August 23, 2006
My Skagway
This post is part of our series, "My Hometown" These posts will feature the hometowns and local connections that our employees have with the ports that our small-ships visit. This week's post is submitted by Karen Kuest, Product Manager for Cruise West.
Q: What is your connection to Skagway, Alaska?
A: I spent four summers living and working in the small Alaskan town.
Q: Do you have a funny story or little known fact about Skagway you'd like to share? A: Skagway is such a small town that they have one school K-12. One of our dock reps was a local girl who started working for us (Princess Tours) as a sophmore in High school, she was one of I believe six students in her class. When she was a Junior iand it was prom time we decided we would have some fun with her and her classmates. We decorated one of our motorcoaches with a custom made sign that said Keri's Limo and we proceeded to pick her and her date up and the rest of her friends took them to the restaurant for their dinner reservations and then delivered them to the school for the dance. They were having a great time and laughing about how many kids have there own personal motorcoach as a limo. It was such fun to see these teens dressed in their formals and tuxes piling out of the bus. Needless to say they were a huge hit!
It was even funnier when I began working here at Cruise West to discover that Keri was working in our Reservations Department.
Q: What is your favorite time of year in Skagway and why? A: I have never wintered there, but I loved the spring and early fall. In early May when the trees were first starting to leaf out and hills become green and then in the fall when the termination dust or first snowfall would grace the tops of the Dewey Peaks, and the reds of lowbush cranberry and aspen trees would announce the arrival of fall.
Q: Is there a particular food or song that reminds you of Skagway?A: Pumpkin Cookies. There used to be this funky little coffee/gift shop called Mable G. Smith's that served these saucer size pumpkin cookies. I used to spend my Saturday mornings there with a good cup of tea, a pumpkin cookie and write letters home to family and friends. Sadly, Mable's is no longer there, but I was fortunate enough to get the recipe for the cookies. So every fall I have request from family members for Pumpkin Cookies!
Q: What is on your "must see" list for visitors to Skagway?
A: Yakatania Point. My favorite spot to escape If you cross the bridge over the Skagway River and hook a left there is a path out the point. There are these huge granite rocks that jut out into the inlet separating the Skagway Harbor from Smugglers Cove. The water shaped rocks have wonderful concave curves that are perfect for spending several hours reading book, sketching or watching the ships sail out of the harbor.
Q: Do you have a favorite area of the city?
The beautiful handy work of Charlotte Jewell and her staff, Jewell Gardens. Located on Klondike Hwy 2 heading out of town is the wonderful
Jewell Gardens and Tea Room. Colorful flowers and monster rhubarb plants have been creatively arranged to provide a peaceful place to wander and enjoy.
Q: Is there a favorite activity that you enjoy in Skagway?
Skagway is surrounded by mountains with challenging trails, including the famed Chilkoot Trail. Hiking has to be one of my favorite activities while there, and nothing beats the festive atmosphere of live local music on Tuesday nights at the Red Onion Saloon. Oh, and I don't know if they still do but they used to have these great local talent shows or "prom nights" for the summer employees. We always had a riot of a time there!
Q: Is there a particular restaurant that you'd recommend for visitors?
Halibut Burgers at the Sweet Tooth Cafe. Breakfasts at the Corner Cafe.
Cruise West vessels visit Skagway in the summer months while cruising on many of our
Alaska cruise itineraries. If you'd like to learn more about Skagway, consider visiting the
Skagway Convention & Visitor's Bureau Website.
Posted by Karen on August 23, 2006 6:59 PM
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