Residents of Sitka, Alaska were alarmed when the long-dormant volcano neighboring them, Mount Edgecumbe, suddenly began to belch out billows of black smoke. Did this mean that the volcano was active again and would soon erupt? Terrified residents spilled out of their homes onto the streets to gaze up at the volcano, and calls poured into the local authorities.

Luckily it turned out that man, not nature, was responsible for the smoke. A local prankster, a contractor, had flown hundreds of old tires into the volcano's crater and then lit them on fire, all in a (successful) attempt to fool the city dwellers into believing that the volcano was stirring to life. This stunt occurred on April Fool's Day, 1974! The contractor was fined upwards of $20,000.00, but a smoking Mount Edgecumbe now appears on his business logo (cheap advertising!)

In order to visit Sitka, you have to 'tender' in from an anchored position, so Barbara and I decided to stay on board. We watched from our veranda as numerous bald eagles soared above the city. For more of the history of Sitka and other photos, check out our earlier visit at Sitka 2003.

The next morning we arrived in Skagway which remains our favorite port of call in Alaska. We toured the city in one of the 'yellow' streetcars while we listened to many stories and legends from the 1898 gold rush era. Our high-light of the visit was riding the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad up to the White Pass summit and back.

For more of the history of Skagway and other photos, check out our earlier visit at Skagway 2003.