A bad road and cute bear

Workmen on the roof--Salmon Glacier Rd.

AUGUST 9, 2012  STEWART/HYDER

Today we took the Salmon Glacier Road hoping to go all the way to the top of the Glacier where the view is said to be spectacular.  We were discouraged because it was still raining and the clouds were obstructing much of the view.  We stopped by Fish Creek, but no bears were around, so we continued on up the road.  This was by far the worst of all the bad roads we have traveled so far!  The potholes were numerous and terrible, the road was slippery, and the drop-offs were terrifying!

They don't pay these guys enough!

We went about 14 miles of the 22 miles when we stopped to converse with Harley and wife whom we had met in several campgrounds.   They had gone about a mile further before giving up and  turning around.  We talked it over and decided we had had enough too, so we turned around to go back.  When we stopped for a photo op, Jim and Lana drove up.  They had made it all the way to the top!  They said the view was, indeed spectacular!   Dang.  We discussed it again and decided to stick with our plan to go back home.

Boundary marker Canada/US 

Waterfall on Salmon Glacier Rd. 

Jim and Lana and Barb and Gary joined us at our rig for dinner, and we had a great time exchanging stories about our trip.  I think it is really special that we have met these new friends on this trip and have been able to see them so often.

After everyone left and the dishes were done, Steve and I decided to go back up to Fish Creek.  It was still raining a little and we almost changed our minds, but we went anyway.  Steve stopped to use the restroom and I went on to the boardwalk and saw a sow and cub in the creek.  They moved up the creek and climbed the hill to cross the road.

 I looked to see if Steve had made it there in time to see them, and noticed that he had his camera out and was taking pictures;  what I didn't notice was that he was beside the boardwalk, but outside the fence!   Mom crossed the road and went into the bushes.  The cub stopped on the road, turned around towards us, stood up on his hind legs, and, I SWEAR THIS IS TRUE, he raised his paw as if waving at us!

 It was the most amazing thing! It was certainly worth standing in the rain to see.












We really enjoyed our stay in Stewart-Hyder in spite of the rain.  Here are a few things we enjoyed seeing.

We had a great bear talk with the owner of this store.  

The oldest masonry building in Alaska.

Another boundary marker..near the Canadian customs. 

Canadian customs building.

I think i found Middle Earth!