North to Alaska Day 5

Day 5 - Skagway, Alaska

After our daily routine of meeting the Roziers for breakfast in the Windjammer, we disembarked onto the  pier at Skagway. A shuttle was waiting to take us to the 'downtown area' of this quaint goldrush community, with its historic facades and turn-of-the-century feel. We strolled past the Red Onion Saloon and Brothrel , browsed in the bookstore and took photos of the White Pass Railroad Station. After checking out the area and filing away ideas for our return visit next week, we shuttled back to the Temsco Helicoptors office to await our flight to Meade Glacier.

We arrived long with Nancy at the check-in desk only to find that our 11:30 flight had been cancelled due to low clouds. We decided to reschedule for 12:45 in hopes that the sun that had followed us to the other ports would eventually find its way here. After grabbing a quick lunch in the Windjammer we were pleased to find out that our flight was a 'go' , and we were soon being briefed on safety and outfitted with floatation vests and glacier boots.

Once dressed for the trip and eager to take off, we lined up as instructed and were helped onto a waiting helicoptor. Three choppers took off in formation for the 20 minute flight to the Glacier. It was an amazing ride over the town of Skagway, lakes and fjords to the impressive river of ice. After a smooth landing we were helped from the helicoptor and greeted by our guide for the glacier walk.

Words do not do justice to the feeling of walking on this centuries-old icepack, the crunching of our footsteps on the uneven surface the only sound except for the wind and the fluttering of the Alaskan flag. The sun had indeed found us once again and the air was remarkably crisp and clean. Our naturalist guide walked us over the ice to gaze into a crevass and listen to the rushing water far below. He explained how the glacier was formed , how crevasses appear and how small streams of glacial water swirl around to drill holes into the giant ice surface. Stopping by a thin rushing stream that appeared turquoise in the September sun, he encouraged us all to dip our hands into the pristine water and drink the purest liquid we would ever taste. It was icy cold and exhillarating.

We walked and snapped priceless photos until we were informed that the choppers were on their way to pick us up. In a scene reminiscent of the "M*A*S*H" opening moments, three helicoptors appeared over the ridge and settled on the ice to pick us up for the return trip to Skagway. Thrilled and delighted by our experience, we settled in for the picturesque ride back to town.

As the Roziers headed back to town, we waited for the shuttle that would take us on the next part of our trip, the Mushers Camp and Dog Sled Adventure. We were taken 40 minutes outside of town to the Mushers' Camp, where Alaskan huskies are bred, raised and trained for endurance races such as the Ididerod and the Yukon Quest.

First on the agenda was a 'dogsled' , actually a 6-seater wagon pulled by 15 lean and muscular dogs for a wild 1 and 1/2 mile ride. We were instructed as to which dogs we could approach and pet after dismounting from the wagon, and we scratched the ears of the friendlier ones. Next we were treated to a lecture by a top dog handler who explained the care and handling of the Alaskan Huskies. And then the final treat of the afternoon : one-on-one time with 2-week-old puppies, whose mother, Stormy, kept a worried eye on us while we cuddled her babies.

We arrived back in Skagway tired, happy and smelling of puppy. Another great day in Alaska. The evening would bring another fine dinner with friends and a show by the Motown tribute group, Spectrum, always a crowd favourite.

Tomorrow : Icy Strait Point