Alaska Cruise Day 5: Skagway - A Soggy Trip on the Chilkat River

The Chilkat River in Alaska
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Today we got up extremely early since we had to meet on the dock at 7:15 a.m., we skipped breakfast in order to get there on time.

Our excursion for the day was a river float trip on the Chilkat River through a Bald Eagle Preserve. We met one of the guides who was taking our group to their rafting center in Haines, Alaska. Her name was Sylvia and she was about my age. She was very enthusiastic and talked to me quite alot about her job as a guide since she found out I was a river guide from one of the other passengers.

An entire flock of snowy egrets swopped out of the sky and were diving into the river

One of the rafts on the Chilkat River
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We boarded a ferry boat for a 45 minute ride to Haines, Alaska. We were then put on a bus and taken to the put in spot on the Chilkat River. It had started to rain during our ferry ride and the rain had picked up by the time we got to the river. Our guides gave us large rubber boots to put on and our shoes were left on the bus. They also gave us ponchos to put on to atleast help with the rain.

I could see that the Chilkat River was very low and channelized. I knew it was not a whitewater trip but I did not expect to see such a low river. The river was also an odd color which I found out was due to glacial silt adding a slight grey hue to the water. Our guides used oar-rigs on this river which I found a bit odd. Sylvia said their company always used them instead of paddle rafts. I was not accustomed to seeing oar-rigs on such a shallow river. Sylvia was the guide on my boat so we got to discuss our various rivers and methods of guiding while we were floating through the bald eagle preserve.

A Bald Eagle in the Preserve
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We did see several eagles but the rain kept away other wildlife such as bears. My water-proof digital camera came in handy here and I was actually able to get some pictures. Although it poured and was freezing cold and we were all near hypothermia by the end of the trip it was a nice time. Our guides were all friendly and knowledgeable, the area was beautiful and we did see some wildlife.

Near the end of our trip an entire flock of snowy egrets swopped out of the sky and were diving into the river and catching little fish or bugs. It was magical as they were flying in-between our rafts and us. When our trip ended the guides had a little snack of hot chocolate, sandwiches and cookies waiting for us. We were all so cold and hungry that we devoured the food. You know its damn cold when I am drinking something hot!

A Snowy Egret swooping down on the river
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We changed back into our own shoes and handed in our ponchos and were taken by bus back to the center where we got back on the ferry boat to Skagway.

When we got back on the ship we stripped off our wet clothes got a very hot shower and then went to the buffet for lunch. We took a walk around the outside of the ship and took some pictures of Skagway.

We noticed alot of graffiti on a wall near the dock. One of the crew members explained that everytime a cruise ship sets sail for the first time or when a captain retires or dies a commemorative painting is done at the docks for the event. Hence all the paintings.

Graffiti left by various sailors and crew members.
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Next we went and saw comedian Dan Bennett on the ship. His act was a mix of comedian and juggler and to be honest he wasn't that funny but he was a really good juggler. It passed some time.

After the show we shopped in some of the ship's shops before returning to our room for the night.

Things Learned on Day 5 of my Cruise:

1. If you are doing an excursion in Alaska that involved water be prepared. You will need clothes that repel water and not soak it in like cotton or else you may end up hypothermic.

2. The gray hue in some of Alaska's river is due to glacial silt.

3. In each major port you'll find "graffiti" near the docks. Everytime a cruise ship sets sail for the first time or when a captain retires or dies a commemorative painting is done at the docks for the event.