Yukon / British Columbia: 07. – 21.08.09

Just on time fort our half year anniversary we moved after 64 days in to a Hotel room again. As a wedding present from our best men and his family we got to stay a night in the Inn on the Lake just before Whitehorse. Tipp: Get the Jacuzzi- Suite with the own Jacuzzi in the Suite itself.

Unfortunately that was already booked from a couple that was celebrating their 26th anniversary. So we moved into the Fish- Suite and were enjoying a glass of white wine in the ‘public’ Jacuzzi with view on the wonderful Marsh Lake. In the Evening we got spoiled with a great 4 course menu and on the next morning there were fresh fruit and a splendid breakfast. We really could relax before it meant to be: On the road again.

With a little side- tour to the Atlin Lake we were following the Cassiar Highway. Our next destination was Hyder. The route towards it should, according to the travel guide, be one of the most scenic drives that Alaska has to offer. And it was right. The Route really was breathtaking, leading along wonderful landscapes, spiked with glaciers and waterfalls. Hyder had mainly two attractions, the Salmon Glacier and the Salmon run in the Fish creek between June and early September, which attracts Black and Brown Bears , with a boardwalk, just built to watch the Bears chasing the Salmon. After our great luck in Skagway with our private bear show we of course were curious of this spectacle. We got greatly disappointed, from the often heard crowd of bears, we have seen crowds of people on the boardwalk and one bear going listless after some salmon. And on the second evening even that one didn’t show up, well who wants to be gawped at by at least 50 people while having dinner. Well at least we have seen a little black bear walking through town that evening. About the glacier, well the road got washed out about two weeks ago and was not to be finished by at least two days. So we went via Terrace towards Prince Rupert.

Prince Rupert is the town with the most rain in whole Canada, but here we were lucky, we just got sunshine. And also the Highway towards it is following the fjord like Skeena River. From the 704m high Mount Hays one has got a fantastic view over the coast of Price Rupert and the surrounding islands. We went along and had to climb it, with Nisto. The road is only good for off road vehicles, otherwise one has to use the feet to get up. We drove not because we are lazy but because it was late already and we were hoping to find a nice place for the night. And we did, just perfect. The next day we went for a walk through the rain forest, this time on our own feet, before we went back.

Back towards Bakerville, a town from the gold rush times on it original site with about 130 building restored, 40 of them from the 19th century. But that is not enough, the town also got contemporary clothed crews doing shows and explanations about the time back then.

After this side trip we went draughty south and till Clinton the route was nothing special, but from there the Sea to Sky Highway is a pleasure matching up to its name. We did plan to go Skiing in Whistler, the weather would have been perfect the rent and rates fair, but summer skiing only goes until July. So we squeezed our feet into the hiking boots again and went for a walk, from the lower Joffre’s Lake along the milled Joffre’s Lake towards the, who guesses, upper Joffre’s Lake.  Well someone must have been in desperate search for some names ;o).  Originally we wanted to take a dip in the upper lake, but as our feet already got instantly stunned we gave that plan up. The water still hung on a glacier not all too long ago. Instead we got Ice cream a bit later on in the close by Whistler Village, until it finally meant Vancouver we are coming.

After we got used to city traffic again we first had a look at Gastown with the famous Steamclock , which gets powered by the Cities steam heating system and the infamous city founder  Gassy Jack on a whiskey barrel. In the evening our ways led us ‘not all to direct’ to Gerry and Gwen, we met the two in New Mexico and later went to Canyon de Chelly in Arizona together, were they invited us to visit them. We were welcomed with open arms and so ended the last two weeks for us as they begun, in pure luxury.

The following day we were exploring the Stanley Park in Vancouver by bicycle and wonderful sunshine. We really liked that city and we would have liked to stay longer, but as it says, one should leave when it’s best. Thank you Gerry and Gwen.

Our last destination in Canada is called Vancouver Island, the report is already under construction since in the meantime we are already in the USA again.

Hasta luego.

Markus und Sonja

Here it goes to the pictures…