Oh No Not Another

Ferry. Yes it was this one wasn’t so bad, about an hour from Haines, AK to Skagway, AK. The night before we hooked up before it got dark, in the rain. We decided to hang in the ferry terminal parking lot. There was a geocache we were trying to find, no luck on that.

We have been dealing with rain on and off this whole trip. (mostly when setting up or tearing down). It’s all good it isn’t snow. The ferry we traveled on was MV Tazlina http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/fleet/tazlina.shtml almost brand new. It was put into service in May. The cool thing about this ship is it is one of two to have been built in Ketchikan, AK. Although the design was to be a drive on drive off ferry the docks were never refurbished to make this possible. I have to state here that I’m glad Roy was a truck driver.

The reason is with our trailer in tow we could not drive onto the boat because of our turning radius. So the alternative is for me to close my eyes and listen to the ferry worker lead Roy down the ramp backing up. Ok, it wasn’t that bad, I opened my eyes a few times. I have to say I was quite impressed, one try no stopping.

Onboard the boat we were able to go up front and face forward so I could see where we were headed. Roy slept I watched. On the trip over it was interesting to see the waterfalls up close that you could see from the shore in Haines. I did not get pictures. I did get a picture of the cruise ships docked in Skagway though.

I am just amazed at the size of the cruise ships that are on the water. I am so ok with the way we travel.

Arriving at the dock and in the car I had to get out and do something, so I cross between our car and a camper who pulled in to face us. I am all prepared for Roy to beep the horn when I cross in front he doesn’t so I left my guard down. (what was I thinking). So coming back what does he do yup he did. I immediately showed he was #1. The people in the camper got a great laugh I did too. The next hurdle is climbing out of the boat in Skagway, at least we drove out felt like a climb up on a rollercoaster, where you can’t see what’s on the way down. So from here we headed to Takhini Hot Springs everything right on schedule. Famous last words.

For A Good Time …..Visit Haines

Haines was a place where Roy almost wore ketchup, oh wait it was me. Sitting at the Lighthouse restaurant we order a whole order of halibut fish n chips to split. (yes, when you’ve been together for along time you split. I mean food.) The waitress brings the ketchup sits it down Roy asks where’s the ketchup. Me I pick it up and say right here. What I was going to do though was pick it up and squeeze the bottle so it went on him. Thank God I looked down just in time to stop myself. Why? The bottom was pointed at him and the top with the open end of the sqeeze bottle at me. I know you are smiling at the thought. I was too, all Roy said was he would have ROFLAO then possibly take me home inside the car not on the roof rack 😉. One of the few times I’m glad I looked.

Getting back to what else Haines was a place for good food if you get away from the beating path near the cruise ship port. (Yes, Haines even gets cruise ships. The large ship of 2000 plus docks on Wednesday then 3 times a week they get smaller ships with less then 500 onboard.) Raevyn’s Cafe they are only open Wednesday thru Sunday 5pm-9pm. They are in one of the buildings built for the movie ‘White Fang’. Their speciality is southwest cooking with large portions. If you are into fish-n-chips as I mentioned the ‘Lighthouse’ has them, also the ‘Bamboo Room’ features them. Although I would head to there for strawberry rhubarb pie.

If you like to photograph landscapes, eagles and bears Haines was a good place. The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, also check out Chilkat Lake and river. I went with Cindy from Rainbow Glacier Adventures http://tourhaines.com

We were able to get a glimpse of ok a couple of pictures of ‘Speedy’ the resident bear and her 3 cubs.

I really enjoyed seeing the dandelions in her mouth. We were just heading down the road and she stepped out. Once we got to Chilkat Lake we had an opportunity to see a raven attack a bald eagle.

All in all Haines is a great place. If you get the time do visit.

The People You Meet

Haines was an interesting place, I met a few characters like the boy named Leon. I stopped in “The Magpie Gallery” http://www.facebook.com/hainesmagpie in Haines because I was having souvenir shop withdrawals. Side note I’ve only bought 3 t-shirts and 1 jacket this trip. (ok we haven’t been anywhere with real stores) Back to the journey. I walk in the store and this boy, Leon, is coloring behind the counter and trying to get mom’s attention, so I engage him. Next thing I know he’s right in front of me with a bell asking me if I want to buy it. So we banter back and forth about what kind of bell it is. I came to the conclusion with him it was a bear bell. We thought it might be better then saying hey bear. Just then an older lady came by,and swiped the purchase out from under me.

I think she knew I was going to be a hard sell. Making a long story short she bought the bell for a dollar and Leon is on his way to saving to buy a candy store.

Also on that same shopping trip Roy took me to the local microbrewery that acording to him makes the best root beer ever. I will give him credit they do. This brewery “The Haines Brewing Company” http://www.hainesbrewing.com was another reason to come back to Haines. Last time we were here I went on a float trip Roy went to the brewery, so when I was done he took me there for the best root beer ever, they were sold out. We walk in make sure they had some tasted it and really enjoyed. I bring this up because the owner was the spitting image of our friend Sky. Plus if you ever get to Haines it’s a good stop.

Speaking of stopping in Haines we stayed at the Hitch-Up RV Park http://www.hitchuprv.com the new owners George and Laura from New Jersey are keeping up the good reputation of the park and adding their own flair. In fact one day George spent most of the afternoon hanging up three flags an American, Canadian, and an Alaska state flag. I was impressed. I was also impressed with Laura I wanted to do another float trip down the river and I went to the office to book it. They use the same company I had issues with before but we tried again. The day we booked it she got verbal confirmation from not one but two different people. Well you guessed it another miscommunication on the company so it was a no-go. I was impressed with the effort she put into trying to make it work. She also stepped right up and gave a refund.

The trip not happening gave my the opportunity to get a private photo tour, so it all worked out. I think anywhere I’ve journeyed and will journey interesting people cross my path.

I’ve Been Here Before

even if you have go again. You will be surprised at what you find. This happened to me when I almost passed by the American Bald Eagle Foundation http://www.baldeagles.org .

Here is the back story. Two years ago we stopped in Haines Alaska for a small town America 4th of July, so where do you go, the place where they have Bald Eagles. It was ok but not something to write home about. There was a large cage with two eagles that you could walk in front of and a bird in the bird room, a small gift shop, then the museum with information and history of the area. You can see why stopping in again not high on list.

Pulling in the driveway we see what looks like construction going on behind the wall, I’m thinking this might be looking up. Walking in I see it’s up to $15 to tour I’ll be honest I almost changed my mind, glad I didn’t. Upon going round the corner I try to find the screech owl no luck. Then it’s into the room with the large cage and Arden is setting up on a perch looking regal. I am able to step through the door that I could not go through last time. Check out the video on my video page. They have laid out wooden boardwalks with info signs in front of the cages. Here is Vega peering at you from above.

Bella is a Bald Eagle who is also outside and is joined by Warrior a red tail hawk

I step further down the boardwalk and am introduced to a very squawking peregrine falcon Ole. I find out Sidney is preparing to change out equipment on him, and get a weight. I guess it turned out he’s a tad heavy. Before the introduction to Sidney, I was talking to another worker about how being able to come out and see more of the birds make the admission price worth it. I also touched on my first experience and how this boardwalk system is amazing. Touching on people who have mobility problems gravel can be difficult. He then pointed me in Sidney’s direction and said most of these improvements were from her.

I asked if it was possible to share this with people who read my blog, she was thrilled to be able to share her love for these birds. It really does show with everyone at the foundation. So we sat down and talked while she was in the process of making new anklets, which when he is worked there is a ‘safety leash’ for lack of a better word attached to the anklets. If Haines Alaska is anywhere in your future this is a place you have to visit.

I learned a valuable lesson if you’ve been somewhere before and you have the opportunity to visit again DO IT!

Motion of the Ocean

not the motion I was expecting. We hit a small squall of weather right off the bat. People who followed me last year know boats and me do not mix. I took my dramamine plus I kept moving. The only disappontment is the weather. Boy is it wet. We decided to pull out early evening to get in line for the ferry good idea. Well I was able to get a little sleep in the car while we waited. That is funny also Roy can be driving the car and I will be asleep in thirty seconds, but stop the car and I’m awake and ready to go. I think my parents drove me around to put me to sleep, my story.

First rant of trip, feel free to skip this part. I understand that Price Rupert is an origin point for the vessel ,so it’s ok to be a little spread out. What I didn’t understand was having to walk down a hill to get your ticket. I have to say I’m glad I had everything with means I did not have to make a second trip. Well, I had Roy’s passport and my passport, I mention my hubby had COPD and could we get loaded close to the elevator. She said sure but she would have to give us a handicapped tag I said OK. This is good. Hike back up the hill and wait. We are one of the last people down. I’m still holding out hope we have the sticker right. The second from last spot on the boat furthest from the elevator. Not cool! We mention something and are told we have to load by size. Mainly we got lip service. End rant continue reading.

The ferry ride has been amazing, all different types of people ride it. Ran into a young women who is embarking on a summer studying climate change and glaciers out of Juneau. Two guys riding motorcycles up to Tuktoyaktuk (also known as Tuk). A couple from Phoenix who has just started full time rving headed to Homer. The social butterfly that I am talking and making suggestions about what to do was fun. I told a few people about this winery in Homer were they have wine tasting and make a rhubarb chardonnay Bear Creek Winery http://bearcreekwinery.com . People loved my bear pictures so I mentioned Black Mountain Lodge. Then one of my favorite things on the Kenai is Skilak Lake Rd 19 miles of gravel through the national preserve. http://Alaska.org/guide/skilak-lake-road-map

All in all a good trip minus a rant and some seasickness on my part. Animal wise saw a few eagles, some whale blows (no tails), and also some gulls.

Onto Haines for a about a week then meander to Tuk and the artic ocean. I’m on limited internet will upload pictures when I can.

Prince Rupert Canada’s Rainforest

What do you need for a rain forest. RAIN!! We take the ferry to Haines early in the morning of the 11th. Yesterday, we arrived in Prince Rupert actually Port Edward, staying at a campground built into a hill. Roy’s out checking to see if we should hook up early and head out due to all the rain coming down. Roy’s back we are staying will hookup after dinner.

It’s been chilly the last few days so normally with electricity we would give the propane heater a break. Normally if you had an electric heater that worked. We had to say good-bye to one we’ve had for at least 10 years. Roy plugged in the space heater the other night turned it on and pop something sparked. It’s all good though because the propane heater is an amazing warm maker. The funny thing about losing the electric heater was we have a perfectly good one at home. I had a thought that I should bring it with us just in case the space heater we were using went south. I think I should follow through with those thoughts.

Pulling in yesterday we dropped the trailer and decided to drive the area seeing I scheduled an extra day here. You never know I might want to go shopping. I am glad I did because driving here today would have been icky in the rain. The town of Prince Rupert had a few gift stores bought my first t-shirt of the trip. Not what I expected for a stop off for cruise ships.

We did eat a good dinner at a local restaurant. The town of Port Edward has a historic salmon cannery that is a national landmark.

So here are pictures from the cannery.

The Center

I’ve noticed that we are always finding parallels, meridians, and centers. Today was no different as we went through Vanderhoof BC which is the geographical center of British Columbia. I will keep you posted on what other lines we will cross this trip.

As far as animal counts we saw a very fat black bear crossing the road. I hope you can tell it from the picture.

I do not have a picture of the moose who surprised us by walking behind our trailer at a rest area in Smithers.

We’ve travelled a few of these roads before but in the opposite direction, things look similar but different. It’s like life it all depends on what direction you are going.

Speaking of going we are headed to Prince Rupert for two days then on a ferry to Haines AK.

All Aboard

Prince George found us at The Railway and Forestry museum, another Harvest Host campsite. The grounds were 8 acres of old trains, equipment, and stuff. We were able to just take the train around the perimeter.

Roy even decided to be a conductor, so cute.

This was after the train ride. The property looked like an organized mess of antiques, Roy said that if someone did not want something give it to the museum. That was what was happening until they had to take a year off of taking anything. Now they are going to be picky. Here are some photos of the museum grounds.

All in all it was a cute museum. The grounds butted up to a bunch of cottonwood trees, and guess what it did to my allergies.

On the drive up from Barkerville we got to see a lynx the dash cam caught it. I have to say though it was to far away to get a clear shot. So next on the bucket list is to see a Spirit Bear or a Kermode. We are staying an extra day in Prince Rupert to drive the area for some stalking. https://bear.org/what-is-a-spirit-bear We also saw another black bear, no babies yet but I think they are in the future.

Check out the video page I will be posting a few here and there.

Rain, Sleet, Snow

seen it covered it. I’ve been known as a snow magnet, I’ve also been worried this could follow me here. (IT DID). Tonight (June 6th) we are staying at Forest Rose campground near the historic town of Barkerville, BC, very quiet campground. The reason it’s so quiet is possibly the weather. Sane people stayed home. Driving here from Cache Creek we had some sun, some rain, then on the final leg into Barkerville it started. First it was slushy, then it was harder and in the form of hail then snow. It did not stick but OMG it got cold.

We will see if there is any on the ground in the morning we have had light rain on and off but it is going down tonight. I am glad we decided to come and spend a night here even if the rain kept me from enjoying town.

Animal wise it’s getting better we are now up to 3 deers each seperate sightings. Cows are up to 890 million, a few horses. The cherry on top was our first black bear of the trip. We have it on camera and on dash cam video.

We are nice and toasty in our trailer with the propane heater. Tomorrow is another Harvest Hosts at a train museum in Prince George BC.