We return to Skagway at noon, having enjoyed another unique experience: a trip through the history of one of the greatest gold rushes in the annals of North America. Our afternoon is spent using the hotel's travel agent to book a trip tomorrow to the Bald Eagle Preserve; visiting the airport to confirm tomorrow's flight and arranging pick-up transport; returning to the Rail Depot for coffee and muffins; visiting the National Park Service Visitor Centre to see a film that tells the story of the gold rush; but mostly exploring the fascinating shops.

For our evening meal we again use the hotel's Chilkoot Dining Room where the

meal includes four servings of their excellent sourdough bread pudding.

(9) Friday, August 4th: after an early start to the day, we depart Skagway (temporarily) as we take the Fairweather  Express ferry to the small town of Haines.

From Haines, we are bussed to a clearing beside the Tsirku River

where we are kitted out before our group of sixteen boards two rubber rafts.