Canada - Alaska - back to Canada

After our trip around the Bowron Lakes we headed for Prince George, BC for much needed chores (everything, including us, was so smelly even the bears wouldn’t come near us).  We also indulged in some Caribou Beer and wandered around a Canadian Tire (kind of like Target on steroids).  Our planned time in Canada was getting short so we decided to start making tracks north.  The towns were getting smaller and smaller but definitely having more character.  We even got to see the world’s largest fly rod.

 

On a tip from a friend, we took a left and headed for Stewart, BC and Hyder, AK.  The drive in was incredible with steep mountains, tons of waterfalls, and even a few glaciers.  Ron said if you took away the snow and ice, it reminded him of Hawaii.  Stewart is a small logging and mining community with a very short but cute main street that caters to tourists.  The municipal campground provided entertainment for us.  It had been built about 20 years ago and not much had been done since then.  The trees had taken over the tent area, some of the campsite numbers were missing, and no one, including us, could figure out where our designated tent spot was supposed to be.  We checked out town and found a historic building that would have made an awesome restored hotel if there was ever a need.  It was even for sale!  One of the best features of Stewart is that you can see a glacier from town.

The next day we set out on a driving tour to the Salmon Glacier.  To get there we had to go through Hyder, AK, which touts itself as “The Friendliest Ghost Town in America”.  We made a stop at Fish Creek which the information guy promised us would have bears.  There was not a bear to be seen.  The road continued past a lot of active mining.  The Salmon Glacier is said to be the 5^th largest glacier in North America and it certainly impressed us.  We got lucky with a break in the weather and we were able to see the whole glacier.  Upon reentering Canada, we were again questioned about our intentions in Canada.  It was really strange that they had a border patrol station here since you couldn’t drive anywhere but to the glacier.  From here we will continue to make tracks north.