Day 5: Skagway, Alaska

Now Skagway was the coolest old mining town. We had such a blast here. This is where the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad were. It was insane to see the way that the towns were set up back then and read up on and hear all of the stories of people who were desperate to strike it rich. What these people did to try and make their mark was just unfathomable.

We decided to rent a tandem bike and ride through this small town to hike up to Reid Falls. First of all, tandem bikes are no joke. We laughed our heads off the whole time we rode that dang thing. Sitting in the bike you literally don't steer the thing at all, but by nature, you try to which causes the bike to wobble which for the person in the front can because extremely strenuous and, quite frankly, terrifying. It was hilarious.  The hike to Reid Falls was gorgeous, and we really had incredible weather. 

 Near this hike was the "haunted" Gold Rush Cemetery. It was totally amazing and all the stories of its residents were enthralling.

 The rest of the afternoon was spent going through museum after museum. Below was the only bear that we came across. Phew!

 Below were some of the "working girls" that hung out the windows and cat called and men and women alike to try and get them to come to their show. I was laughing my head off trying to imagine how life must have been back in the day. How grateful I am for how far women have come.

Day 4 afternoon:  Juneau, Alaska

Today we went up to the Mendenhall Glacier. I really liked this excursion because we got to get out in the sunshine and hike for a bit. It didn't go all the way up to the glacier, but we got the gist.

 The Park Rangers got the ice chunk below as it drifted in from the glacier. It seriously took about 4 of them to push it up on a wheels. The glacier is so heavy that it condenses all of the air pockets out of the ice and makes it more dense. It's crazy to think that what I was touching was 200 year old glacier ice!

 We also went whale watching in Juneau. We had the coolest guide. This was a pretty cold day as well and as we were driving we went up on the top deck and she let us come in her cabin and she chatted with us all about her insider know how. We saw lots and lots of humpback whales, which was really cool, but I finally got up the nerve and asked her if they had any killer whales out and about. She let me know that she wasn't going to tell any of her tours this, but there was a pod of baby killer whales that were not far from us, but the adults were gone hunting. Normally she preferred to stay her distance during this time to not disturb them, because once she goes out there, all the other excursion boats follow each other, to make sure their customers are getting the best show for their buck. She told us she would take us out there, but wouldn't get close. HOWEVER! We were close enough that we actually got to see the pod swimming and playing around. I couldn't even believe it. It is so amazing to see nature and realize what a small part of it we as humans actually occupy. I also couldn't believe how BIG these baby whales were. It would have been crazy to see an adult one.

 We didn't go in to this bar for anything other than to get a good look at the one and only Wyatt Earp's old gun that was left behind.

Day 4. Inside Passage and Tracy Arm Fjord

Today was a great day. The entire day was spent traveling NORTH TO ALASKA (Sing along with Johnny Horton if you'd like) in the inside passage. The goal was to get up to the Tracy Arm Fjord glacier. This was probably the coldest day of our whole trip. We got to go up on the frigid windy deck and take in the beauty that was around us. It really was a sight to see. Luckily I have a cold blooded husband, because I wore my coat and his coat this whole morning.

 These are the towering granite cliffs. 

 Below you can see a seal swimming along with us. 

 Because of how thick the icebergs were our captain didn't feel comfortable taking us all the way up to Tracy Arm Fjord. He let us know we'd be turning around and heading out. When he said that I was a little shocked. I don't know if the pictures do it justice, but it felt like we were close to shore on both sides. I just didn't think it possible that the boat could turn around, I thought we'd have to reverse out of there. But the ginormous cruise ship literally turned on a dime. It was if the engines  stopped, then the ship pivoted in place and we started going again. It was seriously amazing!

Day 3 Ketchikan, Alaska

Our first actual stop was Ketchikan, Alaska. We had been told that it was cheaper to book excursion's once we came into port with the locals. We were so nervous that places would get sold out we were literally the very first people off the ship this morning, and we soon learned that these cruise line destinations have this whole thing figured out and will literally never run out of open excursions. 

But seriously, this little town was incredible! Almost the whole town is built on stilts. When we got off the boat it was overcast and a bit drizzly. 

 Ketchikan is also known for having the world's largest collection of standing totem poles. Everything there was so beautiful. 

The whole reason for Cory's desire to go to Alaska was to go fishing. We had the option of going deep sea halibut fishing, or king salmon fishing. We decided to do the kind salmon fishing. What we didn't realize, was that it was catch and release season. We couldn't even hold the fish for a picture before throwing it back. 

 Fun fact, there are star fish, jelly fish, and sea cucumbers all over Alaska. I dont know why this was so shocking to me. 

Our fishing excursion was SO COOL. We were literally there with two other people. The only thing that kind stunk about that was that it was a father and son and the son was a little hogsy on taking turns on the fishing. Basically we all sat there until one of the poles got a bite and then we were supposed to take turns on catching them. I could not believe how hard it was to reel these king salmon in. They fight the line and I seriously had to use all of my effort to get the thing in. Everyone kept trying to help me and I was bound and determined to do it myself.

 And there it is ladies and gentlemen! 25 lbs! I hear these suckers can get to be 74 lbs!!! We were definitely in the off season, but I seriously was so proud of myself and I know that I wouldn't have been able to reel in a 70 pounder.

 Watching Cory get his fish was the payday for me! He had so much fun. 

 We saw so many bald eagles. It literally seemed like seagulls to Utah. It was insane to see so many just flying around. We also got to see a HUGE tree with a HUGE eagles nest in it. Also, right off this tiny boat, I mean 20 yards away, we saw our first hump back whale! I was shocked! to see it spout and swim so close to us was just insane.  I mean jaw to the floor. While the guys kept fishing, in the rain, I went into the bow of the boat and looked out the windows and I was the only one who saw the whale dive and watch its tail sink in the water.

 Ketchikan is also known for Creek Street, which is actually a boardwalk mounted on stilts. This is also where you can watch the salmon swim up the creek. Again, we were there during off season, so we didn't see any of that. The locals say that along with all those fish come the fishy smell, so I was okay to miss out on that.

 Creek Street is also famous for Dolly's House! This was the first of MANY brothel museums in Alaska. Each one had actresses dressed as prostitutes calling us to come and see. It was seriously so funny!

 This sign was so awesome. The working girl has always had to be a little creative to make sure they could pay the bills!

We were told over and over that we were experiencing some of Alaska's warmest weather. It was beautiful!!!