Friday June 20. Haines Alaska.   I am up early and anxious to explore Haines. Yesterday I saw eagles along the road and the American Bald Eagle Foundation museum is in town. I also want to mail most of my camping gear home since I do not intend to use it again.

 Out at my bike I meet Harry, an avid BMW-GS rider from California.] We have coffee together and share riding stories. We have ridden much of the same Alaska route and we exchange photos. He was a helicopter pilot on the North Slope of Alaska and has great stories of his working experiences. [pic] Harry is also a first rate photographer. He is taking the ferry tonight to Prince Rupert. My ferry leaves tomorrow at eight in the morning. I have plenty of time to explore the Haines area. [pic] I am still feeling the urge to do some high speed riding. I plan on running the road back to the border crossing. When I rode in yesterday I was admiring the mountains and river. Today I want to ride it  purely for its speed, twists and turns.

Haines is located on the Chilkat Peninsula at the northernmost end of the Lynn Canal, the longest fjord in America. It is surrounded by a remarkable junction of valleys. It is those valleys that makes the ride into Haines a delight for motorcyclist. I ride north along the river to the Chilkat Bale Eagle Preserve. It only takes a few minutes to see eagles. They are fishing for the salmon that crowd the river. [pic]  [pic]

There are others that fish the river. A fish wheel  [pic] provides a nice catch. Back through town and I mail my camping gear. It will take two weeks to make it to Los Angeles, but I am glad to shed the unwanted weight. I travel east to another place along the river. [pic] The Rangers are using a fish wier.  The wier has several catchment areas that temporarily trap the passing fish  until they can be identified and counted.

                                                                    Previous    Home    Next