Where's Liz? Juneau, Whales and Rainforest Trails
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 2:42 pm
Arriving at Juneau, Alaska’s capital, accessible only be sea or air.
This local young man was our guide on a hike through a rain forest, part of the Tongass National Forest.
Past some lush green foliage and rushing streams.
Past other trails with no time to explore.
Past markers showing where the glacier once stood at various times.
These cone-shaped roots provide food for bear.
Really more of a stroll than a hike…easy terrain.
And what would a rain forest be without rain?
The trail ends at the mouth of the Mendenhall Glacier. Can you see the waterfall to the right of the glacier? We watched helicopter tours taking people to land on the top of the glacier.
Blue ice again
You can see the walkway below the visitor’s center where you can walk closer to the glacier.
Anybody want to touch it? (Feels like ice)
Back to the harbor to board our whale-watching boat.
And we saw some whales.
Tails
And tails
“Let me up!”
“Excuse me…”
Just “lion” around.
Back on the cruise ship there was a lot to watch. A sailing regatta. These three are sailing the home stretch with full spinnakers out. Wanna make a guess who won?
Nope.
Sea planes landed and took off continuosly.
Time to leave Juneau
As we made our way out of the harbor it was apparent that some time or other the elements have been harsh on this place.
No longer shipshape
Weather worn
Coming next, Ketchican
This local young man was our guide on a hike through a rain forest, part of the Tongass National Forest.
Past some lush green foliage and rushing streams.
Past other trails with no time to explore.
Past markers showing where the glacier once stood at various times.
These cone-shaped roots provide food for bear.
Really more of a stroll than a hike…easy terrain.
And what would a rain forest be without rain?
The trail ends at the mouth of the Mendenhall Glacier. Can you see the waterfall to the right of the glacier? We watched helicopter tours taking people to land on the top of the glacier.
Blue ice again
You can see the walkway below the visitor’s center where you can walk closer to the glacier.
Anybody want to touch it? (Feels like ice)
Back to the harbor to board our whale-watching boat.
And we saw some whales.
Tails
And tails
“Let me up!”
“Excuse me…”
Just “lion” around.
Back on the cruise ship there was a lot to watch. A sailing regatta. These three are sailing the home stretch with full spinnakers out. Wanna make a guess who won?
Nope.
Sea planes landed and took off continuosly.
Time to leave Juneau
As we made our way out of the harbor it was apparent that some time or other the elements have been harsh on this place.
No longer shipshape
Weather worn
Coming next, Ketchican