Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria, British Columbia
Twenty-four hours isn’t nearly enough time to devote to this picture-postcard capital, but if that’s all the time you can afford, we have some suggestions for making the most of your visit to the “City of Gardens.”
We got lucky.
Driving up the western coast of San Juan Island, fresh off the morning ferry, we saw a cluster of people on a rocky expanse looking out to sea. Figuring the “rubber-necking” likely meant creatures were in sight, we parked our car and hurried over to watch the show. Off in the distance, a pod of orcas was steadily making its way towards us.
Colorful totems were the main draw in Sitka National Historical Park. That is, until we saw a man striding through a clearing in the woods with a cello in hand. Intrigued, we hung around and were treated to an impromptu mini concert by Zuill Bailey, Artistic Director of the Sitka Summer Music Festival, who was using the spruce forest as the backdrop for a promotional video.
That was the warm-up act.
An Alaska Marine Highway ferry
No roads lead to Juneau.
Flanked by mountains peaks and the Gastineau Channel, Alaska’s capital is one of numerous cities and towns in the state that can be reached only by air or water. We flew in from Anchorage and departed by boat, the first leg of our trip along a portion of the Inside Passage, a waterway extending from Alaska to Puget Sound.
Our ride wasn’t one of the fancy, massive cruise ships docked in downtown Juneau’s harbor. Instead we made like locals and hopped aboard a more modest mode of transport to cruise the remote waters. A public ferry system operates along what is known as the Alaska Marine Highway, the only marine route in the U.S. to be dubbed a “National Scenic Byway” and “All American Road.”
They look more like lovable mutts you’d find frolicking in backyards rather than elite canines. That’s because the dogs of Denali National Park weren’t bred for a particular look but for traits crucial to their unique role, like large paws, long legs, and double-thick coats to withstand sub-zero temperatures. Another important quality: a strong desire to run and pull.
Denali is the only national park whose staff includes sled dogs, or Alaskan huskies. Furry, four-legged rangers of a sort, they play an important part in maintaining and protecting the park—patrolling acres of wilderness off limits to motorized vehicles, hauling supplies and humans such as wildlife researchers, and performing other important tasks.
Everywhere Once 