Skagway is an odd narrow town sandwiched on three sides by tall mountains and penned in on the forth by the ocean. It is a port city where cruise ships arrive in the hundreds during the summer season. The town appears, at first, to look a lot like Dawson City, very quaint and beautiful, but it soon becomes obvious that it is Disneyfied. The buildings on its streets are little more than façades hiding one kitschy tourist shop after another. But there is a Skagway to discover, if you care to, and I had four and a half hours in which to do so. I took a walking tour with a park ranger, visited the Klondike Park museum, and strolled through this small community. At the end of the afternoon, the group met up again for one last taste of civilization, superb Thai food at the Starfire restaurant on 4th Avenue. Skagway is obviously more than meets the eye.
looking down Broadway towards the cruise ships
remember this name…
façades on Broadway (and our nice ranger guide on the walking tour)
close up of a false front
home of William Moore, founder of Skagway (historical colours!)
one of several cruise ships docked that day
you know you’re in the middle of nowhere when…
the Chilkoot info centre, check in here for trail conditions, permits, and info
one of the oddest buildings I have ever seen
