Haines, Alaska

Haines is a nice little town.  Unfortunately, the three days of Alaska summer are gone and it is cold and rainy.  Everything I wanted to see while I'm here is outdoors, so its a challenge.

They do have a couple of indoor museums - the Hammer Museum (yep, 8,000 hammers) and the Sheldon Museum (history of Haines) - but I've reached my limit on museums.  Its sort of like when I was on the east coast .... you reach a limit on the Civil War and you're done.  That's where I am on the gold rush.

Today was a bust on the sightseeing, because of the rain, but I stopped at the library for internet and went out to lunch.  What I tried to see was the Chilkat Inlet and Davidson and Rainbow glaciers.  They were pretty socked in, and I got a slight view, but not enough to attempt a picture.

I also drove through the Chilkat State Park, where I had originally intended to stay while here.  The guidebook said there was a 35 foot limit on vehicles for the campground so I didn't attempt it.  The sites are plenty long and the length was no problem; according to the camp host the issue is the road into the campground.  It is pretty rough (potholes big enough to swallow a small car :)) and a 14% grade.  I think I could have made made it, but glad I didn't try.

I took the self tour of the Haines Packing Company.  It was very wet in the rain, and they were pretty well done for the day, but the gift shop was very entertaining.





It actually poured rain - by the bucket - the remainder of my stay so I didn't get to do any of the touristy stuff.  I may make a trip back .... for tomorrow I take the ferry to Skagway.  I sincerely hope it stops, or slows, raining in the morning when I have to hook up and head for the ferry, because I have to unhook and drive my coach and Jeep onto the ferry separately, which is going to be a challenge.  I back the coach on, then "run" back to the staging area and drive my Jeep onto the ferry.  I reverse the process in Skagway.  I hope the rigs/people behind me in line are patient.  And it won't be much fun if it is pouring rain!

I actually didn't get anything accomplished while I sat here in the rain.  My wrist hasn't healed - I'm starting to worry as it's been a couple of weeks now. In fact, I'm typing one handed because I do not have much use of my fingers, wrist or arm on my right.  So I couldn't do much cleaning or chores or internet catch-up .... so I read for three days.  Works for me, but I feel a little guilty.  I tried to clean the bugs off the windshield one-handed - didn't work out too well.  If you want a laugh, you should watch me try to dress, eat, hook up the Jeep or the hose .... its as painful to watch as it is to do.  :)

So from here I have Skagway, Carcross and the drive down the Cassier Highway.  I understand there are some fires on the Cassier and more road construction, but it is passable.  According to my Alaska 2018 internet group, the smoke at Jasper and Banff is really bad.  I hope it clears by the time I get there in a couple of weeks.  I basically have about 5-6 weeks left before I cross the US/Canadian border for home.