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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> United States >> Alaska Cruise on the Island Princess (June 2011) >> Juneau, Alaska, Mendhall Glacier and Whale Watch (June 2011) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Juneau, Alaska, Mendhall Glacier and Whale Watch (June 2011)

Alaska’s capital, Juneau, was named after Joe Juneau, who in 1880, with fellow prospector Richard Harris, was guided by Tlingit Chief Kowee to the mouth of Gold Creek where they discovered gold, starting the state’s first major gold strike. Gold mining was the cause of Juneau’s early growth, and in 1906, Juneau became Alaska's capital. Today, Juneau is a popular tourist destination of about 31,000 citizens. It is the only U.S. state capital which borders a foreign country (Canada) and which is not accessible by road. One of Juneau’s most popular tourist destinations is the Tongass National Park where the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier is located. The park abounds in islands, trees and lots of rain as well as its spectacular wildlife. It is unsurpassed in its beauty and scenery. Juneau is also renowned for its numerous whales. The best time to whale watch is from April to November, when abundant humpbacks and orcas inhabit its waters. Juneau is a gem along Alaska’s Inside Passage not to be missed.
Juneau Alaska Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watch cover page.
Juneau Alaska Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watch cover page.		 Map showing the cruise route with the star indicating Juneau.
Map showing the cruise route with the star indicating Juneau.		 The Island Princess as seen from the Juneau shoreline.
The Island Princess as seen from the Juneau shoreline.		 Close-up of the Island Princess logo on the ship.
Close-up of the Island Princess logo on the ship.
The Mt. Roberts Tramway terminal in Juneau.
The Mt. Roberts Tramway terminal in Juneau.		 A tramway car ready to be boarded by passengers in the terminal.
A tramway car ready to be boarded by passengers in the terminal.		 I mailed my postcards from this U.S. Postal Service truck in front of the terminal.
I mailed my postcards from this U.S. Postal Service truck in front of the terminal.		 Whale watching and glacier tours that were available in Juneau.
Whale watching and glacier tours that were available in Juneau.
Gelato ice cream for sale.
Gelato ice cream for sale.		 Franklin Street, where the cruise ship docks are, with the Alaska Shirt Company in the background.
Franklin Street, where the cruise ship docks are, with the Alaska Shirt Company in the background.		 As you can see from the wet pavement, it was raining that day.
As you can see from the wet pavement, it was raining that day.		 More Franklin Street views.
More Franklin Street views.
Fur Factory store window.
Fur Factory store window.		 Another of the many fur stores in Juneau.
Another of the many fur stores in Juneau.		 There are also many jewelry stores there. Note the beautiful Alaska tapestry.
There are also many jewelry stores there. Note the beautiful Alaska tapestry.		 More shops further along Franklin Street.
More shops further along Franklin Street.
Interesting Northwest Indian design decorating a Juneau parking garage.
Interesting Northwest Indian design decorating a Juneau parking garage.		 The Red Dog Saloon is Juneau's most famous drinking establishment. It was founded during the mining era.
The Red Dog Saloon is Juneau's most famous drinking establishment. It was founded during the mining era.		 It was there that Ragtime Hattie played the piano in white gloves and a silver dollar halter-top.
It was there that "Ragtime Hattie" played the piano in white gloves and a silver dollar halter-top.		 In olden days, the owners met tour boats at the docks with a mule wearing a sign saying, follow my ass to the Red Dog Saloon.
In olden days, the owners met tour boats at the docks with a mule wearing a sign saying, "follow my ass to the Red Dog Saloon."
More Franklin Street stores beyond the Red Dog Saloon.
More Franklin Street stores beyond the Red Dog Saloon.		 Hickory's Trading Store is a popular tourist shopping spot.
Hickory's Trading Store is a popular tourist shopping spot.		 Many gifts, jewelry and souvenirs are for sale, there.
Many gifts, jewelry and souvenirs are for sale, there.		 Window display for the Alaskan Brewing Company.
Window display for the Alaskan Brewing Company.
They sell local Alaskan beer.
They sell local Alaskan beer.		 A Juneau fly-fishing store.
A Juneau fly-fishing store.		 Sign for the local Alaskan Hotel.
Sign for the local Alaskan Hotel.		 Cold weather clothes for sale at the Midnight Sun.
Cold weather clothes for sale at the Midnight Sun.
Many beautiful tapestries decorate the lamp posts in Juneau, such as this one with cruise ships.
Many beautiful tapestries decorate the lamp posts in Juneau, such as this one with cruise ships.		 All the tapestries have an Alaskan theme. This one has a whale theme.
All the tapestries have an Alaskan theme. This one has a whale theme.		 Tapestry depicting Alaskan miners.
Tapestry depicting Alaskan miners.		 Another popular tourist stop is the Mt. Juneau Trading Post.
Another popular tourist stop is the Mt. Juneau Trading Post.
Native artifacts and Indian craftwork can be purchased there.
Native artifacts and Indian craftwork can be purchased there.		 The Alaskan Liquor Cache. Drinking is a popular pastime during those short winter days and long nights.
The Alaskan Liquor Cache. Drinking is a popular pastime during those short winter days and long nights.		 Sign for the Mendenhall Glacier located in Tongass National Park outside of Juneau.
Sign for the Mendenhall Glacier located in Tongass National Park outside of Juneau.		 The cloudy, wet weather was ideal for glacier viewing since it is more visible than in the sun.
The cloudy, wet weather was ideal for glacier viewing since it is more visible than in the sun.
In recent years, the Mendenhall Glacier has retreated due to global warming.
In recent years, the Mendenhall Glacier has retreated due to global warming.		 Note the blue tint of the glacial ice.
Note the blue tint of the glacial ice.		 The ice is blue due to an oxygen and hydrogen bond in water, which absorbs light in the visible spectrum.
The ice is blue due to an oxygen and hydrogen bond in water, which absorbs light in the visible spectrum.		 Blue is the only color that reflects off the glacial ice.
Blue is the only color that reflects off the glacial ice.
The blue tint is especially visible in these icebergs, which calved off of the glacier.
The blue tint is especially visible in these icebergs, which calved off of the glacier.		 A nearby stream from melting winter snow and glacial ice.
A nearby stream from melting winter snow and glacial ice.		 Mendenhall Glacier observation deck and visitor center on the rocks above.
Mendenhall Glacier observation deck and visitor center on the rocks above.		 A scale model of the Mendenhall Glacier at the visitor center.
A scale model of the Mendenhall Glacier at the visitor center.
Our next stop was the waters of Stephens Passage where we had a rare sighting of these orca whales on a whale watch.
Our next stop was the waters of Stephens Passage where we had a rare sighting of these orca whales on a whale watch.		 Orca whales are also known as killer whales, which is a misnomer since they are not harmful to people.
Orca whales are also known as killer whales, which is a misnomer since they are not harmful to people.		 Another boat in Stephens Passage.
Another boat in Stephens Passage.		 Wake from our jet-powered catamaran with another boat in the distance.
Wake from our jet-powered catamaran with another boat in the distance.
This tourist boat was also on a whale watch.
This tourist boat was also on a whale watch.		 Sea lions taking a nap on this buoy in Stephens Passage.
Sea lions taking a nap on this buoy in Stephens Passage.		 Close-up of the sea lions. They are among the many species that populate Alaska's Inside Passage.
Close-up of the sea lions. They are among the many species that populate Alaska's Inside Passage.		 Beside this boat is a humpback whale.
Beside this boat is a humpback whale.
These magnificent mammals spend the summer in the nutrient-rich Alaskan waters before heading to Hawaii to mate and give birth.
These magnificent mammals spend the summer in the nutrient-rich Alaskan waters before heading to Hawaii to mate and give birth.		 Humpbacks have a breathing cycle that typically lasts from four to six minutes.
Humpbacks have a breathing cycle that typically lasts from four to six minutes.		 The humpback is starting to make his dive.
The humpback is starting to make his dive.		 He is showing his massive tail flukes.
He is showing his massive tail flukes.
The humpback is about to disappear into the depths to feed on krill and small schooling fish.
The humpback is about to disappear into the depths to feed on krill and small schooling fish.		 Whales are so prevalent in Stephens Passage, that the tour offers a $100 refund if you don't spot one on the whale watch!
Whales are so prevalent in Stephens Passage, that the tour offers a $100 refund if you don't spot one on the whale watch!		 According to the tour company, whales have been spotted on every one of their tours for the past fourteen years!
According to the tour company, whales have been spotted on every one of their tours for the past fourteen years!		 From this wake, it is obvious that our jet-powered catamaran was moving very fast.
From this wake, it is obvious that our jet-powered catamaran was moving very fast.
The boat stopped at the Orca Point Lodge for a dinner stop.
The boat stopped at the Orca Point Lodge for a dinner stop.		 View of the Orca Point Lodge from the dock.
View of the Orca Point Lodge from the dock.		 The catamaran as seen from the dock as we disembarked.
The catamaran as seen from the dock as we disembarked.		 Sign for the Orca Point Lodge with a hanging basket.
Sign for the Orca Point Lodge with a hanging basket.
The chef was grilling some fresh salmon steaks caught in Stephens Passage.
The chef was grilling some fresh salmon steaks caught in Stephens Passage.		 The steaks were a brilliant orange color.
The steaks were a brilliant orange color.		 The dining room in the lodge. The salmon steaks were excellent, as was the rest of the food.
The dining room in the lodge. The salmon steaks were excellent, as was the rest of the food.		 View of the catamaran from the Orca Point Lodge.
View of the catamaran from the Orca Point Lodge.
After we set sail again from the lodge, we could see the Mendenhall Glacier from Stephens Passage.
After we set sail again from the lodge, we could see the Mendenhall Glacier from Stephens Passage.		 View as we were getting closer to it.
View as we were getting closer to it.		 Close-up of the Mendenhall Glacier from our whale-watch cruise.
Close-up of the Mendenhall Glacier from our whale-watch cruise.		 A final view of a snow-capped mountain and clouds as our whale watch came to an end.
A final view of a snow-capped mountain and clouds as our whale watch came to an end.

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