Dorsal fin of a Killerwhale during the sail from Juneau to Haines, Alaska

Crystal invited me to come with her to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory to meet up with a friend of hers.  I knew about the grand opening of the new Cultural Center in Whitehorse, so I took her up on her offer.  I had four days to prepare for the trip with lots of deadlines to meet before leaving – it was good incentive to get the stuff done to take a much needed “working vacation” from Juneau’s consistent rainy weather of 45 degrees!

Bow of the MV Matanuska

I anticipated good weather as soon as we would come into Haines’ territory, about three hours north of Juneau.  Sure enough, I could see blue skies up ahead!

Crystal Rogers weaves Ravenstail in the cafeteria of the MV Matanuska

Like many Chilkat and Ravenstail weavers of the past 30 years, Crystal Rogers packed up her loom to weave aboard the ferry.  Four hours to Haines is ample time to weave a couple of inches!

deck of the MV Matanuska as we pass the lighthouse in Upper Lynn Canal

Pouring rain in Juneau, even just an hour out of Juneau the weather improves!  Cloudy but not raining!  whooohooo!

Crystal enjoys the cedar bark weaving talents of Heather Callahan's cape

Yukon artist Heather Callahan is a regalia-maker who was on board completing her woven cedar bark cape embellished with dentallium shells, abalone buttons, leather and Hawaiian grasses woven in as well! — you just never know who will be traveling with you on board the Alaskan ferries!

Heather models her cape trimmed with beaver fur

Davidson Glacier in the Chilkat Mountain Range

"Shanks and Rizal" (alias)peaks of the Chilkat Mountain Range

Approaching Haines, Alaska - see the tourship docked in front of Ft. Seward?

Always blue skies in Haines' wake

Crystal catches wild water

Mouth of the Chilkat Valley River

View of the Chilkat River and mountains from a house I would love to buy, or at least rent!

Driivng the highway from Haines, Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory

Brown Bear on the side of the highway

Black bear on side of highway just a half hour from the brown bear we first saw