SHRINE OF ST. THÉRÈSE
About 22 miles north of downtown Juneau o« of the Glacier Highway, the Shrine of St. Thérèse sits in one of the most beautiful spots in the Tongass National Forest. The Shrine is dedicated to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the patron saint of Alaska, missionaries, and the Diocese of Juneau. Its home is on a gorgeous island with crashing surf, mountain views, and a rugged coastline, where visitors can sometimes spot humpback whales and sea lions. A trail leads from the parking lot back to a caretaker’s headquarters, a small stone labyrinth, and a church built out of rounded river rocks out on a small spit of land that juts about 100 years into Lynn Canal. Visitors can take a walk around the church, admire the statues and gardens, and enter the ‘labyrinth,’ a series of concentric circles built for prayer walks. There is also a log church that was built in the 1930s, with stunning flower gardens, towering spruce trees, and wildflowers along the beach. Whether or not you’re religious, you will easily feel peaceful and relaxed in this sacred place.
Shrine of St. Thérèse, 21425 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK, USA
JENSEN-OLSON ARBORETUM
Just eight tenths of a mile past the Shrine of St. Thérèse, the Jensen- Olson Arboretum is unique among public gardens due to its location on the water with a mature forest as a backdrop. In her will, Caroline Jensen-Olson left her house and all its flowers to the city of Juneau. In her garden, visitors can find a number of native and cultivated plants, especially primrose, Caroline’s passion. In 1902, the Peterson family homesteaded the property and developed the land, turning the vegetable garden into a source of produce for local Juneau growers and food banks, and today, there are over 950 species of plants in the garden. It is also a wonderful place to have a picnic while taking in the views of quiet primrose and the surrounding majestic sea and mountains. Many local artists and photographers have been inspired by the natural beauty of the facility and sometimes hold shows to display their work. The arboretum is truly a jewel in Juneau.
Jensen-Olson Arboretum, 23035 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK, USA
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