Day 2

After setting the alarm for 9 lest we sleep through breakfast, we we're both up at 7 and ready to eat. After coffee we took a short walk were we watched a pair of bald eagles nesting maybe 20 yards away. Next was breakfast #2 after which Melanie opted for a bubble bath and I took a bicycle the 3 miles to Mendenhall glacier.
Never could understand how people could spend all day sitting on a bike seat. It is hard to describe what it feels like to come around a curve and see the panorama. Nor will I attempt to describe what my legs were like once I got back. After a quick shower we headed out for another walk, this time along the Mendenhall river (photos to follow). There is an incredible system of paved and unpaved trails with casual walkers, power walkers, runners and of course lab owners Dogs and people alike are laid back and friendly.
After the walk we called for a taxi to take us into Juneau. Our driver was a 4th generation Alaskan and after we asked him to detour past the glacier he began a great monologue pointing out features and eagles as we went. Once in town he pointed out buildings (including the SOB -state office building) and "the local stores" bemoaning all the shops run by the cruise lines and foreigners. "I'm embarrassed by this - this is not the real Alaska- what's with selling diamonds? There are no emeralds here!". It may be 30 years later but still resonates the characters from McPhee's "into the country". After seeing the Governor's Mansion ("they don't bother staying here anymore") and the lot where he grew up he dropped us off at the dock. We took his word for it that we'd find the ship is we walked down past the salmon processing plant. With only 60 passengers our ship was small enough it could pass under the bow of the bigger cruise ships in port. In any case we dropped off our bags and headed off to explore Juneau.
The city is basically one long road "the road" with "end" posted at each end. One highlight was Tracy's crab shack- which was just that: a shack with some outside seating. We shared the best crab bisque (really outstanding) and a crab leg along with an Alaskan Amber.
We enjoyed checking out some of the "Alaskan Owned" galleries and craft shops and especially enjoyed a great little book store (another reason we get along so well. We bought some books for the Grandkids and a postcard for Hannah and sampled "hot smoked" and "cold smoked" salmon. Cold smoked is like "lox" and the hot smoke is firmer and chewier. We settled next door with a hot drink and our books till we could board at 5:30.
Upon boarding we checked out our room (on the aft port side if the ship) where Melanie immediately inspected the bathroom (see attached) and then headed down to the welcoming reception and safety lecture where we began to meet our ship mates. .
Then off to dinner where Melanie and I have been permanently spoiled by an (insert laudatory term here as my Blackberry has no thesaurus. For dessert Melanie asked just a spoonful of bread pudding and the waiter returned with the pudding in a spoon the size of a garden trowel which got a good laugh.
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