Unfortunately rough seas prevented our scheduled visit to Sitka. Although disappointed, we agreed with the captain when he had forecast 6 metre waves if we proceeded.
The change of plans meant that we would visit Juneau instead, given that it was a more sheltered spot to stop. “Aye Aye Captain” was chorused from these two cabins.
Juneau is the capital of Alaska and the only continental USA capital that is inaccessible by car. Remote? You betcha.
Now if there was a storm preventing us to visit Sitka then it was only natural that we would expect rains of some sort in Juneau. And it met our expectations. That didn’t stop us getting out and seeing the surrounds.
A visit to the Mendenhall Glacier will be remembered for its wet conditions. Ms X was grateful to borrow Ms M’s wet weather pants for the walk to the glacier. If only she had remembered waterproof shoes.
The Information Centre proved to be a source of interesting facts about the glacier however the best part of Juneau was yet to come.
With a soggy time ahead for these tourists, our next stop was the Red Dog Saloon. With swinging saloon doors and sawdust on the floor throughout, this place conjured up a vision of early frontier times. It was ticking a lot of boxes.
On the menu was a shot called’Duck Farts’. It’s a layered drink consisting of one third Kahlua, one third Baileys and the top third whiskey. You can’t mix it and no stopping in the middle. When in Alaska…..
We learned that most shops in the town pack up and lock up their businesses at the end of September. Some fly home to their other home in Florida whilst most just kick back, enjoy the snowy winter and frequent the Red Dog until April and the spring arrives.
backpackingwithwheels 