Hooligan, in the Chilkoot River
May 10th, Friday; Today we’ll start our visits and connecting with old friends. We have to be at the Museum for a presentation [Questions and answers] by 7:00 PM but other than that can wander at will.
We started the day by driving on up Lutak Road to the bridge over the Chilkoot River, taking pictures and watching the hooligan swimming.
Chilkoot Lake
On up to Chilkoot Lake with more pictures of course. There was still a large section of ice on the lake, but also some fishermen who had had a good morning hooking Dolly Varden.
Back into Haines, and out to the House of Beads, Jan Clayton Hill’s shop. She and Nellie Clayton Pettit were both there and we hugged and chattered for some time. Nellie lives in Eagle River but is in Haines to visit and also participate in an archaelogical dig. They said they would come heckle us at the museum later.
Jan & Nellie; can’t say enough about them
Lunched at Mountain Market, where we encountered a very tall man at the entrance. Might he be the ex-basketball player? Yes! Mark McNamara in the flesh and he sat down to visit with us. He is anxious to get book #2, said he so enjoyed the first one and has shared it with many.
Wandered through several shops, including the SeaWolf Gallery where talked with Tresham Gregg, and then Alaska Rod’s meeting Rhonda. Great local art and other items in all the shops, particularly these two and we brought some home!
With all the visiting, and finding friends in common, it was soon time to show up at the Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center.
We were anticipating perhaps an hour of chatting. Kris Reeves cautioned me that folks would be wanting to hear some good stories and I told her that the right questions would probably bring them out! Short introduction, as folks kept coming in and the museum folk brought out more chairs, and we were ‘on the spot’. Two and a half hours of questions, stories and laughter and we were done. Wow! About 50 people in attendance.
Jan and Nellie were there plus our camp hosts the Gages, Carol Waldo, George Edwards, Betty Lou Roth Wilde and Mary Manuel. We had approached this with some trepidation and afterward realized we’d had a great time!
Of course, we’d not had dinner yet, and ‘asked Jan’ what is still open? [Ask Jan was another common refrain as she has her finger on the pulse of the town, living there her entire life and being involved in many community events.] The Fogcutter, but it only has bar food. Okay, does not matter, we are hungry. This establishment was not there when we were kids, so no associated memories of any kind.
Noisy, moderately busy. Come back from the bathroom and Jan says here is someone you know. Jeff David, Jr. Hugs all around, he was like our brother, especially as his
Linda, Denise, Jeff, Nancy & Ruth
grandfather Jack David had adopted us into the Tlingit tribe long long ago. That is why we are Ravens, following our Mom’s moiety. Our parents were unaware of the adoption until we were introduced to extended family as his grandchildren.
The food was good, and the company and visiting excellent. Pretty late getting in that night!