Gray skies and rain had followed us from Icy Strait Point, and we woke up to more of the same. We had no excursions planned, so after breakfast we had a good wander around town with John, Jo and Billie. Juneau is much bigger than most of the ports we had visited, but the townspeople are worried about the possibility of the capital being moved to Anchorage. Apparently that's been a ballot initiative quite a few times, but they have always been defeated. Government is the largest employer in Juneau, and tourism is the biggest industry.
We visited a lot of the shops, mailed some post cards from the Post Office, had a latte in a coffee shop, visited the local museum, and finally ended up at the Red Dog Saloon! It seemed a perfect place to be on a rainy day! We were fortunate to find a table for 5 - when we left, people were lined up at the door, waiting to get in! The Red Dog is a hoot - very old, with all kinds of memorabilia (junk!) hanging on the walls and ceiling! Wyatt Earp's pistol is supposed to be there somewhere, but we didn't see it. We had Alaskan beer, listed to the honky tonk piano player, and enjoyed the warmth and ambiance of the place - it was a hoot, and probably a pretty "Alaskan" experience!
We got hungry eventually, and decided to go back to the ship for a late lunch, although, as Jo said, we could have spent the afternoon there!
On board the ship, we watched the Mt. Roberts Tram go back and forth up the mountain. That had been on our "to do" list in Juneau, but as we watched the tram disappear into the mist and fog, we decided that there would be no visibility from the top of the mountain, so we gave it a miss.
Bryan and Peter had been brave and had headed off to the Mendenhall Glacier, in spite of the weather. They found a tour near the cruise dock, and were able to get very close to the glacier. They also saw lots of spawning salmon along the way.
Once we were all back on the ship, we had the "drink of the day" - on this day it was a Kiwi Mojito! It was very interesting, and filled with lots of green stuff!
So, the afternoon was very relaxing, and most of us found a great spot to read and watch the rainy sea, as we made our way out to sea and to Skagway.
Wet, downtown Juneau!
The Mount Roberts Tram - as you can see, it just disappears up into the mist
Narrow sidewalks between the buildings, leading to the street above. Billie saw three bears, eating flowers in someones garden, on stairs just like this!
Lee, Billie and John, with the Grizzly statue
The infamous Red Dog Saloon!
Lee and John, preparing to go through the swinging doors!
Some of the stuff on the ceiling and walls - note the red "knickers" hanging from the wagon-wheel light
One of the Honky Tonk piano player - it was great fun!
We got a kick out of this sign
Moose, bear and great big halibut?
We were at the Red Dog Saloon long enough for the Honky Tonk piano players to change! This one was the best!
The humble beginnings of Alaska Airlines! Lee knows someone who worked for Wien in Anchorage, many years ago.
Hanging out at the Red Dog!
The Mendenhall Glacier - photos courtesy of Peter Gilles!
Bryan at the Mendenhall Glacier
Peter at the Mendenhall Glacier
Back on the ship. At the Cova Cafe, with our Kiwi Mojitos - John, Jo and Billie
The dining room!
We were a bit disappointed with the weather in Juneau, but, oh well! Maybe Skagway will be better! Regardless, we are all having a fabulous time, and trying not to think about the fact that this cruise is coming to an end, all too rapidly!
1 comment:
Juneau: Yes, the Red Dog !! Are there still peanut shells on the floor? Those steps? Yes...I am very familiar with those..Picture a young Coastie who had tried to save a fellow Coastie (13 sheets to the wind) from hurting himself, as he had stowed away way too much Yukon Jack..and could not negotiate the stairs un-aided. Well,the first time he made me go into the STINGING NETTLES in order to save his butt, was the LAST..he was "limber enough" to not get hurt as he amazingly did not break anything on his bumpy way down...then after we staggered through town to the USCGC Morgenthau, negotiated the incredibly steep pitch to the gang plank (very pronounced tides up there)..and were faced with the steep, sharp, unforgiving "ladders" to go below decks to berthing..I decided against breaking MY legs, and instead, let Petty Officer 3rd class St.Julian ( from New Mexico)...."Free Fall".
He was FINE!! (again..."limber"...). SHOULD HAVE SEEN HIS FACE the next morning..when he looked at his civilian clothes that he was wearing (white pants-white sweater..or should I say, BLACK PANTS and BROWN sweater..)...and he had no recollection of the events the night before.. AH, yes,..Alaska!!! Going to the Aleutians?
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