Our last port of call, Skagway located at the northern tip of Alaska's inside passage, became one of our favourites, because it included the famous, White Pass and Yukon Scenic Railway journey.

The discovery of gold in 1896 in Yukon, was enough to cause the stampede in Skagway the perfect starting point for gold miners hoping to strike it rich. A narrow gauge railroad was built in a mere 26 months, blasted through the rugged coastal mountains to create what they call "the railway built of gold". The original White Pass Trail, climbed nearly 3000 feet through miles of steep grades and cliff-hanging turns. The railway used to run year round, with a rotary snowplow to assist with making sure this could happen for goods movement, but today it just runs for the tourist season.

Skagway has quite a story to tell, a rush that brought a booming economy to Skagway, with little law and even less order. Famous Soapy Smith the uncrowned king of Skagway, organised a gang of over 100 con men and ruled Skagway in 1897 and 98, so after the train ride, it was a visit to Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp for poetry that told the stories of the Klondike Gold Rush.    We also learnt to pan and found a small amount of gold but “it didn’t pan out” - didn’t find enough that drove men and women wild with gold fever those years ago!! Lunch was freshly grilled fillet of Wild Alaskan Salmon, and variety of salads, with a warm Apple Cider and a fire to sit by.

Our final stop after placing a black and red garter on our arms so not to get mixed with the rather large crowd in the saloon, was a visit to the famous Red Onion Saloon, where once the dance halls and saloons abounded. It was famous for not only it’s saloon but the Madam that ran it, who also ran a high class brothel, those days $5 for 15 minutes.

The remainder of the day was a walk down the street which felt like we were on an old western movie set.  

The afternoon afforded time for the spa treatment for Mum and I – called the Top to Toe and that evening we all decided to have some time relaxing in our cosy cabin. 

It was chilly today, and noticeably getting colder.