It is possible we're back up and running. Cross your limp noodles....
Of course, tomorrow morning I leave for an extended vacation, my first in at least 7 years. Seattle, and U.S. Customs allowing, a cruise to Alaska as part of my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary celebration. If I can, I'll post photos from the trip. Otherwise, feel free to visit the vast archives of B12, or the numerous quality webzines linked to in my blogroll.
Juneau, Alaska Located at the foot of grand mountain peaks on the Gastineau Channel, the town of Juneau has the massive Mendenhall Glacier and the immense Juneau Icefields at its back door. Juneau is the place to let your imagination run wild. Explore the lush Tongass National Forest. Visit the rustic shops in town. Or get out and kayak, dogsled, raft, hike, whale watch, flightsee or fish. There’s no end to the adventure because of the long daylight hours. Climb aboard the Mt. Roberts Tramway for a great spot to hike and shoot a souvenir photo.
Frederick Sound Frederick Sound, part of the Inside Passage of Alaska, is in the Alexander Archipelago and separates Kupreanof Island to the south from Admiralty Island in the north. Surrounded by breathtaking snowy peaks, it was named for Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany in 1794 and is home to a large population of humpback whales, sea lions and migratory seabirds. Admiralty Island is home to the highest concentration of brown bears in the world and the traditional native village of Angoon, the island's only permanent settlement. The Tlingít who live here are native Alaskans, and their culture places a strong emphasis on family and kinship.
Tracy Arm, Alaska, Usa This narrow, 26-mile-long fjord is another of Alaska's most dramatic glacier settings. The lush rain forest recedes to reveal a stunning canyon of bare rock. The panorama of 7,000-foot mountain peaks and nearly vertical rock cliffs is astounding. Waterfalls appear at every turn. Icebergs make their way to the sea in all sorts of wondrous shapes. And tucked away at the end of this remarkable waterway are two very active reminders of the Ice Age - the twin Sawyer Glaciers, calving icebergs into the jade-colored inland sea. Kittiwakes, mountain goats and seals are a common sight. Whales and bears may even make an appearance in this magical place.
Sitka, Alaska The onion domes of St. Michael’s Cathedral are your first clue that Sitka was once a Russian settlement – the colonial headquarters of Count Baranof, no less. Discover the echoes of its heyday at a performance by the New Archangel Dancers. Be greeted by Tlingit native people, then stand on the spot where the United States took possession of Alaska in 1867 for $7.2 million, less than two cents per acre. The dramatic setting in the shadow of Mt. Edgecumbe is one of the lovliest in the Great Land. Take a stroll through old growth forest in Sitka National Historical Park, shop the downtown district, and poke around the Sheldon Jackson Museum for a close-up look at some of the city's most prized arts, crafts and Russian relics.
Ketchikan, Alaska Built out over the water and climbing weathered stairways, Ketchikan clings to the shores of Tongass Narrows and drapes the mountains with a cheerful air. Besides the main attractions - Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Village, try a flightseeing trip to breathtaking Misty Fjords National Monument--a transformational adventure not to be missed. These deep water fjords left by retreating glaciers left granite cliffs towering thousands of feet above the sea and countless waterfalls cascading into placid waters. The souvenir photos you'll take from the pontoons of the plane are worth the trip alone.
Victoria, B.C. A touch of England awaits: afternoon tea, double-decker buses, the famed Butchart Gardens – a brilliant tapestry of color spread across 50 blooming acres. Sample shore excursions: A Taste of Victoria: City Lights with Wine & Chocolate; Ale Trail & Pub TourCheers! and a hearty thank you to the patient engineers at pair networks who assisted moving nearly 4,000 entries to their new home (and thanks to dori smith for the suggestion. I trust they give her the referral fee they promised).
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