Alaskan Cruise, Juneau

Our first port was Juneau. Like most of our trip, it was overcast and rainy. Juneau averages over 50 inches of rain a year, while other parts of the panhandle (the only part of Alaska we visited) get over 275 inches a year!

As our ship pulled into port, along the thickly wooded hills, there were several bald eagles. They were easy to spot with their bright white heads.

Being on a cruise, you don't have a lot of time to discover the cities you stop at. We pretty much only got to choose one shore excursion or else wander around a bit. In Juneau we took a bus out to Mendenhall Glacier National Park. We walked out to the glacier and did not get to see it in action (nothing broke off, as I was really hoping).


Then we took a hike through the Tongass National Forest. It was beautiful.
We took the bus back and were back in time for a fabulous dinner. The nice benefits of a cruise!