Haines, AK

From Deadman's Lake we traveled to a campground on Kulane Lake just the other side of Destruction Bay. It was another beautiful spot and the wind was blowing so we had very few Mosquitos. This part of the drive is by far the worst. Yukon roads leave something to be desired and that is an understatement. Lots of frost heaves and loose gravel so you are going 25 mph. I already need a new windshield but that can wait until I get home. We were very tired when we stopped for the night and had only gone about 90 mi. Fortunately, that was all behind us and from now on the roads would be better. One good thing about this stretch of road. . . we had a grizzly walk across the road in front of us. I managed a shot of his back. It was fun to see him.

The next morning we continued on to Haines. Beautiful country! The air was clear and a brilliant sun filled the sky. We stopped several places for photos of the glaciers and landscape. . . just astoundingly beautiful.

 

Our first stop was the Klukshu Indian village used as summer homes by the Indians. It was pretty early in the morning so no one was out and about. The village sits on the edge of Klukshu River where the salmon come to spawn every year. Here is where 2 tribes gathered to trap the salmon then dry them in drying sheds. The salmon were hung over poles with a smoking fire under them to keep the flies away. The Indians always let some salmon go to spawn and only took what they needed. After drying the fish were stacked in bales and stored in caches for use during the winter.

Cache shown above and large drying shed below.

Klukshu River

About 20 mi out of Haines is an eagle sanctuary where more than 3,500 eagles spend the winter. They come in around Oct. however, there are resident eagles there all year. We didn't stop here but did see eagles later.

Arriving in Haines we looked for a place to camp. Oh Boy! Unbeknownst to us, the Southeast State Fair was going on. The place was packed, state parks full, highway pullouts with campers and the parade grounds at Fort Seward full of tenters. We managed to get 2 spaces at Chillkoot RV Park right next to Ft Seward. The bathrooms were filthy as was the laundromat, no fresh water as the faucet handles were broken off. In short, it was awful but available. The next day (last day of the fair) we found spaces at Chillkoot State Park. Beautiful setting on Chillkat Lake complete with eagles and lots of fisher folk catching salmon.

 

Our experience in Haines wasn't exactly the best. First off we tried to have breakfast at the bakery and never got the food we ordered so we left. The wait boy kept whining that he had done his best (of course, he went on break while we sat there waiting). He told the owner he had done everything right. I told him he should have come back to our table and let us know the food would be late. He wasn't about to take responsibility for anything and I really wanted to slap him. AAASSHHHHHHHH!

Next, we went to IGA to get groceries. The prices were astronomical! 6.99 for a small bag of lettuce that was already expired. $5.75 for a quart of strawberries and $5 for one avocado. We left empty handed. Hopefully, it will be better in Skagway but I have my doubts. The gal at the visitor center said no one can afford to live here. It is high all over Alaska but this beats them all.

Today we get on the ferry bound for Skagway. We hear it is a beautiful trip and aim looking forward to it. We have to be at the dock at 11:15 so that gives me time to do a hike around the park. Yesterday, I walked up the river bank and was lucky enough to see an eagle bathing. After a bit he took off and I managed a shot. Not the best but you know it's an eagle.