Skagway today! Bright and early (as is the norm) and great breakfast. Now, off we go to our excursion and checking out the town. This stop totally reminded me of Silverton (Colorado).
Our first adventure had us boarding the train with the White Pass Yukon Route narrow gauge railroad. We are bound all the way to the top of White Pass to see the route that the gold miners took their supplies and made their way to the gold fields of the Yukon. The train picked us up right at the dock and off we go – through town and starting the ascent up.
Since the “Inside Passage” is a rain forest, the flora and fauna are abundant. The trees and bushes were all green and leafy with wild flowers dotting the landscape throughout. All along the track were waterfalls and off the side you can see the river as in continues to “shrink” the higher we get.
We got to pass the old wooden bridge and see how they constructed it back in the late 1800’s. Some of the curves are so tight that you can see the train in front of you from where you’re sitting on it. Riding all the way into Canada (see the picture with the flags which denote the border crossing) we never stopped so we didn’t have to show the passport. A loop at the top rerouted us back to town.
Back off the mountain, we meandered around a couple of the shops but decided it was time for lunch. The Red Onion Saloon (aka the local brothel) was calling to us…. It was a fun, old-time-feel spot with some cool memorabilia on the walls. Of course – not to be missed – the tour with the madam herself. So here you go boys, just $10 to enter the brothel. Have fun!
Mom and I decided the “personal” pizza would be great for lunch. She ordered her flavor and I ordered mine. Oh good LORD. Apparently “personal” in Alaska is defined as a 12” pizza. You’ve been warned. Great pizza and we didn’t leave hungry.
Finished up with lunch it was time for a couple more shops and the shuttle back to the ship. Really nice folks ran the shuttles. We hopped on the first and driver gal explained we were on the wrong one – but hey, no worries, she took us right where we needed to pick up the right one. At no charge, might I add, even though a shuttle ride costs $3.00.
Back in the warmth of our cabin, time to get ready for the second of our “fancy” dinners. Tonight: Teppanyaki. This is a Japanese style hibachi restaurant. Dinner and a show!
The chefs were, as expected, entertaining as well as great chefs. Soup, fried rice, vegetable sashimi, chicken and shrimp along with a slice of green tea cake with a ginger ice cream (if I remember correctly) for dessert. For entertainment, we were serenaded with various hits from the 70’s and 80’s – which most of us were singing along with. There was even the interactive hit “We Will Rock You” where we all participated. Fun night full of smiles and laughter.
If you click on the photos, you can read the captions.
Our first adventure had us boarding the train with the White Pass Yukon Route narrow gauge railroad. We are bound all the way to the top of White Pass to see the route that the gold miners took their supplies and made their way to the gold fields of the Yukon. The train picked us up right at the dock and off we go – through town and starting the ascent up.
Since the “Inside Passage” is a rain forest, the flora and fauna are abundant. The trees and bushes were all green and leafy with wild flowers dotting the landscape throughout. All along the track were waterfalls and off the side you can see the river as in continues to “shrink” the higher we get.
We got to pass the old wooden bridge and see how they constructed it back in the late 1800’s. Some of the curves are so tight that you can see the train in front of you from where you’re sitting on it. Riding all the way into Canada (see the picture with the flags which denote the border crossing) we never stopped so we didn’t have to show the passport. A loop at the top rerouted us back to town.
Back off the mountain, we meandered around a couple of the shops but decided it was time for lunch. The Red Onion Saloon (aka the local brothel) was calling to us…. It was a fun, old-time-feel spot with some cool memorabilia on the walls. Of course – not to be missed – the tour with the madam herself. So here you go boys, just $10 to enter the brothel. Have fun!
Mom and I decided the “personal” pizza would be great for lunch. She ordered her flavor and I ordered mine. Oh good LORD. Apparently “personal” in Alaska is defined as a 12” pizza. You’ve been warned. Great pizza and we didn’t leave hungry.
Finished up with lunch it was time for a couple more shops and the shuttle back to the ship. Really nice folks ran the shuttles. We hopped on the first and driver gal explained we were on the wrong one – but hey, no worries, she took us right where we needed to pick up the right one. At no charge, might I add, even though a shuttle ride costs $3.00.
Back in the warmth of our cabin, time to get ready for the second of our “fancy” dinners. Tonight: Teppanyaki. This is a Japanese style hibachi restaurant. Dinner and a show!
The chefs were, as expected, entertaining as well as great chefs. Soup, fried rice, vegetable sashimi, chicken and shrimp along with a slice of green tea cake with a ginger ice cream (if I remember correctly) for dessert. For entertainment, we were serenaded with various hits from the 70’s and 80’s – which most of us were singing along with. There was even the interactive hit “We Will Rock You” where we all participated. Fun night full of smiles and laughter.
If you click on the photos, you can read the captions.
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