We pulled off the road for a break and as I stepped out of the truck, little frogs were jumping all around. Frogs have a special place in our family.
It seems appropriate that we should see these guys on our way out of Canada.
Railroad tunnels
128 days, 12,458 miles. What an amazing trip. I had no interest in a return trip to Alaska until we visited Valdez. Now my list of places to see in the southern part of Alaska, Canada, and British Columbia is growing. Maybe in 2 years.
I am definitely glad to be back in the lower 48 – good to be back to the familiar I guess. Now I look forward to seeing family and friends here in Washington before we head back to Arizona. Oh, and nice to have quick Internet service 
A waterfall view from our ‘by the road’ campsite
On to the glacier which is past Hyder, Alaska. The first part of the road was very rough, but when you are back in Canada, it isn’t quite so bad. Once you reach the summit, the road does go on though someone has put up a road closed sign due avalanche danger (or someone forgot to take it down). We had heard from locals that it was okay to continue. The road is winding and narrow in spots. As a semi came around a curve with a huge piece of equipment on a flatbed trailer, we had to back up to give him room to make the curve.
Mine remains and a peek at the current day set up
We have no idea what this was for
An old ore car and track
A look back toward the end of the road
There were more glaciers on this road than I expected
Old mine entrances
What a neat view to look down on a glacier
Yet another scenery photo, a wooden culvert and a glacier
The visitor center in Stewart recommended the Blue Bus in Hyder for lunch. Diana cooks, her husband and son fish. She had a smoked halibut pasta salad with home grown corn in it. It was so good, we each ordered a helping to go! I would have gladly eaten there again.
And what would a day be without a black bear?!
Fish Creek where the salmon are spawning and the bears aren’t fishing – at least when we were there for hours. A couple black bears were in the area, but the 2 known grizzlies did not appear. After the mama bear and 4 cubs in Valdez, I am not really disappointed plus we had good conversations with other travelers.
This bear was in a pond near the entrance of the viewing area and another ate berries across the river.
The bears are not feasting on salmon in Prince Rupert so we are off to Stewart and Hyder to see them. It is a pretty drive and this black bear was so much fun to watch!
This is the link to the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRzlxlWHIBE&feature=channel&list=UL
We got up at 3 a.m. to get in line at the ferry which sailed at 6:30 a.m. I liked touristy Skagway because I had not shopped for the grandchildren!
Goodbye Skagway and cruise ships. Unfortunately, we had clouds the entire trip along with fog and rain at times. I usually enjoy being outside, but not on this trip.
The first stop in Haines was a good time to go take a nap! We did see some whales along the way – only photo I got was of a blow. There were also eagles, waterfalls, lighthouses and a glacier. Maybe I’ll have to do this another time.
A steam engine train ride out of Skagway
The train ahead of us
A poor shot of one of the tunnels
A rickety old trestle no longer used – thank goodness!
The Trail of 98 – Gold Rush history
Marking the U.S. and Canadian border
Reconstructed cabin of Northwest Mounties
Later we drove back out on the Klondike Highway and viewed where we had been that morning along with Pitchfork Falls
