Alaskans, help me out!

[PotterWatch]

I grew up in Anchorage and spent a couple months a year in the Soldotna area as an adult with my kids. When I tell people I grew up in Alaska, I generally hear something like, "Oh, I went there on a cruise! We went to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka...etc". Well, I have never been any of those places so I don't know much about them. Now, however, my husband and I are taking a cruise for our 10th anniversary and we are going to... you guessed it! Alaska, hurray! I love Alaska and while I hate only getting to spend a day in each place, I am happy that we are getting to do something nice for our anniversary and that I get to spend it in the best state in the nation. So, now I just need some advice on what we should do! What would you recommend for the following places, keeping in mind very limited time in each place: Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, and even Victoria, British Columbia (if anyone knows anything about it)? Thanks for any advice!

 

[debilorrah]

Color me green.

 

[Imp]

Hi PotterWatch,

I grew up in Ketchikan. Spent time in all those towns. I'll post more tomorrow, too late now to type that much.

Imp

 

[Imp]

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[Imp]

Sorry for the multiple posts either BYC is acting up or I am. Could not get it to submit.

 

[AK Michelle]

I have one really good friend from Juneau and another from Sitka. I'll ask both as I've never been to either place. When are you comin?

My Grandpa's in Skagway. I love going there.

 

[mom'sfolly]

It sort of depends on what you are interested in. Juneau has some cool side trips from the cruises, dog mushing on the ice fields, trips to the Tracy Arm, or taking the tram up Mt. Roberts. If you like to hike, the tram and then a hike further up Mt. Roberts or back down is nice. From the tram stop you can hike up above the tree line, and have some wonderful views, and then hike back down to the base and see the full range of forest. I think the hike back down is 1-2 miles. A trip to Mendenhall Glacier is nice, and a fairly standard cruise line stop. It has nice hiking around it, and if you can, go around the Mendenhall loop road to Auk lake and visit Chapel by the Lake. The interpretive center at Mendenhall is good, and I love the design, it looks like it grew out of the rock.

For a really easy hike, to an old gold mine, I like the Perserverance Trail and Silver Bow Basin. The trail starts at the end of a narrow winding road at the top of Juneau (it makes sense, really) and winds along Gold Creek to mine ruins in Silver Bow Basin. Silver Bow has lots of hanging valleys around it and is very pretty. The trail is level (an old road) and the hike is out and back, about 3 miles in or six round trip. This is one of my favorite Juneau hikes, I just hate driving to the trail head now that they have a salmon bake near the trail head. The tour buses on the narrow road make the drive a little scary.

If you are traveling with your kids, a couple of fun activities for them might be to take the city bus out to Twin Lakes and fish. One of the lake has a fishing docks and they stock the lake with baby king and trout. It is a great kid fishing spot. The lakes also have a stream on one side with a big pink salmon run. If you are there at the right time, the humpies are bright red and you can almost walk across the stream on them. Right across the highway from the lakes, is the fish hatchery. I like visiting the hatchery, and they also have a large aquarium stocked with local sea life. From the hatchery you can usually see sea lions feeding on the returning fish. If you want to snag salmon, the beach and fishing dock near the hatchery are great places.

The other cool kid thing to do, is to take the kids to North Douglas and let them play in the tide pools. The name of the park escapes me now, but I can look it up. There is a short trail to the beach, and at low tide you can find anemones, urchins, hermit crabs, other crabs, and the occasional baby flounder in the pools. There is no bus service so you would have to take a taxi, or rent a car. It could also be biked to, but it is about 25 miles round trip, maybe longer.

Darn it, now I really wish I was going home this summer.

Chapel by the Lake, on a good day Mendenhall is reflected in the lake:

http://www.pbase.com/ageojo/image/31650015

http://cruises.about.com/od/alaskacruises/ig/Juneau-Alaska/Auke-Lake-in-Juneau-Alaska.htm

Mendenhall Glacier:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/districts/mendenhall/index.shtml

 

[mom'sfolly]

In Sitka, I'd go to the Sitka historic park and try to see at least one of the Russian historical sites, either the governer's house or the church. Sitka was the capital of Russian Alaska, and so that heritage is worth seeing.

Pray for sun in Sitka. Sitka is one of the few towns in Southeast Alaska that has open ocean, and it is spangled with green dot islands. Mt. Edgecumbe is one of those perfect Mt. Fuji type cone volcanos, but it is frequently obstructed by clouds.

 

[mom'sfolly]

Talking about Sitka made me think of the Russian Orthodox church in Juneau. It is a very small hexagonal blue and white church with an onion dome. It is a short, steep walk from the cruise dock, maybe half a mile. It is cute, small and easy to see in a few minutes. It usually has a docent/guide who can tell you a little about the church. I wouldn't go out of your way for a tour, but if you are walking in Juneau, or have a little extra time, this might be worth a visit. If you don't have time, save the Russian stuff for Sitka.

http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/alaska/juneau-st-nicholas-church

 

[Imp]

I'm back. As mom'sfolly said it depends on what your interests are.
In Ketchikan, You'll be docked in downtown. The downtown area is mainly an area filled with tourist shops trying to get you to buy souvenirs. Some are nice others are junk. Just South of town is Saxman there are totem poles and a native arts/crafts building. In downtown there are a couple nice museums, one devoted to the local area, fishing, logging etc. There is another in town in the same building as the library. It is more focused on the history of Ketchikan. Another fun thing in town is Creek Street. It is a wooden walkway along Ketchikan Creek. Mostly now it is local artists and some studios. Originally it was the towns red light district. They have preserved "Dolly's House" with most of her original possessions. As you head North you will come to the "west end" it is the business district where the locals shop, not much there for tourists. You will be offered a tour of Totem Bight It is out of town North of town. Kind of nice, if the weather is nice. It is a short walk through the woods to a clearing next to the ocean. There are several totem poles there and a long house. Usually there are also helicopter tours.
Be sure to check out the town's websites. And remember many of those towns rely on seperating you from your money.

mom's folly was right about Sitka. It's claim is the Russian heritage. The only other thing I can think of in Sitka is there is a world famous raptor rehab center. I think sometimes they give tours.

I don't remember much about Juneau. There was a famous bar I think called the Red Dog Saloon, from the Gold Rush Days. The last time I was there it was the 70's. they had a drink called the "Big Toe" It came with a real pickled human toe. If you could drink it; it was free. Probably not the same now. I also remember having sourdough bread & Russian Tea made by the grandaughter of Judge Wickersham. A Famous circuit judge in Alaska's pioneer days. As the ship is coming into Juneau pay attention to the Gastineau Channel. It is so narrow it feels like you are sailing through the trees.

Never made it to Skagway, Closest was Haines.

I've been to Victoria BC, To tell you the truth I was rather disappointed. The circular harbor with the old buildings around it are beautiful, with several nice restaurants.(Make sure you have a panoramic view on your camera) I walked into town and really found nothing to do. Maybe I didn't know where to go. Seemed like it was just another city. Victoria is famous for the Bouchart Gardens and having High Tea at the Empress Hotel. (Hope I got that right) I know several people who have done that and really enjoyed it. Make sure you have a passport to go in and out of Canada, if you need it.

Have fun,

Imp