Juneau

Our first official excursion was to the Mendenhall Glacier. It wasn't so early that we had to get up and get off the ship right away. We enjoyed breakfast in the buffet first.

We found a threesome of seats which faced the window. 

Katie chatted with Christian before we got off the boat.

Here we are right up against the mountains.

the view from the other side of the ship

It was a little wet, it sprinkled some but nothing too heavy.

Off the ship and on the way to Juneau proper.

Everything is up the hill. Those would be some gross stairs to walk up every day.

I remember wanting to find a post office so I could mail some postcards to my sister and mom. We finally found one and I sent my cards. Then on the walk back to the port to get on the excursion bus, I discovered that I didn't have my phone. I remembered putting it on the counter in the post office, and figured I must have left it there. I went back for it, walking less slow than usual (which still isn't fast because I'm old and my knees and lower back do not like walking fast or at all). Katie must have been nervous for me because just as I was half a block from the post office, she ran by me and went in to retrieve the phone for me. And then we walked back to the port and were the last ones on the bus. 

Whew, we made it on the bus! 

The driver had a purple monkey stuffie. On the ride to the glacier, the driver pointed out a few landmarks and recounted some stories, but the only thing I remember is when he pointed out the state capitol building and said, "that folks, is the 50th most beautiful state capitol building in the whole country." Some of us got it quicker than others. He mentioned it was indeed voted the ugliest capitol building in the US. I didn't take a picture because we could only see a part of it. It looked like a regular building. No golden dome or quadriga on it, not on a hill, not surrounded by a large and beautiful park.

We finally made it to the park wherein lies the Mendenhall glacier! We weren't able to get real close, but I was satisfied being in a nature park anyway. There were LOTS of people. It was a little sprinkly. I had my water-resistant jacket and pants on and Katie had a poncho. Hayley did have her sweatshirt.

The walk to the first viewing area was nice and paved and short.

we get closer

And there it is! 

I have to say that my Galaxy S24 has a decent zoom for a phone camera

We like the view

Hayley is brave enough to walk on wet, sloped rocks. I didn't trust my ankles enough to follow her.

You can see the nature center in the background. We're walking back to get on the path to the Nugget Falls.

proof that this is a rainforest. There was moss on everything.

Bears have the right-of-way.