Skagway or Skaguay?

Skagway (or Skaguay, if you prefer) is a sheltered town and harbor in the Inner Passage region of Alaska. It is on the itinerary of the cruise lines and the town comes to life every May through September. It is at the northern end of the temperate rainforest ecosystem, so it is not quite as misty or rainy as Ketchikan or Juneau.

The town is small. You can see the whole thing from the observation deck of your ship. The one thing that makes Skagway different from the other ports-of-call is that it is accessible by road from the AL-Can (Alaskan-Canadian Highway). Therefore, you will see travel trailers on the roads and in the local travel parks.

The White Pass and Yukon railroad is based here. It is a narrow-gauge short line that takes you over the mountains into Canadian territory. The tracks follow the trail cut through the wilderness by the miners on their way to the gold fields in Yukon Territory. As you climb higher, you will appreciate the determination of these souls. They had to carry enough provisions to last a year into the wilderness. Sometimes they could afford a pack animal, sometimes they were their own pack animal.

"Gold Camps" are all over the area. You can pan for gold, see a "show" and have a meal at most of them. "Liarsville" is the most popular local camp.

Walk the streets of this tiny town or catch a shuttle to and from your ship. There is everything from a local supermarket (shipments come in on Tuesdays), quilt shop, and drug store to exclusive jewelry shops. Your budget can dictate where you shop.

This is one town that I would enjoy driving to. Now I just need to talk hubby into it!

Quick Tips:

Skagway is usually a little warmer than the other ports since it is farther inland. You might be able to wear your shorts!!!

Take along bug repellent. The myriad of puddles and streams are a mosquito heaven.

A broad-brimmed hat will help keep the gnats and other bugs away from your face as well as shield you from the sun.

If you plan to take the train or bus into Yukon territory, take your passport.

There is also a "Bike and Hike" tour that several of our fellow passengers took and really enjoyed. Be sure you are in good shape before you attempt this tour. It travels through the mountains and some real leg-power is needed.

Take your camera. Gold-panning photos and Dall Sheep shots are inexpensive reminders of your Skagway experience.

Wear comfortable shoes. Some of the sidewalks are planks and cobbles and they can be a little hard on the feet if solid footwear is not worn.

Check into the side streets for more shops. I found a quilt shop and needle shop side-by-side. I was in seventh heaven! Hubby was not!

Best Way To Get Around:

Shuttles are available to and from the ships and into town. They travel a route that takes about 1/2 hour round trip. A nominal fee is charged per person/per trip - not one fee for a round trip/all day pass.

Tour buses wait for you at the end of your pier. They will also drop you off there (or on the edges of the shopping area if you request it). Ours dropped us off at the City Hall on the way back to the ship.

The train ride is a several hour experience that is enjoyable and educational. Patrons switch sides at the top of the mountain so everyone has a chance to see the steep drops and sheer cliffs that the miners had to navigate.

The bus to Liarsville picked us up on the pier. We climbed aboard and were issued a sticker and garter. The sticker allowed us entrance into Liarsville, and the garter allowed us entrance into the Salmon Bake.

Liarsville was originally a settlement of newspaper folk. They found that the Chilkoot Trail was extremely hard to navigate and so they camped out where they could interview the miners and locals without stress or strain. Sometimes they "EMBELLISHED" their stories a bit so that the readers would be more excited and want more information. The more papers their stories sold, the better was their job security. Therefore, "Liarsville" became the name of the camp.

There is a gold-panning area at the back of the camp. You are guaranteed to find gold in your pan. The trick is to stick around long enough to actually FIND the gold. Most of the panners around me gave up and I wound up finding gold flakes in their leftover pans. Not enough to pay for my cruise, but enough to say "I found gold!"

The "show" that is presented is in a sheltered area. It consists of several songs and Robert Service poems recited by a cast of four actors. You get the idea of the extent the locals used to go to in order to have entertainment. The story (poem) told was illustrated by the actors and they truly enjoy their jobs.

The Salmon Bake is held across the road. Sanitizing hand cleaner is available upon entry. Be sure your kids use it since they have been playing in the water (panning for gold) and probably petting the local Malamute. The salmon was cooked nicely - not dry at all. Beans and slaw accompany the salmon and chicken (which was also moist and tasty). You are welcome to have seconds and thirds. One of the children in our group even went up for a fourth piece of chicken (he didn't like the salmon).

The $57 fee includes the bus, feed, panning, and show. The General Store has "Liarsville" trinkets for sale along with other items that you might like as souvenirs.

All in all it is a fun time for the whole family!