Next stop, Juneau, the capital city of Alaska.
Welcome to Juneau. Photo by C. Rickrode 2014.
We wandered leisurely along the water’s edge into town, again marveling at the magnificent warm weather and brilliant sunshine. We’d been warned that the weather in Alaska in September can be really wet. As we’d lucked out with amazing weather in Ketchikan, we’d lucked out again in Juneau.
Juneau, Alaska. Photo by P. Rickrode 2014.
Historic Juneau, Alaska. Photo by P. Rickrode 2014.
After a couple hours of exploring, we ventured back into the rain forest for a morning zipping through the trees and walking across swinging suspension bridges high over narrow, deep canyons. It was thrilling if not a wee bit scary.
C. Rickrode ready to zipline. Photo by P. Rickrode 2014.
C. Rickrode. Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Expedition. Juneau, Alaska. Photo by P. Rickrode 2014.
Here is a very short, and I mean very short, video of my husband taking his practice run.
Later we boarded the tram and ascended 1,800 feet up the steep slope of Mount Roberts for an afternoon hiking in the fresh air.
Mount Roberts Tram – Juneau, Alaska. Photo by P. Rickrode 2014.
P. Rickrode at the top of the Mount Roberts Tramway. Photo by C. Rickrode 2014.
The Star Princess from atop Mount Roberts – Juneau, Alaska. Photo by P. Rickrode 2014.
Gastineau Channel – Juneau, Alaska. Photo by P. Rickrode 2014.
View of Inside Passage from atop Mount Roberts. Photo by P. Rickrode 2014.
P. Rickrode on the nature trail on Mount Roberts. Photo by C. Rickrode 2014.
Late blooming flowers on Mount Roberts. Photo by P. Rickrode 2014.
With so much yet to do and see, we were dismayed that the time had come for us to return to ship. On our return walk along the wharf, we spotted several eagles, but I was not able to get a good picture. Still no bears. Maybe tomorrow in Skagway.
The Star Princess docked at Juneau, Alaska. Photo by P. Rickrode 2014
Have you seen our majestic national bird in the wild? Have you come across some late-blooming wild flowers? What surprises have delighted you this early part of autumn?
Word of the day: Isallobar
Fun fact about me: I love tomato soup, ketchup, tomato sauce, and tomatoes but I hate tomato juice.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, September 2014. Original photos and video by P. Rickrode and C. Rickrode.
jansenschmidt 
More gorgeous photos! Thanks for sharing them. And so glad to see you went zip lining! I did in Puerto Rico. Scary but what a rush!
LikeLike
Hey Jennette – thanks for taking the virtual vacation. Yes, ziplining was a blast. A little scary at first, until I got the hang of braking. I so want to do it again.
Have a great week!
Patricia
LikeLike
I’m so glad you had fun zip-lining, Patricia? I know you were looking forward to it. 🙂 The eagles amazed me when I was in Alaska. Before we had even left the first port, my mom and I stood on the balcony and watched dozens of those white heads soaring through the air. I was shocked to see so many in one place at one time. Absolutely breathtaking!
LikeLike
Yeah, the eagles were pretty cool. And I did see a bunch of whales one night and a couple of Dahl’s porpoise, but other than that, not much wildlife except for a few seals. Kind of disappointing. But still, a truly amazing trip.
Thanks for stopping by today, Jessica. Have a great week.
Patricia
LikeLike
A day of ziplining and hiking sounds like a blast! I’m a sucker for thrill rides – ziplining and bungee jumping are both on my to-do list. And tomatoes? Ick. In all forms except salsa and spaghetti sauce.
LikeLike
Thrill rides are the best. Ziplining was a blast, once I got used the feeling of floating. Pretty cool.
Salsa and spaghetti sauce are two of my favorite tomato by-products.
Have a great week, Coleen!
Patricia
LikeLike
Great pics! You were right, that was a quick zipline video–no time for screaming. 😉
My hub is fascinated with eagles, but every time he’s tried to take a photo, it never turns out.
I did not understand the definition of Isallobar. One of my son’s interests is meteorology, maybe i will impress him with knowing this word?
Hope you’re having a great week!
LikeLike
Hi Coleen and thanks for appreciating the pictures. I managed to get 3 pictures of eagles (not in captivity), none of which were worth sharing.
Yeah, that first zipline – the training line – was noy even long enough to know you were ziplining. They got longer – a lot longer – and way farther off the ground as we went along. I was never able to get another opportunity to take another video. I was too busy hugging the trees on those minuscule platforms as the others were zipping. We were a very long ways off the ground and the trees swayed as people jumped off the platforms on their way down the lines. That was the scary part for me. That and actually stepping off the platform. Those steps – or rather leaps of faith – were a little intimidating. But the actual zipping was a blast.
I hope your son can understand and appreciate Isallobar. I’m sure he’ll be overwhelmed at your use of the word even though you’ll have no idea what you’re saying.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Patricia
LikeLike
Good for you and your leaps of faith!
LikeLike
It was fun, Pat.
Patricia
LikeLike