Juneau: Rain, Rumors, and Really Weird Mushrooms
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. juneau. seriously? i wasn’t expecting this. it’s… damp. like, aggressively damp. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the humidity is clinging to everything, you know? like a really persistent, slightly judgmental houseguest. 92% humidity, according to my phone. the pressure’s at 1011, which feels like someone’s gently squeezing my eyeballs. it’s a weird feeling, honestly.
I stumbled into this place looking for, like, a decent elk burger, and i’ve found… well, a lot of moss. and rain. and a surprising number of people wearing waterproof everything. it’s a whole vibe. i’m staying at this place called ‘The Raven’s Perch’ - it’s basically a converted warehouse with a surprisingly good view of the *Gastineau Channel. the owner, a guy named Silas, keeps muttering about ‘the old spirits’ and ‘the salmon’s secrets.’ he’s a trip.
I overheard some seriously sketchy stuff at the bar last night. someone told me that the local brewery, ‘Juneau Juice,’ uses rainwater in their stout. rainwater! like, seriously? it’s probably full of microscopic things. i’m not saying it’s bad, but i’m saying… be careful. i also heard that the museum has a collection of antique fishing lures that are rumored to be cursed. don’t ask.
Let’s talk gear. you need a good waterproof jacket. seriously. like, invest. and a sturdy pair of boots. the streets are slick. i’m rocking my Patagonia Torrentshell - it’s a lifesaver. also, a decent camera - you’ll want to capture the gloom. and a portable charger. because you’ll be using your phone a lot to check the weather. and maybe to look up ‘cursed fishing lures.’
I spent the afternoon wandering around the Mendenhall Glacier. it’s… massive. and sad, in a way. like a giant, frozen memory. there were some incredible mushrooms growing near the ice - huge, bioluminescent things. i’m pretty sure they’re not supposed to be there. i took a few pictures, but they don’t really do them justice.
I checked out the local Yelp page - apparently, ‘The Red Dog Saloon’ is the place to be for live music and questionable whiskey. i’m going tomorrow. wish me luck. and maybe a hazmat suit.
Speaking of locals, if you get bored, Ketchikan and Sitka are just a short drive away. they’ve got, like, even more moss. and rain. i’m not kidding.
Here’s a quick rundown of things to do (according to a drunk guy at the bar):
Visit the Mendenhall Glacier (obviously)
Explore the Juneau-Douglas City Museum
Hike to Nugget Falls
Try the elk burger (if you’re brave)
Avoid the cursed fishing lures
Seriously, this place is… something. it’s not glamorous. it’s not postcard-perfect. it’s just… there. and it’s kind of beautiful in a bleak, rainy, mushroom-filled sort of way. i’m gonna go find another coffee. and maybe a raincoat.
*Pro-tip:* Bring a towel. You’ll need it.
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