Are you thinking of taking a cruise to Alaska next year?
Think about this……. The shore excursions you decide to take can make your trip fabulous or just OK.
This series about Alaska shore excursions will give hopefully give you some insight into a few of the excursions we opted to take. We loved them all, but they were very different, ranging from exploring the wilds of Alaska via authentic bush plane, to visiting an Alaskan native village and old gold-mining towns; from a train ride to the White Pass and enjoying a blooming Canadian garden.
But our first port was Juneau Alaska and our amazing shore excursion to Taku Glacier Lodge.
Think about this……. The shore excursions you decide to take can make your trip fabulous or just OK.
This series about Alaska shore excursions will give hopefully give you some insight into a few of the excursions we opted to take. We loved them all, but they were very different, ranging from exploring the wilds of Alaska via authentic bush plane, to visiting an Alaskan native village and old gold-mining towns; from a train ride to the White Pass and enjoying a blooming Canadian garden.
But our first port was Juneau Alaska and our amazing shore excursion to Taku Glacier Lodge.
To get to Taku Glacier Lodge, Jim and I first climbed aboard a classic De Havilland sea plane and soared over 5 massive glaciers, icefields filled with bright blue crevasses, snow-capped mountains and the deep green Tongass National Forest. The beauty spread out below us was amazing and truly a sight everyone with an adventurous heart should see.
When it was time to land at the lodge, the Taku River guided us in like a blue-green runway. The Taku Glacier Lodge was built in 1923 and became famous for one of its residents, Mary Joyce, who journeyed 1,000 miles by dog sled. The lodge is on the National Registry of Historic Places and its atmosphere is filled with old days Alaska with antique dog sleds, fur pelts, and huge stone fireplace with a moose-head over it.
While we sat on the porch, drinking beer and wine and waiting for our fresh Salmon dinner to finish cooking on the outdoor grill, we took in the amazing view of the Hole-in-the-Wall glacier (also called Taku Glacier) that sits directly across from the lodge.
While we sat on the porch, drinking beer and wine and waiting for our fresh Salmon dinner to finish cooking on the outdoor grill, we took in the amazing view of the Hole-in-the-Wall glacier (also called Taku Glacier) that sits directly across from the lodge.
After our meal, our guide took us on a walk of the vibrant green, wet, northwest rainforest. The forest was quiet and moss dripped from the branches high above us. Meadows were filled with colorful wildflowers, but what really caught our attention were the bears that had come out from hiding at the smell of the cooking salmon. I have never been close to a bear in the wild before and though they were obviously youngsters, we were careful not interfere with their search for food. They even climbed up onto the cooled barbeque to lick up the Salmon droppings!
Finally, sated with adventure and Alaskan views, we climbed back into our bush-plane and headed back to the ship.
Finally, sated with adventure and Alaskan views, we climbed back into our bush-plane and headed back to the ship.
This excursion put on by Wings Airways to Taku Glacier Lodge is one I would HIGHLY recommend to anyone cruising to Alaska. It was exciting, enchanting and stunningly beautiful.
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