Skagway (Aug Vacation Part 3 of 5)
Read (Part 1) North Pole to Haines
Read (Part 2) Haines
Another very long and photo heavy entry! (Allow all thumbnails to load before clicking to enlarge)
ARRIVAL IN SKAGWAY - Very late Thursday evening, August 13th
The ferry arrived in Skagway between 11 and midnight. I wasn’t really paying too much attention to the time, as we were having a fabulous time on board with our new friends, Susan and Bruce, and the other two couples they were traveling with. We spent a good portion of the trip in the bar (even though last call was only minutes after we ordered our drinks). Sitting around the large table, we talked about Alaska, and traveling, and our hometowns, and bears, and so many other things. It was unfortunate that Jack and Diane were turned away at the door as soon as “last call” was announced. It would have been nice to have them join us too.
The announcement was made to go down to our vehicles a few minutes after pulling into port. We said goodbye to our new friends and told them we hoped to meet up again while in Skagway. As we all climbed into our vehicles, I know we were all thinking the same thing: “How are we going to get out of here?” Not all of us were able to just pull straight through and out the other end of the ferry. Some of us had to back out the same door we entered in Haines!
Steve is not a big fan of backing up with the camper. Especially in tight spaces, with other vehicles surrounding us. But we both give kudos to the crew on the ferry. Those guys (and gals) know how to give directions well. We didn’t even have to use our mirrors; one guy stood behind our camper giving direction to another guy who stood at Steve’s window, who relayed that direction to Steve. In a matter of minutes, we were on the streets of Skagway - with the RV Park less than a quarter mile from the harbor.
We made reservations at Pullen Creek RV Park in advance, and let them know we’d be in very late. They’re accustomed to late arrivals on the ferry, and had our site designated with an orange cone so that no one else would take it. The park was dark, as everyone was sleeping, so Steve only had his running lights on so as not to disturb other campers while pulling in.
Setting up camp in the dark was something we’d never done before. Steve placed a flashlight on the ground on the right side of the site, while I held another flashlight near the hookups on the left side. Using these lights, he backed onto the gravel pad. As luck would have it, the pad was perfectly level, so no adjustments had to be made. We were unhooked and set up in less than 15 minutes. I must say that Steve and I have this camping thing down to a science!
We had to turn the heat on that night, as it was a chilly and very windy evening. We could feel the camper rocking in the wind, and at times it was so strong, we thought the trees around us would blow over. We’re glad we didn’t put the awning out. Some say the name Skagway is derived from the original Tlingit name Skagua - which means “windy place”. Other research from local Tlinglit natives has revealed that the name comes from the word Shgagwéi meaning “bunched up or rough water.” Windy Place or Rough Water - both names aptly fit.
