JUNEAU

 

  
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As the sign says, welcome to the Capital City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ), Alaska. Juneau is located in the Panhandle of Southeast Alaska, 900 air miles north of Seattle and 600 air miles southeast of Anchorage. The current population of Juneau is 33,026. The economy is based on government, tourism, mining, and fishing. Juneau is one of the most beautiful state capitals in the nation.  

As we disembarked from the ship, here was this sign with Pam sitting on the bench in front:

 

 

There is a lot to see in this city!  Tourists can experience incredible outdoor activities like glacier flightseeing, whale watching, fishing, and kayaking amidst the stunning Alaskan landscape. There’s also a wealth of cultural attractions, including museums, historical sites, art galleries, events, festivals and plenty of local shopping. Find information about Juneau restaurants, hotels and sightseeing tours as well as travel planning tools, itineraries, maps, and more!  

The excursion we picked involved leaving our big boat for a smaller boat and heading into the ocean to chase - or rather - get close and personal with some whales and to see the Mendenthal Glacier!  This was really an exciting adventure.  We headed first to an island where we had a great lunch at the Orca Point Lodge.  There was a small strip of land (maybe 20 feet wide) that connected the part of the island we were on (for our lunch) with another part of the island that was full of bears!  Yes - several bears per square miles!  In fact, we were told that the bears outnumbered the people who lived over there.  We were all warned NOT to go to that side of the island sight-seeing.  No one was crazy enough to do that!!

After the great meal, we headed to the ocean and we found lots of whales!   I am sharing some pictures and videos - including a video of some breeching whales (where a bunch of them all come up at the same time breaking the surface with their mouths open!  It was quite a sight to behold!! 

Then, we boarded the coach and heading off to Mendenhall Glacier and Visitor Center.  This part was a great experience as well - and the glacier was something to behold!  In the Visitor Center, they had telescopes for getting a close-up view of the glacier itself.

Enjoy the images and videos.

 

Leaving ship on our bus to the boat dock

Our driver - nice and knowledgeable!!

 

Leaving Juneau for whale watching trip

Yes - there is a Walmart in Juneau!

Beautiful body of water on this trip!!

Approaching the boat dock

Driving down the ramp to board the boat

On the boat heading out to sea

 

Orca Point Lodge where we had a great lunch

Pam and I at the lodge for lunch

 

At the lodge (restaurant) for lunch

 

Back on the boat - let's find whales!

Pam, Bill and Mary on whale-watch!

There are two whales!!

 

There are two more!

Is it a shark or whale fin?  Yikes! 

On the way to Mendenhall Glacier

 

We arrived at Visitor Center

Let's check out the glacier 

 Mendenhall Glacier - wow!!!

Lots of folks checking it out!

Inside visitor center

 Big piece of ice broke off and floating

Getting souveniers

 

Departing Juneau's dock

Leaving Juneau

Bill on their adjacent veranda

 

Pam on our veranda as we leave Juneau

 

 

 

 

 

VIDEOS

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Sailing into the Port of Juneau

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Whales Breaching

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Looking for Whales

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Still on the hunt for whales!

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