Next Stop: Haines

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July 25: We had a leisurely drive from Destruction Bay to Haines today over some of the best roads we’ve encountered up here yet. It was a pleasant change, to be sure, and scenic as well as being one of our shortest legs (~150 miles). The campground in Haines is very nice and should be a great “home” for us for the next four days.

July 26: For me, this ended up being a quiet day in the coach. Dave went on a wildlife center tour guided by a couple of naturalists, and he found it quite interesting. He got some really good photos of some of the animals, too (see below).

Isis, the wolf, is curious about what Steve Kroschel holds in his hand.
Isis, the wolf, is curious about what Steve Kroschel holds in his hand.
Linux, the lynx, likes attention from the right people.
Linux, the lynx, likes attention from the right people.
The red tail hawk is found throughout North America, but seldom on someone's hand.
The red tail hawk is found throughout North America, but seldom on someone’s hand.
Don't try this at home! Banff, the wolverine, and Steve are great friends.
Don’t try this at home! Banff, the wolverine, and Steve are great friends.
Banff is a BIG weasel! Wolverines are among the largest and most fierce members of the weasel family.
Banff is a BIG weasel! Wolverines are among the largest and most fierce members of the weasel family.
Aquila, the porcupine, is a docile critter. However, do NOT rub him the wrong way!
Aquila, the porcupine, is a docile critter. However, do NOT rub him the wrong way!
Some of those "underground burrow" movies may have been filmed here.
Some of those “underground burrow” movies may have been filmed here.
The mink is another of the weasels prized for its coat.
The mink is another of the weasels prized for its coat.
So, what did you expect to find in a hollow log?!
So, what did you expect to find in a hollow log?!
Karen, the orphaned moose, generally roams freely on the grounds. She comes to her pen when company shows up.
Karen, the orphaned moose, generally roams freely on the grounds. She comes to her pen when company shows up.
The reindeer, a.k.a. caribou, have been helpers of man for millennia.
The reindeer, a.k.a. caribou, have been helpers of man for millennia.
Some of our group couldn't pass up the opportunity to kiss a moose.
Some of our group couldn’t pass up the opportunity to kiss a moose.
Kitty, the grizzly, bear was orphaned and raised by people. At 700 pounds, she is an impressive beauty. No one tried to kiss the bear.
Kitty, the grizzly, bear was orphaned and raised by people. At 700 pounds, she is an impressive beauty. No one tried to kiss the bear.
The various members of the weasel family are agile, ferocious, and smart.
The various members of the weasel family are agile, ferocious, and smart.

July 27: We began the morning with a pancake-and-sausage breakfast, a drivers’ meeting, and a brief worship service led by one of our Motorcade members. After that, we drove around Haines a bit, had lunch out, and later in the day enjoyed a delightful dinner at a dockside restaurant with a whole tableful of fellow Motorcaders. What a hoot! It was a great end to the day.

July 28: The drizzly rain continues another day, and we chose not to go on today’s ferry trip to Juneau. Instead, we did some shopping, enjoyed lunch in town, and got caught up on some housekeeping and laundry in preparation for the drive tomorrow. While waiting for my laundry to dry, I got a recommendation from one of the campground’s office employees for a particularly scenic stop to make on the way to Whitehorse tomorrow. It sounds interesting and the site supposedly can handle big rigs (i.e., plenty of turn-around room, etc.), so we’ll likely check it out!

Back through Tok to Destruction Bay

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July 22: Today is a travel day: Valdez to Tok. It retraces some routes over which we’ve already been, but the scenery is always wonderful to watch as we drive along.

July 23: Today we finished our journey to Destruction Bay. The campground is a flat, open space, no frills just hook-ups, but for the time being that’s all we need! We are provided dinner tonight (buffalo burgers and fixins) tonight, which is always nice after a day’s drive.

July 24: Our host is providing both breakfast and dinner for us today, but Dave and I opted for breakfast in the coach. In addition to an optional museum tour, a number of our Motorcade members opened their coaches this afternoon for people to come in, look around, and maybe get some new ideas for their own coaches. It turned out to be a lot of fun and yes, there were some good ideas to be had, too. During this tour, one of the other wives and I discovered a mutual interests in quilts and quilting, and that was a special benefit to the “open house.”

In the evening, we were served a delicious dinner prepared by our host and his helper. The food was outstanding, and we really enjoyed it. Then, tomorrow, we’re off to Haines!