The friendly town of Gustavus
   Location: Alaska, USA

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About the the town of Gustavus, Alaska

The small town of Gustavus, Alaska is located 10 miles (16 km) south-easterly of Bartlett Cove, Glacier Bay National Park. A small, close community has a “permanent” summer population nearing 450 people, however as the leaves change color and the wintery winds start to blow the residency of Gustavus drops to about 150 people. Gustavus is located on an outwash plain that amazingly, just 200 years ago, served as the drainage network for the masses of glacial ice and snow that completely enveloped what we know today as Glacier Bay National Park. While the glaciers extended out to Icy Strait, they had receded slightly on the lower west corner to expose this area, the outwash plain that is home to the people and history of Gustavus.

As we sailed and traveled North from Victoria, BC in April 2008, The Mad Dogs on our sailing vessel Mad Dog Voyager have stopped in many towns and cities where we have befriended many people along the way. Gustavus is different. Our first contact with the local people was one of warmth and friendliness. It's a town where, although you have to earn their respect and friendship, the people of Gustavus are willing to lend a hand, give you a ride, offer suggestions.

The services in town are quite amazing for such a small community. There is a well stocked grocery store, Propane re-fill station, hardware store, Natural food store, gas station with regular, Diesel and Stove Oil (lightweight diesel). A City Hall, school, Post Office and an incredibly well stocked library can be found at the “other” end of town. The Gustavus airport offers regular flights out (and in), mostly to Juneau, and acts as a major link for people bringing in goods and supplies.

During our refuelling and provisioning stop in Gustavus in mid-December, our friend Kate invited us to the “Holly Jolly Christmas Concert” at the Gustavus school where she was playing the piano. Put on and performed by the local school we thought this would be a great way to meet a few new Gustavians and to enjoy a night with some new entertainment.

The performances were put on by the entire range of school kids from pre-school up to High school. They were singing, performing, reading poems and instrumental performances. To see such a young group of musicians give so much effort was refreshing. At the end of the evening, there was hot apple cider, coffee and tables of goodies brought in by the parents. The Holly Jolly Christmas Concert was a fun evening and we are grateful to Kate for inviting us along.

Link: follow link to go to the school page

There are many people we have met in Gustavus, some briefly while chatting, others longer. Gustavus is described by some as a town that has more PhD's and artists than anywhere else. Kate loaned us a few books dealing with the history, geology and wildlife surrounding the incredible places of Gustavus and Glacier Bay, and we've met some of the authors of these books.

During our few forays into Gustavus, we've met the entire gamut of people including some of these PhD holders and the authors. We've stopped and talked with regular off-the-street people, the fishermen, the grocery store clerks, the hardware store workers, the maintenance people, Park Rangers, local Charter boat operators, everyone that plays a part in the integral and intertwined personalities that make Gustavus a truly interesting place. We look forward to our next stop in Gustavus, when we will try to get around and spend some more quality time, talking to and getting to better know these and the other interesting residents of Gustavus.

Visiting Glacier Bay National Park in the near future?

If you are planning to travel, either on your own boat or by other means, to Glacier Bay National Park or to Gustavus, be sure to support the friendly and eager people of Gustavus. There are many local services offered here including Inns, Motels and Bed & Breakfasts, there are restaurants, stores, Fishing Charter Operators, Sightseeing Guides and Guided Tours, Kayak rentals, Post Office, Airport, Community Chest Second Hand Store, computer services, public library (boasting an incredible selection of books) with free computer Wi-Fi connection, Car Rental, taxi service, fuel and propane services - the list goes on and on.

Remember that the folks of Gustavus are an integral part of your experiences in and around Glacier Bay and appreciate your business. By supporting them as Mad Dog Voyager has you can ensure a continuation and expansion of the delivery of world-class goods and services. The Mad Dog Voyager crew tips their hat in appreciation to the warm welcome and excellent services we received during our many stops into the town of Gustavus.








Photos of the Holly Jolly Christmas Concert, performed by the Gustavus School