Skagway

Today was an early day. We arrived in Skagway early in the morning and we ate a great breakfast before we stood in line to board the train. We were taking a 3 1/2 hour train ride, all 8 of us, on the White Pass and Yukon Route. This town was the the gateway to the Klondike gold rush of 1898. This train ride climbed nearly 3,000 feet over 20 miles of steep grades to get to the White Pass Summit. Along the way we passed Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point, and Dead Horse Gulch. It was amazing to hear throughout this train ride all the stories of the thousands of men and animals that worked so hard to hike through this pass and many who did not come back alive. It was a beautiful, cold, train ride. One that will be forever remembered.

We had enough time when we got back to board the ship for lunch, and then get off again to head into town. We a GREAT little town this place is. Josh and I must have shopped for nearly 3 hours on our own. I am sure we went into most stores. This little town has less that 1,000 residents and "Broadway" takes you straight up the middle of town. It was a perfect way to end our sites in Alaska.

I had to show this picture. This is what we saw as we got off the ship. Apparently this graffiti was legal as some of these paintings were dated back to many, many years ago. Most ships were represented on this cliff with their name, date and captain. Some of the paintings weren't even complete yet, so I am sure it is always a work in progress.