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Alaska 2024
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Alaska 2024

Finally get to visit the last of the Western states. It is also my first time to try a cruise (likely last, I doubt this is my way to travel). Read more
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  • GunnshotsAlaska 2024Traveler
    Not sure if the swell is obvious

    Rougher seas tonight

    October 13, 2024, Coastal Waters Of Southeast Alaska And British Columbia ⋅ 🌧 48 °F

    The captain has told us we have to head out to open seas to empty the gray water tanks. Such a huge difference between this and the inner passage.

  • GunnshotsAlaska 2024Traveler
    Each carriage is heated by a stove

    Day 4 - Waiting in the rain

    October 14, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 36 °F

    Waiting in the rain.
    Waiting for a train.
    There can be no gain,
    Without a little pain.

    This is my transport today, finishing out the full set of Trains, Planes and Automobiles (and Ships too).

    The train should be visible on the ship's webcam.    Read more

  • GunnshotsAlaska 2024Traveler
    Crossing the trestle bridgeEnd of the lineShip is actually visible at the bottom of the valley

    Day 4 - Climbing to White Pass

    October 14, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 36 °F

    Not ideal for photography, the carriages were overheated, the windows didn't open, so they were steamed up for most of the trip. One or two folks could go out at a time to a little platform at the end of each carriage, but needles to say, it was difficult to be in a good place at the right time for the nicer scenery.

    The cantilever bridge at the end was decommissioned in 1969 once the heavier diesel engines began to be used. It's no longer possible of course to travel all the way to the Yukon.    Read more

  • GunnshotsAlaska 2024Traveler
    The Arctic Brotherhood Hall with its facade of 8000 pieces of driftwood
    Another view of the Arctic Brotherhood Hall. Build in 1899.One of those bear eating mountain goatsA Tlingit guide leads a prospector out of town and up into the mountains in search of gold.The ship makes an imposing addition to the main street in Skagway.Fall colors2The White Pass and Yukon Railway from the outside. The Brakeman (lady) is switching the tracks.Rooftops, mountains, trees and cloudsA saloon and hotel with a love for double entendresProfoundly Serving... Good coffee though

    Day 4 - Out and About in Skagway

    October 14, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 41 °F

    A pleasant little town of about 2000 souls. So the population of the town more than doubles with each cruise ship that arrives.

    The town is deeply connected to the Klondike Guild Rush.

  • GunnshotsAlaska 2024Traveler

    Radioshack is dead. Long live Radioshack

    October 14, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 43 °F

    Really cool to see Radioshack is still a thing here in Alaska. From where I live, it's easy think that Radioshack ceased to exist. It does still have locations nationwide, but a tiny, tiny echo of the past when they were as omnipresent as Starbucks.

    I remember being so excited to visit my first radioshack when I came to the USA first (and a bit disappointed). It was such a mecca for amateur electronics "enthusiasts" . I did buy my first 110v soldering iron there on that first visit, but it had already begun it's failed transition to consumer electronics.

    Anyway some things deserve to live on and I think Radioshack is one of those.    Read more

  • GunnshotsAlaska 2024Traveler

    Day 4 - The Red Onion Saloon

    October 14, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 41 °F

    The town's most famous bordello. Customers chose their companion by picking from one of the 10 dolls placed at the bar, each representing one of the working ladies upstairs. When a doll was chosen, it was laid down on the bar, indicating the woman was at work. When her client came back downstairs, the doll would be seated upright, to let other potential customers know she was available.

    Lydia, one of the madames of the establishment, still haunts the saloon today. You can smell her perfume.    Read more

  • GunnshotsAlaska 2024Traveler

    Day 5 - The Empty Chair

    October 15, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 39 °F

    In 1942 the seniors at Juneau High School left an empty chair for their valedictorian, John Tanaka, at their graduation ceremony. John and his family, like all Japanese-Americans, had been removed and incarcerated at an internment camp.

    Since then, this bronze memorial is the empty chair has been erected. The names of those interned are listed on the bronze floor boards under the chair.    Read more

  • GunnshotsAlaska 2024Traveler
    Tahku
    One branch is refusing to accept that it's autumn.A Yanyeidi totem with an eagle on top, a wolf on the bottom and a bear and some women in between.

    Day 5 - Tahku

    October 15, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 43 °F

    An imposing bronze sculpture of a lifesize humpback whale.

    I did my best to get it to appear as intended. I walked out there for high tide and hid our ship behind it (it's still massive from a couple of miles away) . So the effect is for the whale to appear to be doing it's characteristic twisting breach out of the Gastineau strait with Douglas Island to the right and Juneau to the left.Read more

  • GunnshotsAlaska 2024Traveler

    Day 5 - A 'Russian' lunch

    October 15, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 43 °F

    Some Pelmeni dumplings. Lena tells me they're American-Russian and she would know. About as Russian, as an Irish pub here is Irish.

    Delicious all the same.

    I promised, that I'd share some food pictures 👍Read more

  • GunnshotsAlaska 2024Traveler
    First view, this is mostly a wilderness stop, no town.
    Still tethering the boat. Usual takes about 30 min.2Some of the docking procedure

    Day 6 - Arrived at Hoonah

    October 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 39 °F

    We've docked on the port side. It's still dark and a bit foggy, so not much to see yet. This area has the highest concentration of Coastal Brown bears in the world, so needless to say my objectives are clear.Read more

  • GunnshotsAlaska 2024Traveler
    Spasski Creek, a name of Russian origin.
    32Scarbutt is spotted6He starts to fish in the creek. You can see his scar.Our bear security team today.21Our bear security, Cody, is a native Tlingut. He was attacked by a bear at age 13.4Cody showing us his scars.

    Day 6 - The Coastal Brown Bear

    October 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 43 °F

    A coastal brown bear fishing in Spasski Creek. This one was actually recognized by our local guides because of a scar on his butt from a fight he had a couple of years ago.

    His name is... Scarbutt. The Al Pacino of the brown bear world. He is one of only two bears that everybody can recognize.

    On the island there are about 1000 people (when there are no cruise ships). 80% are Tlingut and we're moved here from Glacier Bay their ancestral home.

    There are also over 4000 Coastal Brown Bears, so 4 bears for every person.

    There have been no serious bear attacks on your groups for almost 7 years.    Read more

  • GunnshotsAlaska 2024Traveler
    To give you a sense of how daunting the swim is in icy waters. They were almost 3/4 of the way over
    1Such unexpected marine life

    Day 6 - The Island-Hopping Deer

    October 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 45 °F

    Our boat's captain (whale-watching boat) told us that he had never personally witnessed this, but knew that deer visit the islands by swimming over.

    So we were insanely lucky to find a doe and her two fawns right in the middle of the strait.

    They're Black-tailed Sitka deer.

    If orcas turned up, this would all end very dramatically.    Read more

  • GunnshotsAlaska 2024Traveler
    Leaving Hoonah along the Icy Strait.
    2Nearly sunset2A Tlingut fishing boat heading home

    Day 6 - We're leaving

    October 16, 2024, Coastal Waters Of Southeast Alaska And British Columbia ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F

    Today was sadly a short day. We left around 15:00, and had to be back in board by 14:30. This was my favorite stop, so I'm exasperated it was much shorter than the others.

    I also missed out on trying the famous halibut pizza, or visiting the authentic Tlingut fishing village of Hoonah.

    It was also sadly our last Alaska port.

    For those that may not have seen them, I've added some close-ups of the bear to that footprint.    Read more

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