Today is day 2 of our vacation through Alaska. We stopped at our first port Juneau, the capital of Alaska. It’s the only state capital where a person has to either take a boat or plane into of out of the city. Many of the coastal cities of Alaska are that way. Juneau has roughly 57 miles of roads and that’s it. No roads coming in or going out of Juneau, just those that take people to their homes, work and shopping for whatever the family needs are. We arrived in port at 1:00 in the afternoon and everyone seemed to ready to get off the boat because there was a line…..Gave me a new understanding of what cabin fever is all about. The passengers, Mr. Gossett and myself included, have been on the boat, Volendam for almost 48 hours. I think many of us were ready to explore new territory since we pretty much knew what we wanted to know about the boat we’ve been traveling on. We know where the food is, where the adult beverages are (for those who choose to consume them) and where the internet cafe’ and library is. There is even a place for people to play card games, scrabble, chess and even put together jigsaw puzzles. There’s movies, music and a variety of other forms of entertainment but they just haven’t been what I’ve looked for as far as something to keep me busy. So, I’ve spent a good bit of time with my Kindle reading. I am so very grateful for discovering an Amazon Kindle. It has to be one of the best investments I’ve made. Going from one book to another is so much easier than a traditional book but those books with paper, covers and all of the other things we love still has a place in the world.
Mr. Gossett and I didn’t plan any excursions since we’ll be getting off the boat in the morning to get onto a train to do some sightseeing we’ve not done before. Many of the excursions that we’d be interested in doing, we’ve already done. What we did do is walk around Juneau for a while and look around. I wondered into a shop that sells items made from bamboo. I didn’t realize how soft bamboo clothing and linen could be so soft until today. I’ve become a big fan of linen recently and it appears that bamboo is a close second to it. I purchased a couple tee shirts, a pair of lounging pants, some socks and a headband. While I was shopping, Mr. Gossett quizzed the crossing guard about eating establishments. I wish I could remember the name of the restaurant but I don’t. What I do remember is that the King Salmon I got was out of this world delicious. It was grilled on a box of cedar which gave it an awesome flavor. I had a sauce of bourbon molasses that really added to the salmon. My side was potatoes that was as good as it gets. Mr. Gossett had shrimp, salmon and another seafood that I can’t recall in puff pastry. He said it was excellent. For desert, we had a piece of Moose Track Pie. Lots of ice cream with nuts and chocolate. Life just doesn’t get better that a great meal with an awesome desert to finish it off.
We did take a tram up to the top of one of the mountains in Juneau where there is a gift shop, nature center and restaurant. I bought both of us a walking stick. Mr. Gossett needs one more than I do but I thought they were too cool to pass up. While we were on the mountain, we visited the Bald Eagle, Lady Baltimore. She has to be kept in captivity because she’s had one of her eyes shot out and is unable to be let go out in the wild. She has a nice habitat and the naturalists are able to use her as a teaching tool for adults and children about caring for wildlife. Lady Baltimore is a beautiful creature. Being able to see a Bald Eagle up close is an awesome experience that I don’t think I’ll ever forget. There are a lot of Bald Eagles in Alaska so, I’m looking forward to seeing many more while here.
We came in early because it was becoming cool and windy even though it was 62 degrees, the wind made it feel cooler than it actually was. It was also beginning to sprinkle rain so, I was glad to come in from the elements.
I have been amazed on the cruising part of this trip by the different nationalities on the boat. There are folks from Australia, New Zealand, England, Holland, Spanish speaking countries as well as from the orient. Visiting Alaska appears to be an international travel destination. After doing two other cruises this way, I understand the appeal.
Tomorrow will be a full day in Skagway for Mr. Gossett and me. Looking for a new adventure right around the corner. Here’s hoping it’s as wondrous as what we’ve experience so far.
God Bless and Happy Travels!!