Skagway Home Hostel

... going back to Utah in 3 weeks at the end of her first tourist season on The White Pass Railway. <br> The train chugs along and around every bend there is a new, eye-popping vision of amazing, dazzling, spectacular beauty. It is a little misty, a little rainy here and there, but the fog and the clouds and the mist only add to the mysterious, nostalgic, aura surrounding the legacy of the Rush for Gold in the late 1800's. We pass ...

... between the Russians and the Tlingit &#8211; guess who lost - but is now an exceptional place of natural beauty. <br><br>August 1 &#8211; 6<br><br>Awake at 5am for our 6:45 ferry departure, we threaded our way back through the channels before turning south to Petersburg &#8211; but this time low tide that made the channel markers all the more important. It seemed possible at almost every bend that we would run aground, but the captain clearly knew his channel. It was a 13 ...

... headed south through Lynn Canal, the continent's longest and deepest glacial fjord. Lynn Canal stretches over 100 miles long and is over 2000 feet deep. The canal was rough and even though the boat ran smoothly over the choppy waters, we took a few big waves over the top. We stopped in Haines to pick up a couple of passengers, but the first-mate had difficulty tying up the lines when a hefty gust of wind caught the boat and tore the ...

... 20 miles and features steep grades of up to 3.9%, cliff-hanging turns of 16 degrees, two tunnels and numerous bridges and trestles. The steel cantilever bridge was the tallest of its kind in the world when it was constructed in 1901. <br><br>The 110 mile WP&amp;YR Railroad was completed with the driving of the golden spike on July 29, 1900 in Carcross Yukon connecting the deep water port of Skagway Alaska to Whitehorse Yukon and beyond to northwest Canada and ...

... with them. The<br>blueberries for breakfast were another highlight. We certainly had a<br>very good introduction to ATC which we are planning to use a few<br>times this trip. Jake even drove us into town to catch the bus this<br>morning.<br><br>On Monday we caught the shuttle bus<br>and water taxi into the city. We visited Pike St Markets - lots of<br>everything including fresh fish. We went to the historic area and did<br>a tour of ...

... rear taillight went out, and the excellent manager at Carquest found a replacement unit, which we had thought quite difficult, and helped John install it. With new wiper blades as well, we went our way feeling much safer and grateful to an excellent salesman. We had dinner at the local Italian/Mexican restaurant, recommended to us by our Carquest friend. This family restaurant is strongly supported by the local community because of its history. The mother had kidney failure and was on ...

... bridge; one of them from Oklahoma was in the same campground. Not too many salmon were being caught. <br><br> As we were driving the road to the Chilkoot State Park, there was grizzly bear heading toward the bridge. Went back to tell the fishermen; they got off the river just in time. Stood on the bridge and watched the bear walk along the bank. <br><br><br><br> Finished our Chilkoot State Park ...

There's a twinge of sadness in the air this morning, mixed with disbelief that this is the final day of the hike, but it is quickly replaced with anticipation for the day ahead's reward. We feast leisurely on chocolate peanut butter pancakes with strawberry rhubarb syrup (no, they're excellent!) and find ourselves almost dead last to leave camp. But this is good, as we ...

... of the hike; the commonality of our experience and melting away of the workaday world we've all escaped, however briefly.<br> <br> I've taken on the duty of filtering water for our group, and a small runoff stream presents the perfect opportunity. All the while, I'm hearing the same little songbird's five-note tune, ascending by 2 minor thirds, dropping back, and ending with a trill. I think I've gotten his picture as ...

... for the big hike. We pick up some gear at the Mountain Shop, find some foodstuffs, and repack our bags, separating what's coming with us on our backs from what's staying behind for our return. Despite our anticipation, the hotel's all-night outdoor lighting and the Alaska 'nonset' (leave the flashlight, you won't need it), we manage a few hours of sleep.<br>