JUNEAU, Alaska — it's perfectly understandable that Alaskans don't really know what to do about the weather. Here in the capital, they live in a rain forest and it's not raining.
"People in Alaska don't know what to do with this much sunshine," one of them said, while the digital thermometer downtown displayed 67 degrees in the morning sunshine at 9:07. "Usually we have liquid sunshine. This is a vitamin D overdose."
Visitors are told in advance what the weather is (or can be) like in the 49th state, and 
they're as confused as the locals. A Star Princess crew member from the Ukraine, on her first Alaska cruise, said: "This is more like Hawaii."
For Star Princess passengers who came early to spend time touring the interior, yesterday was the eighth consecutive day of sunshine…or of no rain. To put that in perspective, the last time we went to see the Hubbard Glacier, we didn't. It was behind a wall of rain…rain cold enough it could've been icicled.
Here's what the Hubbard Glacier looked like this time…
For the last eight days, the story has been the weather. It is the first word off everyone's lips, be they bus drivers or storekeepers or past visitors.
On land, there was no doubt that Mount McKinley would "come out" as the locals say, which happens less than half the time. All the flight seeing was on schedule, and all the sights were there to be seen, even if all the animals weren't (note: We've been told that 
nice weather brings them out, also that it makes them hide). The many glaciers, both in the interior and here along the southeastern shore, have been posing for pictures like models on a walkway.
Even the whales co-operated. Yesterday along the waterways that cruise ships take to the Inside Passage, the humpbacks were breaching and feeding in gams (groups) of "about ten" — even tour guides were amazed that so many were doing so much, and going so far as to shower tourists with a little whale spit.
This, for sure, is Alaska at its finest. Whether you're in a bus, plane, helicopter, train or 
walking…you can see more, and everything is prettier. Everybody's in a good mood, especially the tourists, who don't want Mother Nature to intrude on their vacations.
As any Alaskan will tell you, it can all change at the drop of a salmon net. Late yesterday, as the Star Princess was leaving Juneau, it started to rain and the wind was howling, to which the locals said: "About time."
Meanwhile, those of us who have been tourists here for more than a week had a different reaction.
"Really?"
In the news…
• Seven Holland America ships to sail 98 Caribbean itineraries
• MGM’s M Life members getting offers from Celebrity Cruises
Today at portsandbows.com: MSC Divina — different approach to Caribbean
Norwegian Jade
7 nights
November 28, 2015
Houston (return): Cozumel, Belize City, Roatan
Inside: $429
Cost per day: $61
www.ncl.com