Whale Watching, Tram and Juneau shopping

Despite waking up to a consistent and pouring rain, we made it out on a whale watching experience thanks for Grace, Sharolyn's cousin who works for the company. The boat was covered, but it stopped raining most of the time, and we were the 10% of trips that get to see a pod of orcas (killer whales). We also saw humpbacks (though they didn't do much) sea lions, bald eagles and some other birds. Truly, we really enjoyed ourselves, and witnessing the ocean and beauty of Alaska is incredible. 

We then went driving around the area a little with Carol before she dropped us off in town with a car. We rode the tram up the mountain, shopped, and ate. Our favorite shops were a cheap t-shirt store (kids) and a native arts store (Sharolyn). She found the coolest meditating skeleton made out of moose antler and an antique totem with a cool story about how it was made by a student in an Indian school in the 1940s. This is one of the schools created to "civilize" natives. Apparently they could still create totems?  Anyway, she was enamored by it. 

We ate at the Twisted Fish Grill in downtown Juneau.  Randall said it was "delicious."

 

    

Juneau from Douglas Island

 

Randall has an impressive wingspan!

 

 

The coolest little meditating skeleton hand carved from moose antler. This was in a tightly packed native arts store I could have spent two more hours in. I purchased a small antique totem here with a cool story. 

 

 

Alaskan halibut fish tacos for the super mom. :-). The rice not so good, but the tacos got gobbled.