For Joe Juneau and Richard Harris, the going was slow, sweaty and frustrating in 1880 as they searched for gold with the help of Indian guides.  Finally, after climbing mountains, forging streams, and facing countless difficulties, they found nuggets "as large as beans".  Out of their discovery came three of the largest gold mines in the world.  By the end of World War II, more than $150 million in gold was mined.  Eventually the mines closed, but the town Joe Juneau founded became the capital of Alaska and the business of gold was replaced by the business of government.  Some 30,000 people live in Juneau and its total area makes it the biggest town, in size, in North and South America – and the second largest in the world.  Only Kiruna, Sweden, with 5,458 square miles, exceeds Juneau's 3,108 square miles.  Today Juneau is not only famous for gold and government, but also for its breathtakingly beautiful glaciers and stunning views of both water and mountains.