Day 21 -- Juneau -- July 31, 2014

 Day 21 (Thursday) -- Mendenhall Glacier, Macaulay Hatchery & Glacier Gardens

Since we only had five hours in Juneau, we booked as many excursions as we could in the time that we had. Our first tour was the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery. The hatchery incubates, rears, and releases four species of Pacific salmon: chum, Chinook, coho and sockeye. Between five and ten million salmon come back to spawn here each year. We viewed the outdoor salmon hatchery operations and learned from our guide of the spawning process. Inside the hatchery, we explored the salt-water aquariums with over 150 species of marine life. 

Mendenhall Glacier is a 12-mile long glacier in Mendenhall Valley, part of the Tongass National Forest,  located about 12 miles from downtown Juneau. Global warming is causing retreat of the glacier, but increasing the size of the Mendenhall Lake. We went in the U.S. Forest Service visitors' center to learn more about the history of the glacier. It is only a half-mile from the glacier's face and overlooks the lake and glacier. Arlen, Justin and I hiked one of the trails to get a better view of Nugget falls. 

Glacier Gardens is a 50-acre rainforest set inside the Tongass National Forest. We were given a tour by motorized cart of the gardens on a two-mile long pathway through the rainforest displaying Western Hemlock and Sitka Spruce trees. A unique feature of the gardens are the Upside-Down Flower Towers. They are inverted hemlock or spruce trees planted with 75-100 flowering plants. Our escort had a sense of humor, and we were quite entertained. The stop at the top of Thunder Mountain, 580 feet above sea level, gave us a panoramic view of Juneau. We were lucky to have a clear day so we could have a 200-degree view overlooking the Mendenhall Valley, Gastineau Channel, Douglas Island and the Chilkat Mountains on the horizon.

After the long line of people boarded the ship again around noon, we were off to cruise to the Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glacier. The glacier is at the end of the spectacular 23-mile Fjord. Many waterfalls were visible on both sides of the cliffs of the Fjord. A bright, sunny afternoon allowed for many photo opportunities.

Today we tour Juneau and cruise past Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glacier

Arlen and I ate breakfast on the outside back deck before we reached Juneau

The NCL Sun arrives at the port in Juneau

We wait to be called for our excursions to leave the ship.

Our first stop was the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery and Visitor Center

John and I walk to the tour bus

The aquarium inside the visitor's center at the hatchery

Bear statues outside the fish hatchery

Justin stands beside the sign of our next stop -- Mendenhall Glacier

I didn't see this sign on the hike until on the way back.

Arlen and I hike the trail to Nugget Falls

Mendenhall Glacier

Nugget Falls

Mendenhall Lake

Nugget Falls

Group picture in front of the stone wall with the view of Mendenhall Glacier in the distance.

Our third and last excursion was the Glacier Gardens

Upside down flower trees

Steep incline in the road we traveled by motor cart

We traveled through the Tongass National Forest

View of Juneau from the top of Thunder Mountain

The nursery and gift shop at the bottom 

Inside the nursery

John takes a picture of the flowers

Colorful umbrellas adorned the ceiling

Long line of people to board the cruise ship to leave Juneau.

Justin checks out Tracy Arm Fjord in the distance

Professional ship photographer took our pictures as we neared the Sawyer Glacier.

Sawyer Glacier

Waterfalls all over the hillside in Tracy Arm Fjord

Another waterfall

The stained glass window in the ship above one of the dining rooms makes a great backdrop.

Beautiful sunset tonight