Shrine Island, Alaska - 2025

 

 

 

 Humpback Whale sculpture, Juneau, Alaska

 

At the end of July, Bob and I took an Alaska cruise.  This is the second Alaska cruise we have taken.  Our cruise ship seemed so large until it docked with other cruise liners that are bigger.  When we docked in Juneau there were 5 other larger ships there at the same time. This time we saw whales spouting early in the mornings from our small veranda.  There were orcas in some places and humpbacks in other places.  They were just far enough away and too quick to get good pictures.  But it was certainly exciting and a joy to see them.  When we were in Juneau our friends took us to see this sculpture of a breaching humpback whale.  It is not too far from where the ships dock but not many tourists visit this small park.

 

Shrine Island, near Juneau, Alaska, 1949

 

Our friends who live across the channel from Juneau on Douglas Island, met us where our ship docked.  The shore leave in Juneau was almost a full day allowing us to have a wonderful visit with them.  They drove us out to the Shrine of St. Theresa, about 28 miles from Juneau.  This postcard above has a photograph of Shrine Island from 1949.  It was Thursday postcard #102 in August 2013.  I did not know then that I would have a chance to visit this beautiful peaceful place in person.  Juneau is not a big city and the tourists add an enormous number of people. We feel especially grateful to our friends who drove us around and took us places locals know about but not many tourists get to visit.  

 

 

We walked a short distance from the Shrine parking area and sat down on a bench to enjoy this view.  Nearby fly fishermen were in waders out in the water catching fish.  On this side we saw lots of fish jumping.  If you look closely at the right side of the picture you might see where a fish jumped.  

 

 

Along the pathway to the chapel were placards like this one that provided information about St. Theresa, the gardens, and the church.  

 

 

There was also this sign.  We did not see any marmots while we were there and therefore did not have to worry about staying away from them.  

 

 

A short walk from where we enjoyed watching the fish is this small church nestled in the woods.  The stones for the building were found locally.

 

Another view of the church

 

Near the church are steps leading up to a view point and the beginning of the Stations of Cross trail or pathway that led down and around the church through the woods.  My childhood friend and her husband both have some health issues and neither of them could do that much walking.  We opted to visit with them instead of walking around the longer loop.  

 

 

Looking out from the viewing platform

 

 

The Shrine also has many lovely plantings and flowers like this circular planter near the parking area.

 

 

This cute little dog is a Cairn Terrier and the pet of our friends.  Bob had the pleasure (?) of taking her on the leash while we walked on part of the pathway.  He soon discovered that despite her small size she is a very strong dog who pulled like a locomotive and had a will to match.  She is so cute and friendly, other people visiting the park would come over to talk to her.  

 

This is a free park with parking spaces and a full modern restroom.  The park has a few rental cabins, a gift shop, and information about retreats that are held there.  A quiet cemetery garden is just a short walk from the parking area.