The Gateway to the Klondike

This morning we docked in Skagway and we could disembark around 7:00am. We were up and in the Ocean Cafe by 6:30am. Thomas and I both had pancakes for breakfast. Thomas had coffee and I had coffee, orange juice and milk. Then we made our way to the gangway. Once on the dock we walked around just killing time until our excursion - White Pass Scenic Railway. We stopped and visited the Caboose on the Dock. We both got some coffee and I got a patch and some post cards. After that we found where we were to board the train and we picked a car and found seats. There were complimentary magazines for the train ride called All Aboard!, the magazine had lots of info about the train and skagway and we thumbed through it until the train left the station and started us on our journey. Our train ride took us 20 miles up to White Pass Summit at the Alaska/Canadian border. As we left the dock area we traveled by Skagway and at about 2 miles in we passed the Gold Rush Cemetery (which has the graves of outlaw Soapy Smith and town here Frank Reid). It also has the world's largest gold nugget. Rolling along we had incredible views all around us and at around mile 11 we had a great view of Bridal Veil Falls across the canyon - it was incredible. Not too far up the tracks (around mile 16) we crossed over a trestle that spans Glacier Gorge and the enters a tunnel. We arrived at White Pass Summit not too long after this and the train stopped at the border. We weren't allowed to get off the train, so we waited while the engines moved to the back of the train to start our journey back to Skagway. We were then instructed to flip the backs of our seats (so that we would be facing forward again) and we also crossed the aisle to give other people a chance for the views. The ride was incredible, beautiful scenery and a relaxing trip - it was a good way to start the day.

Once we were back in Skagway we left the train and decided to do a little letterboxing. We were near the intersections of 2nd, Congress and Spring and when I checked the clues to the letterboxes one started near here at the Dewey Lakes Trailhead. So we went in search of Holiday Inn HHH by Stinkerbell. We followed the trail a short distance and crossed a small bridge and then crossed over the railroad tracks. From here we began a gentle up hill climb for about two tenths of a mile to a group of boulders. The box was hidden here in a nook between the rocks. It was a quick and easy find. I stamped in to the box's logbook and got the box's stamp but I decided to leave the hitchhikers alone. Once the box was hidden we went back to the trailhead and headed for our next box. The box was Nature's Imperative by Yumgirl and was hidden at the Moore Homestead (which is part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park). So we walked to 5th and Spring and found the site. While we were reading the historical marker we noticed a group of people sitting on some benches under some trees and with a second look it dawned us that we knew these people. It was Doublesaj & Old Blue, Mark & Sue and TsukiAmes & Jei all stamping in to the box we were headed to. We joined them and stamped in and then I rehid the box. From here Doublesaj & Old Blue went into town while we joined Mark & Sue and TsukiAmes & Jei for two more boxes. The next one was Mordecai Moose placed a couple of years ago by some of our cruise companions - Grumpy Grinch. We walked to Mollie Walsh Park on 6th St. and easily found the box. We stamped in and then decided to get the shuttle to the next box - Soapy Smith's Skull by Shi eh ree at the Gold Rush Cemetery. But before we did that a couple of people went into the post office to get a box to mail some things home on our stop in Ketchikan. The shuttle dropped us at the corner of State St. and Alaska St. and then we walked the remaining distance to the cemetery. At the cemetery we headed up to find the box and on the way we met up with The Gamecock and Celtic Cat. They were heading back to town and Celtic Cat had just hidden a box and she gave us the clues. We found the Soapy Smith's Skull box and stamped in then rehid it and then we followed the clues Celtic Cat gave us to Alaska State Mammal: Moose. These clues took us to the base of Lower Reid Falls. After finding the box and stamping in we walked closer to the falls and took pictures before heading back to explore the cemetery. We found the graves of Soapy Smith and Frank Reid and took a few pictures before heading back to catch the shuttle - we needed to find the shuttle stop at the corner of 21st and State. On the walk to the shuttle we realized we probably needed to wrap things up and get back to the ship. So once back on the shuttle we took it to the Visitors Center at the corner of 2nd and Broadway. I wanted to get a some Passport Stamps for the Klondike National Historic Park (they had three). I also purchased the 1991 Stamp Series with the Klondike Gold Rush NHP Stamp. From here Thomas and I took the shuttle back to the dock and then walked the rest of the way to the ship and reboarded.

We went to the cabin to put our backpacks down and then we cleaned up a little before making our way to the forward elevators on Deck 9. The reason we were here was because Mark Pepe garnered us a visit to the ship's Bridge. Security met us and the escorted us into the Bridge where we met with the Captain and and Officer. We got to spend about 30 minutes getting a tour and instruction on how the ship was run. We also got to ask questions - it was a great experience and another special part of this trip - thanks Mark for getting this arranged. When we were done here I returned to my cabin to grab my letterboxing things and then went to our daily meeting. Here I got some more exchanges and personal travelers as well as more clues to boxes hidden on the ship. After the meeting it was time for a shower and to get dressed for dinner. Thomas and I met Deanne and Dave for dinner. Tonight I had escargot, caprese salad with roma tomatoes and braised beef short ribs and polenta while Thomas had a caesar salad, new york strip steak and apple tart. As usual I went letterboxing while Thomas went and read. Tonight I found two boxes in the Gamma Room, five in or near the Conservatory, two at Fortune's Casino, one at the AquaSpa, one in Words, one in the Emporium, two in the Arcade and one hanging on deniserows' door.

We had a very full day - a fantastic time in Skagway, a wonderful dinner with friends, a special tour of the Bridge, I found some terrific letterboxes and I did it all with my best friend - Thomas. Tomorrow we have a short day in Icy Strait Point and Hoonah.