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You are here: Home / Archives for Alaska Cruises

Alaska Cruises

Skagway Alaska Gateway To The North

February 18, 2019 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Skagway Alaska Gateway To The North

Welcome to Skagway Alaska, the gateway to the Klondike and beyond. Skagway is yesterday alive and well! In Skagway, you will hear the old honky-tonk pianos and the cries of the prospectors. Gold has been found! Nothing much has changed in Skagway, Alaska; it is yesterday at its best! Come celebrate with us! Dance to the old honky-tonk piano! Kick up your heels!  Immerse yourself in the history of the Klondike! Enjoy everything nature has to show you. Skagway is the northernmost town in Southeast Alaska. Skagway sits on the side of a beautiful glacier. Nothing is prettier under the sun.

Skagway Proper

Branch out from here and visit other areas, like Whitehorse in the Yukon, Canada. Skagway is delightful! Skagway is living history! It is fun! Above all, it’s a must-see when you come to Alaska. Check the site below for listings of events and accommodations. We’ll see you in Skagway.
http://skagway.com/

Travel Tour Highlights

One of the highlights of the area is the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. The park was created in 1976 and commemorates all the many hopeful prospectors who flooded the area in the late 1800’s. The visitors center is very informative and the hiking trails are awesome. If you feel ambitious, you can hike the famous Chilkoot Trail. This is a 3-5 day hike and not for beginning hikers. The trail is well maintained by the Park Service and is in good condition. You can access the park website below.

http://www.nps.gov/klgo/index.htm

Skagway is one of the most exciting port of calls for the cruise ships that go up the Inside Passage to Alaska. For example, you can take this cruise out of either Seattle, USA or Vancouver, Canada with other connections. This is one cruise that I have done twice and no two trips are the same. They are an adventure waiting to happen! You can reserve your cruise on the website below.

http://www.alaskacruises.com/cruises/alaska-inside-passage-cruises.html

Other options are the ferry system that travels up the coast. Book your car, the walk-on, your bike, or even your RV. Similarly, it’s much like booking a train, for instance, you can purchase a sleeping berth also. Furthermore, the ferry ships are smaller than cruise ships and seem to be closer to the shoreline allowing different views. This offers more unique photo opportunities and allows you to see different wildlife.

http://www.alaskaferryvacations.com/index.html

There are many fantastic day tours available. Some are as little as one day and others can be ten days. Whatever you desire to see and do, Skagway, Alaska is your jumping off point.

http://www.alaskatravel.com/skagway/

http://frontierexcursions.com/index.html

Exploretraveler.com

Published on steemit.com@exploretraveler Feb. 18,2017 at:

https://steemit.com/travel/@exploretraveler/5hovoh-skagway-alaska-gateway-to-the-north

Filed Under: Alaska, USA, World Travel Tagged With: Alaska, Alaska Cruises, Alaska Ferry, Canada, Chilkoot Trail, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Seattle, Skagway, skagway alaska, USA, Vancouver

Petersburg Alaska

August 9, 2018 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment


   A Quaint Little Fishing Village

The Little Norway of Petersburg Alaska

Petersburg may be a small, quaint, fishing village, but in this small village settled by Norwegians, is a bundle of big adventure. Here in this isolated village, you will see the built-in work ethic of the Scandinavian people.  Norwegians built it to resemble Norway, to bring a piece of home to their new Alaskan life. It is a thriving fishing village that is still successful. Not much has changed over the years. In Petersburg, we see what was, what is, and what will be.

Fishing is the main economic resource of the area, but it did not begin with the immigrants from Norway. but rather the Tlingit have been living in the region of Mitkof Island for hundreds of years. Most likely the first experience of the European immigrants when they arrived, in the latter 1800’s, were dealing with the Tlingit Indians. For hundreds of years it was thought that they only had summer fishing camps in the area, but recent archaeological evidence would suggest otherwise. Over the years, the Tlingit haven’t lived much in Petersburg due to an early hostility to all things native. But now, if you walk the streets of Petersburg, you will see a blended culture, but by far the leading culture is Norwegian.

Petersburg received it’s name from Peter Buschmann, one of the Norwegian immigrants. He built the first sawmill, which turned out to be a very successful endeavor and the first cannery. These endeavors grew mightily over the years and finally grew into a small fishing community located at the Northern most end of Mitkof Island, latter known as Petersburg.

Petersburg is located quite close to the LeConte Glacier. Over the years, this has brought a double blessing on this small fishing community.  The location of easy ice, the year around, has helped the community grow into the fishing port that it is today. With the ice, came the ability to ship fish south to the mainland, making the community quite prosperous. Even today, this community continues to make it’s living from the sea for the most part. In addition to it’s fishing economy, Petersburg, Leconte Glacier, and the art of the Tlingit natives, has been discovered by the tourists who come on the cruise ships each summer.

                                                 Petersburg Fishing Port

This port is the home to the many fishing boats that go out daily. The Bushmann’s Cannery became quite successful and was latter bought by Pacific American Fisheries, a larger company. They owned and ran the cannery until in the 1960s when fishing began to slow down. Then they closed the cannery for the first time since it was built. The community pooled their monies and bought the Petersburg Cannery, which is successful to this day. In the late 70’s the name was changed to Icicle Seafoods. Icicle Seafoods is quite a large company in Alaska, and very successful. The cannery changed hands yet again in 2017, but still thrives in the community. This community revolves around the fishing industry.

                                              Seals Playing On The Buoy

As you leave the Continental United States and then continue through Canadian waters, you are in the open waters of the Inside Passage of Alaska. Sometimes you will see the wilderness of the United States and other times it will be Canada you are looking at. You will even see small hints of yesterday, when Russia was in control. The wilderness is pristine and amazing. You might see bears fishing, moose grazing, or seals at play. When you dock at small seaside villages, you can elect to pan for gold, watch for whales in season,  seek out the elders for amazing stories, or immerse yourself in the culture and stories of the Tlingit Indians. The Tlingit have spent generations in this amazing land. They are masters at fishing and hunting, and make their lives connected to the very land and sea that also feeds them. You will see fiords that are barely visible through the morning midst, forests and wilderness so lush and green, and the ice from the glaciers gleaming in the sun. This strange land of the Midnight Sun reaches out and embraces you, calling you by name. And this is just the beginning as you travel the Inside Passage through the wilderness to the last frontier.

                                          The Beautiful Wrangell Narrows

The Wrangell Narrows, in times past, were one of the most dangerous 22 miles on the whole trip up the inside passage. There are miles where the air does not move and often as not, the fog lingers deep and wicked over the area. Now a days there are instruments that take over in time of need, but that was not always the case. This is an area that has made many captains have grey hair before their time. Now, with the help of modern navigation equipment, the trip from the Island of Mitkof and the Island of Kupreanof to Petersburg can be made safely. It is with a spirit of awe, that this spectacular winding and scenic waterway is crossed.

                                     Coming Into The Port Of Petersburg

Petersburg, Alaska is a beautiful port that is sheltered from the extreme storms out on the Narrows by it’s natural geography. It is home to one of the best fishing fleets, the world has to offer. This is a fishing community that makes it’s living from the sea. They recognize the sea in all they do, as the sea is the heartbeat of the community. If you come on the cruise ships or sail your own, everything you need is at the port. Petersburg actually has three modern harbors that are a short walk from downtown. This is perhaps the nicest port in all of Southeast Alaska, and for sure it is the friendliest port of call in Alaska.

                   Preparing To Dock In The Petersburg, Alaska Harbor

Petersburg, being a shallow port, is not used by the mega cruise ships. The smaller boats, however, call this port home. Cruise ships with less than 250 passengers are regular customers of the port. This actually works out for the best, as it allows the smaller groups of tourists that come, to enjoy a quiet and special one on  one type of experience. There is no large invasion of tourists, but only those who come to enjoy this friendly community that sits in the shadow of the Patterson Mountain Peaks.

Some from the larger cruise ships elect to take the ferry across the Narrows to visit this pleasant fishing community. If you enjoy nature, hiking, walking, and biking, there is plenty of opportunity for these experiences. Their are Tlingit craftsman and storytellers wanting to share the stories of this Norwegian fishing village with those who desire to listen.  If you are adventurous, and comfortable without being entertained, you will enjoy the freedom of exploring this tiny island.


                                     Alaska Marine Highway Ferry

The 3 hour trip on the ferry from Wrangell to Petersburg is breathtaking. You will spend three hours crossing this spectacular Wrangell Narrows with it’s many unique markers for navigation. Arriving at Petersburg, you will find a small fishing village that lives to the beat of the sea. Surrounded by a pristine wilderness, this is the perfect adventure for those who desire a more natural approach to exploration. Here on this remote island, you will find a  hidden beauty that is sought out only by a few. Welcome to the shallow Port of Petersburg!

An exciting adventure near Petersburg is a visit to LeConte Bay and the near by ice fields from LeConte Glacier. There are many tours, some by air and others by boat. Both are exciting and have their own advantages. If you have time to do both, they are completely different. What a beautiful view you will have of Devil’s Thumb, LeConte Bay and the immense ice fields from the air. If you elect to view the grandeur of the bay and the icebergs by boat, you will get a whole different view of the Coast Mountain Range the surrounds the LeConte Glacier. As you will be closer at times to the shore, you will see the wildlife and this extremely large glacier up close. As you cross the narrow fjord, you will get an amazing view of the glacier that you will never forget. If time and money allow, it is well worth doing both a tour by air and one by boat. They are two totally different worlds of adventure.

                  Getting Crab Pots ready for Dungeness Crab Season

It is always a fun experience watching as the fisherman get their crab pots ready during crab season. There is also a fish processing plant in the center of town called Coastal Cold Storage that has a small seafood-restaurant. Hear you will find some of the best and freshest seafood in town.They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their Dungeness Crab is some of the best in the world. They will also mail any of their fresh fish home for you. There is nothing fancy about this restaurant, just some of the best seafood that Alaska has to offer.

                            Fresh Alaskan King Crab And Salmon Feast

While traveling the Inside Passage, or enjoying dinner in port, you will want to try the suburb Alaskan King Crab and Salmon with a Seafood Feast. Every restaurant in the town serves some form of a Seafood Feast. If you have never had fresh Alaskan king Crab, you will be in for a surprise. Even the Salmon is amazing when it comes fresh from the sea. You will find simple places like the Coastal Cold Storage that serve excellent food in a very relaxed atmosphere to Inga’s Gallery that is a roadside cafe with many seafood specialties. There are also two vegetarian friendly restaurants.

                  Snow-capped Patterson Peaks And Mountain Glaciers

As you look across the Wrangle Narrows you will encounter spectacular snow-capped Patterson Peaks. Surrounding the peaks are some of the beautiful glaciers of Alaska. Here you will discover that Patterson Glacier changes almost daily, so one day you will see more of the peaks and then they will be hidden the next time. This is a breathtaking area that has many climbing opportunities, hiking trails with camping facilities, and up close view of Patterson Glacier. During summer, you can enjoy the beautiful Patterson river. No matter where you decide to explore, there is plenty of adventure in the Tongass National Forest.

         Leaving Petersburg For The Return Trip Across The Narrows

Awe, those beautiful and unpredictable Wrangle Narrows. When living on land , when the days are gray and rainy, it gets old fast. A deep sorrow can come over you. With no place to go, you soon become fore-long and despondent. But the constant rainy days of the Wrangle Narrows matters not when on a ship. You are always moving, and changing your location. The mountain is ever changing and the sky is in a constantly in transition. Explosive weather and amazing and changeable skies make any day worth living. This can soon become a sailors paradise. There is nothing you can not do with a good wind, especially a good tail wind.

Then there are places where there is no air moving and soon a deep marine fog sets in. Here the air is heavy and thick, and you can see nothing but the white fog. In years past, these waters became difficult and treacherous quickly. In today’s world, there are instruments that can carry on, no matter how thick the fog. Now, two ships pass, where minutes ago they were on a collusion course. These instruments have opened up the Wrangle Narrows to people who would not travel them before. In this short three hour trip, you will see some of the most beautiful water on earth, with a touch of adventure that will raise your adrenaline to a whole new level.

                     A Brisk Evening On The Scenic Wrangell Narrows

As you continue across the Wrangle Narrows, look up! The Patterson Peaks are tall and stately with their tips always covered in snow and ice. See the glaciers, as they sparkle on a clear night. Another adventure, a day of exploration comes to a close.

If you are ready for an adventure, then Petersburg is the place to spend some time. Back a bag, and grab your passport, just in case, and take a cruise up the Inside Passage, but don’t forget, to plan a side trip to Petersburg, Alaska’s Little Norway.

If you would like to research more about Alaska, and find even more photo please visit our Alaska photography website.

Alaska.digital

Petersburg Alaska

The Little Norway of Petersburg Alaska

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Filed Under: Alaska, Alaska USA, travel the world, Travel Tips, USA, World Travel Tagged With: Alaska, Alaska Coast Range, Alaska Cruises, Alaska King Crab, Alaska Marine Highway Ferry, Alaskan Salmon, Bushmann's Cannery, Coastal Cold Storage, Crab pots, Dungeness Crab, Icicle Seafoods, Inside Passage of Alaska, Island of Kupreanof, LeConte Glacier, Little Norway, Mitkof Island, Norwegian immigrants, Pacific American Fisheries, Patterson Glacier, Patterson Mountain Peaks, Patterson River, Peter Buschmann, Petersburg, Petersburg Cannery, Southeast Alaska, Tlingit Tribe, Tongass National forest, Wrangel, Wrangell Narrows

Northern Adventures

May 2, 2016 by Exploretraveler.com 1 Comment

Alaskan North

                  Northern Adventures

Dreaming about that next exotic adventure? Not sure where to go? Don’t look so far! Alaska is in your own backyard. Northern Adventures loom from Southeast Alaska to the Arctic Circle. Alaska is a large state with many different environments to discover. There are diverse cultures, many different animals, and of course the scenery is out of this world. Come join us as we discover massive glaciers and rugged mountains. The beauty is unparalleled! This is a land of ice and snow. Where beauty can also mean cold. Grab your parka and lets explore!

Our first stop is the exciting Tidewater Glaciers. Glaciers come in all shapes and sizes. They fill the sea at Glacier Bay National Park in Southeast Alaska. Here you will see chunks of all sizes that have broken away from the main glaciers above. You will also see mega glaciers that protrude out into Glacier Bay. And of course, the calves that have broken away.

As your cruise ship enters Glacier Bay in Southeast Alaska you will cruise along beautiful shorelines. The amazing fact is that just 200 years ago these shorelines were covered with glaciers.  In 1794  Captain George Vancouver explored these areas. He found Icy Strait almost solid ice and Glacier Bay was little more than an indention in a massive glacier. This massive glacier was over 4,000 feet thick at one time. The glacier was so large that it stretched from what is now Glacier Bay to the St.Elias Mountain Range. That is a distance of over 100 miles. These beautiful and magnificent glaciers are retreating extremely fast. This is faster than any other place on earth.

Glacier Bay National Park is home to Sixteen  tidewater glaciers. Twelve of these massive glaciers calve icebergs out into the bay. This happens quite often and the show is spectacular. Massive sheets of ice break off from the main glacier. Some of these calves are almost 200 feet high when they break loose. What a magnificent sight as they come crashing  into the bay. Nothing in the world is any more breathtaking than watching a glacier calve. This is only one of the amazing treats in store as you enjoy your northern adventures.

Johns Hopkins Glacier is one of the most active glaciers in the bay. It calves so often that cruise ships never come closer than two miles to its shores. It is not unusual to see this magnificent glacier calving from a safe distance. What beauty! What a spectacular sight!  This icy playground is utterly amazing.  In fact, over 4% of Alaska is made up of ice. That is a lot of ice!

Storms

                Storms Over Ketchikan

As your cruise ship approaches Ketchikan, you see a town engulfed in dark, angry clouds. This is nothing unusual, as Ketchikan is the rainiest part of Southeast Alaska. Ketchikan is also one of the greenest areas. It’s beauty is breathtaking! Its forests are majestic! Ketchikan is named after Ketchikan Creek. This beautiful creek flows through the center of the town. It empties a short distance away into the Tongass Narrows, just southeast of downtown Ketchikan. As you near Alaska’s fifth largest metropolitan area, be sure to grab your umbrella. Your northern adventures has entered the rainy zone, but the beauty is spectacular.

As your cruise ship comes into shore, you will notice that Ketchikan is a colorful wonderland nestled on the shores of the bay. Magnificent mountains surround it. It is a quaint and active town from May to September. A major source of economy in the area is provided by the cruise ships while in port. During this time, there are many tours that leave from Ketchikan. Plan to spend a few days. Discover amazing glaciers and unforgettable mountains.

During the long winters, the area relaxes somewhat, catering only to the fishing vessels when they come ashore. During this time of the year, Ketchikan is fishing village. The cruise ships have gone for the winter, but the fishing continues.

A stay in Ketchikan is exciting, and extremely rewarding. It is the entrance to Misty Fjords National Monument. This monument is extremely beautiful. It is so beautiful, that it is often called “The Yosemite of the North.” These beautiful valleys were formed by magnificent mega glaciers and the many ancient lava flows of former years. What gorgeous views are waiting on this leg of your northern adventures!

Tundra

                       Spring Tundra

Spring Tundra in the Upper Matanuska Valley in Alaska is another delightful area to explore. The Matanuska Valley is impressive. It’s glaciers are mind-boggling.  It’s beauty is unsurpassed! South-central Alaska includes magnificent and rugged mountain ranges. Here you will discover some of the largest icefield in the northern Hemisphere. Only Greenland has ice fields that are larger.

Enjoy these snow-covered mountains. They are impressive! During the summer when the ground is not soggy and soft, there are hiking tours throughout the area. Get a bird’s eye view! Nothing is quite like exploring on foot. As you venture inland, you will see many different varieties of forests. There are white spruce, black spruce, paper birch, and aspens. You will also see balsam poplar, alders, and willows in mountains of Southeast Alaska. The black spruce is highly sought for its medical uses. In the mountains, you will see massive old growth forests. Trees that are hundreds of years old. And of course, you will see the wildlife that calls these forests home. Life is exciting in the Upper Matanuska Valley in Alaska.

What are you waiting for? Today is the day to discover the treasures in your own backyard. No passport needed. Gather the family and head to the land of the midnight sun. You will have lots of hours to explore!

http://alaska.digital/

https://explore1stage.wpengine.com

This is also an authorized post on seemit under @exploretraveler at: https://steemit.com/treanding/@exploretraveler/exploring-more-of-the-backroads-of-washington

 

Filed Under: Alaska, Travel Tips, Uncategorized, USA Tagged With: Alaska, Alaska Cruises, Glacier Bay, Glacier Bay National Park, Icy Strait, Johns Hopkins Glacier, Ketchikan, Misty Fjords National Monument, Southeast Alaska, Upper Matanuska Valley

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