Tominabox.com

This gallery contains photos from Alaska, taken during a cruise in 2005, round trip from San Francisco over 10 days. Also included in the trip was a stop in Victoria, Canada, but because this gallery is focused on Alaska, there are no Victoria or San Francisco photos. These photos are a small sampling of the more than 100 photos that I took during that trip. Alaska is a gigantic state, purchased from Russia, and largely unexplored due to terrain and weather conditions. Cruise ships generally only go to the more temperate parts of Alaska on the southern edge. Even with the small amount of Alaska that is seen on this trip, an enormous amount of wildlife is seen. Bears, eagles, whales, and many other animals are all common sights. The most frequent misconception concerning Alaska has to do with penguins. Penguins only live at the South pole, and therefore cannot be found in Alaska. However, there are still monumental mountains, salmon filled streams, glaciers, and much more to see.

Juneau is the capitol of Alaska, but definitely not the largest city in the state. It is the largest city, in terms of land area, of all 50 state capitols, but it's population is small. The only way in and out of town is via ship or plane, as no road extends further than about 50 miles out of Juneau.

The most popular destination in Juneau is probably the Red Dog Saloon. It is a bar with expensive beer, live music, and sawdust on the floor. Expect to be greeted on the way in or out by the entertainer.

As mentioned, one of the only ways in and out of the state capitol of Alaska is by plane. Another important detail to mention is that they are not regular planes, but rather sea planes. The planes have propellors on the front and floats underneath, to allow the plane to take off and land directly on the water. This plane is preparing to take off. The engine makes a tremendous amount of noise heard throughout the town as it revs up and then disappears into the distance. Is it taking siteseers on a trip to a glacier, or ferrying passengers to another city in Alaska?

A church in Juneau has this fantastic view for its congregation. Sitting among the property of the University of Juneau is a church, looking out onto a lake and in the distance looms a mountain with glacier slowly receeding away. The cabin is made entirely of wood, with no metal nails holding it together. It is also a very small church, which matches with the small but proud population of Alaskans.
Ketchikan is another small city in Alaska. The city claims to be the salmon capitol of the world. The stream pictured testified to this claim, as it is filled (although difficult to see in the photo) with many salmon swimming upstream to spawn. The story of spawning salmon is a sad one. The fish swim back from the ocean waters, jumping in the air as they make their way, to help loosen up the eggs in their body. The salmon have not eaten for likely several months at this point, and are large and soft if touched. They will make their way from salt waters to the fresh water where they were born and lay eggs, and then die immediately afterward. There are several different types of salmon, each with its own particular season in which it is prime for fishing, of various grades and prices.

The Regal Princess sits in waiting while the passengers take to the streets of Ketchikan. In the foreground are tall coniferous trees, and mountains loom in the background.

Downtown Ketchikan boasts all the ammenties a typical cruise ship passenger longs for. Diamonds International and Tanzanite International occupy the most prestigious position in proximity to the cruise ships. Up and down the street are shops selling the same items for the same prices. Unlike Carribean and Mexican cruises, there is no bartering in these shops, but many will try to win business by making their items appear to cost less by luring you in with 'sales' and 'discounts'.

A rare photo of myself, taken with the aid of the camera timer. I convinced my mom to take a hike with me up the side of a mountain to a lookout point. The walk involved many stairs and walking on a dirt path. From the vantage point at the top we were able to see the cruise ships in the marina, all the shops and houses of Ketchikan, and the mountains in the distance. The air was cool but not cold, and it was spectacular.

The train ride is the most popular attraction in Skagway, as it roams along the edge of a mountain into the depths of Alaska. The full train ride will take you well into Canada and eventually hit the Northwest Territory. Rather than take the train ride, my mom and I took the bus ride, which parallels the train but costs MUCH less, and offers stops along the way, which are not included in the train ride.

Because there are not many people who live year round in Skagway (about 300), during peak tourist season there will be tours given by people such as this man who has retired and now travels North America by RV. This summer he set up camp in Skagway and leads tour groups on a bus along the route that parallels the train. He was a particularly great tour guide, with advanced knowledge of the area, plants, animals, the glaciers, bridges, etc. As he stands here, we are near a very special bridge that is only attached to one of its sides, as it sits directly over a fault line. He tells us that in the event of an earthquake, the bridge will be able to stay put because of its unique structure that prevents it from tumbling into the gulge below.

Note the passengers lined up on the top deck of the cruise ship, many with cameras in hand. They are witnessing what few will get to see. The cruise ship sits idle at the edge of a waterway that is filled with glacial ice. Air temperature is very cold due to the large amounts of ice present. No one will be swimming in the pool today.

Very few of my photographs involve timing to acheive them. This photo is a rare exception to that, and I think well worth the patience. As the cruise ship rotated about in Tracey's Arm to turn around and return back towards San Francisco, the blue ice was slowly moving into the light shining on the water from the glacier. Blue ice is indicative of how long it has been in the water. The ice that is front and center was likely floating only for several hours, and certainly less than a week. As ice floats in the water it will turn from blue to dirty white.

Special bonus panoramic section! Alaska is difficult to contain within the lens of a camera and really needs to be experienced firsthand to understand its depth. However, I was able to take several photos in panoramic mode that helped better display its beauty. I hope you enjoy viewing these panoramic photos as much as I did taking them.

The city of Ketchikan.

The small port of Skagway, with several cruise ships lined up. Today there were more than 9000 people in a town with a regular population under 500.

Another stunning view of Tracey's Arm in Alaska. A small island sits off to the right of center.

	Juneau is the capitol of Alaska, but definitely not the largest city in the state. It is the largest city, in terms of land area, of all 50 state capitols, but it's population is small. The only way in and out of town is via ship or plane, as no road extends further than about 50 miles out of Juneau.
	The most popular destination in Juneau is probably the Red Dog Saloon. It is a bar with expensive beer, live music, and sawdust on the floor. Expect to be greeted on the way in or out by the entertainer.
	As mentioned, one of the only ways in and out of the state capitol of Alaska is by plane. Another important detail to mention is that they are not regular planes, but rather sea planes. The planes have propellors on the front and floats underneath, to allow the plane to take off and land directly on the water. This plane is preparing to take off. The engine makes a tremendous amount of noise heard throughout the town as it revs up and then disappears into the distance. Is it taking siteseers on a trip to a glacier, or ferrying passengers to another city in Alaska?
	A church in Juneau has this fantastic view for its congregation. Sitting among the property of the University of Juneau is a church, looking out onto a lake and in the distance looms a mountain with glacier slowly receeding away. The cabin is made entirely of wood, with no metal nails holding it together. It is also a very small church, which matches with the small but proud population of Alaskans.
	Ketchikan is another small city in Alaska. The city claims to be the salmon capitol of the world. The stream pictured testified to this claim, as it is filled (although difficult to see in the photo) with many salmon swimming upstream to spawn. The story of spawning salmon is a sad one. The fish swim back from the ocean waters, jumping in the air as they make their way, to help loosen up the eggs in their body. The salmon have not eaten for likely several months at this point, and are large and soft if touched. They will make their way from salt waters to the fresh water where they were born and lay eggs, and then die immediately afterward. There are several different types of salmon, each with its own particular season in which it is prime for fishing, of various grades and prices.
	The Regal Princess sits in waiting while the passengers take to the streets of Ketchikan. In the foreground are tall coniferous trees, and mountains loom in the background.
	Downtown Ketchikan boasts all the ammenties a typical cruise ship passenger longs for. Diamonds International and Tanzanite International occupy the most prestigious position in proximity to the cruise ships. Up and down the street are shops selling the same items for the same prices. Unlike Carribean and Mexican cruises, there is no bartering in these shops, but many will try to win business by making their items appear to cost less by luring you in with 'sales' and 'discounts'.
	A rare photo of myself, taken with the aid of the camera timer. I convinced my mom to take a hike with me up the side of a mountain to a lookout point. The walk involved many stairs and walking on a dirt path. From the vantage point at the top we were able to see the cruise ships in the marina, all the shops and houses of Ketchikan, and the mountains in the distance. The air was cool but not cold, and it was spectacular.
	The train ride is the most popular attraction in Skagway, as it roams along the edge of a mountain into the depths of Alaska. The full train ride will take you well into Canada and eventually hit the Northwest Territory. Rather than take the train ride, my mom and I took the bus ride, which parallels the train but costs MUCH less, and offers stops along the way, which are not included in the train ride.
	Because there are not many people who live year round in Skagway (about 300), during peak tourist season there will be tours given by people such as this man who has retired and now travels North America by RV. This summer he set up camp in Skagway and leads tour groups on a bus along the route that parallels the train. He was a particularly great tour guide, with advanced knowledge of the area, plants, animals, the glaciers, bridges, etc. As he stands here, we are near a very special bridge that is only attached to one of its sides, as it sits directly over a fault line. He tells us that in the event of an earthquake, the bridge will be able to stay put because of its unique structure that prevents it from tumbling into the gulge below.
	Note the passengers lined up on the top deck of the cruise ship, many with cameras in hand. They are witnessing what few will get to see. The cruise ship sits idle at the edge of a waterway that is filled with glacial ice. Air temperature is very cold due to the large amounts of ice present. No one will be swimming in the pool today.
	Very few of my photographs involve timing to acheive them. This photo is a rare exception to that, and I think well worth the patience. As the cruise ship rotated about in Tracey's Arm to turn around and return back towards San Francisco, the blue ice was slowly moving into the light shining on the water from the glacier. Blue ice is indicative of how long it has been in the water. The ice that is front and center was likely floating only for several hours, and certainly less than a week. As ice floats in the water it will turn from blue to dirty white.

	The city of Ketchikan.
	The small port of Skagway, with several cruise ships lined up. Today there were more than 9000 people in a town with a regular population under 500.
	Another stunning view of Tracey's Arm in Alaska. A small island sits off to the right of center.