Glamping Days

along the upper Skeena River My route out of Kitwanga this morning took me past this lumber yard. It made me realize that I haven't seen as much evidence of timber harvesting as I had expected in northern BC.  a side trip to Kitimat I'd never heard of Kitimat, but I met 3 different couples this summer who either do live there or have lived there. With a little extra time today, I went for a quick visit.            along the lower Skeena River A big black bear jogged across the road in front of me, just like yesterday. It's still pretty exciting to see them, even after seeing quite a few this summer.  *   *   *   *   * Wildlife sightings  (not counting those in the conservation preserve or the aquarium) --> -->  today: a big black bear crossing the road --> --> trip total so far:       black bears - 27         deer - 14 (12 Sitka)         ...

After posting here last evening, I went back to the Fish Creek Observatory & got to watch 2 grizzlies fishing. They were a mama & a 3rd year cub; usually, mama will kick out the cub at the end of the 2nd summer, but occasionally, first-time mothers will keep them around for another year.   I went back again this morning, & 2 other grizzlies had just left. The rangers post a list of reported bear sightings. The area stinks as the salmon die soon after spawning & collect along the stream bank.  This is the border crossing between Stewart (BC, Canada) & Hyder (AK, US). The building is for the Canadian border agents. Crossing into Hyder, there is no station; it's the only land border where one can cross without reporting to border agents. This makes sense, as there is no practical way to leave Hyder except to go back through Stewart. Since there's a port here, the Canadians have a reason to check on their side. Stewart has a nice museum of local history. The lo...

One comes to this tiny corner of Alaska for 2 things: to view bears & get close to a glacier.  Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site This creek full of salmon attracts both black & brown/grizzly bears. None were visiting this morning, but it's a beautiful spot with some interesting displays.  Salmon Glacier The beautiful drive up to the glacier was quite dusty today. Part of it was one of those harrowing narrow roads hanging on the edge of a cliff - was glad to get past that part.  Below this small glacier are several ribbons of water cascading down the mountain. The glacier looks small, but those 3 streams run continuously all summer, & still the glacier remains.                                                    Salmon Glacier is so long that it can't all be seen from one point.  around Hyder          ...