Alaska: Juneau!

Our agenda for Juneau included visiting Mendenhall Glacier, whale watching, and a Salmon bake! Our excursion was supposed to last about 6 hours, so it was a whole-day event. The day was rainy, with temperatures in the high 40s and low 50s. I was finally able to wear my yellow raincoat! Juneau is known for its high precipitation levels due to its maritime climate. More often than not, there is some form of precipitation in Juneau, whether rain, snow or a mix of both. I learned that, on average, Juneau sees about 130 days of sunshine annually. It seems like it’s not a place for people susceptible to seasonal depression.

Mendenhall Glacier

Luckily, we saw Mendenhall Glacier on a cloudy day; they say you can see more blues and grays when the sun is not out. Mendenhall Glacier is a 13.6-mile-long glacier originating from the Juneau Icefield. Accessible by road, it is a testament to glacial forces and climate change. Surrounding it is the Tongass National Forest, which offers hiking trails and a reflection of Mendenhall Lake. It holds cultural significance for the indigenous Tlingit people and is a scientific research and recreation site. As one of Alaska's most accessible glaciers, there are numerous activities you can engage in: 

• Glacier Viewing: One of the main attractions is simply observing the breathtaking beauty of the glacier. You can take in the views from various vantage points. 

• Hiking: Several hiking trails surround the glacier, offering opportunities for exploration and experiencing the surrounding wilderness. 

• Glacier Trekking: Guided glacier trekking tours allow visitors to walk on the glacier's surface and experience its unique terrain up close. 

• Kayaking: Kayaking tours take visitors on a journey around the glacier's icebergs, offering a unique perspective from the water. 

• Wildlife Viewing: Mendenhall Glacier is home to diverse wildlife, including bears, eagles, and salmon. Wildlife viewing tours provide opportunities to spot these animals in their natural habitat. 

• Photography: The glacier's stunning landscapes provide endless opportunities for photography enthusiasts to capture breathtaking shots. 

• Visitor Center: The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center offers exhibits and information about glaciers’ formation, history, and ecosystem. 

• Ice Climbing: For the adventurous, there are opportunities to climb ice on the glacier's icy slopes under the guidance of experienced instructors. 

You can also go on Mendenhall glacier, but those excursions are very pricey because they require a helicopter ride. Our excursion only allowed us a general viewing of the glacier. Due to time constraints, we didn’t risk hiking to the nearby waterfall. Danny was disappointed, but I was trying to get a taste of all Juneau had to offer that day. If I had the chance to revisit Juneau, I’d spend more time hiking or kayaking at the glacier. There is also a dog sledding excursion on Mendenhall Glacier that I’d love to do if I had the disposable income. Viewing the glacier from the lake still offers a unique and awe-inspiring perspective of this natural wonder, even if you aren’t up close and personal. With our limited time there, I tried to soak in the beauty of the glacier, surrounding mountains, and dense forests. The lake's pristine waters reflect the surrounding landscape, enhancing the area's scenic beauty. As our guide mentioned, the glacier's stunning blue hues were in full effect that day. This phenomenon occurs due to ice compression over thousands of years, expelling air bubbles and light scattering, giving the ice a mesmerizing blue tint. The lake had a profound sense of tranquility. The quiet ripple of water was relatively peaceful.

Whale Watching

After our one-hour visit to Mendenhall Glacier, we boarded our transport and set out for Auke Bay Harbor, where we spent two hours searching for whales and other wildlife. In the comfort of a heated cabin with large viewing windows, we explored the harbor in search of whales with a naturalist who was very knowledgeable about wildlife behavior and helped point out any animal activity. Auke Bay Harbor is a prime location because it is renowned for its rich marine ecosystem, making it an ideal location for whale watching. The nutrient-rich waters attract whale species, including humpback whales, orcas, and minke whales. In addition to whales, Auke Bay Harbor is home to other marine life, such as sea lions, harbor seals, porpoises, and bald eagles. Sadly, orcas are a rarer sight and only appear every few weeks in the harbor.

We spotted several humpback whales in the harbor. The two main things we looked out for were spouts and flukes. Humpback whales frequently surface to breathe, exhaling forcefully through their blowholes, creating a distinctive spout of water and mist. Furthermore, when humpback whales dive, they often raise their flukes (tails) above the water's surface, providing a distinctive sight before they disappear beneath the waves. One encounter was spectacular, with a humpback lifting its head out of the water. I couldn’t get it on camera because the interaction happened so fast. Unfortunately, we did not see any breaching, in which they propel their massive bodies out of the water and crash back into the water with a splash. You may observe other surface behaviors like tail-slapping, pectoral fin slapping, and lunge feeding.

The humpbacks were rather shy that day, and we didn’t see any whales breach the surface except for that one spectacular encounter. We did spot several harbor seals resting on buoys floating in the harbor though! The scenic surroundings of the harbor were unique. A picturesque backdrop of snow-capped mountains, dense forests, and pristine waters added to the whale-watching excursion. Overall, whale watching in Auke Bay Harbor was a memorable adventure, but I wish I had more glimpses of humpbacks surfacing and a chance to see orcas in Alaska. This experience has further inspired me to seek out orcas, probably to the dismay of Danny, who will be forced to join me on those adventures. LOL.

Salmon Bake

Once we returned to shore, we were off to the Gold Creek Salmon Bake in a beautiful rainforest alongside a creek. Surprisingly, I had never had salmon in my 35 years on this planet. I have texture issues regarding meat, so I’m not always a fan of beef, pork, and seafood. I figured if I was finally going to eat salmon, it might as well be fresh Alaskan salmon from Juneau. When we entered the Salmon Bake, the aroma of wild salmon grilling over fires of wood instantly hit, making me rather hungry. We made our way over to the line to fill up our plates with delicious food. My plate was crowded with salad, pickles, Mac and cheese, potatoes, cornbread, and a giant piece of salmon to top it off. The seating area was so cute, with picnic tables and translucent coverings protecting you from the elements and string lighting fixtures. It turns out I love salmon! Thankfully, it was delicious, and the texture didn’t creep me out. What's shocking to me is that Danny actually likes salmon and has eaten it before. Being a picky eater, I didn’t consider him a salmon lover. The Salmon Bake was an all-you-can-eat buffet, so you could enjoy as much food as you wanted if you returned to the ship before it sailed off to Ketichan.

There was supposedly blueberry cake, but to my dismay, I couldn’t find it. Ironically, when we returned to the ship, the special ice cream flavor of the day was blueberry! So, I was able to enjoy a blueberry dessert after all. After our meal, we walked through the forest to the Salmon Creek waterfall. We also looked at the remains of the Wagner Mine, a historical gold mine in operation during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a part of the Klondike Gold Rush. You can also try your hand at panning for gold while you’re there. I’m glad we got to have an authentic Alaskan dining experience during our trip. I still think about that Salmon Bake to this day. LOL.

We didn’t get to explore the city of Juneau because we chose to partake in its outdoor paradise, but I did get a glimpse of it from our bus. The downtown area of Juneau is relatively small and easy to navigate on foot. It features colorful buildings, quaint shops, fresh seafood restaurants, and historic landmarks like the Alaska State Capitol and the Governor's Mansion. Juneau boasts a vibrant cultural scene, with art galleries, museums, theaters, and cultural centers showcasing the rich heritage of Alaska's indigenous peoples and contemporary Alaskan art and performances.

There is so much to do there, but sadly, our ship spent the least time in Juneau in comparison to other ports. Other activities included boat tours of Tracy Arm Fjord, Mt. Roberts Tramway, Alaska State Museum, the Salmon Hatchery, Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure, guided hiking tours in Tongass National Forest, kayaking excursions in nearby bays and fjords, zip-lining adventures through the forest canopy, and dog sledding at musher camps. Nevertheless, it was an impactful day in Alaska, and I plan to revisit Juneau someday to explore its astonishing beauty.