A Path Away From the Crowds Skagway, Alaska

<h1>A Path Away From the Crowds Skagway, Alaska</h1>

by Theresa Gabriel

<div align=justify>A Path Away From the Crowds Skagway, Alaska
 
Copyright © 2005 Theresa Gabriel
 
Women Summit LLC
 
http://www.womensummit.com/

I was hanging out in Downtown Skagway waiting to fly over the
 
mountain to our next stop, Gustavus. The fog was low and thick
 
in both towns, temporarily grounding all flights.

There isn't much to the downtown except tourist shops and
 
tourists. Some of the shops are interesting and even have
 
reasonable prices. The tourists, however, have a tendency to
 
crowd the sidewalks and pour into the streets, seldom watching
 
for traffic. I acted the same way the first time I walked down
 
State Street, but after four days I saw the "Disneyland
 
atmosphere" clearly. The locals say their daily forecasts have
 
nothing to do with the weather, but with the number of cruise
 
ships scheduled to dock. Our hostess remarked one morning "I've
 
got to get to the store early, it's a four-boat day."

During our stay in Skagway we spent most of our time away from
 
downtown. We visited Dyea and the start of the Chilkoot Trail,
 
getting a tour from nationally known "Dyea Dave." We did some
 
half-serious hiking, took the train to Lake Bennett and listened
 
to our share of stories from the locals.

Today I was stuck downtown, not able to venture very far because
 
it was necessary to check in with the pilot every hour or so.

I noticed a trail on the town map that crossed the Skagway River
 
just past the airstrips and went around Yakutania Point. Since
 
I needed a little peace and quiet anyway, I ditched my travel
 
companions and took off into the fog. The trail was just a
 
kid's bike path.

The noise of the town soon disappeared behind me. The fog
 
limited my visibility. I entered a new world, hearing whales
 
even before I arrived at the point of boulders. This world was
 
cool and misty. I climbed out on the boulders separating two
 
inlets, one busy and noisy, and one removed and full of wild
 
things. I sat down on a cold stone and attuned by senses. I
 
couldn't see the whale; but its breathing seemed so close. I
 
sat quietly. I heard the whales breathe repeatedly, just
 
across the small inlet leading to Dyea. I sat in blind silence
 
and listened. Blow. Silence. Blow. Silence. Two dolphins
 
swam by below me. Silence. Blow. Silence.

That is where I met Alaska that day. The experience was simple,
 
yet overwhelming.

The easy sights aren't always the best sights, often created for
 
the tourists. The best experiences often take a little effort
 
to discover. When visiting someplace new, remember what brought
 
you there in the first place: the mountains, the ocean, the
 
river, the ancient sights, the fall colors, or the whales.

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Paths began to beckon Theresa when she was 12, visiting the
 
Bridger Wilderness in Wyoming. Walking, dancing, and movement
 
are a part of her, nourished by John Denver's musical challenge
 
for her to "fly." She has walked up mountains and through
 
forests in Wyoming, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. She's
 
lived in Germany and has traveled extensively in Europe, even
 
leading a pilgrimage. Her recent walks in the Grand Canyon and
 
Alaska inspired her to begin her dream business of "walking with
 
women." Learn more about Theresa Gabriel and her Life Discovery
 
Tours at her web site. Women Summit LLC 
 
http://www.womensummit.com

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