Called the pilot [Drake Olsen @ Fly Drake] I’d been emailing with to check on our schedule for Saturday or Monday flight.  Asked if he had anything earlier as weather forecast was not great for the coming weekend.  He said actually earlier would be better for him also, but had to finalize some other arrangements first, call him back after 8 PM.

We drove into Haines, oohing and aahing as we saw remembered places, and missed

Driving in to Haines

ones that have changed or gone for good.  Lunched at the Bamboo Room at the Pioneer Bar because we could!  It was a major hang out of our parents and their friends ‘back in the day’.  We were never allowed to go there, of course, so had to make up for it!  A fine halibut fish and chips lunch, followed by a game of pool, and then we were on the road.

Over to the Post [Port Chilkoot] and up to the top to take Mud Bay Road.  Huh, not only are there more roads, but the intersection with Small Tract Road has been ‘reworked’ and we missed the turn to go down Cemetery Hill.  Quick recovery and we’re off.  Tagg’s corner identified, and that place must be Heberts, but where the Shack was … wow, there are houses between the road and the mud flats.

 

 

What the heck?  Parked just below where Aukerman’s place was and went down on the beach for a walk around.  The growth of trees and brush, the addition of houses and roads, made it difficult but gradually we were able to place things but only because the hills & mountains do not change.

 

There is now a road where our Shack stood.  Chilkat Trail.  Pyramid Island was a familiar sight, just more trees than it used to have.

 

 

On out past Nye’s where the Small Tract Rd joins Mud Bay and over the next hump.  Hmmm, there is where the Driftwood Shack was and now a house stands on that extra curve of road.  Mary’s cabin to the left and Linda knew that the visible building was  a newer structure.  Nothing down the hill where Abbot’s was, but a small lane and houses on the bay side.

Cannery Cove [Letnikhof Cove, Haines Packing Co.]

We went on and parked by the road closer to the cannery [Letnikof Cove] and took pictures, walked on the beach etc.  The old cannery, the view toward Alexander Island and Glacier Point were so familiar, and yet Davidson Glacier is not visible at all.

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing on, we found the road down to Portage Cove [aka Madsen’s Cove]

and took pictures of Rainbow Glacier and what used to be Uncle Martin’s place.  Road was blocked by cars and we could not tell if Rainbow Glacier Camp was still there or not but someone later told us it is.

 

Used to always be at least one boat moored in the harbor, but evidently that is also ‘history’.

Rather amazing all the houses that have been built up, many with good views but not on very stable appearing ground.

On to Mud Bay and again…where did they all come from?  We knew where Chief McCrae’s place was [it has been gone a long time], and Josephine Crumrine’s small cabin.  Guessed [correctly] at Jan Hill’s place, but the others were a mystery!

Back to Haines, constantly mind-boggled by the changes.  Decided to pick up something to take back to the cabin for dinner so stopped at Howser’s IGA and armed with soup and sandwich ingredients we headed ‘home’.  We also selected several nut and fruit bars for our proposed trip to Glacier Point, whatever day it might happen.

Gage’s had provided us with Campin’ Boxes for our stay.  There are three different ones and we tried all three; Kitchen Box, Linen Box and Outdoor Box.  Although we did not use or need all the items, they are a great addition for anyone who had not planned to ‘camp’ or flew in and did not have room for sleeping bags and pillows, cooking utensils, camp chairs etc.

While the water heated for our soup, I called Drake and he said Thursday was best, could we be at the airport by 9:30?  YES!

Note that we had cell phone reception off and on during our stay, and at the cabin might have to stand outside!  Never did connect with the WiFi out there, not sure why.