20030813 Open new window with today’s pictures.
August 13, 2003 Wednesday
Start: Oceanside RV Park, Haines AK End: same Miles: 0 Hi Temp: 70.7 (last two days) Lo Temp: 46.7 (last two days)
We awoke to find new scenery in the harbor. The Holland-America Lines cruiseship Ryndam was tied up at the Port Chilkoot dock. It dominated that corner of the harbor.
We got out and around. Dolores wanted to look for bears again, so we made a trip to Chilkoot Lake. No bears.
We went to get diesel fuel and filled up with 22 gallons at $1.99 a gallon (still cheaper than Canada).
Then we went back northwest of town, out the Haines Highway some 20 miles to a spot where eagles congregate when the chum salmon are running. But that happens in October through January, so no eagles were here. We couldn't see any goats on the mountainsides, either.
We're begining to think the town overplays its wildlife. But it’s just timing.
We came back and walked around town. We wandered through most of the gift shops and artist galleries, sharing space with folks off the Ryndam. They were everywhere but in the trees. It seemed as though we found some wherever we went. Dolores found a nice little necklace and bought it.
Then Dolores wanted to look for bears again, so we went out to Chilkoot Lake again. No bears.
Then we came back to the little house to put up our feet for a while. I took a nap while Dolores read.
The Ryndam hooted thrice, backed out smartly, turned and went down the fjord called the Lynn Canal. This is the longest, deepest, fjord-type waterway in the US.
Fort Seward was the first Army post in Alaska, and the only one for years. Most of the old post's buildings (all wood) still stand here. When the place was shut down in the 60's, some locals bought a good part of it and refurbished the buildings into hotels, B&B's, and condos. One large unused building is the old barracks; it's not looking good at all. The old post exchange and bowling alley building now houses the Fort Seward Lodge. It contains a small hotel, a restaurant and lounge, and one section is living quarters for the owner. Dolores had the Dungeness crab and I had sockeye salmon, both quite good.
We went out to Chilkoot Lake again, for a last look for bears. No bears.
So now we're doing computer chores and reading. We're off on the ferry to Skagway tomorrow.
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