Joni's Jottings

On Saturday, our first full day in Juneau, we took advantage of a bright and sunny day to visit the Mendenhall Glacier, located just 12 miles from downtown Juneau. First, a word about the area’s geography.  Downtown Juneau (and the ferry dock) is tucked into a narrow and reatively flat stretch of coast on the west … Read more

We were exceedingy grateful that Friday dawned clear and sunny. We were flying out to Juneau in the afternoon, so this morning was and the last chance to take our much anticipated – and much delayed – wildlife boat tour on the Orca Inlet. After another light breakfast (ahem), we loaded up in a van … Read more

On Wednesday and Thursday, we got to experience the “rain” part of southast Alaska’s temperate rainforest.  The skies were gray, the clouds hung close and the rain just kept a-dripping. We took the mornings off, and ventured into town for lunch and afternoon explorations of Cordova hotspots. We tried, once again, to have lunch at … Read more

Tuesday morning dawned bright and sunny and I took an early morning stroll around Orca Lodge’s grounds. This Black Oystercatcher makes its home on the beach by Orca Lodge. Harlequin Ducks were almost always paddling around in the Inlet’s shallows. This is Buck, the Lodge’s resident canine, and a 4 month old pup who came … Read more

We took Monday morning off, taking advantage of a rainy day to decompress after a busy weekend. Around midday, we drove into Cordova for lunch and a putter around the town and surrounding environs. Back in 1790, a Spanish explorer named the strait “Córdoba,” and the town was named after the strait’s original name. (The … Read more