Speaking of adventures...we went to Southeast Alaskain the first week of July. Had tons of fun...went to Juneau which can be accessed only via water or air..the only US Capital which is not connected to anyother city by road and Skagway.Skagway is the townfrom where the Chilkoot trail begins which was used by the ppl during the Gold Rush. The hike is a strenous 5day hike but since we were not prepared this time,have set it for the next summer. First time overnight camping is not recommended in Chilkoot so we need to prepare ourselves before going hiking/camping there.
Skagway is a very small town of about 4x4 blocks. Main business is through cruise liners which arrive with tourists in the morning and leave by night in summers. Since we were among the few who didn't go by cruiseships and still hung around long after the cruiseships had left for the day, by the second day the whole town knew us and we knew them :-) We got the opportunity to see the Independence day parade which has to go through the whole town twice since the town is very small and the awesome fireworks at the harbour. The sun would set only at around 10:30 pm with twilight lingering long after. The fireworkshence started at 11pm :) While going to Skagway we went by the Alaskan Marine highway cruise ship and on the return flew back in a 6 seater aeroplane. Somnath tells me that Alaska had the highest number of licensed bush pilots!
It was great fun...we flew overglaciers, hiked the Chilkoot trail (one day only), did kayaking in the glacial waters in a 2 seater sea-kayakand took a cruise through the Tracy Arm Fjords which took us very close to the glaciers. It was exciting to see glacier chunks hitting the water, sea otters, humpback whales and even a Black Bear!