a train ride to nowhere

My absolute favorite adventure during our Alaskan Anniversary Adventure was our train ride to nowhere. We followed the White Pass & Yukon Route along the original track that was built back in 1898 during Alaska's Klondike Gold Rush. 

The route started in the town of Skagway Alaska and went all through the mountains until reaching Yukon Canada, at which point we abruptly turned around again. We never even got off the train, with the ride starting and ending at the same point. But like most things in life, it's not necessarily about where you're going, it's about the journey. And boy was the journey incredible. This train literally had us winding through the mountains, air whipping in our faces, the fresh scent of sitka spruce in the air. And all the while, we're spotting hanging ice glaciers and endless waterfalls. I've never been on a train ride quite like this. 

While the passenger car offered warmth and protection from the rain & wind, we chose to spend the entire time outside on the little deck attached to train car because the views were spectacular. And it's always worth it to brave a little bad weather when it means views of a lifetime. 

hanging ice glaciers and endless waterfalls

what's not to love? 

I spy a very colorful train passing through the mountains 

sad to have the train turn around, going down the mountain wasn't quite as fun and climbing up it 

After a rainy windy train ride, we had some time to spare before we had to be back on our cruise and spent it wandering through the cute sleepy mountain town of Skagway Alaska. On our way there, we passed a huge river where the salmon were spawning. I've never seen a natural salmon run, but you could see more fish than you could water if you can imagine that. You could even scoop the salmon right out of the river with your bare hands, here's proof....

definitely the easiest fish I ever caught! 

Everyone always thinks I'm a prissy girly girl until I decide to do stuff like this, even Tom was super surprised that I did this so easily because he may have struggled a bit, but I showed him how it's done.

happiest husband to catch a salmon with his bare hands 

finally made our way into this sleepy mountain town with a population of less than 800 people 

totem poles + toffee coffee 

the views from main street...to die for

finally making our way back the docks and back onto our cruise

We loved every moment exploring this mountain town and even more fun was our train ride to nowhere that we will always remember. Can't wait to share more later this week our all our Alaskan Adventures.