We were up and on the road by 7:45 this morning...we're going on a day trip to Stewart, BC and Hyder, Alaska! And what a great day we chose for the trip! The weather was just perfect! The sunrise was a good indication of what the day was going to be like (Steve took this picture out our side window).(Click on pictures to enlarge)
About an hour later, we arrived in Stewart...We drove through Stewart...
...continuing onto Hyder, Alaska...
...quite the moss-draped trees...
There is no USA border crossing check as you enter into Hyder...
Somebody had a bad day...this was just parked beside the road...
We saw a black bear crossing the road before we even made it to the bear viewing platform...
We arrived at Fish Creek bear viewing area, run by the US Forest Service, at 9:15. We used our US National Park Pass (we purchased last October in Bryce Canyon) so we didn't have to pay the $5 each fee to enter. The Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site is a day-use recreation area in the Salmon River Valley. Both brown (grizzly) and black bears can be observed and photographed at the site as they fish for chum and pink salmon in the clear shallow waters of Fish Creek and Marx Creek. 
Lots of people were waiting with baited breath for the bears to make an appearance...
It was a very interesting spot...lots of information about bears, but unfortunately we didn't see any and we never met anyone that had that morning.
But they did have a display of bear hides...Black and Grizzly...
We spent just over an hour there and then decided to carry on to Salmon Glacier. The road to it was very lumpy and bumpy and I was beginning to wonder where the heck we were going and if it was worth it! We are now back in BC...only enough room for us on this part of the road...
We passed a gold mining operation...
We arrived at the viewpoint for Salmon Glacier at about noon. The views were absolutely spectacular! 
We sat and had a snack...just taking in the view...
We were up there for about 45 minutes or so and then decided it was time to head back. More spectacular views...going the opposite direction...
Lots of road construction at the mine site...
We went back through Hyder...this is the Post Office...
When you go to Hyder, one of the things to do is go to The Glacier Inn and get "Hyderized". However, we decided not to partake today. Steve had already "enjoyed" the Sourtoe Cocktail while in Dawson City...here is a news update on the status of the famous cocktail. Somebody ate the toe! Steve also has three buddies that worked in the mine at Stewart back in the 70's and they brought back a bottle of Everclear for everyone to try...so he kind of feels like he's been Hyderized...apparently the Sourtoe Cocktail was more palatable.Time to leave Alaska...after a brief stop at the Canadian border entry, we were back in BC.
We stopped at the King Edward Hotel for a late lunch...
...and then stopped at the Visitors Centre...which was closed. But there was a lovely boardwalk out into the marsh...
Then it was time to head home...
Amazing waterfalls coming right from the glacier....
Another view of Bear Glacier...
This black bear didn't seem too worried about us...
And...we are almost back at Meziadin Lake...
We arrived home just before 5:00...what an amazing day! The weather was perfect and the scenery absolutely spectacular! It couldn't have been any better.
I would say that was a perfect day! Every photo was beautiful. Love that bear!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing day?!?!?! I believe that is some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Can't begin to imagine what it would like to see it in person!!!
ReplyDeleteOver this summer I check your site at least 2=3 times a day for updates... They just keep getting better and better... hope to be out there SOON. safe travels and please keep the updates coming Chris.
ReplyDelete