Juneau

Our little ship brings us back to the Volendam which has already docked in Juneau. It is nice to finish the passage into this quaint town aboard this smaller ship. Very intimate and affording more amazing views.


Heading out to explore this picturesque little village, it is not what we had anticipated, the capital of Alaska, and we are quite delighted.
















Our naturalist on board our Tracy Arm ship has given several suggestions for adventures when we come ashore. We choose to take the tramway up to Mt. Roberts . And, what a view awaits.





A beautiful hike is offered high atop this mountain and we take our time exploring this incredible terrain. We are in Alaska! And, it is incredibly magnificent.



We are fortunate to encounter only a few other souls on this particular trail this afternoon and the vistas are beyond expectations. As we search for wildlife, we find stunning vegetation and snow capped mountains where we're sure sheep are hiding, but do not allow themselves to be viewed today. We respect their privacy and take in fully their special home.

The path at a few points a bit steep does not faze as we breathe in the air up here and continue to marvel at our gift of being able to experience the complete beauty that is Alaska. Everyone must.












At the end of the trail, we visit a habitat for an Eagle who has lost his vision in one eye from a shooting and learn quite a bit about the recovery and long term recuperation. A very enlightened employee, full of knowledge, has a gift for sharing this information and we visit with him for a while.

Inside the theater, a movie about the native Chilkot is heartwarming as well as visually beautiful showcasing this amazing area.

The cable car return trip lands us near the Twisted Fish, an eatery also recommended by our naturalists this morning, so we decide to join the locals for a drink and Alaskan cuisine. The bustling restaurant is full and as we wait at the bar for an available table, the very friendly bartender finds an additional chair so we can sit comfortably while sipping our cocktails and taking in the ambiance of a Friday evening in Juneau.

What a day and evening our first Alaskan trek has involved. As we stroll through the little downtown area not far from the dock, we appreciate the full light still in the sky at this evening hour. It is a reminder of how full our days ahead can be with this midnight sun region. We plan to take advantage of each single minute!