Juneau, Alaska

Juneau Alaska is the place where turquoise green oceans meet magnificent glaciers cradled neatly between beautiful snow caped mountains covered in a blankets of old growth rainforest. The mist is almost constant during the entire year creating a quite, soft, and peaceful atmosphere with the gentle rain making a soft melody on tin roofs or car windshields. The single road through town is as likely to be traveled on by a car as it is by a local runner or biker during the summer months. Don’t think about rushing around here, it just doesn’t happen.

The typical day in Juneau begins early in the morning when the bears are beginning to rummage through the streams for salmon and loons begin calling. Black bears are a great pastime here where they may be observed from a number of roads around town and seemingly always putting on a show. The bald eagle’s songs rise above most other noises unless there is a large gathering of seagulls in which case it is fun to watch the eagles and gulls acrobatics as they keep morsels of food from each other. Many species of ducks and geese call Juneau home during the summer and shore birds abound which makes it heaven to those inclined to observe birds.

The Juneau trail system allows locals and visitors alike to explore deep into the heart of the Tongess National Forest that surrounds Juneau, many cabins are also available to rent in the forest. The miles in roads through Juneau is miniscule compared to the number of miles in trails that travel up the local mountains or flow with the glacial rivers. Most trails lead to a glacier or a mountain summit where the views only challenge you to go farther to see what is over the next summit or around the next curve of the glacier. The trails are often merely an animal trail or old gold-miners route that doesn’t really end but leads you to where you may start your own trail that may lead you to your own adventure of discovering things often overlooked.

Juneau is the greatest place to live or to visit in the world because it is the biggest little town in Alaska and has opportunities to live, learn, or see things that you don’t have to opportunity to anywhere else. Whether it is a visit to Gerry the barber, a short round Filipino man who know everyone in town, the Governor of the state Mr. Frank Murkowski who lives up on Calhoun Avenue and gives the best treats at Halloween, or a stop into the post office to grab mail and visit ten other people you know before you leave you will never forget time spent here.

We dress up here when we get together but style here involves extra tough boots (a calf high rubber boot), a rain jacket, and a good rain hat (umbrellas are okay if your new). This all gets shed at the door where you put on the nice shoes you carry in a hand bag, adjust your clothes, and wipe the rain off of your face. You really have to live here to understand it’s not how hard it’s raining but deep the puddles are that determines how you dress.

When you come to my town you have to walk a little slower, breath a little deeper, and look around a whole lot more. If you don’t your going to miss the whole thing because the air here is just that much better and the views are unbeatable. Don’t think you have to see it all in a day because you just can’t do it. Don’t think you have to love the outdoors to enjoy it because once you’re here you will love the outdoors. Don’t miss your opportunity to come visit just make sure you bring your rain coat and your smile.

Joshua S

Submitted: Saturday 21st February 2004, 8:35 PM

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