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Subject:
Alaska...Here I Come!!
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Buster
Joined: 10/16/06
Outdoorzy Explorer
Nashville, TN
Posts: 25
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Posted: 12/27/07 8:30pm |
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The last time I posted a forum, it was about honeymooning in Wyoming and Montana. Well, the fiance decided she was not 100% sure about that trip. We made a deal earlier that if she didn't like or want to try my trip, she would have to be help plan the new honeymoon. While watching the travel channel sometime this week, Andrea was watching a program on Alaska. After a little research on the internet, which I invented, Andrea found an Alaskan cruise by Royal Caribbean that departs out of Seattle. I have two free flights with Southwest Airlines, so getting to Seattle is free and we are going to use my Marriott Rewards Points for two free nights stay. We will have a free evening before and after the cruise. The Ports of Call for the cruise are: Juneau, AK, Skagway, AK, and Prince Rupert, British Columbia.
For all of those in Seattle, where would be the place to go for the evening near the piers and downtown?
For anyone who has been or lived in Juneau, AK, what what would you recommend to see or absolute not miss?
For anyone who has been or lived in Skagway, AK, what would you recommend to see or absolute not miss?
For anyone who has been or lived in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, what would you recommend to see or absolute not miss?
We are planning on a few excursions, but any additional information would be great. I am trying to line up a half day fly fishing trip while Andrea is at the spa. So if there are any fly fisherman out there in these areas, if you could feel me in on some good information, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
Buster
Buster
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joshuatheNomad
Joined: 10/05/06
Outdoorzy Adventurer
Skagway, AK
Posts: 121
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Posted: 12/27/07 10:16pm |
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Buster, depending on when this happens, don't fish for the spawning salmon, they're rotting.
In Skagway you have a few options [I lived there all summer]. There are plenty of guide companies there that would love to take your money to walk out a trail and tell you some good info about the area and a lot of bad jokes. If you're not into being guided, do it yourself. Honestly, I think you'd have a better, quieter more peaceful time of not being with a guided group. Hike the trail to the Laughton Glacier, it's very easy/straight forward though if it's a May or early June trip their may still be some snow. If in early or mid June I doubt there will be enough to warrant snowshoes but ask before you go. There'll be guides going up there every day, just ask them if the trail is clear of snow. It's a forest service maintained [and many volunteer hours by Packer Expeditions-company I guided for] trail so it's basically a gravel footpath. Take binoculars and a good camera, the area is amazing. For a great meal you have three options; if you want the lowest priced place and best damn greasy spoon in your life [and best fries in town BY FAR] go to Nate's Grille on Fifth and Broadway, tell him Josh Roe the Packer Guide sent you in. Or, if you dig Thai food and a higher price, go to the Starfire on Fourth between Broadway and Spring St [toward the east side of town]. Amazing authentic Thai, I lived in the small house behind the hardware shop and before 'the Barracks' which is the building before Starfire. If you want to go all out and have an amazing meal with fish as the main dish go to the Stowaway which sits next to the Fish Co. on the far eastern side of town where the ships dock. Avoid the Fish Co. for just a little more cost next door, you get far superior food and service. The Jamaican Jerk Halibut with veggies and rice is exquisite. Another small tip, avoid Broadway, it's all a tourist trap, unless you dig that scene. Though, there's really not much else in town. Go to the Mountain Shop on 4th and Broadway and tell Molly that Josh Roe recommended the place. Or if Shawn or Rob are working tell them, otherwise, they might hire newbies in the coming season that I don't know. If you find Rob or Shawn invite them to have a beer somewhere and you're sure to find a 'locals' hotspot. Well, I could go on and on but if you want more pm me or just let me know on this thread...also, i can find info on Juneau or put you in touch with people from there if you want.
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Buster
Joined: 10/16/06
Outdoorzy Explorer
Nashville, TN
Posts: 25
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Posted: 12/28/07 9:47am |
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Thanks for the GREAT information. We are tentatively planning on the August 1 cruise, so I am not sure about snow. Skagway is our second port of call and we have from 8 AM until 5 or 5:30 PM to do what ever. I think we are going to try a helicopter or floatplane flightseeing trip but that is only a 3 or 4 hours, so we should have some time for lunch someplace.
I have to admit, I do like some of the tourist stuff. However,for me, it usually involves fly shops and outdoor stores, so your recommendation sounds good to me. I bought a 2 Gigabyte flash card for my digital SLR the other day, plus I already have a 1 Gigabyte card. I put the new card in the camera and I can store about 1200 good quality photos, so I should have plenty of camera. I guess with trip like this, I better do a Trip Report.
Anyway, thanks for the great information. I will be sure to pass this along to Andrea.
Buster
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endercore
Joined: 02/18/07
Outdoorzy Adventurer
Lexington, KY
Posts: 141
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Posted: 12/28/07 11:17am |
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Quote:
. I guess with trip like this, I better do a Trip Report.
for sure dude, i'd love to see your pictures.... i've always wanted to go to alaska in the summer.
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joshuatheNomad
Joined: 10/05/06
Outdoorzy Adventurer
Skagway, AK
Posts: 121
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Posted: 12/28/07 8:52pm |
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BTW, i have a few of my better pictures posted on my profile if you want to have a look. also, i can email others to you if you want.
A word of caution on the helicopter and floatplane tours; remember that the area you'll be in is a coastal temperate rainforest-think heavy, regular cloud cover and rainy. If you're going to take one or the other i suggest the flight with Temsco Helicopters. You get more viewing area and it's just more enjoyable. The plane is nice but in my book doesn't compare to the heli. You could also have them drop you at the Laughton Glacier trailhead if they have space on one of those flights in the early AM then catch the noonish-time train back to town and that way you'd get the flight, hike and tourist stuff in town all in a packed day. Or, even take the flight then get back in town, do the tourist thing and then hike 1/2 mile uphill to Lower Dewey Lake [on the east side of town]. This is an easy and very serene hike that you'll often find just a few locals walking they're dogs around. There's a nice trailhead sign and box with free maps just across the tracks. Just find 4th Ave going in to town and take a right, dodge through the buildings, cross the foot bridge over the creek [Pullen Creek, i think] and you'll see the trailhead and signboard. Feel free to ask if you want more detail on anything in town. Also, I might ask you to do me a small favor while in town there if I'm not back up there working for some reason...we'll wait closer to that time to discuss.
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Matara
Joined: 06/08/07
Outdoorzy Explorer
Fort St. John, BC
Posts: 12
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Posted: 12/30/07 12:56am |
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Although I haven't taken the cruise, if you are stopping in Prince Rupert, and if you have a day there, I would suggest you go see the Kermode Bears. They are a rare form of black bear (but white) and the only place in the world you can see them is in the Prince Rupert/Terrace area. If you do a google search try "spirit bears" which is a nickname for them.
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Wade
Joined: 07/23/06
Outdoorzy Original
Bowling Green, KY
Posts: 824
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Posted: 12/31/07 12:56pm |
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We were in Seattle last year and ate at Anthony's on the Pier. (pier 66). Good food, and you can get seating either outside, or if its not nice they have huge windows to look out on the water.
What an awesome trip you're planning!
I'm a lover, not a racer... --Wade
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Kerpal
Joined: 01/29/08
Outdoorzy Explorer
Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 11
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