Tracy Arm Fjord Video

The Tracy Arm fjord is a long, narrow, twisting passageway into the costal mountains, with peaks up to a mile high that jut straight out ot the water, waterfalls tumbling thousands of feet down their sides. (Frommer, 2006)

Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness contains 653,179 acres (2,643.32 km²) and consists of two deep and narrow fjords: Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm. Both fjords are over 30 miles (48 km) long and one-fifth of their area is covered in ice. During the summer, the fjords have considerable floating ice ranging from hand-sized to pieces as large as a three-story building. During the most recent glaciated period, both fjords were filled with active glaciers. (Wikipedia)

This video was taken on the Sun Princess, August 23, 2006 near Juneau, Alaska. Cross paths with Dawn Princess.

Alaska Inside Passage - Overview and Weather

The incredible landscape of the Inside Passage is home to diverse wildlife - orca, mountain goats, bald eagles, bears, puffins, sea otters and more - but the superstars of the area are the gentle giants who feed here every summer. Look out for the awesome acrobatics of breaching humpback whales. You'll never forget the sight of these 40-ton beasts hurling themselves into the air, almost completely escaping the water. If you're especially lucky, you could see them swimming together to create a bubble net, trapping and eating fish by the giant mouthful.

 Weather in July:

Average High     63°
Average Low      48°
Record High       90°
Record Low        30°

Source: Royal Caribbean Cruise website.

Alaska Inside Passage, Video

Inside passage.  Good view of animals.



Source: YouTube ggg11333

Seattle - Overview and Weather

Seattle at night

Seattle is an urban landscape spread across several hilltop neighborhoods, each with its own unique identity. Yet, the entire city shares a collective vibe that is casual, educated, and forward-thinking. Fleece jackets outnumber 3-piece suits, music and book collections are important investments, and second cars are often sea kayaks or mountain bikes.

The city is situated between Puget Sound and Lake Washington with a shoreline dotted by piers and waterside attractions, so a variety of water tours are available. Technology has emerged as a major influence on local culture, as companies including Amazon.com and Microsoft (in nearby Redmond) reside here. Boeing is also a major local employer, and visitors can tour the factory where they build and test their famous aircraft - then learn more about aviation and space history with a visit to the Museum of Flight, one of the city's most popular attractions.

Despite its rain-soaked reputation, summers in Seattle are sunny and perfect for exploring the outdoors. Outdoor attractions include the famous Pike Place Market, a day trip to Mount Rainer or Tillicum Village, a Snoqualmie Falls and Seattle Winery Tour and even whale watching from Friday Harbor. Even when the city is drenched, indoor adventures abound in museums, live music venues, and neighborhood coffee shops filled with java connoisseurs and lively discussions.

Temperature in July
Average High           74°     
Average Low            56°
Mean Temperature    65°
Record High             96°
Record Low              47°

Source: Alaskan Airline's website/Temperature: Royal Caribbean Cruise website

Seattle - Local Points of Interest

1  Pike Place Market: This bustling nine-acre center is many things - an enormous farmers' market, a collection of stalls that sell everything from handmade toys to sheepskin slippers, and a top-rated dining destination. It has been a living landmark filled with historic stories for more than a century (the very first Starbucks is still located here). The most famous attraction is the fish market, where fresh catches fly through the air as workers toss them to one another to the delight of crowds. Go behind the scenes on a walking tour to experience some of the best market spots and taste locally made foods and beverages.  View website.

2  Museum of Flight: The Museum of Flight is one of the largest air and space museums in the world with facilities that include the Red Barn - Boeing's original manufacturing facility. The museum's six-story glass-and-steel exhibit hall houses 39 full-sized aircraft, while an outdoor park is home to the first jet Air Force One and first 747. And for those who want to be put into the pilot's seat, there are two flight simulators that offer unforgettable rides. On the first Thursday of each month, the Museum stays open late, for free! Enjoy the Museum's Great Gallery, Personal Courage Wing, Space - Exploring the New Frontier exhibit, flight simulators and more courtesy of Wells Fargo.  View website.

3  Ferry Ride to Bainbridge Island: The city's impressive ferry transportation system provides access to several nearby island escapes. Visitors should head to Seattle Pier 52 for a great day trip to Bainbridge Island. The scenic 30-minute ride across Puget Sound leads to a community known for its quaint shops, outdoor cafes and local arts. The island also offers miles of preserved open space with numerous hiking trails. Important Information: Time schedules are subject to change. Please visit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries for up-to-date ferry schedules.

4  Seattle Aquarium:  In a city known for its aquatic attractions, the Seattle Aquarium sits at the top of the list. Kids will be enthralled by Window on Washington Waters, a viewing area filled with salmon, sea anemones and other native Washington marine life. Another popular exhibit is the Underwater Dome, where tunnels lead into a spherical undersea room featuring 360-degree views of a 400,000-gallon tank teeming with fish, sharks and other creatures.  View website.

5  Space Needle: The Space Needle is a tower and a major landmark of the region and a symbol of Seattle. Located at the Seattle Center, it was built for the 1962 World's Fair.  The Space Needle features an observation deck at 520 feet (160 m), and a gift shop with the rotating restaurant at 500 feet (150 m). From the top of the Needle, one can see not only the Downtown Seattle skyline, but also the mountains and surrounding islands.  View website.

6  Discovery Park: Discovery Park is a 534 acre natural area park operated by the Seattle Parks and Recreation. It is the largest city park in Seattle, and occupies most of the former Fort Lawton site. The park is one of the best places in the city to view wildlife, especially birds and marine mammals, and is a popular place to hike - the Loop Trail provides great views of Puget Sound. For more information.

7  The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks: It often called the Ballard Locks, link salty Puget Sound with the fresh waters of Salmon Bay, Lake Union, Portage Bay and Lake Washington. Both tourists and locals enjoy watching the parade of sailboats, motorboats, tugs, barges and yachts passing through. Stop by the fish ladder, built to allow salmon to pass between fresh and salt water, and enjoy a stroll around the notable botanical gardens.  View website.

Source: Alaskan Airlines and websites identified above.

Victoria - Overview and Weather

Empress Hotel, Victoria

On the southern tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia and accessible from the Pacific Ocean thru the Strait of Juan de Fuca, visitors will find the elegant and exciting port city of Victoria.

The indigenous Songhees People lived in this coastal region for millennia prior to the arrival of Spanish and English explorers in the late 1700s. In 1843 James Douglas, a British fur trader with the Hudson’s Bay Company built the original fort and trading post named for Queen Victoria and around which the city grew. And growth came quickly, some would even say over night. During what would become known as the Frasier Canyon Gold Rush in 1858, Victoria turned from a relatively quiet trading post into a bustling port and gateway into the Canadian interior of British Columbia. Victoria has rarely looked back since.

Today Victoria, having come from such humble beginnings, has earned the reputation of being one of the most beautifully livable cities in all of Canada.

Temperature in July
Average High            71.2°
Average Low             51.3°
Mean Temperature     61°

Source: Royal Caribbean Cruise website

Victoria - Local Points of Interest

LOCAL POINTS OF INTEREST

1 Craigdarroch Castle is a restored Edwardian era mansion which gives visitors a glimpse into the lifestyle of fabulously wealthy business tycoons in ages past. The castle is famous for its amazing woodwork and stained glass windows.  View website.

2 The Fairmont Empress Hotel is the Grand Dame of Victoria. Elegant, sophisticated and dignified, this century old hotel has played hostess to Royalty and celebrities. Traditional afternoon tea is served daily and continues to be popular with visitors from around the world. View website.

3 The Victoria Ale Trail is a select group of English and Canadian style pubs and microbreweries. Scattered throughout downtown these establishments brew and serve some wonderful local beers and ales.  For more information.

4 Chinatown is the second oldest in North America. The 1858 gold rush and the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway prompted a great number of Chinese to immigrate to Victoria. Today the Gate of Harmonious Interest welcomes visitors to the historic area filled with the colors, architecture, and foods of a people who contributed much to the growth of this beautiful city.  Fodor information.

5 Antique Row is Victoria’s wonderful collection of antique shops. This is a great place to stroll and browse.  Lined up in a row are some of Victoria's best antique stores to dream and shop at. Antique Row has many antique galleries with historic items telling the story of time. Items range all over the map from kitchen ware, bedroom furniture, living room tables, chess sets, pictures and coke bottles. Just allot of character. Antique Row in Victoria is located on Fort Street starting at the Government Street intersection.

Source: Royal Caribbean Cruise website and respective websites

Victoria - Beyond the City

Beyond Victoria

1 Butchart Gardens was created on the site of an old quarry over a century ago. It has been in the same family ever since. This is one of the most popular attractions for visitors coming to Victoria. The site has ponds, streams and fountains which grace the English, Japanese and Italian style gardens.  View website.

2 Butterfly Gardens allows visitors the opportunity to enjoy a tropical setting with over 3,000 colorful butterflies from all over the world. The park also includes exotic flowers, many tropical birds and ponds filled with brilliant Japanese Koi.  View website.

3 Fort Rodd Hill is Victoria’s coastal battery. Constructed in the late 1800s, today visitors can explore the various buildings, trenches, bastions and gun emplacements. The fortification has been designated a National Historic Site.  View website.

4 Hatley Castle was constructed in the early 1900s as the home of a prominent family. In the 1940s the castle became part of the Royal Canadian Naval College at Royal Roads. Spectacular inside and out, today the castle is a National Historic Site and functions as part of Royal Roads University.  View website.

Source: Royal Caribbean Cruise website and respective websites.

Butchart Gardens, Victoria

The Butchart Gardens

The Butchart Gardens is located on Vancouver Island, 23 km (14 miles) north of Victoria, and 20 km (12.5 miles) south of the Vancouver-Victoria ferry terminal at Swartz Bay. The address is 800 Benvenuto Avenue in Brentwood Bay. 





Source: YouTube - ThereOnEarthDotCom

Also, view the website at:  http://www.butchartgardens.com

Skagway - Overview and Weather

Now a beautiful and popular borough located on the Alaska panhandle, Skagway was once little more than a small and lawless settlement. All quickly changed when gold was discovered in the Klondike region of the Yukon Territory. Thousands of dreamers in search of riches soon made their way to the community. From July to October 1897 the area had grown from a disheveled collection of tents into a town with well laid out streets, buildings, stores, saloons, gambling and dance houses, and a population of approximately 20,000. Skagway is the smallest borough in Alaska and is located in a narrow glaciated valley at the head of the Taiya Inlet, the northernmost fjord on Alaska’s Inside Passage. Surrounded by snowcapped mountains, glistening glaciers and the beautiful Alaskan sea, Skagway is worth visiting for its breathtaking geography alone.

Temperature in July

Average High            64.8°
Average Low             50.4°
Mean Temperature     58°
Record High               90°
Record Low               32°

Source: Royal Caribbean Cruise website

Skagway - Local Points of Interest

LOCAL POINTS OF INTEREST

White Pass Railroad

1 The White Pass & Yukon Railroad was built in 1898 during the Klondike gold rush. The railway is now open to visitors and travels along a stunningly scenic route up into the mountains.  View website.

2 The Skagway Museum is home to a wonderful collection of photographs and artifacts which date back to the late 1800s. At this time the town was a bustling port of entry and gateway to the famous goldfields of Alaska. The museum also displays an interesting assortment of historic arts and crafts which exemplify the rich cultural heritage of Native Alaskans.  View website.

3 Jewell Gardens is filled of organic flowers and vegetables. The beautiful garden also has its own glassblowing studio. View website.


Source: Royal Caribbean Cruise website and respective websites

Skagway - Beyond Town

Beyond Skagway

1 The Chilkoot Trail is of historic significance because it served as the main route for miners seeking to reach the riches of the Klondike. Leading to the banks of the Taiya River, the Chilkoot winds its way through a lush forest filled with birds, beautiful wildflowers and edible berries.  Additonal information.

2 Dyea was once a thriving community of 10,000 gold miners. This historic site includes beautiful valleys, a rainforest, historic ruins, the Chilkoot trail-head, coastal tidal flats, spectacular wildflowers and gorgeous mountain scenery.  Walking tour brochure.

3 Bennett is a British Columbia ghost town accessible only by train. Constructed back during the gold rush days, Bennett served as a place for men to build or purchase rafts for the trip across the lake and down the Yukon River to the gold fields.  Additional information.

4 Haines is a Southeast Alaska town with numerous shops, galleries and restaurants. There are many outdoor opportunities and adventures available in the surrounding area.  View website.

Source: Royal Caribbean Cruise website

Skagway, Video

A good view of the town.



Source: YouTube ggg11333

Juneau - Overview and Weather

Downtown Juneau, Alaska

Located on the Gastineau Channel and surrounded by glacier-capped mountains rising thousands of feet, the city of Juneau, founded during a gold rush in 1880, is the state capital. The area has been inhabited for thousands of years by the native cultures of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people. This was the first town founded after Alaska was purchased from Russia by the United States. Serving as the capital of Alaska since 1906, Juneau is still only accessible by sea or air. For a population of just over 30,000, Juneau is culturally, politically and socially active. The Native tribes, rich with the artistic traditions, have had a profound influence on the development of the city. With dozens of dazzling art galleries, high end boutiques, inviting restaurants and unparalleled scenic landscape and wildlife, there is always something exciting to do in Juneau.  Several magnificent fjords are located along the channel coast, and the majestic Mendenhall Glacier, a favorite of visitors, is nearby.

Weather in Juneau, Alaska, July
Temperature Fahrenheit
High 63.9°
Low 48.1°
Mean Temperature 56°
Record High 90°
Record Low 36°

Source: Royal Caribbean Cruise website

Juneau - Local Points of Interest

JUNEAU - LOCAL POINTS OF INTEREST

1 The Last Chance Mining Museum and Historical Park dates from the days of the historic Alaska Juneau gold mine. It has been restored and features the world’s largest air compressor, mining tools, a unique glass map, remains of the railroad lines and underground exhibits.  More information.

2 St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church was built in 1894 and is the oldest original Russian Orthodox Church in continual use in Alaska.  View website.

Alaska State Capitol, Juneau

3 The Alaska State Capitol offers free tours. The legislative chambers and Governor’s office, along with many historic photos, are located here.  View website.

4 The Juneau-Douglas City Museum displays artwork, historic photographs, and films as well as authentic artifacts from the early miners and pioneers.  View website.

Alaska State Museum

5 The Alaska State Museum was founded in 1902, predating Alaska’s statehood. The museum features interesting artifacts relevant to native culture and Alaskan history. View website.

Source: Royal Caribbean Cruise website and respective websites

Juneau - Beyond the Capital

Beyond Juneau

1 The Macaulay Salmon Hatchery is one of Juneau’s most popular attractions and home to one of Alaska’s largest aquariums, a salmon egg incubator and over 100 species of marine life. Visitors are taught about the salmon lifecycle, the commercial fishing industry and the state’s marine environment. View website.

Mendenhall Glacier

2 Mendenhall Glacier is just thirteen miles from Downtown Juneau. The glacier is perfect for hiking and sightseeing. Mendenhall Glacier is 12 miles long, 1.5 miles wide and comprised of ice 400-800 feet deep. Reviews of the glacier.

3 Douglas is a beautiful residential area connected to Juneau by a 1,564 foot steel bridge extending across the Gastineau Channel.

4 The Treadwell Mine once flourished here, producing $66 million in gold-bearing ore during a 36 year period until it was destroyed by cave-ins and fire in 1917.  Information at Wikipedia.

5 Glacier Bay National Park and Gustavus are 30 miles west of Juneau. The community of Gustavus serves as the entry point for Glacier Bay National Park and Reserve. Gustavus is accessible by a scenic three hour ferry ride. Visitors can cruise into the park, fish for salmon or halibut, watch whales, play golf, mountain bike or kayak.  View website.

Source: Royal Caribbean Cruise website and respective websites.

Juneau and Mendenhall, Video

This video shows Juneau's port and a trip to the Mendenhall Glacier.  It is a little long, but gives you some insight into Juneau and surroundings.




Source: YouTube hoosiertim