We started on Friday morning. It had snowed the night before, and the road was white with snow and fog.
On the road from Manley, the Elliot Highway
The stunted spruce were silhouetted against the sunrise.
Frosted and grotesque shapes
We stopped the first day in Tok, and next day saw the sun rise again, at about 9:30.
On the road to Canada
We crossed into Canada where the roads of the northern Alcan are full of ruts and bumps, but the scenery is stunning.
On the road to Haines Junction
We passed by Kluane Lake, still not frozen.
Lake Kluane
We stayed the night in Haines Junction before going over the mountains.
The road at about 3.000 feet
Not much wildlife to be seen. A flock of geese was almost all we saw.
Flying south
Briefly, the sun came out.
Heading for Haines, AK
Then we spotted 2 moose, a cow and a calf, foraging in the desolate plateau. The wind was fierce.
Moose in winter
At almost 4,000 feet we could hardly see the road. Everything was white.
Coming over the top
As we began the descent the snow got thicker, heavier and wetter.
On the way to sea level
We crossed the border and found that there was an eagle “festival” in Haines. There were hundreds of them.
A hungry eagle at the festival
There was no snow in Haines. There were even some flower pots with pansies blooming. We got to Haines a day early; we had left time in case of trouble on the road, and we had no difficulty. We were glad we didn’t cross the mountain the next day. There were travel advisories of snow, high wind, drifts and black ice.
We didn’t board the Ferry until almost midnight on Monday. We did some hiking in a state park that said “Park Closed” where we met two young women who were also waiting for the ferry. Then we got to know the Haines library well. Fortunately, it is a very good library and a comfortable place to spend time.
Are we a couple of tough old birds, or are we just crazy?
Spectacular scenery.
I was never young enough to enjoy snow except in pictures like these.
Hmm. Jury’s out on “tough or crazy?” Possibly some of both 🙂
Tough, yes. Crazy, no. Why should you not travel to and from places you love? Why not the snow and ice and stunning beauty? Why waste the world being slack and sane?
Wonderful photos, fantastic scenes! Not crazy I think, just very fortunate.
Breathtaking scenery and you’re absolutely right to take advantage of being able to travel while you are able.
Anne you both have dreams: you follow your bliss.
Nothing tough or crazy about any of that.
99% of people go to their graves with their music locked within them.
You are part of the 1%. Hallelujah!
XO
WWW
Both. Welcome home.
Such a sense of cold that reaches into the bones from these photos. And, yes, both!
Not only tough but you’re a heck of an inspiration – that’s for sure!
As soon as I heard Sarah Palin was going to be on a reality television program portraying life in Alaska I immediately thought of you. If that woman wants reality, my friend Anne can show her some Alaska “kick-ass” reality….you betcha!
I’ll ‘betcha’ she can’t build a damn outhouse with a picture window….no siree bob!! 🙂
Crazy as two tough old June bugs, the pair of you. Glad you made it through safely, that the photographs weren’t literally to die for!
just living life to the full…
Isn’t the current mantra, “whatever floats your boat”? As long as there are a trail of bread crumbs!
Stunning photos. If I attempted a watercolour of “On the way to sea level”, people would remark on how stylized and unrealistic it was. 😀
One of these days we will get up there. I’m so jealous of your adventures. You are lucky you can still deal with the cold. It seems as if winter is the spectacular time there, judging by your photos.
A friend of mine remarked on not seeing as much wildlife as she had expected to on a trip there a few years ago. But perhaps they just stay away from people, since everyone up there has a shotgun!
Beautiful images – you are following your heart.
I followed mine to a cottage in the woods. Much simpler then what you have experienced.
I am not a snow person – these beautiful photos make me want to put on a heavier jacket:)