Live cruise replay - Radiance to Alaska - August 19-26, 2016

[PCWalton1]

The weather was great and the boat was fast so our driver got us around to quite a few sightings.

 

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

We did not see any breach sighting or bubble rings but they were willing to show tail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This one was the closest, too bad it didn't get it's tail in the air

 

 

Another one

 

 

[PCWalton1]

Here was a couple more

 

 

 

Last one

 

 

[PCWalton1]

Could leave out our seal friends who looked to be enjoying the weather too

 

 

 

We had a ready great view of the Mendenhall Glacier

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

Once back in town we headed to Tracy's Crab Shack where we enjoyed amazing King Crab legs with chowder and beverages

 

 

 

 

 

 

[EllaDuChien]

I just booked Alaska on the Quantum for July 2021 so this thread is perfect!  @PCWalton1 I am taking notes of who you used on your excursions!  I did whale watching in Puerto Vallarta in January on a small zodiac so we were able to be super close and it was amazing!  

 

@twangster  The difference in the light between the two photos is incredible!  That June light is gorgeous and makes me so happy I chose July.  I can't wait to get some amazing "light nighttime" shots.

[twangster]

51 minutes ago, EllaDuChien said:

  The difference in the light between the two photos is incredible!  That June light is gorgeous and makes me so happy I chose July.  I can't wait to get some amazing "light nighttime" shots.

 

You'll love the prolonged "golden hour" in the Alaska summers.  Great time to take pictures.  Mornings too, but that means getting up early.  One of the reasons why I avoid the drink package in Alaska 🙂  

[dani negreanu]

3 hours ago, PCWalton1 said:

Once back in town we headed to Tracy's Crab Shack where we enjoyed amazing King Crab legs

 

We too thoroughly enjoyed those...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 18, 2020 by dani negreanu

[PCWalton1]

29 minutes ago, dani negreanu said:

 

We too thoroughly enjoyed those...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the best crab I have ever eaten

 

[dani negreanu]

1 hour ago, PCWalton1 said:

Some of the best crab I have ever eaten

 

Indeed. And you living "close" to those crabs... We have to fly half the world...

 

I barely convinced DH to give this "shack" a try.  He gave one look at the place, and declared: "I'm not eating standing".

 

Then he saw the prices: 25$ for one leg, and shot me "daggers", while slowly shaking his head. I stood my ground.

 

Luckily, we found a table for 2.  Started eating. It was soooo good and fresh.  I saw him smiling: "Do you think what I'm thinking"?

 

I said: "what the heck, let's splurge for another pair, we're only this lifetime in Alaska". 100$ == worth every penny.😁

 

 

[~*Lou*~]

Juneau – we had reserved a rental car from Avis, when we were in Juneau we were at berth B which is not one of the most central berths, so it was only 900m walk from the berth to Avis office. We drove out of town to Mendenhall Glacier, walked out to Nugget Falls, this was around 9.30am and we were ahead of the crowds. After Mendenhall, we drove further north to Eagle Beach for a walk and then to Shrine of St Therese for another walk (children were excited to see a marmot on the beach). Returned the car to Avis, walked back into town, found ice cream for the children (Alaskan Fudge Co, queue was out the door!) and walked back to our ship past 4 other ships in Juneau on that day.

[~*Lou*~]

[Missusdubbya]

Wonderful review, thank you!

[PCWalton1]

Today we are in Skagway and we are taking a rail and bus tour to the Yukon with Chilkoot Charters & Tours.

 

ALL ABOARD! Skagway’s most scenic ALASKAN experience begins with a 28 mile journey between Skagway, Alaska, and Fraser, British Columbia, aboard the Scenic Railway of the World (this tour also operates in reverse order with a bus first option except on certain Sundays). Experience the breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles, and historic sites from the comfort of our vintage passenger coaches. See the original Klondike Trail of ’98 worn into the rocks, a permanent tribute to the thousands of souls who passed this way in search of fortune.

 Once a water-stop for the thirsty steam engines and rotary snowplows, Fraser, BC, is now the site of Canadian Customs and Immigration. Upon arrival at the train depot at Fraser, passengers are transferred to a comfortable tour vehicle as they continue their journey into the unparalleled beauty of the Yukon Territory. Travel to Emerald Lake, Caribou Crossing, Carcross and Lake Bennett.

 

While at Caribou Crossing Trading Post, a piping hot BBQ lunch awaits as well as “FREE ADMISSION” to the Yukon Wildlife Museum. Visit an authentic dog musher camp and enjoy “FREE ADMISSION” to pet the husky puppies!

 

Upon your return to Skagway you will be entertained by professional guides with their amusing stories of local lore and captivating tales of the Gold Rush Era.

 

With stops all along the way there will be ample opportunities for photo enthusiasts to view and capture the picturesque beauty of cascading waterfalls, roaring rivers, majestic mountains, glaciers, historic sites and panoramic vistas.

 

We will be doing the reverse and taking the bus in the morning then the train in the afternoon. 

 

[PCWalton1]

We drove up a river valley on our way to Fraser which is at the border between Alaska and the Canadian Yukon Territory.

 

 

This is the train we will be returning on

 

 

 

 

 

At the border looking back into Alaska

 

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

At the border. They call this place Fraser mainly because they need a name for the mail to get delivered to those at are living here and guarding the border.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even in Canada there is a desert 😁

[PCWalton1]

At Caribou Crossing Trading Post and ready for lunch. The bbq was tasty but the real highlight was the fresh made donuts. 

 

 

 

After lunch we toured the trading post which had a lot of great animal exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

For an additional fee you could get a dog sled ride, we didn't join in but we did see some of the dogs

 

 

 

After that we head to the town of Carcross by way of a stop at Emerald Lake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

It was then time to board the train and make the journey back to Skagway

 

 

 

A really old trestle that thankfully we didn't use

 

 

 

 

We made two stops along the way to pick up hikers

 

A view of Radiance and Explorer

 

 

Back in town

 

 

 

 

[dani negreanu]

Such wonderful memories.

 

We opted with a tour with Dyea Dave since Emerald Lake was the focal point for us, and it didn't disappoint. On the way, we stopped at scenic points, and found the views of Canada amazing.

 

Emerald Lake --

 

On the way to the Lake --

Edited June 19, 2020 by dani negreanu

[dani negreanu]

For the sake of those "taking notes" --

 

Juneau --

* Early in the morning we also went looking for whales with another company (Dolphin Jet Boat Tours). It was a bust. The crew was mainly interested in selling drinks, and the naturalist on board was so busy talking endlessly, that the visitors spotted some tails for him... We were happy to get off the ship.

 

* The lunch at Tracy's shack was excellent.

 

* Then we took the local bus to Mendelhall glacier. It was a very hot and sunny day, and since DH had a "close encounter"with melanoma some years ago, he opted to remain in the shade at the visitor's center, and I've made the trek to the falls alone (~ 1 hour return). Well worth it.

An excellent advice I've got on this forum: buy only an one-way ticket to the bus, since there are several bus companies. If u buy return, you have to return with the same company, limiting you choices 😁.

 

 

 

Edited June 19, 2020 by dani negreanu

[twangster]

We docked in Skagway with the making of a beautiful day.

 

 

 

Explorer followed us up from Juneau.

 

 

A quick breakfast in the WJ with gorgeous scenery all around is.

 

 

For taking the train from round trip it's very convenient as seen here from the elevators on Radiance.

 

 

My plan today was to do some walking without an official excursion.  This starts with the walk to town.

 

 

They've done a nice job with the area, it's well kept and pedestrian friendly.

 

 

 

This is along a small riverwalk on the way to town.

 

 

And this is where I discovered I left my phone on the ship.  Forty minutes I made it back to this spot, with my phone.

 

[twangster]

First I checked out the train station in town.

 

 

 

A large portion of the area is part of the Klondike National Historic Park.

 

 

My mission was to reach the Gold Rush Cemetery just outside of town.  After walking through town to the railroad yard and workshop:

 

 

 

The carcass of an old locomotive long out of service:

 

 

 

 

A few trains rattled past.

 

[twangster]

Finally my first stop.

 

 

The cemetery was primarily used during the era of the 1898 gold rush but there we a few burials over the next few decades after that.

 

 

 

 

 

Frank Reid played a prominent role in Skagway's history.  When I first arrived a tour guide was giving a talk to her group about Frank's interaction with 'Soapy' Smith that led to both of their deaths in a shoot out.

 

 

Continuing through the small cemetery takes you to a trail to Lower Reid Falls.

 

 

 

[twangster]

Five minutes up the trail you start hearing rushing water and eventually you see the falls.

 

 

 

 

This is very enjoyable area and a few people came and went but it was never crowded.

A short video approaching the falls: