Our last stop before returning to Seattle was Victoria, Canada. We had not planned to go ashore because we had visited this beautiful town before, and the cruise schedule provided little time there. Instead, we spent some time poolside, even though it was chilly. It was the first time to see the sun in several days.
Our next to last cruise stop was Ward Cove (Ketchikan). We had previously paid for a Tongass Rainforest Exhibition excursion out of Ward Cove. We didn’t know until arriving at Ward Cove that it is an old mill 14 miles outside of Ketchikan. Norwegian Cruise Line has converted the building into a cruise terminal shuttling people into Ketchikan or on excursions. Before serving as a cruise terminal, it was a pulp mill that operated from 1954 to 1997.
There were several shopping opportunities in the Mill at Ward Cove.
Many of the land excursions involved “hurry up and wait,” in this case, standing in the rain.
With hoods up and umbrellas, we headed on our trek into the Tongass Rainforest.
Banana Slugs and Rain, and More Rain
Tongass Rainforest Photos
As a naturalist and nature guide in Sabino Canyon, I found myself frequently critiquing our guide. He was not very engaging.
We spent a fun evening with the Latin Duo (Columbian) as we departed Juneau on May 30th. The next stop is Icy Strait Point.
The City and Borough of Juneau, more commonly known simply as Juneau (/ˈdʒuːnoʊ/ JOO-noh; Tlingit: Dzánti K’ihéeni Athabaskan pronunciation: [ˈtsʌ́ntʰɪ̀ kʼɪ̀ˈhíːnɪ̀]), is the capital city of the U.S. state of Alaska. Located in the Gastineau Channel and the Alaskan panhandle, it is a consolidated city-borough and the second-largest city in the United States by area. — Source: Wikipedia,
Downtown Juneau is nestled at the base of Mount Juneau and across the channel from Douglas Island. As of the 2020 census, the City and Borough had a population of 32,255, making it the third-most populous city in Alaska after Anchorage and Fairbanks. Juneau experiences a daily influx of roughly 6,000 people visiting cruise ships between the months of May and September.
The Red Dog Saloon
Originating during the heyday of Juneau’s glorious mining era, this world-famous saloon has provided hospitality and fellowship to weary travelers and local patrons alike.
Looking back at the Seattle Space Needle as we depart the pier (May 27, 2023).
Cruising To Sea Images
Dinner Table On Memorial Day
Located on 17 acres in Sitka, Alaska, the Alaska Raptor Center provides medical treatment to over 200 injured birds annually. Although we specialize in raptors, we will aid any needy wild bird. We strive to heal, rehabilitate and release all of our avian patients; however, some are injured too severely to fully recover and survive in the wild. These non-releasable birds may join our Raptors-in-Residence team, helping us teach the public and schoolchildren about the wonders of raptor natural history and the habitats in which they live!
It was not easy to take photos of the raptors in the flight rehab area since the viewing area had screening designed to not allow the bird to see visitors.
Alaska Raptor Center Video Clip
Shuttle Connections to Downtown and Excursions
While in Sitka, we had reservations for the Historic Park and the Raptor Center. On an island amid towering spruce and hemlock, Sitka National Historical Park preserves the site of a battle between invading Russian traders and indigenous Kiks.ádi Tlingit. Totem poles from the Tlingit and Haida areas line the park’s scenic coastal trail.
Photo Gallery
Since our visit to the park was on Memorial Day, no one was craving the poles.
Sitka Historical Park Video Clip
We headed to Reno for Day Two to spend the night at Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, another comped room.
The view from our room. Where are the people, you might ask? Well, it was a chilly afternoon and
there is a lovely indoor pool area where most people were.
Next stop Medford, Oregon.
Arizona Side of the Colorado River — HDR Image by kenne
Laughlin, Nevada Side of the Colorado River — HDR Image by kenne
Laughlin, Nevada Side of the Colorado River — Video Clip by kenne
Hummingbird Feeder Art by kenne
This curve-billed thrasher was one of two on the neighbor’s ocotillo plant that I videoed in the following clip. — kenne
— from Ocotillo by Tom Quigley
Broad-billed Hummingbird Video Clip Camera Setup, September 18, 2022
