Well here we are in Skagway where the Zaandam docked at the Broadway Dock, the best spot in the wharf. Only the Grand Princess was here and was docked near the rockslide area, where we believe they had to use buses to get to downtown. It was dark when we arrived and it will be dark when we leave after all aboard time of 8:30pm. It's probably a scenic trip entering the Taiya Inlet from the Lynn Channel, but we never see it.
With all of the tours offered today in Skagway, the most booked has to be the ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route train. And for that reason, there were only four of us in the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast. We had the best service ever, as well as the chance to visit with Tina and her assistant Neli. It's the best way to start the day, thanks to them all.
Today's weather was not the best as it was raining with temperatures in the 40's. There was no wind at all. If there was a wind event as predicted, it happened yesterday. We sure hit it while we were sailing into Juneau.
There was a ship crew drill at 9:30am which lasted for one hour. We left the ship by 10am dressed with our warmest clothes and rainproof jackets. We did also need the umbrellas. Here are a few nuggets of information about Skagway. According to the 2020 census, there were 1240 permanent residents. With the addition of the summer workers, that population increases to about 2500. The largest minority is Hispanic or Latino at 7%. Native Alaskans (mainly Tlingit) make up 5.5% of the community. Skagway was the first incorporated city in Alaska in 1900, then it became a municipality on 2008. There is a 5% sales tax which drops to 3% in the winter. School enrollment is 130 kids in grades K to 12. They have achieved very high test scores as well. The surrounding peaks soar to 7000 feet and the power is supplied from three hydroelectric facilities. The summer temperature average 45 to 67 degrees. The average winter temps are 18 to 37 degrees. They get 26 inches of rain and 39 inches of winter snow. In White Pass, the snowfall is 20 feet.
In 2023, there were 1.2 million cruise ship visitors and in early May the gas price was $5.75 a gallon. Today we saw the price was $4.75 for regular. Milk was $8 a gallon, while the houses were ½ million dollars. If you drive from Seattle to Skagway, it is 1819 miles and it takes 3 days to do it. If you drive from Miami, it is 4818 miles and 9 days to get here. And that's all we have learned with three visits here.
Since it was so wet out, we walked the town starting with the Pullen Creek. There were no fish coming up this stream, so perhaps they went to the Taiya River instead. We came to the Mollie Walsh Park, named after a pioneer lady who chose the wrong man to marry. In time, he killed her. A former suitor, Jack Newman, actually built a bust of her calling her the Angel of White Pass. A children's park is here in her memory as well as a very nice public bathroom facility. This city is very people-friendly with many opportunities for rest stops.
The William Moore Homestead was next, but it was closed today. Not a surprise, since several businesses in town had closed for the season. We spotted a native squirrel who was working the grass under a spruce tree. He was busy gathering up the small cones to stash for the winter. We read that the squirrels only eat cones from the spruces. Carrying on, we followed Broadway Street until we ran out of shops and cafes. No need to go further, since the rain was getting worse by now. Time to head for lunch.
The Station Bar & Grill was about full, but one table was available. Perfect. We ordered two Alaskan gold draft beers with the Hawaiian pizza. Hands down, their pizza is the best. There are a couple of other pizza parlors in town, but why take a chance when you where it is the best? Talking to the waiters, they said they will be closing for lunch soon, especially when the cruise ships stop coming. There may be a few more until the beginning of October. Then the waiters here head down to the lower 48 for their winter jobs.
We saved a little room for the Klondike Doughboy Alaskan frybread to share. They are pricey but oh so good. Lastly, we paid a visit to the Boreal Shop up the street where one of us had spotted a particularly beautiful light wool scarf with a native design. Actually, we had seen these scarves last year, but ran out of time to buy it. The ship was leaving earlier at that time. This time we purchased the scarf which will be suitable for a dressy night. Compared to Juneau, there were few good deals here in town. It did not stop the folks from buying a lot of souvenirs, which helps keep this city going. We had spent 5 hours out and about and it was time to head back.
The tide had gone up a lot, so climbing the gangway was steep. We spent the remainder of the late afternoon catching up with the photos. Before we knew it, dinner time had arrived. We have been watching the Club Orange menu to see when the veal cutlet (chop) would be offered. Our new waiter Sarif said he has not seen it served on these 7 day runs. He also added that this special dinner will probably show up on the next longer cruise. We hope so since it is one of their best entrees in the dining room. This evening we ordered the same starter and main meal with Caesar salads and chicken meatballs with rigatoni covered with red marinara sauce. The entree plates came hot and delicious. We passed on the dessert.
The ship left the port 15 minutes after the all aboard time of 8:30pm. Tomorrow we will not be scenic cruising Glacier Bay, but will be entering Endicott Arm instead. We have done this run many years ago, but don't recall seeing much.
Bill & Mary Ann
