travel log: skagway, alaska

Thursday, September 6


Skagway was our kind of place....

the entire town was part of the national park,
which entailed us to free tours
a free movie of the town's history
and free trails for hiking. 
did I mention that our family likes IS OBSESSED with free stuff? 
{as a side-note, there were like 500 jewelry stores lining the streets and each one had a sign outside that said "free gift" as a way to coerce you into the store. I kid you not my sisters spent the ENTIRE 5 hours in Skagway cashing in on free crap. Didn't matter if it was the lamest piece ever, free was free!  Polly has a nice aluminum foil ring to prove it. }

i digress.
back to alaska....
there is some incredible history in Skagway. 
if you were a gold miner in the late 1800's, 
you would have been a part of the 100,000 men who traveled to Skagway
in search of gold in the Klondike. 

these crazy men climbed 500 miles in the SNOW in WINTER. 
PEOPLE! Gold is cool but not at the expense of your sanity. 
and unfortunatly almost all these gold seekers either didn't make it to the Klondike
or once they got there couldn't find any free land to stake their claim. 

but what made it even more fascinating was the little town of Skagway 
that really became a boom town
Skagway's own infamous con-man was named Soapy Smith,
and you couldn't go more than 5 feet without hearing his name. 
kev and I even paid good money to watch a musical about Soapy! 

a few people in our family actually rode the old train around the White Pass 
which followed the footpath of the miners,
where some spectacular scenery abounded. 
{thank you to my sweet brother Peter for the pictures} 

in some small way I was encouraged in Skagway by the thousands of men and women who chased their dreams. It may not have turned out as expected, but they persevered on. I hope i'm remembered as someone who chased the dreams God has planted in my heart. 

enjoy your weekend dearest loves...let's chase dreams today. 
love Katie 

{do you see david the gnome? haha}
{sweet grandpa who we all adore}

Psalm 103:1-2

Praise the Lord, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits—


18 comments :

  1. I love hearing about your adventures! What an incredible trip :)

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  2. Plenty of free activities are always good! And that town looks gorgeous. And that bridge! wow...I love bridges. All your pictures are awesome, actually.

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  3. I love free stuff too! I'm really loving all these pictures you're sharing :)

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  4. It is really incredible to think people were so wild about gold that they went such lengths to try to find it!! What a great looking place!!!
    +Victoria+

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  5. Beautiful pictures- I am so glad you enjoyed your time there!

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  6. Wow, it's so beautiful there!! I'm with ya girl, free is the best! I already know you as someone who is chasing their dreams so your off to a good start! :)

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  7. Alaska looks like picture wonderland! Love your photos, especially the one with the boat on the lake! So pretty!! I love free stuff too, being a college student and all, haha. Thanks for sharing your alaska trip! Can't wait till I get to go! :)

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  8. Gorgeous photos, as usual! Love how you guys got so much enrichment in history (and free stuff) during your trip!

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  9. I love how cutesy the town is! =D You've got some gorgeous shots here Katie!

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  10. Wow...I want to live in this town! I love that it is part of a national park. I am obsessed with free stuff too so maybe I should look into moving there. Haha.

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  11. Been loving these Alaskan posts! You're an amazing photographer!

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  12. So beautiful! I have always wanted to go to Alaska...maybe someday soon! Thank you for sharing :)

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  13. Gosh, will your amazing photo adventures never end? I hope not!

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  14. These pictures are beautiful! And it is amazing to hear something about the goldmine history. Awesome :D

    x

    Marielle

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  15. oh my! the pictures are amazing and breath-taking!
    i MUST go there someday!!!

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  16. Um, I'll be moving there tomorrow. GORGEOUS. I want to walk around that town with coffee in my hand.

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  17. I love the pictures, Katie! Looks like you had an amazing time. I'm so glad!

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  18. ahh! i was lauging out loud at the first paragraph! too true too true!
    such good memories!
    <3 lena

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I LOVE hearing from you friend:) Your comment will make my day!