Skagway

Friday June 8. Early in the morning we dock in Skagway. The sun has been up since 3:35 am and the weather is great for the home of the north wind.  This town of 900 residents began in 1887 with the first gold claim and is the northernmost town on the inside passage. The main street has been restored to the false fronted buildings and the boardwalk sidewalks of the late 1800’s.,




We board the  White Pass & Yukon Railroad that climbs from sea level in Skagway to almost 3,000 feet at the Summit in just 20 miles and features steep grades of almost 3.9%. The tight curves of the White Pass called for a narrow gauge railroad. The rails are three feet apart on a 10-foot-wide road bed which meant lower construction costs.


















Building the 110 miles of track was a challenge in every way. Construction required cliff hanging turns of 16 degrees, building two tunnels and numerous bridges and trestles. Work on the tunnel at Mile 16 took place in the dead of winter with heavy snow and temperatures as low as 60 below. The workers reached the Summit of White Pass 1899.




We get off the railroad after clearing Canadian customs and go by bus to the Yukon suspension bridge across the Tutshi River.  The river has wonderful white water.  We then head back down to Skagway re entering the USA. We stop at the Jewell Gardens for lunch and a tour. The land was originally farmed for rhubarb which was eaten to prevent the miners with developing scurvy. It was later developed into a wonderful botanical garden.

We are back to the ship for an early departure.  We have the last of our winemaker dinner by Cast wines. We head back to our stateroom as the sun is setting at 10:15 pm.