Alaska 6.0 - Day 8

 August 17:  Wilderness Safari in Skagway

Today we woke up in Skagway, Alaska and the weather was "ugly" at best.  Blustery winds and rain all morning.  We were hopeful that by 1:20 when we were to leave the ship for our excursion it would clear up but when the afternoon rolled around it was anything but cleared up.  And as we made our way off we ran into more than one group who had their excursion cancelled due to the weather.  As we awaited for our tour guide to show up and let us know we were or were not going, one older gentleman looked at the group of us and said, "You're going on that safari in this weather?  To have a picnic on the beach and canoe to a glacier?  YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!"  And he stomped off.  As he did I replied and said, "Of course we are, we're in Alaska!"  The gal showed up and those who were going with us to do an ATV adventure had their trip cancelled, but for those of us going out on canoes, we were ON!  Kim and I posed in the rain for a "We're on our way" selfie!  We boarded the catamaran and set out on an hour long journey to the tip of the peninsula over rough waters.  The trip out was scenic and our guide explained a lot about the surrounding area.

We arrived and it was actually brighter than when we left.  Had a quick bite to eat on the beach then boarded a school bus to be driven through the wilderness to the camp where we were outfitted with boots, pants, jackets, and lifejackets along with our trusty oar.  And then we headed off through the wilderness in search of the river.  Climbed into the canoes and began paddling (against the current I must add) until we were half way there when the motor was turned on and we sailed out to the Davidson Glacier.  

We'd been here twice before and noticed quite a reduction in the size of the glacier last time out and it was even smaller today.  Our guide said, sadly, that probably in ten years the entire glacier would be gone.  We posed for photos and talked about the glacier and surrounding area before boarding the canoes back to the camp and the return trip with the sun shining gloriously down on us.  What a wonderful day, a sensational experience which had included the most gorgeous rainbow as well!