My husband and I have just returned from a trip to Alaska,
the Yukon, and Seattle, on a quest to visit family, experience nature, and (for
me at least) enjoy the beautiful gardens of the North. We met up with my folks
in Juneau, Alaska, and then headed out on a five-day tour of “The Golden
Circle", visiting Skagway, Whitehorse, Haines Junction, and Haines. The
Circle is a fast way to see the spectacularly beautiful scenery of Southeast
Alaska and Yukon Territory. Our weather apps predicted rain, but Alaskans do
not let a little weather stop them!
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| Matanuska at Auke Bay near Juneau, Alaska |
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| Docking in Skagway, Alaska |
In Juneau, we caught the Alaska Marine Highway ferry, Matanuska, and cruised up Lynn Canal
toward Skagway. We claimed a spot in the forward lounge, with a panoramic view
of the mountains, islands, and lighthouses, and watched for birds, bears, and whales.
A couple of whales followed us, and one even crossed our bow. In the historic
gold rush town of Skagway, we checked into the Sgt. Preston’s Lodge, and
headed out for a delicious dinner of crab legs.
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| Sgt. Preston's Lodge |
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| Downtown Skagway |
The next morning, we grabbed a quick breakfast at Bites on Broadway, then drove out to Dyea to see where prospectors
launched out for Canada during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. We also saw modern-day
adventurers launching rubber rafts into the Taiya river. Then we headed up the highway
toward Whitehorse, Yukon. The distance between Skagway and Whitehorse is only
about 110 miles via the Klondike Highway, but the elevation quickly changes as
does the scenery, from Southeast Alaskan rain forest, to the wild and beautiful
high country of the Yukon, with its stunted conifer trees and vegetation, mountains
shrouded in mist, and beautiful emerald lakes.
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| Crossing into Canada – Yukon is Larger than Life |
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| High Country |
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| Bove Island |
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| Schwatka's Legacy |
On our way, we stopped to read the historical markers for Bove Island. It was a thrill to see my dad's book, Schwatka's Last Search: The New York Ledger Expedition
(1996), cited on one of the markers (forgive my shameless endorsement, but you really should read it)! We also stopped to see the remains of the S.S. Tutshi, which provided transportation during the gold rush.
In Whitehorse, we checked into the Elite Hotel, and headed to Klondike Rib & Salmon for dinner. We explored in the
misty dusk before turning in. I especially enjoyed seeing the planters around
town, filled with bright, bold annuals. The plants were healthy and going strong
despite the ever present rain and mist.
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| Waiting for a table at Klondike Rib & Salmon |
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| Elite Hotel |
The next day, after a delicious breakfast at Burnt Toast (it wasn't burnt,
but the food was delicious), we headed for Miles Canyon to walk over the
suspension bridge and check out the rocky gorge cut by the Yukon River. Finally,
we headed up the highway to Haines Junction.
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| Miles Canyon from above |
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| Suspension bridge over Miles Canyon |
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