Yukon Mitzi

Well, I'm not sure I earned the name just by traveling to the Yukon, but what a spectacular trip it was! Left Skagway in the chilly morning and by the time we reached the Yukon, after crossing part of British Columbia, it had to be in the 80's, so miserably hot! We were all complaining, not what one would expect following the Yukon trail! What a story it is, those 100,000 people who headed to the Klondike Gold Rush...30,000 made it and only a handful got wealthy. The hardships were unbelievable to hear about, what brave people headed out to make life better. My heart broke to hear about all the horses that were taken on the trail, only to fall to their deaths along the narrow ridges as they couldn't carry the loads. Each stampeeder had to have 1000 lbs of supplies to be admitted to the Yukon. Klondike means 'great land' and Yukon means 'great river'. To be in the area of this famous time in history was really moving. I can't say the same about the little village we stopped at for lunch, Caribou Crossing, a series of storefronts made to look like the old mining days. The beauty of the trip made the long day and the intense heat bearable.

And there was a new experience for me on that tour, we saw a young black bear right by the side of the road searching through the weeds for dandelions, they eat them and then become 'drunk' and nap. He was so adorable and it was the very first time I've seen a bear in the wild. Felt safe watching from the bus, but I have to tell you they are so cuddly, it would have been tempting to hug him! The cutest sight ever, totally unconcerned about a busload of people watching him search for his flowers. Nature, so inspiring! He was in BC so I saw a Canadian bear...

Today we sailed into Glacier Bay. Another fabulous experience! Rangers boarded our ship in the early morning hours by a rope ladder and gave commentary as we sailed back into the fjord created by the retreating glacier. I didn't get to see it calving but that is okay, the first cruise I took here I did and that was so special it is okay that it is the only time I've seen that. HOWEVER, this time I saw whales!! My balcony was on the wrong side of the ship, but I did see some spouting and one faraway humpback who was having a grand time breaching and all the other antics of the whales! He/she was on her way from Hawaii, they swim over 100 miles a day from wintering there to feed in the rich waters of the north. Just to see a creature that magnificent playing in the ocean was again, a touching sight! To be that free and joyful, that whale seemed to appreciate it all! So the 3rd time really is the charm and seeing whales from the ship was exciting!

Internet has been out for 2 days so I'm quickly writing this as my minutes dwindle down. We are headed south now that we have left Glacier Bay and our sunset will probably be before 11PM tonight. We arrive at Ketchican early in the morning for just 1/2 a day. I am going to wander, the thrills are over for me now. Friday evening is in Victoria so I will be spending the sunset in Buchart Gardens again. Will be fun to see how my new camera does there. Hope I have gotten some wonderful pictures here, there is no shortage of beauty!

I've slept and feel totally rested and ready for reality...I think! Au revoir from Alaskan waters!