A sunny Sunday in Haines, AK

The view of mountains from our motel.

We woke up to a beautiful sunny day this morning, with the mountains rising above the clouds. The scenery changed every few minutes as the clouds moved around and receded. It is the first warm day of our trip!  We walked to church and sang some familiar songs:  To God Be the Glory, Create in Me a Clean Heart, and He Leadeth Me.  It was a good service of encouraging each of us to personally know God and put him first in our lives.  The Presbyterian Church was the 1st mission among the Tlingit people in 1879.  The town, Haines, was named after Sect'y of Presb. Home Missions, Mrs. F.E. Haines.

on the ferry to Haines

   Yesterday was rainy and miserable.  But we walked anyway. Visited the Bald Eagle Foundation and saw the interns feed the bald eagle. They are very stubborn birds. We learned that they prefer red meat to fish, but fish is more plentiful here.  We enjoyed a crab feast, thanks to Jim and Judy's suggestion we visit the RV camp where they stayed last year.  The ferry from Skagway to Haines on Thursday lasted about an hour and we saw many waterfalls.  Tomorrow we travel again by ferry to Juneau.

Skagway Adventures

In front of Visitor Center, Skagway

Actor Mo in the play.

Finding a cache brings smiles!

What an interesting day yesterday. It was a 'red' letter day for Mo.  We did let the pickup rest and we walked and walked all over town.  First, we took an hour tour with the Nat'l Park Ranger, who shared a bit of history and info on historic buildings.  Then we attended a special show about Soapy Smith, a con man during the gold rush.  Mo became a character in the play, much to his embarrassment.  But I thought it was very funny.  Later in the day, we went hiking to a lake.  I went half way and knew I didn't have the energy to climb the switchback trail.  Mo decided he wanted to try it, so we parted.  He came down sometime later, thoroughly exhausted, and realized that some hikes at his age are a bit risky.  Finally, while I was in the library going through the photos, he went geocaching and found 2 caches.  It was a good day, plus the sun did shine for part of the day.  Later this afternoon, we will take the ferry to Haines.  Goodbye Skagway.

On the road again and into Alaska

Ford pickup speaks:  They are calling me 'make a u-turn pickup', because Mo & Nell can't decide which way to go in Whitehorse while looking for museums and restaurants.  I do my best to please.  I was glad to get out of Whitehorse on the 4th of July.  Travelling on Hyway 2 to Skagway was one of the most beautiful rides of the trip so far.  The scenery was gorgeous, as you can see.  I had to make many stops for pictures.  Mo even had to climb a hill to take the best picture--like a mountain goat! The road went from the Yukon T. to B.C. back to Yukon, and finally we saw the sign for Alaska.  Before we entered Skagway, Mo wanted to take the 9 mile Dyea Rd, where there was an early settlement of the Tlingets long before the Gold Rush. The road was curvy and narrow.  Nell did not like it much.  Finally they let me park at the B&B.  It is a great place to stay, and I will get a well-deserved rest.

Final day in Whitehorse, YT

found cache behind this sign. Brrr!

sphere made with bicycle wheels

We woke up to 43 degrees, misty, wet, and cold.  That did not keep us inside.  With layers on, we turned the heat up in the pickup and were on our way.  Qwanlin Dun Cultural Center, Yukon Art Center, geocaching (found 2),  some walking plus supper at Tim Horton's, and the day was filled.  The sun did come out late afternoon, and it got to 56 degrees with a cool wind.  A few pictures for you to enjoy.The sphere we found in the front yard of a bicycle repair man. The weathervane plane is a DC-3 mounted at the Whitehorse airport.

largest weathervane in the world

Notes on historical sites in Whitehorse

I thought I should expand a little on what Nell wrote.  The S.S. Klondike was a special experience for me, because 60 years ago the four of us guys boarded it and looked all around.  At that time it was just an old ship moored alongside a dock.  I think in the 80s they moved it onto land, restored it, and it is now a National Historic Site.  It's the only one of its kind, I believe, that has survived.

The old Log Cabin Church is a museum now, although prayer services are still held on Sunday and Wednesday evenings.  It gives a good history of the Anglican Church in the pioneer days.  You have to have a lot of respect for the missionaries who were willing to live and work in such a hostile environment as this.  One bishop, Springer I think his name was, took a 500 mile trip on foot in 1909 to visit the tribes and settlements in the northwest. One night he ate his leather boots, because he was starving.  He was rescued shortly after, and became known as"The Bishop Who Ate His Boots."
At the McBride Museum Sam McGee's cabin is on display.  The writer, Robert Service, liked his name so well that he asked if he could use it in a poem.  You should read "The Cremation of Sam McGee."  It's hilarious.  Sam was a little upset, though, because he was always known after that as the man in the poem.  Besides, Service didn't get all the facts right.  Sam came from Ontario, not Tennessee.  It was a good day, in spite of the weather.   Mo

Today was a 'down' day in Whitehorse.  We woke up to rain and it rained half the day, the temp did not reach 50 degrees, and we had to limit our activities to indoor events.  Some of the places we wanted to visit were closed for the holiday, since the 1st was on Sunday.  But we managed to keep busy,  and we spent much time in a couple museums which were worthwhile, plus a couple of historical films in the museums.  It is hard to believe that Whitehorse is the capital of the Yukon Territory.  Two thirds of the Yukon population lives in Whitehorse. (Pop. about 24,000)

Yesterday's blog did not respond to my wishes.  First, part of the text turned blue, then it turned red. Technology has its frustrations, and last night was an example.  The above photo was supposed to be in last night's blog, but it disappeared.  So you can see it tonight.  We went through the ship yesterday, but today we watched a 20 min. film about shipping on the Yukon River.  Life was difficult in the early 1900's.  The ship used about a cord of wood an hour to turn the stern wheel.

A large sign on the road a couple days ago made us chuckle:  "All those who hate speeding tickets, raise your right foot."  Good advice for all of us.  Goodnight!

On the road again: destination...Whitehorse, YT

Cassiar  mtns, part of Canadian Rockies

Flowers on side of road
Happy Canada Day.  It was a beautiful drive today with good views of mountains, flowers, and one bear crossing the road.  We made some stops...Rancheria  Falls for a walk, George Johnston Museum, and the Tlingit Heritage Center.  George Johnston was a Tlingit native and photographer with an interesting history.  He bought and shipped a 1928 Chevrolet to Teslin before there were roads.  Google his name for more info.  Teslin is a small village about half-way to Whitehorse.  Population 450.  There were few vehicles on the road for most of the trip, and many places were closed for the holiday.  After visiting the Visitor Center in Whitehorse, we walked to the SS Klondike sternwheeler, and toured the boat.  All museums were free today.  Nice for us.

Our B&B is 3 mi out of town, is clean, comfortable, and quiet.  It is owned by a single woman, who came from Amsterdam 25-30 years ago.  She is a trusting soul.  She sent us the code to open the door, since she was gone for the day.  She left a note and we settled in.