Juneau gets a LOT of cruise ship traffic in the summer and there is a lot of infrastructure in town to deal with all the tourists. Everything from a tram that goes up the side of a mountain (which is actually quite fun with lots of good hiking at the top) to a salmon hatchery (something else which is pretty neat as well) to loads of whale watching boats, tour buses, flightseeing and helicopter tours over the Mendenhall Glacier (which looms over the town and is quite spectacular).
Today was turnover day and as I sat in my office doing paperwork, I happened to look out the window and just about fell over in astonishment. I’ve never seen so many helicopters flying at one time – not even at the height of a forest fire in my previous life as a water bomber pilot. It seemed like there were helicopters everywhere with one group of 7 flying in a line towards Mendenhall and at least 6 more flying back the other way. They looked just like dragonflies to my eye and it was a sight that I won’t soon forget. Our fantastic staff are all busily working away at getting the ship turned around for our next group of guests boarding this evening.
–Captain Mike
Weather: Nice early summer weather with broken clouds, calm winds and seas, air temperatures in the high 60’s.
Water: Water visibility and temperature unknown.
