Alaska Cruise Day 4... HISTORIC SKAGWAY

If you read the last post, you know that our trip started out with a few problems but after a good nights sleep aboard ship...we were ready to experience something wonderful! At 7:30 Am we left the ship to take in beautiful Skagway! ( original spelling is Skaguay)


Our excursion started with a bus taking us to the White Pass Depot to board a train to FraiserBC.



We rode this train but they also have a steam engine train, pictured below, that runs on certain days.....




This was our conductor whom I thought looked straight out of the 1800s...........


DIL Lori gets serious with GD Taylor when she hears we are about to cross a VERY high bridge!



Gold was never found in Skagway but it was the point at which the prospectors got ready to leave civilization and make the long hard trek across the Yukon Pass in search of wealth. The old foot path can still be seen. When the railroad was put in, it made carrying all the gear and food they would need a much easier task.
An interesting fact we learned about Skagway is that no one has been born there since the 1970s. They do not have a doctor there, only a clinic with 2 nurse practitioners. Women are removed at the start of their last trimester to Anchorage or Seattle to await the birth. If they are high risk, they are moved before the last trimester.




If you visit Skagway......ride the train as it will let you see a part of Alaska that will mesmerize you! The train made a couple of stops to let Hiker/Campers off. I'm assuming they were to be picked up a day or two later and taken back to Skagway.






In the distance you can see Bridal Falls which can only be seen from the train.......




For 15 years starting in 1923, George Buchanan, a Detroit Coal Merchant, began bringing groups of 50 boys and girls to Alaska to teach them about earning and saving money. This wall commemorates his effort.




When we got to the Canadian Border at Fraiser BC our bus was there to pick us up for the ride back to Skagway via the Klondike Highway..........



We enjoyed the bus ride back as you see some different scenery and our driver stopped at this sign so we could get pictures.........

A short distance past the sign is where we saw this Black Bear having lunch.....



He also stopped at this overlook where you can look down on Skagway and see the town along with the cruise ships in dock. On the far right are 2 Princess ships. The Golden is in front with the Diamond right behind her.



We were then dropped off in downtown Skagway at the historic Skagway Inn for lunch and then picked up for some Gold Panning! This "old time prospector" was a delight!




The Gold Panning was located on the banks of the Skagway River...........



Turns out I can add "panning" to my list of talents! I ended up doing both Hubby & son Todd's as they just couldn't "get it right"..... :)
After combining mine and Eric's, we had $37.51 in gold which I had put in a necklace. Todd's family of 5 panned $ 51.00 worth which was put in a necklace for DIL Lori!




Here's my necklace!



We were then dropped off in town for sightseeing and some shopping........



This is the 1899 Alaskan Brotherhood building whose front is made from driftwood..........
It now a museum........



As time to be back on ship approaches, the town empties...........


Day 5 will be be the Awesome Tracy Arms Fjord.................



Have a great weekend!!!