What time is it in Skagway?

Day 72 – Friday, August 23

We had a short 100 mile drive to Skagway today—crossed the border, back in the USA, and changed time again! Move clocks forward an hour one day and then back an hour the next…that makes it very confusing to try to remember what time zone you’re in, and really hard to remember what time it is!!

 

The drive along the Klondike Highway was a pretty one, but the clouds rolled in as we traveled.  At one time, we were high on a mountain, and inside the clouds…there was very limited visibility.  It was an eerie feeling. 

 

This area was in the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush, and we passed abandoned mines along the way. 

We crossed a suspension bridge over a gorge 180 ft below!

 

Just before we got to the border, we traveled a very steep winding road (8% grade down for 12 miles).   It was a bit scary with the limited visibility.  But, as we exited the clouds, the views were incredible—a waterfall along with a huge lake surrounded by mountains.

 

 

 

Skagway is the northernmost point on the Inside Passage in southeast Alaska. It is the oldest incorporated city in Alaska (incorporated in 1900).  It has a population of 968!  It is a year-round port, and there were two cruise ships in port when we came into town.  I think Joanne’s ship was here just a few days ago.  Too bad we weren’t able to connect.

The main industry in Skagway is tourism, and that is evident in the number of shops along the port area.  It is a quaint little area with a boardwalk and stores that line both sides of the street.  We had dinner at the Red Onion Saloon, an establishment from 1898 that was a former brothel!  Jim got a tshirt and they gave him a bag that said,  “I went shopping in the red light district”! 

We browsed shop after shop after shop— As you can see, Jim enjoyed it too!??

We are staying at the Mountainview RV Park in Skagway, just a few walkable blocks north of the downtown.  We are right next to the tracks for the White Pass & Yukon Railroad, and  as our group parked, I’m sure the train passengers wondered if we were going to join them on the train! 

 

We are headed on an all day cruise to Juneau tomorrow.  (No internet here so posts will be late.)  Also, no tv, so no Bristol. 

PS.  Some of our group saw the northern lights last night from our campground in Whitehorse!  I am really mad they didn’t get me up…because I stayed up til midnight and then got up several times looking for the lights, and missed them. Darn!  The next time someone sees them, we agreed an airhorn is in order!