Juneau

Juneau, the state capitol of Alaska, can only be reached by boat or plane, and has a road network stretching 40 miles north, and about 10 miles south, as well as a bridge connecting an island to the mainland.  It was here that gold was discovered seven years after the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia.

Today was our first real encounter with cruise boats.  We found that shops, attractions, and visitor centres didn't open (today) until 11.30 am because that's when the first cruise ship berthed.  When we went back and waited in a queue to buy tickets to go up a tramway to the top of a mountain, we found that the cruise passengers already had their vouchers and bypassed the queue, filling up the tram car (like a gondola but seating 60 people).  We gave up at this point.



The dreaded cruise ships.  One more berthed shortly after this photo was taken.

Juneau 10 am Monday morning.  Nothing open.

More people about now as cruise ship number one disgorges it's passengers.



We drove 20 miles north to this little island connected by a causeway (foot traffic) to the mainland. 

Which hid this delightful Catholic church, the Shrine of St Teressa.

And this little fellow, who seems to have a mouthful of moss.