Tuesday, August 2, 2011 Stewart/Hyder, Alaska

Oh my what a beautiful day.  The sun is shining and all is well in the world.  It is going to be a very busy day.  Since we don't have wifi access in our RV's most of the time, I went to the office and got caught up on my blog - three days behind.  Once I finally finished, Cindy and Ron drove w/us into town.  By this time, it was almost ll.  We went to a local establishment and picked up sandwiches to take w/us to the Salmon Glacier.  The only glacier to have two ends to it - you'll see pictures later. 

Both Stewart which is in B.C. and Hyder, Alaska are just across the street from each other.  We don't have to use our passports leaving BC; however, we do when we return.  Both towns are very old, in the middle of no where and very run down; however, they have a lot of character.  As you will see w/the photo's, most buildings are even closed.  Those that are still open are really neat and the people working in the stores, restaurants, etc. are very nice.  We had a great time getting to know them and why they are in either of these towns.  A couple young people just moved here to setup their own business, such as the chef you will see later.












Like I said, the buildings are very old and this little one in the left corner had to have been used in the mining days.




As we came into town, we saw a little black bear crossing the street; however, a dog saw him as well and started chasing him, but that little bear was faster and got away.  The restaurant/bar is where we got our lunches to go.  Everyone here bakes their own bread - very good.



















The ride out to the Salmon Glacier was about 20 miles on very rugged, dirt roads.  Our Jeep has more dirt inside than what's left on the road.  The glacier; however, was fantastic.  5 miles long in total length but the most unusual thing is that when it comes down from the top, it extends two directions. 



















After we viewed the glacier for a while, we had our lunch and decided to take a little hike up the mountain.  We talked Cindy into joining us.  Was a very easy hike but just beautiful w/little ponds and flowers everywhere.


















We traveled further past the glacier and saw more beautiful scenery.  It was such a perfect warm and sunny day.  We kept driving around, taking tons of pictures and just enjoying the day.  Bruce found a tunnel that was built into the mountain.  Of course, he went in.



















By the time we came back down, it was getting late so we did a few things around the RV and just relaxed before we headed out to town again.  We heard about this little bus diner that made great Barbecued Pork so off we went and had a picnic w/mountains and water in the background.  Then it was time to view the bears again.  Everyone started giving up as they didn't see anything, but we hung around long enough for a Mama and Baby Black Bear to come out and get a fish as well as a big Grizzly Bear.  I've got a couple photo's of the Grizzly but I took a video of the Black Bears.  Haven't figured out how to view the video in Picasa - darn.  Hopefully, I'll figure it out as it was just the cutest thing.  The baby was only a month or two old.  No sooner did that Mom jump into the water and catch a salmon then they were off high into the hills.  That was a good thing because the Grizzly could smell their scent and traced their path.  Fortunately, he didn't catch up with them.
It was a fantastic day, sunny, warm, beautiful scenery, plenty of wildlife, good food and great friends to spend the day with.  Life is good.

Monday, August 1, 2011 To Stewart, B.C.

We are off today for another 242 miles.  For most of the trip it was dry; however, we don't have many days w/rain at some point.  We passed a lot of beautiful rivers, lakes and mountains.


As you can see, the clouds are coming down lower so that always means rain somewhere along the way.












We stopped at the  Tatogga Lake Resort Restaurant for  lunch -homemade bread for sandwiches and soup.  Yummy!!


We came around the corner and saw the Bear Glacier.  At some  point, it was right up to the road.  Then again, some day, it will even be higher.
















After settling in at the campground, we went out for a fish dinner at the Seafood Express Diner.  It is hard to see, but they cook the food in a bus.  Don't laugh the Halibut was very good.  And, oh yes, I'm still eating fish.  Quite good since we know it is fres.








We then took a ride to a viewing area to see bears and we weren't dissappointed. It is very beautiful in the middle of the woods. They have a walkway to keep the people safe.  Shortly after we got there, a bear did come out and ate three salmons. 

























We  heard about this drink in Hyder, Alaska, just across the border from Stewart.  It's called being "Hyderized".  Needless to say, while in Rome!!!  We gave it a shot and to prove that it was straight alcohol, the waitress turned over the glasses and lit a match.  You see the results below.  It was great fun and we were able to walk afterwards. 















I'm doing this posting Tuesday morning sitting outside by the office as we don't have wifi access in our RV's so excuse any errors as I have a bad reflection on the screen.  I didn't even have time to really check out the photo's I used today.  Hopefully, they are okay.  Have to run and start another day.

Sunday, July 31, 2011 to Dease Lake, B.C.

It was a short day driving today - 147 miles which is fine since we had a long day yesterday.  The scenery was beautiful in most places; however, there was a huge section of burnt trees.  So sad to see, but we did see some green growth on the ground.














We didn't make many stops today but one was at the Jade Factory in Jade City.  The picture shows one huge piece of Jade.  They make tables, and of course, jewelry, etc.  Of course, most people bought a piece or two.



We saw a bear today.  Now that we are back in Canada, it seems like we are starting to see more animals - yeah!!















After our travel briefing, we had social hour then came back at 7 p.m. for another party around the open pit.  We all were asked to bring a small gift for an exchange so we all stood in a circle and handed off our gifts according to a story that we were read about Mr. Wright.  Everytime we heard "right", we handed the gift to the right.  Whenever we heard "left", we handed it to our left.  Then, if we heard middle, off we went and tried to hand it off to someone across from us.  It really was great fun.  Most people got a nice little gift.  I rec'd a sun visor and a book.  Bruce rec'd a Bear Cell Holder which looks great in the RV.
















Ron has  Cindy's hat on, Cindy got a Daniel Boon hat as her gift and Bruce is wearing my "pink" sun visor - needed to take this pic.  We then sat around the fire pit and grilled our Dough Boy's.  If that wasn't enough, we went over to Ron and Cindy's and played cards.  Another fun day but off again tomorrow so time for bed.

TA

Saturday, July 30, 2011 To Northern Beaver Post, YT

We are off again.  Our drive today will be 308 miles back into Canada.  We crossed the border at l3.4 miles and successfully made it through customs once again.  The drive was mostly a repeat of what we did once before but some places were new to us like the beginning of this drive passing beautiful reflective lakes.  The water was so smooth that it was like looking at a picture.  The following pictures will show you what I mean. We didn't stop except for lunch at the Yukon Motel.  We saw one bear but not able to take a picture.  We pulled in at 4:00 p.m., had our travel briefing for tomorrow and, of course, social hour to talk w/everyone about their trip back to Yukon.  It will be a quick night as we head out again tomorrow to Dease Lake, B.C.

Friday July 29, 2011 Skagway, Alaska

We haven't had wifi for several days so I'm way behind.  Fortunately, for anyone who is reading my blog, I will again be brief in text so I can catch up before the signal goes out.

Our day was a Free day so we could do what we wanted.  It was on the cool side but no rain so I walked downtown and went through the shops.  Typical souvenier shops, jewelry stores and more jewelry stores. Out of the 30 or more stores, only 2 are native to the city. It is amazing how all the people come off the ships and hit the stores - a sad way to spend your day in a beautiful area.
While I was walking and shopping, Bruce and Don went hiking the Chilkoot Trail.  They were gone about three hours and got back in time to have a quick lunch and get ready for our train ride - the White Pass & Yukon Train. 







The train ride was okay - saw waterfalls, went through two tunnels (not thrilled with), the scenery was very nice but you get to the end, turn around and make the return trip.  Because so many of us went, we got our own car so we were able to chit-chat and have fun w/our group. 






















When we got back, Cindy made dinner for us since they had already taken this entire trip, and weren't going to do the train ride again.  It was Bet's birthday so we had a little celebration for her.  Afterwards, we carpooled downtown and went out to Monte Carlo Night and saw the Soapy Smith Vaudeville Show.  As always, they bring up people from the audience and the guy in between the two "Ladies of the Night" is Dave, a guy from our group.  It was a lot of fun and a lot of laughs.  His nickname is now "Poopsy".




















When we came out of the show, the town was like a Ghost Town.  The cruise ships are gone and all the shops close up.  It was another fun filled day but we were all a bit tired and called it a night.  Plus, we were moving on to Northern Beaver Post in the morning.  Nite Now!!

Thursday, July 28, 2011 Skagway, Alaska

It is a cool but sunny day.  Doesn't make too much of a difference as we are taking a cruise to Juneau today.  Our group took up most of the boat so it was fun moving around and chatting w/everyone.

No this was not our boat.  This is one of the cruise ships coming into Skagway for the day.  They average anywhere from 2 to 5 everyday starting in May through September.

Our our way, we saw beautiful waterfalls and a well maintained Lighthouse.  Lot of mountains and glaciers.  Oohps I see I used a couple of these pictures already.  It is now three days later because we didn't have wifi connection so I put these collages together a couple days ago.  For the next couple days, my text will be short and sweet.














On our trip, we saw Eagles, Bears, note the baby with her Mama in the bottom square, Seals and whales.  At one time, there were five whales together.  Of course, plenty of porpoises but they are so hard to get a picture of - move way too fast.













In Juneau, there was this neat plaque about the miner's.  The city is all about shopping, eating and more cruise ships so the town was very crowded.  We were only in town for a couple hours after we had lunch but then took a bus tour of a glacier.
Bruce and I ran up to see the glacier and the beautiful waterfall near it.  You can see the reflection of me and the waterfall in the pond.  Because of the glacier calfing, it raised the height of the river so in order for us to get there, we had to climb some rocks and walk through mud - yuk!!

We had a terrific bus driver/guide to told us about the area, the city and people that lived there.  He was a poet and told us stories as such. 

We hopped back on the boat where we saw more sea life.  It was a long day but enjoyed it all.