Ships arriving in Juneau in the 1930's could count on being met at the dock by a small white dog named Patsy Ann. She became a popular dog-about-town, making the rounds of shops and offices where she was welcomed and given treats. Steamships of that era did not arrive like clockwork as they do today. Juneau knew when a ship was coming when Patsy Ann dropped whatever she was doing and trotted briskly to the waterfront. Although deaf from birth, she somehow sensed when an incoming ship was about a half-mile away. She also had an uncanny ability to determine the dock where it would moor. On one occasion, a crowd had gathered to meet an arriving ship. Patsy Ann studied the group for a long moment, then turned and trotted to another dock. The ship tied up next to Patsy Ann.
In the 1930's, the locals named a deaf, homeless dog Patsy Ann; she showed up every day a ship tied up at the dock. Not only was she there, she was always waiting at the correct one of seven docks. In 1937, the mayor made her the "Official Greeter" of Juneau and exempted her from licensing. The statue of Patsy Ann was raised in loving memory of her.
Juneau is a challenge as there is a multitude of things to see and do; the good thing is that it is usually the longest day in port giving you plenty of time to fulfill your wish list.
The background of beautiful mountains and snow-clad peaks makes Juneau one of the most beautiful state capitols in the country. It is also the only capitol with a glacier in its backyard; the Mendenhall Glacier, just 13 miles from the State Capitol Building.
From your ship you are just steps from the Mountain Robert's Tramway where the view of Gastineau Channel is unsurpassed. A wander down Franklin Street will take you into the heart of downtown with all its historic buildings and colorful, quirky businesses. Just above Heritage Coffee don't miss the wonderful world of Wm. Spears and his incredible collection of hand-crafted pins. Among the hidden gems of downtown is the Doll Museum, free admission and definitely worth a look.
Downtown is where you'll find the State Capitol Building, the Juneau-Douglas City Museum and the Alaska State Museum. Not far away on Calhoun is the Governor's Mansion. But if museums aren't your thing then maybe you'd like to go out to the Alaska Brewing Company and see how they make their famous Alaskan Amber? They offer tours and tastings.
Juneau is located on the Gastineau Channel between Douglas Island to the west and the Coast Mountains. It is the gateway to many natural wonders like the Juneau Icefield, Mendenhall Glacier, the whales of Auke Bay, the bears of Taku Lodge, the trails and vistas of Mt. Roberts, and much more. To the east the Juneau Ice field, is an immense field of compact glacial ice that feeds over 37 different glaciers including the Mendenhall, Taku, Norris, and Hole-in-the Wall glaciers featured on many excursions including helicopter flights over the glacier and dog-sledding. To the north is lovely Auke Bay, where humpback whales relax and frolic in the sheltered waters after a busy day feeding. If whale watching is one of your priorities you won't want to miss the excursions offered here; they are some of the best in Southeast Alaska.
Mendenhall Glacier . . . . How many cities boast a glacier in its backyard? Well, the capitol of the State of Alaska can. Located in the Mendenhall Valley 13 miles away from downtown, the glacier is one of over thirty flowing down from the Juneau Ice field. Here are several ways to get out to the Visitor's center; the first is to take a tour that includes a stop at the glacier, next option is to take one of the blue glacier shuttle buses that charge for the round-trip transfer and finally for those on a limited budget, you can take the Mendenhall Valley city bus out to the end of the run. The bus will drop you off within a mile of the Visitor's Center.
Juneau is the best place for a glacier adventure; you can take a helicopter, float plane, fixed-wing plane or bus to have a glacier experience just minutes from downtown. The Coast Mountains rise higher and higher as they arc over the Southeastern portion of the state; above 6,000 feet precipitation falls as snow, so in the mountains behind Juneau, snow is falling all year long which contributes to the number of glaciers accessible from the Capitol City.
Tracy Arm . . . . . . . . . .
For many years, Tracy Arm remained the secret paradise of locals who had the area to themselves. Tracy Arm is not a national or state park; it is an open, unregulated wilderness area. Little by little, smaller expeditionary ships began to include this storybook fjord in their itineraries. Now many larger ships prudently navigate the narrow waterway to offer their guests a chance to behold some of the most spectacular scenery in Southeast Alaska.
Like Misty Fjords, Tracy Arm is a glacially created valley that has been filled in by the sea. It is 29 miles in length, approx. 1.5 miles in width, and about 700 feet deep. But unlike Misty Fjords, there is still an active glacier at the end of the fjord. Sawyer Glacier is not an exceptionally large glacier but it is known for producing very large, beautiful, deep blue ice bergs.
Every minute in Tracy Arm is spectacular. Upon arrival, weather permitting, you will be in view of Sumdum Glacier to the southeast or the starboard side of the ship. The name is a Tlingit name. Many years ago the glacier touched the sea. Today it ends on dry land. You can spot the glacial ice by the crevasses and the ice color. To enter into Tracy Arm you must cross Holkham Bay. Your ship will round Harbor Island before making its approach into Tracy Arm. Off to the south, past Sumdum Glacier, is Endicott Arm. Like Tracy Arm it is also a fjord. The two bodies of water were named by Lieut. Commander H.B. Mansfield to honor Civil War military figure Benjamin Franklin Tracy, who was the Secretary of the Navy from 1889-1893, and William Endicott, who was Secretary of War from 1885 to 1889.