Rambles in Drizzly Juneau

Travel pulls you away from familiar routines and faces, and thrusts you into new situations and possibilities. Recently my husband and I were transported out of hot, dry, smoky San Francisco Bay Area and inserted into cool, damp, misty Juneau, Alaska. The purpose was the unbirthday of a certain nonagenarian who didn't want a lot of fuss. In loving response, family from all over the West coast descended on Juneau for an uncelebration (my aunt from the Bay Area, my sister and family from Bend and Portland, and my brother and family from Juneau and Portland).

Family home under threatening skies

Overcast sky looking down channel toward the airport

Lovely flower bed against a spruce hedge

Locals never let a little rain keep them indoors, and neither did we. The rain is more of a drizzle, and rarely a downpour in Juneau (especially in the summer), so a light, waterproof jacket with a hood or a hat, and sturdy shoes is typically all you need. Weather is as changeable in Juneau, as it is in San Francisco and Seattle (as they say, "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes").

Tahku by Skip Wallen

We wanted to see the Skip Wallen whale sculpture fully installed (recall last year we had seen it during its installation – see Beautiful Juneau). It is located in the Mayor Bill Overstreet Park near the bridge that connects Juneau with Douglas Island. The new sculpture is fantastic - with water works that cycle every five minutes or so, making the whale seem to be breaching with water streaming down its body. The installation provides a special vantage point of the surrounding mountains and town, and the boardwalk provides an easy route from the cruise ships docked downtown (no doubt providing a welcome walk for the younger cruise ship set).

The boardwalk with a view to cruise ships docked in downtown Juneau

Several ships in port

Watching cruise ships dock in downtown Juneau is serious sport. Typically three or four cruise ships are in port every day, causing the population to swell by up to 10,000 people! One five-ship day, a group of us headed down town to watch the spectacle. With GPS and modern equipment, docking these huge ships is precision art and science, and amazing to see. We watched as one ship departed, and another one moved in seamlessly to take its place in a matter of minutes.

Watching the cruise ships in port

Cruise ships, fishing boats, and pleasure crafts

Enjoying the sights

For a quick respite from the drizzle, my husband and spent a few hours in the new Alaska State Museum. We enjoyed seeing the "Grand Visions of The Great Land" and "Titanic of the north: The 1918 Wreck of the S.S. Princess Sophia" exhibits, and other permanent collections detailing the settlement and history of Alaska (from the Russians, to Captain James Cook, to mining, drilling, logging, and fishing). I'm always especially drawn to the First Peoples exhibits.

Petroglyph from Wrangell, Alaska	Ancient wooden mask
Chilkat robe from Sitka	Mountain goat yarn for weaving

My sister and I drove by this beautiful garden, the creation of our sister-in-law, who is an amazing gardener. Every summer she fills planters and containers with beautiful flowers for the short, intense growing season. Tourists and locals alike slow to take in the beauty as they pass by. Her work is also on display in the landscaping around Foodland.

Charming container garden

At the end of any good ramble in the rain, a delicious meal and great conversation makes it all the better.


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