Skagway

One of the main attractions in Skagway is the White Pass Railway. As it goes almost the same route to and from Whitehorse as driving, we decided not to bother with the train. 

We drove back up the hill to take a few pictures.

In the photo below, you can see the rail line just above the guard rail on the right, it goes up the valley, and back out on the mountain side on the left. The highway stays on this side of the main valley.

There was supposed to be a geocache at this waterfall. We didn't find it, or the three other ones we looked for in Skagway.

Looking down the valley towards Skagway.

On the Thursday before we got there, a rock slide came down and hit the gangways and a cruise ship. There wasn't much damage but they had to call in the inspectors before they could move the ship. It came down right where the ship to the left is sitting.

On the way to Dyea, now a ghost town, returning to nature.

Skagway is the perfect tourist town, beautiful scenery, with the town very close to the docks, no problem to walk into town. There are lots of shops, at least six jewelry stores and every other kind you can think of. They only have a few short months to make it for the year. With up to four cruise ships coming in at a time, I am sure most will do fine. It is not cheap, I went to look at the menu at a restaurant just down the pier from our campsite. King crab leg, yes one, $100.00.US  think I will pass.  

We are very glad we decided to come here, a great experience. It was even better after the people went back to their ships, lol.

The Alaska Marine Highway has a ferry that goes to Haines and we decided to take it.

 As you can see, it is a side loader, so I had to back the trailer into the boat. The workers guide you on, they were very good at their job. In the photo below, I had to drive down the ramp, then swing right, then turn left into the light pole on the right of the dock, then crank it around to back in where you see the dark van. That's the ramp into the ferry. Once the trailer is started into the ship, I had to turn it to the right, the front of the truck just missing the doorway of the ferry. Then I had to straighten it all out and back in beside a couple of converted vans. At one point I was about six inches from another van and the ferry guys says don't worry, we don't call it close till you are within two inches, what a relief. The dock is not in the best of shape, so I was happy to get on the boat.

We use Rodgers for our cell service at home and they wanted $12.00 a day (in addition to our regular charge) for us to us our phones in the US. We got 15gb from AT&T for $40.00 US. Worked great in Skagway but not so much here in Haines. This blog has taken me at least two hours, hopefully it will upload. 

Haines blog next. Not sure when.