Skagway

This town has such an interesting history. The more I learn about it, the more I like it! You can click the link to go to one of several sites that cover Skagway, or Google to find other sites online to read more about it.

We awoke this morning to discover that our neighborhood had changed, yet again. The two cruise ships that were here yesterday were gone by the time we went to bed. This morning, there were two more, no three, no four more!

Two almost identical cruise ships, one behind the other.

Two more ships, one behind/beside the other. Nice reflection, although I wish it were sunny.

Today several of us used our Alaska TourSaver coupon books for the first time to attend a Salmon Bake and tour. Each ticket was $49, but we got one free with the coupon. So, the price of the book ($100) is already half paid for!

A place about 3.5 miles from Skagway called Liarsville is the location for the salmon bake, with a mock-up of what a Klondike Gold Rush camp might have been like.

There were tents for the newspaper printing…

…the local Madam…

…and the Smithy with pack pigs for hire to carry part of the 1,000 lbs of supplies and equipment each prospector was required to carry by the Canadian government.

We were entertained by musicians…

…and by a very animated rendition of the poem “The Ballad of Blasphemous Bill” by Robert W. Service.

There was a chance to pan for gold.

And some of our group actually discovered a few flakes. Wonder if that will pay for a tank of diesel?

I got a bear hug!

The line for the buffet looked very long but it moved quickly, and we talked with friendly folks in line with us.

The salmon was a little overcooked, but Jim got seconds and it was done just right. He shared with us – thanks, Jim! Pasta salad, cole slaw, Caesar salad, rice pilaf, grilled chicken – everything was great!

Back in town, Don and I went to the museum, originally built as a girl’s college. The story goes that most of the ‘girls’ in town were busy ‘earning a living’ so the building served as the U.S. Court House for 55 years until 1956, with the Marshal’s office and jail on the first floor and District Court on the second floor. The museum is a fascinating storehouse of Gold Rush and Skagway town history.

We drove out to the cemetery, which Don remembers visiting 8 years ago, although he forgot how to get there! We found the grave of the infamous Jefferson R. Smith (star of last night’s melodrama).

And the shrine for the man who killed him, thus ridding the town of “Soapy” Smith’s evil influence, Frank H. Reid.

Later, we drove around to see some of the historic homes in town.

And one that may someday become one.