousands of gold seekers passed by in 1897/98, on their way to a perceived fortune in Dawson City.  While we were there, we watched one of the float tours pass by under the bridge.

At the White Pass RR depot, we chatted with Margaret, while I purchased my ticket to ride the train this coming Friday.  I'll have the girls drive me up to Carcross, where I'll catch the train for the 67 mile trip back to Skagway.   When we lived here in the summers of 2004-2007,  Lake Bennett was the end of the line.  Now, the train can be ridden along the 27 mile shore of Lake Bennett, providing more spectacular scenery to the self described "scenic railway of the world"!  Yep, I'm excited!! 

 

I ended the day with a cold drink at the Bonanza Bar, where I met with two of my former co-workers, Joe & Matt.  We all drove tour buses for Skagway Tour Company, and had lots of fun times together.  I hadn't seen these guys in 6 years, and it was great to get together, and reminisce about our experiences and misadventures.  They are both still doing the same thing, and loving it!

Before driving back to the motor home, I watched the cruise ship Amsterdam pulling out of Skagway, headed back south through the longest Fijord in North America, the Lynn Canal.  90 Miles to the S/E is Juneau, the state capitol of Alaska, and most of the ships have either come to Skagway from Juneau, or leave here headed for Juneau.

Another great day in one of the most beautiful places on the planet!

Harding Glacier is the flat area above the cruise ship, and in between the two peaks.