Juneau; whales, eagles and bears—oh my😮

Our first port day, after a night of rolling open seas, we entered the Inside Passage and enjoyed the calm water and groups of whales along the way. We arrived in Juneau mid afternoon, and had picked up our Turo (https://turo.com/us/en/car-rental/united-states/juneau-ak/toyota/corolla/2622477) rental car very close to the dock. Thus we had total freedom for the 5 hours around Juneau rather than being tied to a tour or shuttle van. All told we saw 8 bald eagles and two black bears, one glacier, many waterfalls, and miles of beautiful shoreline. I’ll post quick pics before we set sail and lose city internet, but I owe you some animal pics once I get them off my real 📸

Funny it looks empty, but this is the #1 place to go in Juneau. It gets very crowded, but is beautiful and unique.
For next to the Mendenhall Glacier is Nugget Falls, which is fed not by the glacier but by the frequent rainfall in the area.
The Nevada State Capitol Building. Oddly office-like, as if the columns were an after thought. But at least there is Seward’s statue, without whom the entire folly would never have occurred.
Downtown Juneau is dominated by the massive cruise ships in port. Our ship has nearly 5,000 people alone, let the other three giant ships.
Steph with Mendenhall Glacier, which used to flow into the valley. it is the focus of shuttle trips, canoe rides, and even helicopter flights that land atop it.
My fish taco combo from Deckhand Dave’s, a local hot spot in town. They are rockfish, halibut and salmon, in order of delicious ascendancy.
Our hot ride in downtown beneath Mt Juneau and Ebner Falls. Merely a 7 mile hike to the top, of only we had more time to tackle that challenge 🤭