Saints and Devils

Days 46 to 48 – July 11 - 13, 2015

As mentioned in the last blog … we did not spend much time in the touristy parts of Juneau. We did go up the tram … bought a couple gifts … but headed out of that area soon.

There is a 41 mile road on the island going north called the Glacier Highway. A wonderful drive with many pullouts to discover unique and lovely places. 

     
     

Along this road there is a small chapel called St. Therese Shrine. Built in 1938 of natural stone, it is located on a tiny island 400 feet from the mainland shore. Accessed by a man-made causeway, it is a genuine discovery. And it is Sunday … and the Bishop is presiding. Dan and he visited and upon learning that Dan is Raiders fan, the bishop promised to pray for his conversion. The island also has other beautiful features … a truly lovely setting. Trust Vicki to find a labyrinth!

Hemlock Forest, Islands, Devils, Skunks and Waterfalls

We’ve partial to ranger talks and walks and have learned much about what we are encountering. 

The trees at the end of the Glacier Highway are hemlocks; the plants at the bottom edge of the picture are called Devil’s Club; you can see how thickly it grows … very spiny branches and nasty … produces painful rashes if touched; you can see why you cannot walk in this forest.





The large green plant huge ... 3 feet tall by 3 feet wide; called a skunk cabbage, it is very poisonous.




The gnarled tree is actually being traumatized by growths called Witch’s broomsticks … a cousin to mistletoe.

 

… and tiny islands everywhere ... and waterfalls … and fishing. Such a charming setting (Echo Cove) … makes us wish we were fishermen.