The Alaskan city of Haines has left an
unforgettable imprint and further fueled my love of Alaska. Delivered
via our ferry through the inside passage in a blured mix of weariness
and excitement, the eye widenning granduer of the Takshanuk Mountains
greeted our arrival. Giggles were used to mask the slight anxiety of
camping beneath these ice topped, glacier riddled ranges.
It was here in this small coastal town
that we were to witness a most wonderful spectacle on the edge of
town.
In the 70's the Fisheries Department
placed a weir on the Chilkat River to count and monitor the salmon
returning to spawn in the fall. This, being prime bear country made
for a wonderful location for moma bear to do some fishing. On one
side of the weir are thousands (literally) of fishies trying to get
upstream, held back by the weir. Meanwhile those little fishies once
through tend to rest against this barrier. Out wades Yogi bear, who
after feasting to her hearts content, retreats to her forested den.
The bears practically need a ticketing system as a queue of grizzlies
almost forms. If Sammy the salmon hasn't got it tough enough, North
America's largest concentration of Bald Eagles live up the road
plucking their fishy fill every morning as well.
So there we are, watching the majestic
specticle of grizzlies catching salmon with playful cubs bounding
around. So spectacular is the occasion the memory card is full and
the camera batteries are flat. We headed out to watch the event
unfold a total of four times. Each time it was magnificent.
Meanwhile the elusive moose still
evades us. Multiple driving adventures to “select” moose grazing
areas has left us empty handed. Tormenting us even more is the sight
of fresh moose poo by the roadside and the locals casually mentioning
their daily spottings of the animal.
Departing Haines, and Alaska for that
matter a wee little mudslide closed the only road out of town for a
few hours. Just putting a little exclamation into this grand state of
USA that is WILD ALASKA!
The world's most indirect travelers, Josh and Shona.
