Wild Wrangell

Well, it wasn't actually wild when we first arrived at 4.30 am Weds morning. It was however, almost daylight! Lorri and I emerged from our cabin "bunker" to be greeted by that eerie near-daylight look. The thoughtful Christie was there at the ferry terminal to collect us and to drive the 2 minutes to her B nB, The Squawking Raven.

After a little more sleep and a scrumptious breakfast we set out to wander Wrangell. The pleasure boats/cruise ships that come here are of the smaller variety...perhaps 80 passengers or so. The town is unpretentious. You use it like the locals use it. Not a jewellery shop in sight. Like most of the towns in South West Alaska, Wrangell has a history of Tlingit origins followed by the fur trade, fishing, logging and gold fever. The town in the early days was indeed a wild frontier. Boat building and maintenance is the extra factor in this small town on the hillside above the beautiful harbour.

Thursday morning, another beautiful, warm day. Wander to the deserted wharf to be taken on our "exclusive" jet boat ride up the pristine Stikine River. This is where more "wild" begins. Not that the day produced any startling wildlife sightings, but the isolation was memorable and of course the scenery was special. We spent 6hrs exploring the river and its banks. Once again I will let the pictures tell the story.

The deserted Wrangell wharf at 9am.

Our muesli bar stop.

Lorraine and Spencer.

Our lunch stop.

Ice flow from the Shakes Glacier.

Fascinated with the icebergs in the river...under the bright sunshine.

 

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