Day 31 – Skagway of the Present

Skagway was a bit of a surprise for us. The rich history of the port as being the main starting point for the Klondike Gold Rush, has always intrigued us. Pat’s grandparents both went through Skagway on their way to the Klondike. His grandfather toiled up the White Pass trail that was also called “Dead Horse Pass” whereas Pat’s grandmother went north a few years later and took the train to the Klondike.

The Skagway we encountered had the trappings of a turn of the century gold town, false front buildings, boardwalks, saloons, and stores. However, even as we arrived on the Alaskan State ferry, we could tell it was not a turn of the century port anymore. Three huge cruise ships were docked. (If you look carefully at the photo, you will see a commercial fishing boat dwarfed between them).

As we walked into town the first afternoon, the streets were crowded with people going this way and that. They walked in the street because the boardwalks were full. They crossed the street in front of cars without apparently noticing the vehicles. They went into stores and came out with bags full which they carried into the next store.






However, by 7 PM the streets were quiet and most of the shops had closed up for the day. Even the bar we had planned to visit was closed. Luckily, the restaurant was open, so we were still able to sample some local beer. But a bar closed at 7PM ?!? That was odd.

Back at our campsite which overlooked the port, the cruise ships left port one by one. A quiet peacefulness descended onto the little town as the evening shadows grew darker. (This photo was taken at 10:30 PM – This was the first night we saw evening stars since the day after we left home in June).

When we awoke the next morning, four new cruise ships were tied up at the docks and the next horde was arriving onshore. There seems to be a frenzied pace with these travelers. Maybe that does resemble the goldrush crush of humanity more than we thought at first. We aren’t sure that we would be good cruise voyagers, but we will give it a try someday.


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