Glacier gardens

Juneau has a population of 350,000. It rains around 300 days each year. In winter they can get up to 100 inches of snow. There has only been one occasion in 1999 when they had to close the schools as the snow ploughs could not get the roads cleared in time. On one occasion the snow brought down the power lines. It was a month before power was restored as linesmen could not get in to the area to carry out the repairs. It is compulsory now for homes to have some form of log fire which will cover any future such emergency.
During one large rainfall there was a very large slip which wiped out about 4 acres of rain forest. A landscaper decided to purchase this area when it was put up for sale and he has and still is developing the most magnificent gardens. He later bought 50 more acres of the surrounding Tongass National forest. As you initially walk through the lower part of the gardens there are magnificent rhododendrons. Streams and waterfalls bubble through beautiful display gardens and the upside down trees are something worth seeing. Later in the tour We ere taken to the top of the Thunder Mountain in a 4 wheel drive open vehicle with clear roof. The road took us up 600 feet and the views of Juneau were breathtaking and the unique forest habitat was interesting.
The Visitor Centre had the most wonderful roof of hanging baskets. A truly great visit

                                                Some of the hanging baskets

                                               One of the upside down trees