Skagway - our way

There were a couple of cruise ships parked in Skagway, which increased the amount of tourist traffic we've seen during our entire trip.  Some groups were on the exact reverse trip that we were, and we all converged on Skagway at the same time.

We wandered about the little town on our own for a while, taking in some of the cute gift shops, homes and history.  As was typical throughout this trip, Don was wearing his Brewers cap, and a Forest Ranger stopped us to ask if we were in fact from Wisconsin.  We said we were.  Turns out she is Katherine Molter from Mukwonago, and her and Don had both been in 4-H (he as a leader, her as a youth) and they knew some of the same people.  What a small world!! 

Our planned excursion at this port was a Saddle and Paddle, which was canceled.  On to plan B which was the Skagway Street Car Tour, with our energetic, enthusiastic, costumed guide, Peggy.

 

Peggy drove the 1927 sight-seeing bus.  First around the historic city of Skagway, then to a scenic overlook, and finally to the Gold Rush Cemetery, where a comical re-enactment of a gun duel between Soapy Smith and Frank Reid in 1898.  Soapy Smith was a notorious crook, having been a con-man in Colorado before heading to Alaska during the Gold Rush.  Peggy tells us that Soapy and his gang of crooks tried to swindle a gold miner from his gold, and when it turned ugly, Soapy tried to escape at the wharf.  Reid was one of the guards and they got into a gun fight, which resulted in death for both of them.  I think the grave sites tell you which person was the more upstanding citizen, don't you?

 

Skagway is a cute little town, but even with only a couple cruise ships in port, there was waiting at the famous Red Onion Saloon.  I believe the port accommodates 8 cruise ships, and I can't imagine having to trudge through this tiny town with that many people.    

We did a small amount of shopping here, since we haven't done much all the while we've been on this trip.  Just didn't want the suitcases to get any heavier, and we really aren't much into the souvenirs that seem like a good idea at the time, and then wonder what to do with them once you get home.  

One more photo op in Skagway before boarding the ms. Volendam this afternoon.  

I would think a rotary snowplow of this size could use some serious snow!