FAREWELL AT VANDERHOOF, BC

So, after 60 days together our trip came to and end in Vanderhoof, BC which is about 50 miles from Prince George.  At times the weather got us "down" but there was so much to see and do that we did them in spite of the rain and cold.  For us, it was sad to say good-bye.  We met some great people, made some new friends and renewed some old friendships.  We were glad to return to Alaska for this trip but we are equally as glad to head south for some warmer weather. 

Our farewell dinner was great and after hugs and godd-byes the next morning, the group was on their own to head home or to their next adventure. Ours will be to visit other friends in Oregon, re-visit Newport, OR and head to CA for our cruise.  We hope everyone has enjoyed "traveling" with us.

Dick Mullins got pictures of this eagle while he was waiting to see some bear. Thanks to Dick and others that supplied some pictures to suplement mine throught the trip

 

THIS IS A NATIVE FISH NETING OPERATION WHERE THE HARVEST THE FEMALE SALMON EGGS AS THEY ARE GOING UP THE RIVER TO SPAWN.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL

BYE BYE EVERYONE

STEWART, BC / HYDER, AK

Our last stop in Alaska was Hyder which is in southeastern AK and is just across the border from Stewart, BC.  We actually stayed in Stewart and drove across the border to Hyder.  Stewart is the northern most ice free port in Canada and is on the Portland canal which leads directly into the Pacific ocean.  Hyder's main claim to fame is bears and glaciers and renewed interest in gold mining.  Stewart is a nice little town with paved roads;  as soon as you cross the border into AK the paved road ends and you drive on a dirt road with many ruts and potholes. It is almost as if you are going back to the gold rush days.  Outside of the town is Fish Creek which is in the Tongass National Forest.  There is a raised boardwalk along the creek where people can safely watch black and grizzly bear come down to feed on the salmon that have come "home" to spawn and die. The bear pictures are from around the veiwing area. They must have eaten enough fish and were more intrested in berries. The Salmon glacier which is further out of town is spectacular.  It is one of the larger glaciers we have seen and you view it by looking down on it.  It is also rather unique in that it divides and has two terminations. The left fork called the foot and continues to melt away. The right fork ends in a dry valley but the face of the glacier calves off.  It was well worth the drive.  There are also glaciers along the road to Stewart one is Bear glacier not to far from town. 

 

ON THE ROAD TO HYDER

THE PICTURES BELOW ARE OF BEAR GLACIER NOTICE THE CHANGES BETWEEN THE 2004 AND 2011 PICTURES THAT I TOOK

BEAR GLACIER 2004

BEAR GLACIER 2011



DINING IN STEWART

FINE DINING IN HYDER

BETTY WAS ABLE TO GET  REAL CLOSE TO A BEAR

NOTE THE SPAWNING SALMON THE REASON FOR BEAR ACTIVITY IN THE AREA

JUST ANOTHER WATERFALL

THE TOE OR LEFT FORK

SALMON GLACIER FROM THE SUMMIT

NOTE THE WAY THE GLACIER SPLITS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT

THESE PICTURES ARE OF THE RIGHT FORK WHICH IS CALVING

THE CALVING LINE FROM ABOVE

THE CALVE LINE FROM FURTHER AWAY

LOOKING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE ACCROSS TO THE LEFT SIDE, JUST MASSIVE

 

JUST MORE GLACIERS NOTE THE ONE ON THE LEFT GOING AROUNT AN OUT CROPPING OF ROCK

 

THIS AREA USED TO BE A GOLD AND COPPER MINING AREA IN THE 1920s. NOW THERE IS LOTS OF RENEWED ACTIVITY

UNKNOWN STRUCTURE

 OLD TUNNEL TO MINES PRIOR TO ROAD BUILT AROUND THE MOUNTAIN