Good morning, all! The day began as all days on this ship: heaping piles of breakfast. The ship docked in Skagway sometime in the night, so we were treated to beautiful views of the fjord and surrounding mountains at breakfast. Our excursion today was not until 11:20am, so we spent some time admiring the views from the rear deck and taking some silly family selfies.

 

This trip has really put Coach’s most beautiful places rankings on its heels. Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, the Tetons… All seem small to Alaska and we’re only seeing such a small part of the state. The vast stretches of undeveloped wilderness are a paradigm shift. Put Alaska on your bucket list. So very thankful LadyCoach’s parents invited us on this trip.

So we disembarked just before 11am and explored the dock area for a while. Gman carved a weapon with his new pocket knife and the rest of the kiddos threw rocks into the fjord. Then it was off for an Alaskan Experience.

 The sun was shining and it burned off the early morning clouds – leaving behind nothing but the bluest sky Coach had ever seen and setting the perfect scene for our morning hanging out at the Skagway Sled Dog Experience. We got to meet some racers and their dogs. The kiddos and ladies ate it up. We also got to meet lots of puppies. Kids love puppies. I mean L-O-V-E puppies.

 

We were also treated to a unique 40 below zero experience. 40 below is cold. Very cold. Hurt your skin cold. Several of the children in our party immediately broke into tears upon entering the room kept at this insane temperature. We were happy to leave and finish off our morning learning how to pan for gold. This tour experience was hokey, silly, and all-around touristy, yet we all managed to have a good time! PJ panned the most gold (Coach didn’t have nothing to do with that, oh no) – $16.00 worth and she got to keep it.

As we headed back into Skagway, Coach was hankering for bit more of an outdoor experience. Before we could go on a hike some of LadyCoach’s extended family motored on up the fjord from their home in Haines. We spent some time playing in a local spring-fed creek and chatting with the relatives. Then we headed off on a short hike to Yakutania Point. It was a blast! The blue sky, cool breezes, and tremendous views made for a euphoric family moment. PJ, Gman (our resident mountain goat), and Em were climbing and hiking all over the boulders surrounding the trail. After a short while we emerged out of the woods onto an outcropping of rocks and tide pools surrounded by water on three sides and 360 degrees of mountains.

It was postcard perfect. Beauty stretching out in every direction. PJ and Gman made LadyCoach nervous climbing and jumping all around the tall rocks – adventure time! Big smiles and great pics! The only sad part of the hike was our cousin J managed to hang upside down and then land on his head. Ouch!

 

We headed back to the ship so Coach and LadyCoach could celebrate their 14^th anniversary! The extended family graciously took the kiddos to dinner so LadyCoach and Coach could enjoy a private dinner in the super fancy dining room with great views. What a few years it has been – LadyCoach and Coach both agreed it has been our best year of marriage! The kiddos were dropped off in the kids’ area for activities and fun while LadyCoach and Coach hooked up with the rest of the adults in the party to watch “the most beautiful stretch of cruising” go by as we pulled out of Skagway. The longest and deepest fjord in the US did not disappoint. It was two hours of spectacular views only stopped by the sun setting. Truly magical. Mountain goats, waterfalls, colors upon colors.

 

It was almost too much to take in standing on the back of the ship. The Lord’s Majesty was on display. LadyCoach and Coach decided right then and there we would come back to Alaska as soon as possible.

We spent the remainder of the evening playing cards and enjoying coffee with the fam! Lovely evening. Kudos to Em for being responsible back in the stateroom for her three younger compatriots. No issues and all found sound asleep upon the adults’ return.

I am sitting on the top deck as the last light fades at nearly 11pm. Hoping the Northern Lights will make an appearance. It’s time to grab a midnight hot tub!

See you tomorrow in Glacier Bay!