The Towns
Ketchikan
Ketchikan is home to several radio broadcast stations, which share this antenna support tower.
This is the first port one encounters when approaching Alaska from the south.
Rain often falls here; we were met by a light drizzle that stopped soon after our arrival.
Ketchikan International Airport.
Ketchikan International Airport.
Everyone in town knows when a cruise ship is in port.
We look back toward Ketchikan as we continue through Alaska’s Inland Passage.
Haines
The night before we reach Haines includes this spectacular view.
Another cruise ship’s lights can be seen at the left.
Our ship approaches the Haines dock.
The docking process is nearly completed.
Our home away from home is almost always within our view.
The town of Haines at a distance.
We visit the Hammer Museum. This is an “electric” hammer, complete with an on-off switch.
For driving large nails in white oak or hard maple.
Sure, why not. Swing it in an arc to the left.
This is one I can believe. (Most hammers on display in the museum are authentic.)
The Veendam waits patiently for our return.
A Morse Code key sits on a bed of rice in the original Haines telegraph office.
Bald eagles and ravens go after a fish carcass.
Juneau
The State Capitol Building in Juneau. Boy, howdy!
A Russian Orthodox church remains active.
As one might expect, Juneau is large and busy.
The Norwegian Pearl of the Norwegian Cruise Line is anchored off Juneau.
This is a busy harbor. Including the Veendam, six cruise ships are here on this day.
We leave Juneau in our wake as we head for Sitka.
Here are scenes between the two towns.
Another cruise ship follows.
A fishing boat crew goes about its business.
The sea remains calm. We are having a wonderful trip.
Sitka
We arrive at Sitka, which has no docks.
Tenders transport passengers to and from shore.
Dixie and I enjoy the spectacular view.
Another group of passengers returns from shore.
We depart Sitka on our way to Seward.
10:30 p.m., the end of another perfect day.
Seward
Water trickles along the route to Seward.
Kenji Fjords National Park can be seen in our “Glaciers” section.
Skagway
Skagway was a rough-and-tumble town where gold was never discovered. However, copper was present, and became an important industry. As a result, a copper ore-processing plant was constructed, which can be seen in the photo immediately below. Although no longer in use, the building and loading chute still stand. According to a tour guide, as the state’s largest copper plant, this facility became known as the biggest ore house in Alaska.
Frank Reid, whose plot can be seen here, is one of those who shot Soapy.
Another view of the biggest ore house in Alaska.
The Veendam awaits our return on the far side.
The harbor at Skagway.
BONUS PAGE: Visit Vancouver, British Columbia, from where our Alaskan cruise commenced.
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