3 Things About Juneau - from Traveling Boy

Traveling Boy means the travel adventures of the Traveiling Boitanos

We didn't know about
JUNEAU

What are some of the “things” or activities that Juneau residents do for fun?

Mendenhall Glacier
Photo courtesy of Lem Canady

ANSWER: For fun, Juneau residents, like so many visitors, head to the Mendenhall Glacier to take advantage of the many recreation opportunities there. In addition to being inspired by the tremendous beauty of the landscape (including the iceberg sculptures in the lake), residents like to hit the trails around the glacier, kayak or canoe in the lake, and watch for black bears at the salmon stream. We also enjoy fishing for salmon and halibut, whale watching in the summer months, and hiking/biking the many excellent trails in the area. In winter, we enjoy downhill skiing/snowboarding at Eaglecrest Ski Area, cross-country skiing in lofty mountain meadows, and ice skating in postcard-worthy settings.

What's one thing the public probably does NOT know about Juneau?

gold panning
Photo courtesy of Juneau Convention & Visitors Bureau

ANSWER: The discovery of gold in Juneau in 1880 by Joe Juneau and Richard Harris sparked the Alaska-Yukon gold rush. During their heydays in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Juneau was home to the largest gold mines in the world. Gold can still be found in local streams, using a gold pan and a bit of elbow grease.

Share some aspect of Juneau as regards to what it has contributed to the world

a pair of orcas
Photo courtesy of Juneau Convention & Visitors Bureau

ANSWER: Gold mining in Juneau’s remote location prompted several firsts, including the construction of the world’s first constant-angle arch variable radius dam at Salmon Creek (think Hoover Dam) in order to provide hydroelectricity to the gold mines. Also, Juneau was the site of the first successful lake tapping to provide hydro power for electric generation. Lake tapping involves construction of a tunnel to the bottom of a lake and “tapping” into the lake bottom to start the flow of water. This process allowed for year-round water flow, even when the surface of the lakes were frozen in winter. The process is still used in the Juneau area today.

For further information about Juneau, click-on: www.traveljuneau.com

Send your feedback to editor@Travelingboy.com.

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