June 29 - July 2, 2024 - Haines & Skagway

July 02, 2024

We had a good night rest in the cove with calm conditions. Checking weather, and with Haines Harbor Master to verify he could accommodate us, we decided to take advantage of the settled conditions and travel north up the Lynn Canal. And we receive a response from White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad (Madi) that they had several train options for us on the next day. Today’s trek up the Lynn Canal was pleasant with broken skies, calm seas and beautiful mountain peaks. As we approached the Eldred Rock Light House, Lois spotted a couple of people skinny dipping along the shore! Pulling into Haines, the wind was beginning to build (20 kt gusts), as we settled in at the end of E-dock, across from Jupiter.

Eldred Lighthouse

Once settled, Geary finalized the next day’s plan:
· Take the 9:00 AM HSFF to Skagway
· Take the 12:00 PM WP&YR Train

125-year-old rail system
Built by 35,000 people in 2 years
110 miles long, cost $10 million
Designated an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark)

· Settle into the Holland America Westmark Hotel for the night
· Return on the 10:00 AM HSFF to Haines

Arriving at Skagway we soon confirmed that this was a cruise ship destination with the town laid out with gift shops catering to the tourists. Making our way to the WP&YR train station, we purchased our tickets, watched an informative video at the National Park Visitor Center, visited the Moore House Museum (a visionary for Skagway), had lunch, and headed to our train. The history of this area was very interesting:

· Gold strike in 1896 in the Canadian Klondike

·      In 1897 the Seattle PI headline read “Gold! Gold! Gold!”
·      Over 100,00 “stampeders” attempted the 600-mile trek to Dawson in the Yukon Territory
·      Approximately 3,000 horses died on the White Pass Trail
·      Approximately 30,000 succeeded with only 4,000 meeting any significant success

Returning to Haines after our overnight in Skagway, a couple of teens walking the dock, Mazie and Finn, asked for a tour of our boat. Both college students with Mazie studying marine sciences in Colorado (skier) and Finn studying engineering at UAF. Randy and Fiona, from Jupiter had returned from their visit at Skagway opting to fly there and back ($400 each way) and avoid an overnight stay. They invited us to join them for diner at the Old Field Kitchen, part of the Fort Seward complex. We had a nice evening with an enjoyable meal and sharing of stories.

The next morning Jupiter left, headed for a rendezvous with friends in William Henry Bay, with 20 kts of wind and 3’ choppy seas in Chilkat Inlet. We remained one more day with Lois working on skating documents and Geary performing boat projects and walking the town visiting Fort Seward.