TUESDAY, JULY 23

 

 

TUESDAY, JULY 23:

     If Skagway is the glamorous, flashy sister, Haines is the under-valued, under-appreciated one.   No enormous cruise ships dwarfing everything else in sight here; no high-end jewelry shops; I don’t recall seeing even a T-shirt shop.  But absolutely stunning, gorgeous scenery all around.

     We drove about 10 miles northeast of town, past the ferry dock, to Chilkoot State Park.  It’s a beautiful drive out, along the bay, with spectacular mountain views, especially on a clear, sunny day like today.

It was raining so hard on Sunday when we came in on the ferry that we missed seeing it.

     We came upon Chilkoot River first.  It’s a good salmon stream, and several fishermen were out, as the salmon are definitely running.  That beautiful, glacier ice-blue again.   Against those gorgeous mountains.  Just breath-takingly beautiful.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Someone pointed out a bald eagle’s nest high up in a tree across the river.  

 

       Then went on a mile or so further to the lake and put-in dock for small boats. Crystal clear water, and more stunning scenery.    

 

  Saw some kayakers coming in. That prompted us to decide to come back early this evening and take the kayaks out. 

 

       Went back home after stopping to get groceries at the moderate-sized IGA.  The young man checking us out asked the normal friendly questions about where we were from, what brought us to Haines, etc.  He’s been here since age 2, and loves it.  He agrees that it’s under-rated by tourists (ah, but not by travelers), and says that it has some of the best skiing in North America.  

       Read & dozed in the sunshine.  Got up to 76 today!  Haven’t had anything close to that since Wrangell!  I actually got to feeling too warm outside . . . guess I’m starting to get that thick Alaska blood!

     Enjoyed our Mexican dinner leftovers, and then set out again for Chilkoot Lake.  A beautiful evening to paddle around.  Saw a couple of high waterfalls tumbling down. 

 

                                                 

                                            

  

       Back on the beach, we met a single man from New Zealand, and couple from Switzerland, who’ve been in Alaska 1 month and 3 weeks, respectively.  They’re all camping (in rented campers) at the campground here in the State Park, which we walked around a little earlier in the day.  A really lovely location, but of course no hook-up’s.

     A sublimely pretty drive home, against the long-lasting twilight.
 

 

                                                               

                                                                            

.  Saw what looked like a cruise ship sailing slowly along.  Sure hope the passengers are feasting their eyes on the views!