2016 Sep Alaska 17

After Skagway, we headed south to Hyder, Alaska.  700 miles south to be exact.  On the way was this Jade Store.  Supposedly they are filming a TV series called Jade Store in this area.

Saw is busy cutting a piece of jade which is mined in the area.

I believe the price of this bear was $2500, but can't remember exactly.  The little bears below were only $20.

A boat on this beautiful lake like a mirror.

This was in our campground.  Someone spotted this fox next to the campground owner's house.

On our way to Hyder.

Hyder, Alaska is right on the coast.  This town sits all by itself with limited access through Stewart, BC.  This is the tiny border crossing.  Hyder is popular only for bear watching.  Board walks are built along this small river so humans can safely watch the bears going after the salmon.  I mentioned we came 700 miles to see bear.  Not one bear was along the boardwalk.  Too late in the season, and the fish were too far gone.

But we did spot one bear along the river before the boardwalk.  He picked up this salmon and quickly spit it out.  I'm sure he's well up into the mountains by now chowing down on berries.  I did mention we came 700 miles to see one bear, didn't I?

But Hyder was well worth the trip due to "The Bus" café below.  This woman makes the best fish (halibut) and chips we have ever had.  Her husband and two sons catch and clean the fish.  We were one of the last caravans coming through Hyder, and she was getting ready to close for the season.

Before you throw those old boots away.

I guess this Hyder resident is ready for winter.

Left is a bell tower next to a church.  Above and below totems in Hazelton, BC.  A very nice young lady (First Nation) gave us a tour on these buildings they used for homes, and different gatherings.

Below, these rafters passed us on the river in Hazelton.  They were heavily equipped for a long trip.

Last of the mountains as we were leaving BC into Alberta.  Below some dall sheep gave us a grand farewell.  We're going to miss seeing all of the wild life along the highway.

2016 Sep Alaska 16

Only two ships visiting Skagway this day (about 3000 people). 

View of the Skagway airport.  Only can get to Juneau by boat or air so these planes keep busy all day long.

This garden in Skagway decorated with beautiful glass flowers, globes, etc.  It was very nicely done.  Loved watching this guy blow the glass garden decoration.

This yellow sculpture was all glass. Below the purple flowers were real, the pink were glass.

Cliff and I took a hike out to a point across the river from Skagway. 

Looked like this helicopter was missing his mark, but he landed just fine.

Museum in downtown Skagway.

We took a train ride out of Skagway up to White Pass, the same pass the gold miners took in 1898.

View from the train looking back toward Skagway.

These are pictures of the construction crews building this railway up to White Pass in 1898.

On the boat trip to Juneau, we saw more bragging male seals. 

And this is the famous Red Dog Saloon in Juneau.  We were there 23 years ago.  It hasn't changed a bit.

Our view from the restaurant where we had lunch in Juneau.

Governor's mansion.  Alaska's current governor is an Independent.  Interesting.

How many cities in the US have a view of the cruise ships parked in the harbor from the downtown area?

Above falls next to Mendenhall Glacier.  Some of our group hiked out to the base of the falls.

Mendenhall Glacier.  It has receded quite a bit in the last 23 years since we were last here.

Light house on our boat trip back to Skagway.

Our boat driver backed up to these falls so that we could take couple pictures.  There were two single ladies on our tour who got their pictures taken with all of the guys.