Over the Water and Up the Haines Hwy

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We were at the ferry by 10, waiting in long lines. We were lined up by who knows what plan, but some of us were going only to Haines, the first stop an hour away. We would load last. It was interesting to watch the big rigs load, and watch those in charge pick and choose who went on next. I told Kerry it was kind of like a tetris game, they had to fit by size and weight. While we waited we watched the helicopters and airplanes take off and land after taking their passengers to see Glacier Bay. We finally got onboard, we were among the last dozen vehicles to load, and the ferry left the dock an hour later than scheduled.

It was quite windy, a cold wind at that. I stood at the rail as long as I could, but was finally driven inside to the warmth of the observation decks. It was a very pretty ride, over green water, past mountains and waterfalls. It's only 14 miles to Haines by water, and it was interesting to watch the docking once we got there. The unloading at Haines was almost uneventful. The first vehicle off the ferry was an old truck that looked like it was used to haul trash. They got him aimed up the ramp and he ran out of gas halfway up. They had to chock his wheels, then tow him up the ramp and out of the way. Then things ran pretty smoothly.

Haines is a pretty little town right on the water, with beautiful mountains all around. We drove north on the Haines Highway through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. We only saw one eagle, and it was high in the sky. We crossed the border back into British Columbia, then crossed two mountain passes before again entering Yukon. The first pass, Three Guardsmen Pass, was 3,215' with snow all around. Next was Chilkat Pass, at 3,493', and it, too, was covered in snow, including the lakes and rivers. We continued on the Haines Hwy to Haines Junction, where we stopped for the night. We're back on the Alaska Highway now, and tomorrow should be back in Alaska.

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Photos

Matanuska
our ferry from Skagway to Haines, AK

Mountains and waterfall
between Skagway and Haines

Haines, AK
docking at the ferry terminal

Haines, AK
picturesque town

Three Guardsmen
at Three Guardsmen Pass on Haines Hwy

view from pass
from Chilkat Pass on the Haines Hwy

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