A summer adventure to Alaska is worthy of a bucklist or must do check off. Now, I must say that I am not usually spending summer weather in a cooler environment. After this summer's Alaskan journey, I am thankful for the opportunity to view what is considered the last frontier. (My husband has a shirt that states this, so it must be true) 😊.
Anchorage
Landing in Anchorage to a beautiful view and sunny 80 degrees was a great start and not what I imagined at all, especially the landscapes with large blooming plants. Almost 12 hours of daylight in Anchorage gives the landscape extra hours of sunshine, as well as me and the other tourists taking in the sites.
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Anchorage Visitor Center |
Strolling down town and on a trolly tour gives you a full day of sights, including a drive along Northern Lights Blvd., and a look at Earthquake park.
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Anchorage to where? |
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Downtown Anchorage |
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Once in a Blue Moon - Downtown Anchorage |
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Alaskan Railroad Monument |
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Trolly Tour on Northern Lights Blvd |
Scenic Train from Anchorage to Port of Seward, Alaska
Want a wonderful way to travel from Anchorage to the Port of Seward? The Alaskan Railroad scenic train is a must. It is also the easiest way for embarkation as NCL handles this prior to boarding the train. The glass dome cars give you a full view of the scenery. I offer a few photo memories to give you a small glimpse of this excursion. Link to more information: Scenic Train from Anchorage to Seward.
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View from between rail cars |
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The railroad tracks are parallel to a paved pathway called the Coastal Trail. |
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Glacier vew |
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A view of the glass dome car |
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Waterfalls cascading down the mountain |
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Stop along the train route |
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Placer River Canyon |
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Forget-me-nots - State Flower |
Glacier Bay
A remarkable day spent viewing and witnessing the loud crashing sound of the glacier calving at Hubbard Glacier. It is breathtaking to see in person. It is also amazing to realize this is happening every day and I have barely given this activity much thought. What a difference a day can make in your perspective. I am grateful for the opportunity to spend a day in Glacier Bay. Some photo highlights are shared below.
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Approaching Hubbard Glacier onboard the NCL Sun |
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Serene view on an overcast day |
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Hubby posing for a photo memory of Hubbard Glacier |
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Closer view highlights the blue tones within the glacier |
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Hubbard Glacier is more than six miles wide where it meets the ocean. More information: Hubbard Glacier |
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View leaving the glacier |
Icy Strait Point
Icy Strait Point is Alaska Native owned-and-operated, with all profits directly supporting the community of Hoonah, Alaska’s largest Native Tlingit village. Photo memories of a day at Icy Strait Point.
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Pilot Boat escort to the dock |
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View of the NCL Sun along a trail at Hoonah |
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Zipline adventure - Icy Strait Point features the world's largest ZipRider, with six 5,330’ ziplines dropping 1330’. After launching, you will quickly accelerate to speeds exceeding 60 mph as you soar 300 feet above the rainforest below. |
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Huna Totem Corporation is owned by approximately 1,350 Alaskan Natives with aboriginal ties to Hoonah and the Glacier Bay area |
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Tribal Dance and Cultural Legends at the Heritage Center Native Theater |
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Whale watching as they feed |
Juneau
Juneau is situated between Mount Juneau, Mount Roberts and Gastineau Channel. Viewing Mendenhall Glacier gives a sense of the majesty of the area. Mendenhall Glacier is located within the Tongass National Forest – the largest national forest in the United States. A few photo highlights follow.
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A view at the port |
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Downtown shopping |
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Panning for Gold |
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Hubby at Mendenhall Glacier National Park. View of the glacier. |
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Waterfall photo op at the National Park |
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Can you see the pink salmon? |
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Sea Lions sunning on the shore |
Skagway
On the Alaskan Panhandle, Skagway is Klondike country. One of the highlights is to take a train ride on the White Pass Railray. The White Pass and Yukon Route narrow gauge railroad are part of the mining past in Skagway.
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Arriving at the Port of Skagway |
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Port of Skagway |
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A steam-powered, rotary snow-plow originally purchased by the railroad in 1898 is used to clear the line in early spring |
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Part of the Best of Skagway tour includes a visit to Liarsville, a saloon style theater, grilled salmon meal, and gold panning are part of the visit. |
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Liarsville salmon grill area complete with entertainment |
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Markers for snow plows - yes snowfall accumulates at this height |
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White Pass Trail marker as seen from the White Pass train |
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A view of the gold rush trail on Yukon Pass |
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Can you see the hardship of navigating this trail? |
Ketchikan
Arriving in Ketchikan, chances are good it will rain at least once. The average annual rainfall is 162 inches, but it has been known top 200 inches. Local residents call it ”liquid sunshine.” Mid-day is when the rain started during the day in port. However, shopping is still fun and plentiful shops help out. Below are a few photos of the highlights.
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Entrance to Ketchikan |
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A view of the NCL Sun while docked in Ketchikan |
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Skilled worker replacing part of the totem poles |
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View of some of the many totem poles in front of the Totem Heritage Center |
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Needing repaired |
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Lumberjacks! |
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Log rolling competition |
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Showmanship with a lumber saw |
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World's deadliest catch excursion photo op |
Vancouver
A beautiful place to see and considered one of the top cities for quality of life. Vancouver has it all with a natural seaport to the Ocean, mountain forest ranges, and Canda Place cultural center at the heart of it all. A walk along the seawall from Stanley Park, a trip over English Bay to Granville Island that is now a cultural district, heading over to North Shore to Grouse Mountation and the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, or a SkyRide gondola to the peak, and downtown Vancouver to visit historic neighbourhoods such as Gastown. You need at least a month to see it all. A few photo memories are shared below.
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Canada Place |
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English Bay |
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Famous steam powered clock |
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The Giants - Granville Island |
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Chinatown |
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Harbour Air tour over Vancouver and surounding mountains |
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Harbour View |
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Beautiful mountain lake |
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Glacier view from plane |