A "local" story

Summer has arrived, and with the warmer (highs in the 60's) weather and late night sun comes the cruise ships.  My office at Alaska Vision looks out over the Gastineau Channel which is also home to the cruise shop docks.  At times, five ships can be docked at once, with the largest holding over 1900 passengers.

Juneau will see 1 million passengers this season

They float silently up the channel, nestling against the dock while their passengers crowd the rails for their first look at Juneau.  What they see is a city that is snug against the mountain, with houses fighting gravity as they climb up the hillside.  The downtown area is crowded with tourist shops selling t-shirts, moose droppings (really), postcards and other memorabilia and a handful of bars and restaurants.  Float planes land and take off from the

A float plane leaving Hangar on the Wharf

Hangar on the Wharf, which is a nice place to have a fine Alaskan Amber and a sandwich or a pricey meal of locally caught halibut.  There is Marine Park which is where most of the local celebrations are held including the recent 'Celebration' which is a tribute to Alaskan natives.  Just this week, there was a large crowd at Auke Recreational Area (by our house) to greet the arrival of  ceremonial oar boats complete with tribal dignitaries in native dress.  They held a parade downtown on Thursday afternoon and this weekend saw  Alaskan food, music and crafts at Centennial Hall.  Along with the three ships in port today, downtown must have been busy - we didn't go.  We have become true Juneau-ites, using our precious weekends for errands, chores and some much-deserved down time.  This morning we went to the recycling center (no pick up in our neighborhood), then to a local farmer's market (which was more market than farmer), to the local auto/marine dealer where we

A view of Mendenhall Glacier today when I was at the grocery store

looked for some planters for our deck and lastly to the Alaska Brewery for a souvenir, but mostly for the free 6oz "tasters" that can be had for free.  You get up to six per visit - Bill had two, I had one.  We didn't buy the souvenir.  Last night, I spent two hours at church with fellow crafters working on my scrapbook.  The others did a counted cross-stitch, some lap quilting and some card stamping.  Tomorrow is church, then Bill has planned to go shooting with a friend and I will plan some meals that will be easy to heat up during the week. 

View of the Chugach Mountain range behind my house

That is because two nights a week I attend an "aqua zumba" class at the local high school pool and Bill has started going with me and doing some lap swim.  We sit in the sauna for five minutes or so afterwards.  The point of this story?  Twice now, while shopping and again today at the Brewery, we were asked questions because they assumed we were "locals'.  The shop clerk even stated "I can ask you guys the question because you are locals".  Both times we were in decidedly tourist areas, surrounded by actual tourists.  That said, I drive around almost everyday with my head swiveling from window to window, drinking in the gorgeous sights, especially now that it is brighter out most days.  The mountains are awe-inspiring, the harbors are full of boats of all shapes and sizes, the eagles are flying around readying their nests for the arrival of their young (any day now!) and the friendly people of Juneau are now our friends. 

The reflection on Auke Lake (on my drive to work)

Enjoy your hometown, whether new or old, taking joy in the everyday sites and looking for new ones to make you smile!