Juneau, Capital Of Alaska (June 19th)
Welcome to Juneau, the capital city of Alaska. Juneau is located in the Panhandle of Southeast Alaska, 900 air miles north of Seattle and 600 air miles southeast of Anchorage. The current population of Juneau is 30,903. The economy is based on government, tourism, mining, and fishing. Juneau is one of the most beautiful state capitals in the nation. We walked around for quite a while and then off the Juneau Taku Lodge for some fresh salmon out of the rivers. When we got back from the flight, we took the Mount Roberts Tramway to see the city from the top of the local mountain!
Aerial shot of Juneau (Googlemaps)
Arrival And Walking The City
The Veendam was also in port
Our ride
In fact... Our cabin
Walking off the ship
Zack found a friend
Red Dog Saloon
The Red Dog Saloon is a drinking establishment in Juneau, Alaska, U.S. The Red Dog has been recognized by the Alaska Legislature for its longevity as the oldest man-made tourist attraction in Juneau. Founded during Juneau's mining era, the Saloon has been in operation for decades. For a time, "Ragtime Hattie" played the piano in white gloves and a silver dollar halter top. Later, in territorial days, the owners would often meet the tour boats at the docks with a mule that wore a sign saying, "follow my ass to the Red Dog Saloon."
"Flightseeing" To Taku Lodge For Really Fresh Fish (June 19th)
Did You Know? - The Taku Lodge was built in the 20s by a wealthy individual.... Over the years it was transferred several times and now owned by a local pilot. We had fresh (underline fresh) fish and home-style cookin'.
Across the bas was the "Hole In The Wall" Glacier... walking paths all around! Wow!! Wings of Alaska was set up in 1984, to fly tourists, many of them who were to visit Alaska for very short periods of time, on flightseeing tours and also, to destinations across the airline's route map.
Having only small airplanes and not jetliners, Wings of Alaska clients could benefit from the airline's lower fares when compared to other airlines that flew the same routes.
Taku Lodge circa 1821!
In the late 1990s, Wings of Alaska signed a contract with the Taku Glacier Lodge to provide flights from Juneau to the lodge and land on the river adjacent to the lodge.
Off We Go Into The Wild Blue Yonder
Last look at our ship.... Dang Zachary, you left the lights on in the cabin
Glaciers everywhere
Headphones required
Salmon bake was fantastic
The plane was built years ago today. It was 42 years old when we flew it.
Grandma says "Coooooold"
We Arrive At The Lodge
Guess who came to dinner???
Yum... Freshly caught
Time for a stroll
Did anyone say mosquitos???
Lunch time anyone???
The Flight Back To Juneau
The Twin Otter
When de Havilland Canada began design work on the King Beaver (the Otter's original name) in January 1951, it was trying to extend the company's line of rugged STOL utility transports that had begun with the earlier and highly successful Beaver. The single ngined, high wing, propeller-driven DHC-3 Otter was conceived to be capable of performing the same roles as the Beaver, but was considerably larger, the veritable "one-ton truck" (in company parlance- the Beaver was the "half-ton truck").
Using the same overall configuration of the earlier and highly successful DHC2 Beaver, the new design incorporated a longer fuselage, greater span wings and was much heavier. Seating in the main cabin is for 10 or 11, whereas the Beaver could seat six. Power is supplied by a 450kW (600 hp) Pratt & Whitney R1340 Wasp radial. Like the Beaver, the Otter can be fitted with skis and floats. The amphibious floatplane Otter features a unique four unit retractable undercarriage, with the wheels retracting into the floats. The Otter served as the basis for the very successful Twin Otter which featured two wing mounted Pratt and Whitney PT-6 turboprops.
Before Going Back To The Ship We Saw Juneau From The Top Of Mount Roberts
The Mount Roberts Tramway is an aerial tramway just south of Juneau in the U.S. state of Alaska. In operation since 1996, it makes a six-minute ascent of 3,819-foot (1,164 m) Mount Roberts from the cruise ship docks to a height of about 1,800 feet (550 m), making it one of the most vertical tramways in the world. A restaurant, theater, nature center, and retail shops are located at the top of the tramway, as well as connections to trails leading from sea level to the summit.
The tramway was conceived by John Heiser in 1994. Heiser put together a team (Heiser, Bruce Booher, Marc Bond, Kevin Branson, and Ron Greisen) which formed Mount Roberts Development Corporation (MRDC). MRDC designed the facility, acquired the necessary land and rights-of-way, and obtained permits. MRDC then partnered with Goldbelt, Inc., the Alaska Native urban corporation, to finance, construct and operate the venture. MRDC managed the partnership and oversaw construction of the tramway by POMA of America and the top and bottom stations. The tram opened for limited operation in September of 1996, and the grand opening was held in May of 1997. MRDC sold its partnership interest to Goldbelt in the spring of 1998.
The Mount Roberts Tramway is one of Southeast Alaska's most popular tourist attractions, with around 200,000 visitors each summer.
