Day 5 – Juneau

Some how it seems startling – Day 5/7. Perhaps it is because I rarely get on a ship for less an 14 days. A seven day cruise is awfully short. OTOH I do have this fall’s upcoming adventure with George,,,,

Anyway – Juneau, Alaska. The capital (since 1906) tucked along the western coast of Canada in a narrow strip  of land more easily accessed by sea than land. The city extends on both sides of the ?fjord? ?sound? whatever. We had an early arrival (0700) which should have been lovely for those who were headed to Mendenhall Glacier or the gondola up the side of the mountain.

I didn’t head off ship till about 0830 and had a cool and breezy walk along the edge of town following the signs for the Museum/Library/Archives. I have been here at least three times in the past since Juneau seems to be a required stop on all Alaska cruises.  There is also Foodland if you happen to need anything from food to candy to hardware to halloween goodies – just saying. Not a tourist location, warm and dry.

But I don’t remember ever visiting the museum.  It is located in a large modern building that appears all angles and glass from the front and boxy dark square from the back (see Foodland detour above).  The Museum located on the building’s first floor had three main historical sections – Native (-11000 to present),  Russian (1741-1867), & American (1867-present). The kids section – called the Octopus Room –

Some of the historical information I remember, some of it was new to me. The changing exhibit area was fascinating – a study of clothing from centuries ago complete with explanations of how the over parkas were made primarily of seal skin guts. (Take the intestine – clean it, dry it, split it long wise, sew the flat segments together…)

Anyway – it is well worth a few hours. After that, I wandered through town with stops for fudge and at ChangingTides (quilt and fiber arts supplies) before heading back to the ship.

Also in port early with us was the NCL Bliss which sailed out around 1400. She was replaced by the NCL Encore –

and whose arrival had been proceeded by two HAL ships –

We set sail promptly at 1500, headed directly sideways out of the dock and then turning

AWAY from the port cam so that I couldn’t stand and wave at friends watching (insert sad face here)

But I got a bit smarter and looked up the Webcams for Ketchikan where we will be tomorrow – https://webcamketchikan.com/ which offers you a variety of cams and views.