Back to Alaska

Yukon is famous for two maximums we passed by.  At one point we were in view of the highest point in Canada (Mt. Logan).  Shortly thereafter in Snag we were at the site of the coldest recorded temperature in Yukon (-81 below).  The Yukon is so cold that there is permafrost only a few feet down.  This causes many frost heaves and quite a few spots on the highway that were being repaired.  The vehicles are getting in dire need of a wash from all the dust.  I am about ready to write “wash me” across the back of the motor home.  We crossed the border one more time from Yukon to Alaska.  We will remain in Alaska this time until July 22.  The next time we leave Alaska we will be on our way back.  The days are just flying by.

Today was a good wildlife day.  A family of Grizzly bears crossed the road and we were able to stop and snap a couple of pictures.  They didn’t seem to be bothered by us and just took their time.  We also saw two moose, but they were quite skittish and took off into the woods before anyone could get a camera ready.  We stopped for a break at a really pretty lake (Highway Lake according to Mile Posts).  Got some nice “Kodak” pictures.

This is called "fireweed" because it is one of the first plants to return after a fire.

 

Kluane Lake, Yukon Territories

We have left the rainforest.  Heading  north from Haines we drove out of the lush rain forest and the sun came out.  Crossing the border back into Canada was a lot simpler this time.  Just a few questions and we were on our way.  As we left the ocean the RV had quite a climb.  It seemed like we were going up forever as we reached the peak of Chiltak Pass.  We climbed past the tree line and passed by snow still on the ground by the road.  The Winnie was quite glad when we reached the top.  Stopped at a scenic overlook to take a few pictures and a fellow traveler was kind enough to take our picture there.

Our campground at Kluane Lake (largest lake in the Yukon) is very scenic and we are looking at the lake from the front of our coach. It is also very remote.  All their power is from their own generators and we have no phone coverage of course.  If you are looking at this tonight, their satellite WiFi service is working.  We should do better tomorrow when we get to Tok, AK.

Skagway AK

From Haines it is only a 45 minute Fast Ferry ride to Skagway.  Getting ready to leave we were greeted by some Bald Eagles that Haines is famous for.  Dave got a couple of great pictures of those magnificent birds.  Our ferry ride took us past a few glacier melt waterfalls.  A short walk from the ferry took us to downtown Skagway.

  

Skagway looks much like it would have in the 1890’s.   All along the boarded sidewalk were saloons and gift shops galore.  There was even one storefront made entirely of driftwood.  Lunch was at the Red Onion, a former brothel where the wait staff was costumed appropriately.  A little live entertainment made for a fun meal.  Skagway was also home to the White Pass and Yukon railroad but we couldn't fit the 3.5 hour ride into our schedule.

Haines AK

After the long ferry ride it was a relief to just sleep in and explore the town of Haines without any pressure.  It was still raining lightly when we had lunch at the restaurant next to the campground.  After lunch we chose to do an indoor activity and visited the American Bald Eagle Foundation.  The Foundation is a raptor center where injured birds of prey are rehabilitated.  The center has a few birds (including two bald eagles) that are permanent residents and were on display with their handlers.  To educate the visitors, many local fauna were displayed as taxidermy mounts.  Of course Dave had to get up close and personal with the moose.  The last two pictures are the view from our RV.  We are parked facing the Haines harbor.  So far we have seen two large cruise ships making their way from Skagway toward Juneau.

Barred Owl

Red Tail Hawk

Tammy and the bears

Dave and his buddy

Don't know why but I liked this one the best

View from the camper

Also from the camper

On the Matanuska

Hurry up and wait.  We needed to be in line at 9:00 am for a noon departure on Tuesday 6/25.  Waiting in line to get measured (pay by the foot) we saw wildlife up close and personal.  A deer decided life would be better on the other side of the parking lot and walked right in front of our parked RV.  After waiting for what seemed forever, they finally boarded us.  The boat is large enough that they had me do a “U” turn inside the ship and get the Winnie pointed so I could drive out.  This trip is a good test of my driving skills.

Southeast Alaska is in the Tongass National Rainforest.  Well we know why they call it a rainforest.  Our cab driver in Juneau said they had 300 days where it rained last year and 250 inches of snow.  All that moisture makes for a lush environment but not a great couple of days for photos.  We did get a few worth sharing.

What are all you people doing here?

  

An assortment of RVs waiting for the ferry

And yes the weather was frightful

The Matanuska loading from the side

Our first stop was Ketchikan.  Even though there was a mist coming down we decide to catch a bus to downtown.  What they didn't tell us was that there were no cruise ships in port and that the sidewalks were all rolled up.  We got to downtown before six pm and not a store was open.  Luckily Annabelle’s saloon was open and we popped in for drinks and appetizers.  Had some amazing sourdough wheat bread that must have come right from the oven and of course we had to have some baked crab dip made from fresh locally caught crab.  So even if the stores were closed, it made the trip to town worthwhile.

Where is everybody?

It was a pretty long day and we were ready to get some sleep.  Our berth was located in the stern (back of the boat for you land lubbers).  This is a diesel driven ship with electric motors running the props.  Between the diesel and the props, it created quite a vibration.  Sort of like sleeping on a massage bed only you didn’t have to pay the quarter.  It was up again before 5:00 am to watch the ferry maneuver through the Wrangle Narrows.  Not only were we twisting and turning through the channels but a dense fog bank rolled in.  The captain must have had his GPS turned on because he surely couldn’t see where he was going.  Ferry fog horns are thankfully very loud.

We spent much of the day on deck and in the forward observatory watching for marine life.  It was a good day as we encountered at least a dozen humpback whales.  Though we didn’t get to see a full breach, they would spew water from their blow holes, raise their backs out of the water and then dive showing us their tails.  Along the way we also saw porpoises, seals, and sea otters.  Through the mist we were able to spot a few glaciers.  One of them had shed some calves (pretty blue icebergs).  Unfortunately or maybe fortunately they were too far away to get any good pictures.

Petersburg in the fog

The last manned lighthouse in AK automated in 1984

We got to Juneau in the rain.  This time there were four large cruise ships in port.  The downtown was bustling.  Even with the rain, there were plenty of shoppers to contend with.  But we still managed to do our part to enhance the economy.

Bustling Juneau