Skagway and the White Pass Train #Alaska #Train #Canada

The second excursion in Skagway was on the White Pass train.  We actually boarded it just inside Canada and rode it back down the mountain.  The views were extraordinary.  The view of the train was as we turned a curve.  We were riding toward the rear of the train, which made the opportunity for us to get the picture easy.

My daughter and I played with selfies on the trip.

You can actually camp on the route.  The train then picks up up and takes you back down the mountain.  That would be a cool thing to do.

Skagway Alaska and it's sled dogs #Alaska #Skagway #alaskanhuskies

Not to be confused with Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Huskies are their own breed.  The owners, though, don't care about having show dogs, so they breed for speed and endurance as they're usually used for sledding.  When we visited Skagway, we actually did two tours, this was the first one.   We had the opportunity to talk to sledders that had actually competed in the Iditarod and to meet some of their dogs.

They took the time to explain many of the ways they prepare both themselves and the dogs for the race.  They also showed us many of the supplies both current and from the past.  The dogs themselves were awesome and friendly.  It was funny (and loud) when they lowered the sled into the pen to hook up the dogs for a demonstration.  The dogs became very excited and loud at the prospect of going for a run.  As soon as the gate was opened, they took off around the run.

Port of call in Juneau, AK #Alaska #whalewatching #humpbackwhales #MendenhallGlacier

In Juneau, we got on a bus that took us to Mendenhall Glacier.

We walked the trails there for about an hour (one of the trails was flooded, so trails were limited).  We then took a whale watching tour.  This is a video I took of a group of approximately 10 humpback whales bubble net fishing.  From what our nature guide told us, there are only around 150 humpback whales that know how to do this and they're all in the Juneau (Alaska) area.  If you watch at the beginning you'll see them blowing, then their tails as they dive.  Watch the birds, they tell you when the whales are surfacing.

Touring a glacier via ship #Alaska

We were given a heads up the night before that we would be travelling up one of the fjords and viewing a glacier from the ship.  I was up by 5a (Alaska time) to watch the ship travel up the fjord and to the glacier.  We didn't go to Tracy Arm as planned due to fog and ice.  Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of this one.  The funny t hing was listening to the captain as we got there.  He did "donuts" so that everyone on all sides of the ship had a good view of the glacier.  The tracks are NOT by vehicle, but by debris picked up by the glacier as it moved.  It just made track like stripes in the glacier as it moved.

Saxman Native Totem Village - Ketchikan, Alaska

Our first day in port took us to Ketchikan, Alaska.  We took a bus out to the Saxman Native Totem Village.  Not surprisingly, given the name, it was filled with hand carved totems.  All made of red cedar and telling various stories.

Then there was the main lodge and it's cultural connections.  We watched Tlingit natives sing and dance and tell us stories of their life.

We didn't do much in the way of touring in Ketchikan itself.  A small port that fills with more people during the summer/tourist season than any other time.

Seattle from onboard ship #cruise #celebrity #Alaska #Seattle

Our trip started with a cruise on Celebrity's Solstice ship in Seattle.  The cruise was in honor of my parent's 50th wedding anniversary (this October) .  My family, my sister a nd part of her family, and my parents all went. This is a view of Seattle from onboard the ship.  It's a panoramic shot, so you'll need to click on it to get the full photo.