BS: Alaska in May

Subject: RE: BS: Alaska in May
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 06:30 PM

The 2011 schedules are not out yet, of course, but I just checked that of this year.

On May 11, a boat goes to Whittier from Juneau. No car space, however.

On May 23, the Kennicott (our newest ship) goes there, with a car deck.

Subject: RE: BS: Alaska in May
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 02:03 PM

Well, if this goes we'll drive over to the Southern end of the Alaska State Ferry line and ship up in the Blue Canoes, us in a cabin and the car in the hold.

But this is still in the idea stage.

Subject: RE: BS: Alaska in May
From: Deckman
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 01:46 PM

Rap ... are you going to be coming through Everett? bob and Judy

Subject: RE: BS: Alaska in May
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 12:21 PM

Way to go.

Subject: RE: BS: Alaska in May
From: Micca
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 12:14 PM

and I suppose the requirement for seeing a Bear is to walk a dog in Downtown Juneau in the evening??? But to compensate I had 3 Bald Eagles in a tree near the salmon ladder Lots of Ravens (every day) and Real Humpback whales on that boat trip, and Sealions basking on a big Channel marker buoy!! I saw the Aurora in Norway years ago, But Who knows maybe I can get my timing better for Alaska next time

Subject: RE: BS: Alaska in May
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 11:28 AM

Next time, for sure, Micca! (Again, one must be outdoors. And the sky must be fairly clear. And the moon cannot be too full. And it must not be July. lol))

Subject: RE: BS: Alaska in May
From: Micca
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 06:12 AM

Ebbie you guys must be saving such sights for the Tourists!! Us humble travellers, what do we get? In July!!! Rain,(it was just like England, overcast and showery) No Aurora, No Bears!!! Bah Humbug!!!***BG*** next time maybe?

Subject: RE: BS: Alaska in May
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 02:40 AM

Joe, I keep telling people that in order to see the Northern Lights you have to go outdoors. *g* I've seen them in every month but two: June and July. I've seen them on May 7 and August 7. The most common I've seen are the diaphanous apple green drapes and you can see the glittering stars right through the curtain. I have also seen like a dozen trembling, shimmering white fingers, for all the world like jet contrails. I've also seen the deep, deep velvety reds with dripping golden fringe directly overhead. Awesome.

Here is the chorus of a song I wrote once:

But at night he'll watch the Northern Lights
Stream across the sky
Silver and gold in ripples and folds
Of a purple scarf flung high
Green canopy of the Northern Lights!
Gleaming stars hang nigh
All nourish his soul in the crystal cold
Alone in the Northern Lights
Alone in the Northern Lights

Do come to Alaska.

Subject: RE: BS: Alaska in May
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 12:55 AM

I took a cruise from San Francisco to Glacier Bay in late May (1992), and it was perfect (except that my ex-wife was getting ready to divorce me, and wasn't very good company).

The weather was great, and there was lots of daylight - just don't take along a woman who's mad at you.
(now that we've been divorced 18 years and she's been divorced another two times, she's much nicer to me).

I've been to Alaska in May, August, and December. December was the best, since there were no tourists and people had time to talk to you. But I didn't see the Northern Lights any one of those visits.


-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Alaska in May
From: artbrooks
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 12:18 AM

We just did a cruise up the Inside Passage to Seward in late May. The sea was very calm inside the passage itself, but a little rocky between it and Seward - nothing really remarkable, though. We had blue sky and warm weather (60s) all the way up, although we were told that was a bit unusual.

Subject: RE: BS: Alaska in May
From: Ebbie
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 11:42 PM

You'll hear from robomatic, bet and enjay no doubt- I live much farther south in Alaska than they do - but I believe that May in Alaska generally is lovely. In Southeast, mid-April to the end of June is our driest, brightest weather. Most likely, farther north their bright weather comes along a little later than ours so May should be good.

You say "shipping up" to Seward or Whittier and then driving to Anchorage- What does 'shipping up' mean in this connection? Cruise lines are starting their tourist seasons earlier practically every year; May 4th is the earliest date I've seen but most of the lines don't start until later in May.

"Sea conditions up from Bellingham?" The ocean can be rough in May, just as it can be in September- but that's not necessarily the case with every trip.

If you come to Juneau again, allow more time, OK? We'll fete you.

Subject: BS: Alaska in May
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 10:55 PM

What's the weather like in Alaska in May? How about sea conditions up from Bellingham? I'm thinking about shipping up to Seward or Whittier, driving to Anchorage to exchange our car for a bigger one and to pick up some friends who would be flying up, and then messing about for three weeks or so before reversing our tracks.