trains, planes, and dog sleds

In the wee hours of the morning (wee being 7 am for us early to bed, late to rise types) we docked in Skagway.  This is the northernmost point of the Inside Passage and also my favorite.  This small town was the gateway to the Klondike during the Gold Rush of late 19th century.  It is also the home of one of the world's oldest and most impressive railroads, the White Pass Scenic Railroad, on which we were about to embark for a memorable journey.

Slowly, our train ascended out of the morning mist into golden, sunlit hills.  The rails twisted and turned deftly around curves in the hillside, at the edge of deep, canyon-like valleys ending in rushing rivers and streams.  Much as the name of the railroad promised, the scenery was breathtaking.  Apparently autumn only lasts for 2 weeks in Alaska, and we were there for it.  It was astounding!