Archive for » July, 2014 «

Tuesday, July 29th Sitka
July 30th, 2014 | Author:

Karlyn and Chuck rented a van when their family was here. So, because there is maintenance on the boat that still needs to be done, Kelley and I took off for the Fortress of the Bears. This is a sanctuary for rescued bears, their mothers had die or they were found in neighborhoods. There are 2 huge pins and the owners have plans to expand it.

Fortress Brown cropped

Fortress black cropped

The bears appear happy and healthy – Alaska does not allow captured bears to be returned into the wild; the way this Fortress is set up now, these bears would not make it there.

And then there was a Brewery cropped

We returned the van with Karlyn early and then went to Larksburg Cafe for dinner. It is a charming spot where the locals go – tonight was music night: a Russian folk group. They were great (at least Karlyn and I thought so).

Category: 2014, Alaska, Cruising, The Big U  | Comments off
Sunday, July 27th Juneau to Sitka
July 27th, 2014 | Author:

Our last day in Juneau and Kelley and I walked to the Governor’s Mansion after breakfast. It is so pretty up in the hills. We are flying out in the afternoon on Alaska Seaplanes (but this one has wheels).


She sits only 8! I was concerned because it was overcast and rainy (what? in Alaska!?!) but the flight was great. We had a brief stop in Kake to drop off a gentleman with his groceries (a quick trip to Costco) and 4 pizzas and a couple of boxes of garlic knots from Domino’s Pizza. Some one was going to have a party tonight.

Ah, Sitka approaches.

Sitka from above.

Sitka from above.

Category: 2014, Alaska, Cruising, Gulf Islands, The Big U  | Comments off
July 25th – 26th
July 26th, 2014 | Author:

On the 25th it was raining so hard when we got up and the forecast was for the same for all day….so we hopped into the car and decided that we would drive out to Eagle Beach, which is far beyond Auke Bay. We think that we saw eagles, but the rain was so heavy, we are a wee bit unsure.

Lunch out in Auke Bay.

Locals said that Chan's was the best Thai - we think that it is the only Thai. But the egg rolls were good.

Locals said that Chan’s was the best Thai – we think that it is the only Thai. But the egg rolls were good.

(By the way, an earthquake 92 miles from Juneau. Earthquake – Alaska – check!)

And on the 26th, a return to the Mendenhall Glacier and a walk to Nugget Falls. Amazing!DSCN3103

DSCN3101

A great week! DSCN3102

Category: 2014, Alaska, The Big U  | Comments off
July 23rd and 24th
July 26th, 2014 | Author:

July 23rd: A day of rest! A wee bit of shopping (yes, there is a yarn shop).

In the afternoon we drove to the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery…I can’t find the pictures, but it was so interesting. This is the hatchery has the longest salmon ladder – 450 feet. The chum are now returning to their “birth” spot and the quantity of fish trying to “climb” the ladder was amazing. (I will keep looking for those pictures.)

And a delicious dinner at the Rookery! I had read about this spot and while we were having dinner, the waitress was surprised that we weren’t locals – rarely do they have tourist in…(she must have missed my “Alaska” jacket!)

The Rookery

The Rookery

The inside is small and charming! The food amazing; the BEST BURGER ever!
IMAG0148

And on the 24th, again we hiked with Perseverance. This time, just the trail.

This is the beginning of the trail. Into the forest.

This is the beginning of the trail. Into the forest.

There have been avalanches and landslides. The drop offs can be huge.

There have been avalanches and landslides. The drop offs can be huge.

The end of the trail. Note the large boulders to the left of Kelley? They fell a few years ago and the trail was altered.

The end of the trail. Note the large boulders to the left of Kelley? They fell a few years ago and the trail was altered.

When we get to go down, I forget that when we turn to leave, there will be an "up."

When we get to go down, I forget that when we turn to leave, there will be an “up.”

There are rewards! Best pizza - Island Pub is on Douglass Island.

There are rewards! Best pizza – Island Pub is on Douglas Island.

Inside the Pub, we are looking out onto Gastineau Channel - one of 5 cruise ships leaving

Inside the Pub, we are looking out onto Gastineau Channel – one of 5 cruise ships leaving

Category: 2014, Alaska, The Big U  | Comments off
« Previous Entries