North to Alaska: Day 12

Welcome! Day 12 (Aug 20) of North to Alaska

Quote. I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move.
Robert Louis Stevenson

I do not have internet access today so this will be published tomorrow. I was able to check email by using the computer in the lounge but am not allowed to upload using it.

Today we left beautiful Atlin, BC heading toward Haines, AK via Skagway AK and utilizing the Alaska Marine Highway (Ferry System) between Skagway and Haines. We drove out of Atlin on the same road we had traveled into Atlin. The part of the road in BC was mostly gravel with a few spots of pavement. Once we entered Yukon Territory the road was much better. As coming in we encountered very little traffic but saw the same wonderful scenery. We were on route 7 and when we reached route 8 to head back to the Alaska Highway and then onto route 2 toward Skagway, we saw a sign pointing west toward route 2 and then onto Skagway. So we turned left instead of right. This saved us about an hour drive time not that we needed it since we also gained an hour when entering Alaska. Needless to say we arrive in Skagway a couple of hours ahead of plan.

Once we entered Alaska on route 2 we should have been able to look across the valley and see the wonderful train taking tourist from the ships up the valley to Canada. Unfortunately we were in a cloud that descended onto the valley. At times we could only see about 100 feet in front of the car. To make things worst we were behind a group of bicyclist from one of the ships. Once we got low enough we did see across the valley and saw were the train had been, the trains were well past us but we saw its tracks. Later in the day we did see the train in town as the afternoon groups were loading for their trek up the mountain. We saw 4 large ships. This is normal for the sailing season.

Once we arrived, we checked into the ferry and then walked around downtown, each side of the street. We ate lunch at the same café we did last summer when we were on the cruise. They must have remembered me as we were sat immediately upon entering the café, no waiting. After lunch Cassie did look in the Christmas store. She has a very hard time passing a Christmas store without looking.

Since we were back in USA our cell phone seemed to work so Cassie did call Pam and got an update on her status. All seems to be ok. I was also able to text my two twelve year old grandkids.

The ferry ride was nice not packed, but very chilly when outside in the wind. We did see a whale but only briefly, not enough time for me to get my camera ready. I did take some pictures of the scenery.

Haines is not too big so we found our hotel ok. After check in we drove around town looking for a place to eat. We did have trouble finding a good place to eat. We found a bakery, every little town seems to have one, and got a pastry each and then ate for our snack box. Cassie had a left over half of a tuna sandwich from lunch and I had some cereal. We had plenty.

We watched some TV and went to bed.

Looking forward to tomorrow, back to Canada for one night.