MUST WE BE REMINDED!
Our day started off with us taking a brisk walk around the Promenade Deck. Four times around was the same as one mile. So we did a couple of miles. While walking along the stern we noticed the ship slowing down. A small boat was approaching the starboard side of the Statendam to let a US Pilot on board to guide our ship through the American waters. That was a cool thing to watch!
BRINGING THE US PILOT ONBOARD
Our first port to visit and disembark was the State capital of Juneau. Why Juneau is the capital we aren't sure. Maybe because it isn't landlocked. You tell my why that choice! Whatever the case, it is a beautiful little town on a hillside making it very picturesque! Right away we noticed the vibrantly painted homes. And once we grew tired of shopping in the downtown district (which we were the "lucky" ship to be docked right in front of) we wandered around the residences bordering the shopping area. We found the Capital Building which is like our legislative buildings I guess. We also found the Governor's Mansion. All along the way there were plantings of large beautifully colored flowers. They obviously have a good growing season here! Later we found out Ron and Bev were just as bored with the shopping and wandered around among the other buildings. We could have huffed and puffed our way up and down the streets together!
FIRST GLIMPSES OF JUNEAU
ONE OF THE BRILLIANT HOMES
THE STATE CAPITAL BUILDING
THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION
FLOWERS!
ANYONE WANT TO BUY A CHURCH?
During supper we were able to enjoy the view out the large window and make guesses at what sea creature(s) was jumping and splashing in the water a few docks away from our mooring for that day. I don't think we came to a real concensious on the final possibility that was probably correct. No matter what, the meal was wonderful once again and none of us are sure how we will every be able to eat at the food establishments back home - including our own homes!
After supper we had lots of time to sit at the stern of the ship and relax in the warm sunshine watching the shops wind down their busy selling day and close up for the evening when the large cruise ships prepare to slowly pull out of port. It was very peaceful and quiet in our little corner of the ship for that brief time watching the day come to an end. We were also able to spend some time on the bow of the ship being entertained by the interplay between the ship's navigational crew up a few decks from us and a couple of very inebriated town locals down on the dock of whom one insisted on talking to the captain. This is probably a regular occurrence.
RELAXING AFTER SUPPER
As we were pulling out of Juneau we watched a large bald eagle perched on another dockyard watching us leave. All this is so new to us, but for the residents of Juneau - two legged or feathered - ships come and ships go each day for the brief summer the chilly arctic waters are able to carry curious intruders into their quiet little town.
That night we were greeted in our room by another new towel animal!
DUMBO THE ELEPHANT!
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