Gold Creek Valley

We arrived is Juneau around mid-day. Unlike outside most Australian transport hubs and for that matter most other places to which we have travelled there rarely are taxis or buses waiting at ferry terminals in Alaska. There are courtesy phones available at the terminals for acquiring transport either public or hotel shuttles but I didn't seem to have a lot of luck using the one here in Juneau. It kept telling me I was making a long distance phone call and that that was not allowed. On to my mobile and a quick call to our hotel and a shuttle was on its way. Once the shuttle arrived it was quickly full and we were to wait until the driver returned. Our hotel's company had two hotels near each other and it appeared that tonight they were going to be full. While waiting we chatted to a delightful young local and eventually we were on our way to Grandma's Feather Bed.
Grandma's Feather Bed, yes, that was the name of the hotel I had chosen. And why had I made that choice. Well two reasons - one because it is out of town not too far from the both the ferry terminal and Mendenhall Glacier and the other reason? The name of course. Who could not resist sleeping at Grandma's Feather Bed.
The room was very comfy if not a tad unusual. The shower recess was a glassed enclosure opening directly into the room. No body secrets between Neil and I and just as well. The shower hid nothing! It was also a fancy spa shower that came sans instructions. Neil and I both ended up having a luke warm shower due to not knowing how to operate it!
Once settled we called a taxi and headed for Mendenhall Glacier. This glacier is perhaps one of the more readily accessible glaciers and hence was being visited by the masses. That, however, in no way diminished the magnitude, majesty or beauty of the glacier. Of course the rain although absent for a brief period while we were first wandering the tracks around the glacier returned and we beat a hasty retreat before we were drenched.
For dinner we walked in the rain to a nearby restaurant/sports bar. On our return I decided that I knew a short cut! The return journey was a lot longer than it should have been and the rain got heavier!Read more