On the Road - Day 10

I am posting backwards today. Warning! this one is a little long. Just trying to finish up the trip.

This is the second to last day that we had on the road to Anchorage. We left Haines and drove up a little valley called the Chilkut Valley. We had heard on the ferry and in Haines that it was bald eagle season. The eagles fly to this particular area every year to feed on the fish. We were watching very closely, hoping to see one or two.

A young bald eagle. Their heads turn white as they mature. Only the adults have white heads.

We started counting after we had seen about a half dozen eagles and we finally gave up after we reached about 100. We must have seen close to 200 bald eagles that day. It was really quite a site. People come from all over to view these birds, we were just lucky enough to be there at the right time. Bryan met a couple of serious photographers who were kind enough to tell him a little about the area and the eagles


We stopped at a little rest area near the river and enjoyed watching them feed on the fish.


Make sure you click on the picture so you can get a better view.


After leaving the Chilkut Valley we entered Canada. It was pretty exciting to get out our passports that we had obtained for this very short part of our trip. They were so nice as we entered Canada. The check point looked a little like a highway patrol station. We gave the official our passports, he asked us a few questions about transporting guns, he return our passports and then we were on our way. We drove through Britsh Columbia and then into the Yukon. The wilderness of the area was so immense, we truly felt that we were in the middle of no where and miles and miles from civilization. We maybe passed a half dozen cars or trucks that day and none of them were going our way. We occasionally passed a small group of buildings and homes where we could gas up. We saw signs that politely asked us not to put our trash in their trash cans and restrooms were reserved for those who made purchases. It reminded us again of how remote it was, and how everything including trash and water need to be trucked in and trucked out.



Bryan just entering the Yukon

We reached the United States border after dark. It was lit up like it was Christmas, huge spot lights on the building and a few yards beyond. You could not have missed it! As we got a little closer we could see someone inside looking straight at us using binoculars. We wondered if we should slow down, then we wondered if it would be safe to pass. We made it to the checkpoint and the fellow with the binoculars stepped out and asked us for our passports and then asked us a lot of questions - mostly about carrying guns and other illegal items. Questions like carrying anything across for other people, including money. What? do they think we would have actually said yes if that were true? The United States means business! Fortunately we could answer no the the right questions and he let us pass.

We drove to Tok (ryhmes with Coke) and then it occured to me to ask Rick where we were spending the night. Yup, another bed and breakfast. I tried as nicely as I could to ask him to pull over at the only motel we could see in town, but a reservation is a reservation so we went on to the Wildberry Inn. You can imagine our relief when we walked through the front door and met with a very nice, professional woman. They had a beautiful place with the lodgings separate from their private living quarters. Very friendly, warm, and gracious and the most comfortable place we stayed. Not to mention a great breakfast and a friendly visit the following morning. That is one bed and breakfast I can recommend if you are looking for a place to stay.