Wednesday, May 15, 2024 – Photo of the Day – Juneau, Alaska

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Juneau, Alaska.

JUNEAU, ALASKA
THE CAPITAL OF ALASKA AND ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR CRUISE PORTS

Extraordinary adventures amid nature’s wildest staging await at Juneau. The majestic Mendenhall Glacier sprawls
down from Juneau Icefield, which provides an icy cap to the area’s rip-roaring scenery. State capitals don’t
get more dramatic than this isolated, remote city lost amid the Alaskan wilds. Even the roads eventually peter out,
absorbed by forests and viewpoints, firmly underlining the isolated location, hidden behind an impenetrable wall of
rigid mountains.

Rise to Mount Roberts Tramway’s viewpoint to see the city swallowed by this colossal backdrop. This is a glacier
country, and no fewer than 38 ice flows branch off from the main Juneau Icefield, slowly carving out valleys in their
wake. Taku Glacier cuts deep into the mountain, forming a colossal sculpture that is one of the world’s thickest –
almost a mile deep.

Mendenhall Glacier cascades down, just 12 miles away from downtown, terminating in its own lake and visitor center.
With 1,500 square miles of ice field to explore, one of the best ways to take in the magnitude and majesty of this epic
ice sculpture is to hold on tight as the propeller whirs, and you soar into the skies on an exhilarating sightseeing
flight. Cruising up above the icy world that fills in these serrated mountain peaks is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The animals that inhabit the Southeast Alaskan wilds are just as inspiring as the landscapes – families of bears patrol
the riverbanks, bald eagles survey the surroundings watchfully, and Pacific humpbacks migrate from Hawaii’s waters
to feast on the krill-rich, icy waters. Fish for huge catches, power across the ice in a snow sled, or kayak just below
glaciers. However you choose to immerse yourself in it, Juneau’s incredible outdoor adventures never disappoint.

TRACY’S KING CRAB SHACK
Tracy LaBarge, owner of Tracy’s King Crab Shack, started her world-famous business ten years ago. The shack is located on the docks in downtown Juneau and features succulent king crab legs and other delicacies, including her award-winning king crab bisque. Tracy is admired for her tenacity as a business owner and for culinary creations like homemade crab cake and garlicky butter dinner rolls. A great place for a delicious seafood experience during your visit to Juneau.

SIGHTS

• Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
• Mount Roberts Tramway
• Alaska State Museum
• DIPAC Macaulay Salmon Hatchery
• Nugget Falls
• Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure
• Juneau-Douglas City Museum

Today’s Excursion – Heli-Flight & Mendenhall Glacier Dog-Sledding. (canceled)

During this combination of helicopter adventure and a dogsled outing on the Mendenhall Glacier.

At the heliport, you receive a safety briefing and your glacier boots before boarding the helicopter. After lift-off, your narrated flight passes over the lush rainforest and glacier-carved peaks en route to the dog camp on the Mendenhall Glacier.

The camp is at the glacier’s 3,000-3,500-foot level; you meet professional mushers and prepare for a thrilling dogsled ride. There are two guests per sled, and each team of Alaskan Huskies pulls two sleds. The musher stands behind the first sled, and one guest stands in the second sled while the others remain seated. During the 20-25-minute ride, you can switch places, standing in the back and assisting the musher with braking and commands. Photo stops are made to take in your splendid natural surroundings.

After the sledding portion of the tour, you can cuddle the puppies, learn about the life of your musher living amongst 300+ Alaskan Huskies and the races they run, and take photos of the dogs before reboarding your helicopter for the return flight to Juneau.

Our tour was canceled for safety reasons due to bad weather, but here are pictures and a video of what it would be like.

Check out the dog sledding video.

Tonight’s dinner was in The Restaurant.

Check out the dance video by Silverseas.

Check out today’s Chronicle.