The Zaandam arrived to Skagway by 6:30am and was alongside starboard shortly thereafter at Broadway Dock. There were a significant number of excursions today that ranged from $55 to $460 with the first groups leaving by 7:15am. The Island Princess was already tied up at the Ore Dock. There were only two cruise ships this week as well as the local ferry.
At the time we arrived, the temperature was a crisp 43 degrees, but it warmed up to 45 degrees by 9am....big difference. The humidity was 93% and the winds were calm at 4.6mph. This valley is known for its fierce, treacherous winds, so we were lucky it was a nice and calm day. We did read that just a few days ago another HAL could not dock here due to the winds and had to go elsewhere. The skies were a mix of blue and high clouds. That would change to mostly overcast skies later in the afternoon. No rain was in sight.
It was just the two of us for breakfast until 8:30am or so when four more guests arrived. That is to be expected on port days when the tours go off early.
We have not seen a printed NY Times mini-paper anywhere, so we asked at the front desk. The answer was that they do not print them anymore on the shorter cruises....only on the Grand voyages. The paper is still available on their navigator site for those with cell phones. No....we still do not own one and do not intend to buy one. It has been hard enough figuring out the new computer we recently purchased let alone learn to operate a new cell phone.
Not in a hurry to go off of the ship, we hung around keeping busy with photos and writing. Taking the same route we did last week, we left at 11am to fairly empty streets in town. Must have been a good day for the cruise ships to book tours. A short hike along Pullen Creek to the pond revealed that the fish had not arrived yet, or we may have missed the salmon run altogether. No sign of Dolly Varden trout either.
Once again, we did not venture as far as we usually do mainly because we are still trying to catch up on lost sleep due to the uncomfortable mattresses. We have to report that both mattresses have been replaced with new ones, and thicker pads have been added also. That has to help get us through the night and back on track.
It is fun walking the main streets in town taking in all of the old buildings. As we turned on Broadway Street, we could hear a lady singing but could not figure out where the music was coming from. Finally we saw some folks looking up at an opened window where a "lady of the night" was halfway out of the windowsill. They were advertising the next show at the Days of '98 Show which was starting in 15 minutes. Then a second lady hung out another window beckoning the crowd to attend the show. We think the performance is all about the life and times of Soapy Smith and his shady activities in the town. It did not have a happy ending.
Continuing up the street, we found the shop where one of us bought an artistic fine wool scarf a few years back. It is one of my favorites and the store's owner recognized it. She was sold out of that design. Then we headed back down and over to the best pizza place in town at the Station Bar & Grill. It really is off of the beaten track and it appears that more crew members come here than ship guests. Naturally, we ordered one pizza to share and two Alaskan Amber draft beers. Once again, there was no room for the Doughboy treat around the corner. Perhaps next year.
There was one item we did not bring with us and that was a wall clock. We have missed having it in our room and knew we could find one at the local Ace Hardware store on the corner. They had just what we needed for a whopping $10 and tax. That was all the shopping we did, then headed slowly back to the pier.
In every port in Alaska, we have had facial recognition before going up the gangway. We still have to have our cards scanned and pass-through x-ray on the ship.
Bundled up, one of us relaxed on the veranda which presented a good view of the Princess folks coming and going on the Island Princess. One of us continued working with the computer, and it seemed to be co-operating better now with downloading the photos. We enjoyed our day in town and made it a point to stop at the info place at the A&B Lodge. They seemed to have the most Alaskan information than the other cities. I am going to keep the printed booklets because someday, they will stop offering them.
Dinnertime arrived quickly as it always does. Tonight we were not really hungry, so we ordered small Caesar salads and one main of halibut and one honey mustard crusted chicken. Served on a bed of mashed potatoes, the meal was good. It could have been hotter, but that's our fault for forgetting to ask. One thing we are noticing is with the absence of the wine stewards, the waiters are busier doing their job with the ordering of the beverages from the HIA deal. Now the waiters have to enter the orders at a kiosk, then collect the room keys to scan the order. It takes time away from their regular duties and slows the service to the rest of the tables. Are we the only ones that have noticed this?
Our head waiter, Yudy, reminded us that he placed an order for Jello for dessert tonight if we wanted it. Matter-of-fact, yes one of us did prefer it, while the other had the cake in a jar treat. The flavor of the Jello was lime....my favorite. Nice and light, it had three plump berries on top.
The World Stage Cast performed Rock Britannia this evening with the greatest hits from the 60's to the 80's. It's a fun show for all.
Tomorrow we will be back in Glacier Bay. Hope the viewing is as good as last week's.
Bill & Mary Ann
