Side trip to Skagway, Alaska

This definitely was a worthwhile side trip!

We started out around 11:00 AM under wonderfully sunny skies and about 45 minutes later stopped at the tiny town of Carcross, Yukon. Most of the residents are First Nation people (indigenous) and the visitor’s center suggested a pamphlet guided walking tour. They also loaned us the key to the Catholic Church for a self guided tour. It was very quaint with a beautiful stained glass window behind the altar. We wandered around the town and visited the general store for a freshly made waffle cone. Actually, it was the aroma of that waffle cone that drew me into the store.

We left Carcross and continued down Yukon route #2 which follows a valley and river between two spectacular mountain ranges. Nothing but miles and miles of miles and miles!!

As we were driving I remembered that Skagway was in Alaska and we would need our birth certificates to re-enter Canada. They were back in the 5^th wheel in Whitehorse! Since we were beyond the half way point we decided to check with Canadian customs before we left the country. The fellows at the check point gave us a good-natured hard time but said they would warn the guys on the next shift that a couple of Americans would be coming through without proper ID. So we continued into Alaska semi-assured that we would be able to get back into Canada.

It was a breeze getting into the USA (Alaska)… we just showed them our driver’s licenses and got two dog bones in return for Missy and Carson who were with us! Keeker, the cat was back at our Monty. A short drive later over a gravel road we arrived in Skagway. Did I mention that the sun had disappeared once again? So far no rain!

Skagway is my idea of a typical western town. It reminds me of what some of the ghost towns we’ve been in must have looked like before they became ghost towns. All the sidewalks are made of wooden planks and the buildings look like they were built in the 1800’s. So quaint! But the shops that fill those building contain very expensive merchandise….. diamonds, gold, silver and other expensive jewelry. Every other shop we walked into sold some kind of jewelry! It must be a “company” town, owned by all the cruise ships companies, in order to pry more money out of their passengers! The wooden sidewalks were filled with cruise passengers and it was so crowded that you almost had to step into the street to get past a crowd. But we persevered with charge card in hand. Jim allowed me a little time in the local quilt shop but unfortunately not enough time to buy anything!!!

Before we knew it, it was time to head back to Whitehorse. All went well at the Canadian customs. We showed our California driver’s licenses, explained our lack of birth certificates and we were on our way after we promised we weren’t bringing in any liquor, tobacco, or knives. The sun returned to accompany us on the ride back home and make for better picture taking.

Our WIFI connections have been so slow that to I haven’t been able upload any pictures. When I get a better connection I add some pictures. Bye, bye for now.