Day 17 Juneau and the Gold Rush

We arrived in Juneau today and I am escorting a trip to go gold panning. It was really a lot of fun. And yes I actually found gold in the stream. Albeit about 39 cents worth but I did find real gold. I was the skeptic and thought they seeded the pans we worked with but I found my gold by randomly panning from the bottom of the river. I now have a gold claim deed that allows me to pan for gold anywhere in the US! Are you impressed!! Mountain Matt was our guide and he showed us around the river and the area. The place we panned for gold was where the actual gold rush began in the same stream bed. The difference is they used to blast the rock apart and crush the stone to find the gold. We were just panning in a river bed. I went to State capital where I visited the Governors office and of course saw Sara’s picture. I learned an interesting fact in the visit to the capital. Governor Palin didn’t tell her staff or the Lt. Governor she was resigning. They learned by reading it in the paper or hearing it on the news. Every time I visit a port I learn another new fact or find a really neat shop. I am seeing some great stained glass and glass products which are giving me a number of ideas for when I get back to the campus. Speaking of which, it is really strange being away from Felician for such a long time. I am beginning to realize what it feels like to be at sea for three weeks. I still have another week to go, I don’t know how crew members go on for eight months.