. There are to many "special" places to discover, experience, and enjoy along this 500 miles stretch of Alaska's Inside Passage. Here are photographs of some we found during our 2008 visit. slides/hyder10.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Hyder, Alaska, was a great discovery all by itself but we got there as the tide was retreating. Portland Canal is a narrow saltwater fjord about 90 miles long. However, at Hyder it looked more like a salt flat than a deep glacier-carved canal. Hyder, Alaska, was a great discovery all by itself but we got there as the tide was retreating. Portland Canal is a narrow saltwater fjord about 90 miles long. However, at Hyder it looked more like a salt flat than a deep glacier-carved canal. slides/hyder10.jpg slides/hyder-fish_creek_wildlife_viewing_area.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 One draw for tourists to visit Hyder is the Fish Creek Wildlife Viewing Area. This platforms allows visitors to view bears who come to Fish Creek during the salmon runs. The platform’s construction is designed to protect visitors but this sign reminds everyone of the danger. One draw for tourists to visit Hyder is the Fish Creek Wildlife Viewing Area. This platforms allows visitors to view bears who come to Fish Creek during the salmon runs. The platform’s construction is designed to protect visitors but this sign reminds everyone of the danger. slides/hyder-fish_creek_wildlife_viewing_area.jpg slides/juneau-mendenhall.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Juneau, Alaska, is a place of amazing beauty. Mendenhall Glacier, located north of Juneau, is one of the area’s many beautiful spots. This view of the Glacier was taken at sunrise from the Tongass National Forest's Mendenhall campground. Juneau, Alaska, is a place of amazing beauty. Mendenhall Glacier, located north of Juneau, is one of the area’s many beautiful spots. This view of the Glacier was taken at sunrise from the Tongass National Forest's Mendenhall campground. slides/juneau-mendenhall.jpg slides/juneau-view_frm_mt_roberts_tram_car.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 The nearly vertical tram ride up Mount Roberts gives one a new perspective of the landscape. The nearly vertical tram ride up Mount Roberts gives one a new perspective of the landscape. slides/juneau-view_frm_mt_roberts_tram_car.jpg slides/ket-cruise_ship_ketchikan.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 A single cruise line ship docked in Ketchikan, AK. During the height of the season, there could be up to seven of these behemoths tied up to Ketchikan’s docks. That means somewhere in the neighborhood of 14,000 or more tourists wandering the streets of this town. A single cruise line ship docked in Ketchikan, AK. During the height of the season, there could be up to seven of these behemoths tied up to Ketchikan’s docks. That means somewhere in the neighborhood of 14,000 or more tourists wandering the streets of this town. slides/ket-cruise_ship_ketchikan.jpg slides/ketchikan-float plane dock_ketchikan.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Never seen a “parking lot” for floatplanes? The importance of floatplanes for getting around the Inside Passage is re-enforced by many “parking lots” found on every shoreline. Never seen a “parking lot” for floatplanes? The importance of floatplanes for getting around the Inside Passage is re-enforced by many “parking lots” found on every shoreline. slides/ketchikan-float plane dock_ketchikan.jpg slides/ketchikan-sea_lions_on_buoy.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Sea otters maybe considered “clowns of the sea” but there are few critters living along the Inside Passage as loud and noisy as Stellar sea lions. Sea otters maybe considered “clowns of the sea” but there are few critters living along the Inside Passage as loud and noisy as Stellar sea lions. slides/ketchikan-sea_lions_on_buoy.jpg slides/ketchikan-swimming-eagle.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Bald eagles can swim! Who knew? They use the butterfly stroke. Bald eagles can swim! Who knew? They use the butterfly stroke. slides/ketchikan-swimming-eagle.jpg slides/ketchikan_dockside_businesses.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 A Ketchikan, AK business cluster. The first is laundromat, espresso bar, café, hot showers, and wifi hotspot. Next is a bar, the "Potlatch" and than a propellor shop. All located on a pier, next to a marina full of commercial fishing boats. Sounds like a good location. A Ketchikan, AK business cluster. The first is laundromat, espresso bar, café, hot showers, and wifi hotspot. Next is a bar, the "Potlatch" and than a propellor shop. All located on a pier, next to a marina full of commercial fishing boats. Sounds like a good location. slides/ketchikan_dockside_businesses.jpg slides/ketchikanhumpback.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 A very special and exciting sight - a Humpback whale. Every sighting of these magnificent creatures was special and exciting. A very special and exciting sight - a Humpback whale. Every sighting of these magnificent creatures was special and exciting. slides/ketchikanhumpback.jpg slides/lighthouse-point_retreat_lighthouse.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 The importance of lighthouses is illustrated by the number seen scattered throughout the Inside Passage. And each one is unique. This is Point Retreat Lighthouse. The importance of lighthouses is illustrated by the number seen scattered throughout the Inside Passage. And each one is unique. This is Point Retreat Lighthouse. slides/lighthouse-point_retreat_lighthouse.jpg slides/lighthouse-sentenial_lighthouse.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Sentenial Lighthouse is completely automated now. Sentenial Lighthouse is completely automated now. slides/lighthouse-sentenial_lighthouse.jpg slides/lighthse_juneau_to_haines.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 The name of this lighthouse is unknown but what a beautiful and isolated location. The name of this lighthouse is unknown but what a beautiful and isolated location. slides/lighthse_juneau_to_haines.jpg slides/pet-muskkeg_bog_mitkof_island.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Muskeg (a.k.a bog) is like a soggy blanket draped over the landscape. It covers more than 10 percent of southeast Alaska and provides a fragile home for plants that thrive in the wet, acid soil. Muskeg (a.k.a bog) is like a soggy blanket draped over the landscape. It covers more than 10 percent of southeast Alaska and provides a fragile home for plants that thrive in the wet, acid soil. slides/pet-muskkeg_bog_mitkof_island.jpg slides/petersburg-floatplane_harbor.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 In Petersburg, floatplanes have there own harbor with a service area and gas station. In Petersburg, floatplanes have there own harbor with a service area and gas station. slides/petersburg-floatplane_harbor.jpg slides/petersburg_harbor.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 The small boat harbor in Petersburg. Such a beautiful place. The small boat harbor in Petersburg. Such a beautiful place. slides/petersburg_harbor.jpg slides/petersburg-interior_road_mitkof_island.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Paved roadways are a special treat and found mainly in and close to the bigger Inside Passage towns. This is the more typical roadway found throughout this part of Alaska. Paved roadways are a special treat and found mainly in and close to the bigger Inside Passage towns. This is the more typical roadway found throughout this part of Alaska. slides/petersburg-interior_road_mitkof_island.jpg slides/petersburg-road-north.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 A view of Frederick Sound and on the other side of the Sound, Horn Mountain, outside of Petersburg. A view of Frederick Sound and on the other side of the Sound, Horn Mountain, outside of Petersburg. slides/petersburg-road-north.jpg slides/pow-abandoned_homestead_coffman_cove-pow.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 People have been trying to make a living in Alaska for more than a century. Some are successful but this abandoned homestead gives testimony to many who weren’t able to manage the challenges. People have been trying to make a living in Alaska for more than a century. Some are successful but this abandoned homestead gives testimony to many who weren’t able to manage the challenges. slides/pow-abandoned_homestead_coffman_cove-pow.jpg slides/pow-craig_marina.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Prince of Wales Island is populated by a resilient and resourceful people. Here in Craig, many of the residents have their boats tied up, safe and sound, in the town's marina while they wait for the fishing season to get underway. Prince of Wales Island is populated by a resilient and resourceful people. Here in Craig, many of the residents have their boats tied up, safe and sound, in the town's marina while they wait for the fishing season to get underway. slides/pow-craig_marina.jpg slides/pow-haida-totem.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Totem poles are an important part of the Haida people’s culture. And not all totem poles are a towering creation. This bear totem, commemorating someone’s life, was just outside the Long House in Kasaan, AK and only about six feet tall. Totem poles are an important part of the Haida people’s culture. And not all totem poles are a towering creation. This bear totem, commemorating someone’s life, was just outside the Long House in Kasaan, AK and only about six feet tall. slides/pow-haida-totem.jpg slides/pow-trail_to_haida_totem_pole_park.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Accessing the Haida people’s Long House and totem park outside of Kasaan means hiking through a lush forest. It is a pleasant walk with some gorgeous totems waiting at the end. Accessing the Haida people’s Long House and totem park outside of Kasaan means hiking through a lush forest. It is a pleasant walk with some gorgeous totems waiting at the end. slides/pow-trail_to_haida_totem_pole_park.jpg slides/pow-long-house-haida.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 The interior of the Kasaan Long House. The interior of the Kasaan Long House. slides/pow-long-house-haida.jpg slides/pow-mtn_vista_frm_sr_924.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Prince of Wales Island is the third biggest island in the U.S and has more than 2,000 miles of roads. One hundred-fifty miles, including this stretch, are paved while 105 miles are “improved gravel” and the remaining 1,745 miles are primitive logging roads. Prince of Wales Island is the third biggest island in the U.S and has more than 2,000 miles of roads. One hundred-fifty miles, including this stretch, are paved while 105 miles are “improved gravel” and the remaining 1,745 miles are primitive logging roads. slides/pow-mtn_vista_frm_sr_924.jpg slides/pow-sandy_beach_near_thorne_bay.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 There are few white sandy beaches. Most are like this one near Thorne Bay, more gravel than sand, covered with driftwood, and a view that reaches across the water for miles. There are few white sandy beaches. Most are like this one near Thorne Bay, more gravel than sand, covered with driftwood, and a view that reaches across the water for miles. slides/pow-sandy_beach_near_thorne_bay.jpg slides/pow-totem-hydaburg1.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 A colorful totem pole from Hydaburg, AK. There are two men sitting on top with top hats, meaning unknown. The carving may seem fanciful but each figure has a meaning and, put together, has a message, unknown to us. A colorful totem pole from Hydaburg, AK. There are two men sitting on top with top hats, meaning unknown. The carving may seem fanciful but each figure has a meaning and, put together, has a message, unknown to us. slides/pow-totem-hydaburg1.jpg slides/pow-totem-park-hydaburg.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Hydaburg’s totem pole park is full of renovated or duplicated totems done by native carvers as far back as the late 1930s. The totem pole carving skill is being learned by some young Native People so the art form will not be lost. Hydaburg’s totem pole park is full of renovated or duplicated totems done by native carvers as far back as the late 1930s. The totem pole carving skill is being learned by some young Native People so the art form will not be lost. slides/pow-totem-park-hydaburg.jpg slides/pt_amargura_fs_rental_cabin_craig.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 There are maybe up to 300 Forest Service rental cabins scattered across the Tongass National Forest. Most are accessible only by boat or floatplane. Not all are as nice as this one but each is special in its own way. There are maybe up to 300 Forest Service rental cabins scattered across the Tongass National Forest. Most are accessible only by boat or floatplane. Not all are as nice as this one but each is special in its own way. slides/pt_amargura_fs_rental_cabin_craig.jpg slides/sitka-dog-poop.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Dogs are welcome throughout the Tongass National Forest but here at Starrgavin campground, outside Sitka, they are serious about you picking up after your pup. Dogs are welcome throughout the Tongass National Forest but here at Starrgavin campground, outside Sitka, they are serious about you picking up after your pup. slides/sitka-dog-poop.jpg slides/sitka-fred.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Fred getting a bear hug during our walking tour of Sitka, AK. Fred getting a bear hug during our walking tour of Sitka, AK. slides/sitka-fred.jpg slides/sitka-totem_pole_trail_sitka_natl_hist_park.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:11:50 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Besides being a museum, the Sitka National Historical Park provides space to Native People to practice their art. Here is a totem carved by one of the artisans in residence. Besides being a museum, the Sitka National Historical Park provides space to Native People to practice their art. Here is a totem carved by one of the artisans in residence. slides/sitka-totem_pole_trail_sitka_natl_hist_park.jpg