In May, Linda Livingston and her party took a journey into “the last frontier,” the forty-ninth state of Alaska. A gift from her mother, Carol, who came along in a group that also included her husband, Mark Hanna; her brother, Jim; her sister, Kate; and their spouses. “A family affair,” says Linda. Alaska conjures rich visions of pristine natural beauty, accented by brilliant sunsets, panoramas of majestic mountains, vast glaciers, and dense green forests. Linda’s expectations involved bald eagles, humpback whales, bears, mountain goats, sea lions, and native wildlife dotting the crystal waters and rugged landscape.
She wasn’t disappointed.
“Starting in Seattle, we boarded the Celebrity Edge on May 22,” says Linda. Experts estimate over 1.7 million people travel to Alaska annually aboard cruise ships. The group journeyed along Alaska’s Inside Passage with stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The boat docked in Ketchikan. Dappled with fishing camps, Ketchikan is rural and among the most enchanting locales in Alaska. Just off the boat is a large warehouse for shopping. It’s also a place to nosh, sip local suds, and enjoy bright sunny skies when available. Ketchikanites depend on tourism and are accommodating. Totem poles speckle the area along steep roads in the town that was once renowned for its pulp mills. Bald eagles are plentiful throughout the area, impressively swooping from the sky to capture prey below. The climate is maritime in tone, and the waters in the region are deep and historic. One guide told stories of seeing submarines on training exercises in the region due to the depth of the waters around Ketchikan. With local creeks and remote fly-out wilderness trips, Ketchikan is an angler’s paradise. “We flew 50 miles inland via Family Air over snow-capped mountains on the way to our fly fishing guided destination -- a breathtaking experience,” says Linda.
The group’s next stop was Juneau, Alaska’s capital city. Nestled at the base of Mount Juneau, May is a perfect time to visit. Juneau is not a big town, with only around 32,000 people in the summer. “Locals told us the population scales back significantly during the harsh winter months,” says Linda. It’s a fascinating blend of cultures. But make no mistake, Juneau is a city driven by sightseers. Massive cruise ships in port, and seaplanes taking off and landing, are commonplace in the Alaskan Panhandle city. The scenic quality of the region is impressive and infinitely walkable, especially along the hundreds of boats of all shapes and sizes on the waterfront. There are also tons of small, eclectic shops and one-of-a-kind galleries featuring native Alaskan art. The Juneau-Douglas City Museum is a good place to spend a couple of hours learning about the history. Linda and Mark rented a car for the day. Driving through the meandering streets is relaxing. The storied Mendenhall Glacier is visible from the road, and the forests, trails, and waterfalls are a fascinating visual departure from the flat North Texas terrain. As for the weather, good-quality rain gear is critical. “You just never know when the spring and summer skies may open up with a rainstorm,” says Linda. Unpredictability is something Alaska and Dallas-Fort Worth share in common. The Red Dog Saloon is a Juneau landmark founded during the town’s early mining boom, and referred to as the city’s oldest man-made tourist attraction. It’s usually packed with tourists lining up for its layered cocktail shot, the “duck fart,” considered by many to be Alaska’s official drink. “It sounds awful, but it was actually a tasty little tradition,” says Linda. King crab is plentiful and truly a majestic sight. Right off the dock is Tracy’s King Crab Shack. “I have never seen anything the size of those crabs,” Linda says. Alaskan king crab is served by the leg, plus Dungeness and snow crab are favorites. Awesome.
Next on the agenda was Skagway. The town is surrounded by the Sawtooth Range, a subrange of the Boundary Ranges within the Coast Mountains. Spruce, aspen, and birch trees are plentiful. Once a rugged mining outpost at the height of the Gold Rush, Skagway remains steeped in frontier history and adventure. The town found its way onto the silver screen in classic movies like “The Far Country,” starring James Stewart, and “North to Alaska,” with John Wayne. It also served as a backdrop for Jack London’s legendary novel, “The Call of the Wild.” A journey into the storied Klondike is unforgettable. Rich in history and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, every turn offers postcard-worthy views, so keep cameras close; the images and memories are certain to last a lifetime. Visitors can relive the Gold Rush by panning for gold, soar above towering ice fields on helicopter excursions, or meet championship Iditarod mushers and their spirited sled dogs at remote training camps. Friendly and energetic, the dogs are always eager for love and attention. “For Mark and me, it was an opportunity for flyfishing,” says Linda. The couple ferried to Haines Island. From there, the Haines Fly Guides whisked them into the heart of the wilderness. The rivers around Haines contain species of Pacific Salmon, Dolly Varden, Cutthroat Trout, and Steelhead. Linda, Mark, and their guide fished in the Chilkat and Chilkoot Rivers. “Brown bears are a common sight in the area, often fishing the same waters as visitors like us,” says Linda. “Thankfully, the guides know how to handle wildlife encounters.”
On the return trip to Seattle, Linda’s group spent the night in Vancouver, which offered the perfect chance to unwind from the nonstop hiking, driving, fishing, and sightseeing. Vancouver dazzled the group with its colorful blooms, scenic waterfronts, and the sprawling beauty of Stanley Park, one of North America’s largest green spaces. The city’s subtle reminders of its British heritage added even more charm.
“We arrived in Seattle on May 29 and gathered ourselves, our memories, and all our luggage for the flight home to Dallas,” says Linda. Did the journey live up to their bucket-list dreams? “Absolutely,” Linda says.
Alaska conjures rich visions of pristine natural beauty, accented by brilliant sunsets, expansive panoramas of majestic mountains, vast glaciers, and dense green forests.