If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I’ve been sporadically sharing photos and stories from our cruise last year to the Panama Canal. Our first stop was Jamaica, then Curacao, followed by Aruba. Today, we’re continuing on from the ABC islands headed for Costa Rica. Finally reached the jungle I’ve been expecting. We spent the day at the 3,400-acre mountain reserve known as Veragua Rainforest, which is 100% rain forest and about 30 minutes away from Puerto Limon. Lots to see and do on this exciting excursion.
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.
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