Because I'm itching to get back outside on this beautiful evening, this post will be short. I've been getting more settled into Haines, Alaska over the past two weeks. It's hard to believe that it's already June, but it also feels like I've been here a lot longer than I really have.
Dave and Carol sent me on not one, but two, awesome excursions last week. On Tuesday I went rafting with a local river rafting company, Chilkat Guides. It was a beautiful and calm float trip, right through the heart of the Bald Eagle Preserve. We were told to look for "little white golf balls" in the trees, the golf balls being the heads of the eagles. I didn't realize that trips like these are the only part of Haines and it's surrounding area that many visitors get to see. A ferry-load of passengers from Skagway was herded off the ferry, down the dock, and into a bus which whisked them off on the river trip, and almost the exact reverse was done on the return voyage. We at least got a little "tour" of town (aka driving down Main Street for approx .5 sec) where I got to yell out a fun fact about the Hammer Museum... "Over 1400 different types of hammers!"
Visitors' experiences in Skagway tends to be a completely different story than Haines. On Thursday morning I took the ferry from Haines to Skagway (about a 45min trip) to go on the White Pass Railroad. All of the things I had been hearing about Skagway were true! Including the 30+ fancy jewelry stores and fancy jewelry store salesmen that looked completely out of place in this "rustic" Alaskan gold-mining town. Most importantly, there were 3(!!!) huge cruise ships docked that day, which is pretty normal for Skagway. Haines only gets one a week! Some visitors to the Hammer Museum this week who had just arrived from Skagway told me exactly what I had been thinking the whole time I was there; that Haines is more "real". Don't get me wrong though, it was still a fun day, and the White Pass Railroad was really awesome! It was great to be out exploring by myself for a day too, lots of sights to see and pictures to take. But my favorite part of the day? The ferry ride. Can't wait to take some more ferry rides.
Saturday I hiked a short trail to Battery Point on the ocean and Sunday Katrina and I once again attempted to climb up something, this time Mt. Ripinsky, a hill/small mountain overlooking Haines. But what we again found (just like last weekend) was lots of snow, a hard-to-follow trail, and semi-cool views at the top of...something. The snow was actually quite a bit deeper yesterday too, 7-8 feet in some places. Hard to climb up, but so much fun running down! We've got plenty of days to try again though, so it was a good hike no matter what!
Okay well I guess this post didn't end up being that short. Good thing I still have plenty of time to be outside this evening since it doesn't get dark until after 10. And just in case I don't get enough outside time tonight...the sunrise is at 3:53AM tomorrow! AH!
