Summer in Juneau brings cruise ships and boatloads of tourists - and I love every minute of it! Our first cruise ship of 2014 came down the Gastineau Channel on Saturday, April 26. The 781 feet long M/S Volendam had a gorgeous sunny day and brought over one thousand tourists to town. Cruise ships (for me) signal longer days, beautiful foreign accents, and more fun moments in Alaska's Capital City.
It hasn't even been one month yet, but lucky Juneauites were treated today to another good long glimpse of a pod of orcas swimming down the Gastineau Channel. Their distinctive black-and-white coloring makes them easy to spot, even on a sunny day with rough water.
Check out this video I shot with my iPhone. The quality isn't the best, but it goes to show there's adventure around every corner in Juneau.
Did you know orcas are in the dolphin family and can travel fast - up to 30 mph? Check out this National Geographic profile to learn more about this immediately recognizable species.
I'm ever amazed at the incredible talent in this town! Last month was "Showtime 2014" - a very special event featuring the Juneau-Douglas High School Dance Team. This team was a semi-finalist at the 2014 National Dance Team Championship, and their award-winning routines wowed the crowd and kept the town buzzing. I just love their Alaska-themed outfits, too. Nothing cheers "Alaska!" like blue, white, and silver with fuzzy boots and snowball pompoms. We arrived two hours early to get a good seat, and by showtime, the gymnasium was packed. Enjoy the dazzling show!
What is considered "once-in-a-lifetime" for most has become a common sight for many in Juneau, Alaska. A pod of killer whales (orcas) visited the Gastineau Channel in Juneau last Friday afternoon (March 21, 2014). They traveled north past the Juneau-Douglas Bridge, and about 45 minutes later, returned south since the waterway three miles north is too shallow. What a wild way to spend the lunch break!
An orca surfaces underneath the Juneau-Douglas Bridge. Notice the onlookers standing on the shores of Douglas Island.