June 24-26 Skagway and Haines

First there were none and then there were many.

Fisher and I toured Skagway early in the morning. It wasn't planned, but I had to get up at 5 to be able to get a shower as the RV park was so full. After that, we headed into town and found it delightfully deserted, notice the sleeping ship at the end of the street. That was one of three ships at the wharf. Slowly Skagway woke up. First it was the college students with their embroidered shirts, some walking, some riding bikes, looking sleepy eyed with their coffee cups as they headed for their jobs as tour guides, coffee stand employees and such. Fisher and I passed a Starbucks and wished they were open. After the students, from parking lots outside of town, came the tour buses to pick up the ship's passengers and shuttle van drivers to take people to the excursion trains headed for the gold mines. Everyone trying to make their money before Fall. While the streets were empty, I made the courageous decision to pose Fisher off leash in front of this ornate old wooden building. She sat perfectly, letting me take her picture and then retrieve her. From Skagway, we boarded the Matanuska ferry and traveled the short distance to Haines. Fisher remained comfortably in the RV riding below deck. Bucky and I stretched out on chaise lounge chairs under yellow plastic roofing in the stern and took advantage of the heat lamps overhead. Tired travelers stretched out beside us tucked down in their sleeping bags, some worked on computers while one young man played a mean guitar. It was smooth sailing with some nice scenery. When we arrived in Haines, it was love at first sight. I'm sorry I have no pictures to show how spectacular this area is. Even on this overcast day it outshadowed Skagway. It is a real town with a working harbor and average looking people, a nice school, a great grocery store and fewer tourists. From here, it was back on the road to Talkeetna, through Haines Jct. bringing us back into Canada. Too short a stay in the good 'ol USA.


Gradually, Skagway was alive with tourism. The announcements being made on the ships over the loud speaker systems could be heard from where Fisher and I walked. The feeling I got for Skagway is a little hard to explain. It felt somewhat like Fisher and I were extras on a movie set. The plus for Fisher was that she received many, "what a beautiful dog" from the others in the movie with us. She now has over 20 tic marks.