July 13, 2016: Juneau, Alaska

A posting last night was just not going to happen, especially after the traditional 3 martinis consumed during the hour long officer's reception. It appears that there must be a note to file on me at these functions, it must be a 3 Martini requirement. Although very much appreciated and enjoyed it does not bode well for a blog update later in the evening, lol. We had a wonderful chat with our Cruise Director, Kelsey as well as had a reacquaintance with the Head of Housekeeping from our first Grand Voyage in 2009, Peter Jannsen. We also had a nice chat with the Hotel Director, Marc Spijkerbore. Thank you HAL for a wonderful reception. The rest of the night was a bit of a blur but I know I had a great time.

So the best way to cure a tough night is a hike of course with over 17,000 steps clocked at the time writing. I have heard about the trek you could make up Mt. Roberts here in Juneau so we ventured out this morning to find the trial head. Funny, our ship is docked right at the where the Cable Car goes up but in order to get top the trial head you must walk all the way through town, up 6th street and over a bit. About a half hour away from the ship. The hike itself is about 90 minutes up about 1800 vertical feet over very walkable terrain. A great day with a a great hike, plenty of trails up on top, a good restaurant, a good half hour film about the Tlingit people as they were first in this land as well as a very pleasant live musical show with a local family that we actually saw on a Grand Voyage a few years ago. Had a nice chat with the Father and Mother of this group to let them know how much we appreciated seen them on board and how much we enjoyed the DVD we were gifted on that cruise. Hiking up is a good way to go as it is free to come down on the tram as long as you spend $10 per person while on top - not a problem considering the restaurant, coffee shops and retail outlets up on top.

Juneau itself was founded on gold and the gold rush. In the late 19th century, a mining engineer, George Pilz offered a reward to any chief who could lead him to gold. The Tlingit chief, Kowee led him to a creek but we're disappointed when very little was found. Not deterred, Chief Kowee urged him back where he returned joined with two prospectors, Richard Harris and Joe Juneau. This time they discovered gold and lots of it and the course of history and face of Alaska changed forever. They set up a claim to this area, calling it Gold Creek. It went through a few name changes but in 1881 the gold miners voted to name it Juneau. 

This is also our third visit to Juneau, we have done two whale watching excursions here which were spectacular as well as two visits to the Mendenhall Glacier so this time we thought we would check out the mountain so close by. When we return next week we will revisit the Glacier on own own and spend some time there hiking around. Hope you enjoy tour pics from last night and our day today.