Skagway (more bears)

Skagway is an old starting point for the Yukon Gold Rush.  The city’s history is storied, ribald and sometimes humorous.  It is also the gateway to more spectacular scenery and wildlife.

When we left the city this morning fog enshrouded the mountain tops.  As we made our way across the mountain pass (3300 feet) the fog seemed fairly dense.  However, as our Corolla ventured closer to the Canadian border the fog began to burn off.  

We stopped in Carcross and Emerald Lake where the sunshine pushed the temperature to 70.  That’s “hot” for Alaska.  Yes, there are times when it moves into the 80’s but not very often.

During the return trip we managed to spot two Black Bears. They are brown in the pictures because they come in varieties of tan, beige and black. The first bear image is courtesy of Thomas Santacrose.  I put my camera in the trunk and although both wives professed a willingness to hop out of the car, open the trunk, retrieve the camera and the long lens, the husbands discouraged such bravery.  Plus we are in our sixties and the bears move faster than we do.

By the time we encountered the second bear my camera and long lens were sitting next to me.  We stopped and I took the pictures through the windshield.  It crossed directly in front of the car, checking both ways for traffic before venturing out onto the highway.  One member of our party thought the pictures would be clearer if the windows were opened which earned a unanimous, “close the window Carol” from everyone in the car.

Most of this tour is in Canada, which meant that upon our return we passed through U.S. Customs.  The questions were not unusual.  “Where did you go?” (Emerald Lake).  Did you buy anything.  That question is asked in case there is anything to declare.  Someone in our car, I’m not saying who, felt the need to tell the official that we ate lunch in Canada and also added that we enjoyed it.  Fortunately, no one was jailed.