Yesterday was the last day of the 2013 cruise ship season, and the weather was epic! I awoke to sunny icy fog, my favorite signal of approaching fall. There's nothing quite like driving to work in the bright Alaska sun with your view obstructed by low-flying clouds. Within a few hours, the fog burned off, and the views down the Gastineau Channel were magnificent.
Thursday was also the last day for the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mellon to be docked in Southeast Alaska. Mid-morning, the 378 foot long vessel departed Juneau and navigated and shared the waters with the season's last two cruise ships. It was a great tourism season - and I'm already looking forward to next year!
Sunrise over the mountains.
Thick fog on the way to work.
Panorama of the Gastineau Channel. That's a bird, not a floatplane.
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mellon with two cruise ships in the background.
Later that day, during high tide.
The last cruise ship of the season as it departed Juneau.