Alaskan Cruise - Juneau, the Capital of Alaska - Glaciers - Part 3

The City and borough of Juneau is a unified municipality located on the Gastineau Channel in the panhandle. It has been the capital of Alaska since 1906, when the government of the then District of Alaska was moved from Sitka as dictated by the U.S. Congress in 1900.  Downtown Juneau is nestled at the base of Mount Juneau and across the channel from Douglas Island. As of the 2010 census, the City and Borough had a population of 31,275. Today 63 degrees.

From the ship, we took the shuttle into town. We found a taxi van for $70/hr. and even though he went over the two hours, he only charged us $140. $10 tip. Our guide was an intense relaxed Russian. When I chided him for showing us the Russian Orthodox Church and not the Catholic Cathedral, he made it up to us by showing us the new LDS church house. He showed us the capitol building, the Governor’s Mansion and the crown jewel of Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier. With all the lakes and astounding scenery and greenery, I felt like I was in Russian. Everything looked like Swan  Lake to me.

He says they have a very small congregation. Even on Easter or Christmas, only around 45 members. He's very devout but like many of us, the more you study, the more you question. He has a daughter who is in the lower 48 studying to be a doctor and a son 11, who goes to school very close to where he lives. Both children speak Russian. He has them read and study it everyday. Coming over in 1990, they went back to Russia for a few years in 2007 but came back. His wife is a school teacher. 

The State Capitol. 

The Governor's Mansion. Picture Sarah Palin.

Look familiar? 

               Chapel by the Lake. Auke Bay. 
Presbyterian Church. The Chapel built of Spruce logs from the area, was completed in 1958 and dedicated to the glory of God. "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it, labor in vain." Psalm 127

Mendenhall Glacier

Center - our nice guide

When we came 11 years ago, we were able to walk to the glacier. How much it has receded; but no global warming, folks.

Some of the silly people from the cruise ships who pay big money to float on the lake.

The shrine of St. Therese. This site, dedicated to St. Therese of Lisieux, has been in existence for over 80 years. Built on a foundation of love, it continues to draw people of all ages, from all over the world, regardless of their religious affiliation. 

                    Inside the St. Therese Chapel

Therese Martin, otherwise known as Therese of Lisieux, was born in France in 1873. She became a cloistered nun of the Carmelite Order at the age of 15. She died nine years later at the age of 24. She was canonized a saint in 1925. 

Back on the ship, we spent the rest of the day

in Tracy Arm. 

I lied. We saw mountain goats here.

Sawyer Glacier from every angle.

                When pieces fall, it's called calving.
              The small icebergs are called bergies.

Next:  Skagway