Screwed once again by the weather! No helicopters flying out of Juneau today. Took an alternative land based tour to a “Summer Dog Camp” which was OK in a sense that we were supporting some teams of mushers but being pulled along a trail in a 4 wheeled cart was not quite the same as being in a sled in the ice.
Had lunch in the Red Dog Saloon - chowder and crab cakes then later in the afternoon had sone king crab legs at anouther restaurant.
Slap up dinner in Le Champagne restaurant on the ship with a nice bottle of French Chardonnay which was decanted for us.
Next day in Skagway we went on the White Pass Railway which was very scenic but packed. Gave one an insight into the hardships people endured in the rush for gold in the Klondike.
Wheather cleared yesterday in Sitka with a spot of sunshine. Went on a boat to look at wildlife. Got close to otters, whales and bald eagles. After that we went to a place where they rescue orphaned bears. Seems the locals approach to bears in town is to shhot them and their cubs. So these guys are caring for them in quite a good environment but unfortunately Alaskan law prohibits returning them to the wild. There is hope that this will change. Finally we went to a rescue centre for injured raptors and got very close to a bald eagle. Once again a great example of people doing good things for the wildlife.
Today the ship cruised into Glacier Bay to the foot of the Hubbard Glacier. Bitter cold and raining. The water was full of blocks of ice from the glacier. Spending the rest of the day relaxing and packing ready to get off the boat early in the morning to get a train to Anchorage and fly to San Francisco.