Haines
We were debating on going to Haines or not. 150 miles one way and not too much to see.
But then if we didn't go we would always wonder what it was like and a stop we
missed. So we found a great campground
(or in Alaskan/Canadian - a parking lot with numbered spots) at the Fas Gas
station in Haines Junction. $25 Canadian
per night for electric and water ($20 American). It was right on the mail road, flat, and a
great place to leave the coach so we could go to Haines in our SUV. 7am Randy, myself, and Gator hit the
road. Canada to US crossing and back to
Alaska time (1 hour earlier) we were in Haines.
Found out that along the Alaskan Hwy many of the Quansite huts from WWIII and the building of the Alaskan Hwy were converted into churches. Great idea!
They have the Eagle Foundation and the most Bald Eagles in
one area in the world. We saw many, many
in the trees and along the Chilkat River as we drove into town. First stop, visitors center. 3 museums in town - all very small and mostly
repeat information we had gathered along our trip already. Small downtown area with a lot of souvenir
places and typical necessity stores (hardware, grocery, restaurants, furniture,
bank, etc). We drove out of town, past
the boat dock for the Fast Ferry to Skagway and the car ferry to the same. $36.50 one way to Skagway to walk on (no bike,
no vehicle) 45 minute trip. Chilkat Lake
was just up the road 11 miles. This is
where the pink salmon were running and hopefully our time to see bears. 2 hours of watching and only a few fishermen
in the water. Bummer. They were catching fish! We were told from a local girl that her whole
family will go fishing and there are easily 100+ people in the water. When someone catches a fish the first thing
they do is look around for a bear. If
there is a bear on the banks, everyone yells "bear" so the catching
fisherman can drop their pole and get out of the way, because that bear will be
charging right for the caught fish and take it all. They never bother the people; they just want
the easy meal. So if you are lucky
enough to catch a fish, AND keep it for yourself - good day!!
We like watching the show Gold Rush and the Schnabel family
is from Haines so we were hoping they had tours of the Big Nugget mine or
something about the family. Nothing ---
But we could see what a beautiful area Parker has grown up in and what a warm,
friendly town.
On the way back to Haines Junction it was raining, actually
most of the day (lightly) so our views were not the best. I loved this old car sitting by the side of
the road. Made me think some guy parked
it there 80 years ago, and just forgot where he left it. Still waiting… Gator had a very busy day and loved running
on the shores of the ocean. Nap time all
the way home, well until we got to the US to Canadian border crossing and he
awoke and barked at the border guard.
Not a great first impression.
They still let us through! Got
back to Haines Junction and the RV around 8pm.
We were debating on going to Haines or not. 150 miles one way and not too much to see.
But then if we didn't go we would always wonder what it was like and a stop we
missed. So we found a great campground
(or in Alaskan/Canadian - a parking lot with numbered spots) at the Fas Gas
station in Haines Junction. $25 Canadian
per night for electric and water ($20 American). It was right on the mail road, flat, and a
great place to leave the coach so we could go to Haines in our SUV. 7am Randy, myself, and Gator hit the
road. Canada to US crossing and back to
Alaska time (1 hour earlier) we were in Haines.
Found out that along the Alaskan Hwy many of the Quansite huts from WWIII and the building of the Alaskan Hwy were converted into churches. Great idea!
They have the Eagle Foundation and the most Bald Eagles in
one area in the world. We saw many, many
in the trees and along the Chilkat River as we drove into town. First stop, visitors center. 3 museums in town - all very small and mostly
repeat information we had gathered along our trip already. Small downtown area with a lot of souvenir
places and typical necessity stores (hardware, grocery, restaurants, furniture,
bank, etc). We drove out of town, past
the boat dock for the Fast Ferry to Skagway and the car ferry to the same. $36.50 one way to Skagway to walk on (no bike,
no vehicle) 45 minute trip. Chilkat Lake
was just up the road 11 miles. This is
where the pink salmon were running and hopefully our time to see bears. 2 hours of watching and only a few fishermen
in the water. Bummer. They were catching fish! We were told from a local girl that her whole
family will go fishing and there are easily 100+ people in the water. When someone catches a fish the first thing
they do is look around for a bear. If
there is a bear on the banks, everyone yells "bear" so the catching
fisherman can drop their pole and get out of the way, because that bear will be
charging right for the caught fish and take it all. They never bother the people; they just want
the easy meal. So if you are lucky
enough to catch a fish, AND keep it for yourself - good day!!
We like watching the show Gold Rush and the Schnabel family
is from Haines so we were hoping they had tours of the Big Nugget mine or
something about the family. Nothing ---
But we could see what a beautiful area Parker has grown up in and what a warm,
friendly town. 
On the way back to Haines Junction it was raining, actually
most of the day (lightly) so our views were not the best. I loved this old car sitting by the side of
the road. Made me think some guy parked
it there 80 years ago, and just forgot where he left it. Still waiting… Gator had a very busy day and loved running
on the shores of the ocean. Nap time all
the way home, well until we got to the US to Canadian border crossing and he
awoke and barked at the border guard.
Not a great first impression.
They still let us through! Got
back to Haines Junction and the RV around 8pm.
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