The 49,000-acre Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is the year-round home of about two hundred bald eagles, though we see less than a dozen - the peak viewing time being in November and December when thousands come to feed on the salmon. But our objective this morning is to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of this remote area, and the  experience of the six-mile raft trip as we float down the Tsirku river to its confluence with the Chilkat.

At the end of the float downstream, we find a table set out for a meal of meats and salads. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes are as hungry as us and we have to retreat to the bus, leaving much of the food behind. We arrive back in Haines in plenty of time to catch the ferry back to Skagway.

After having had an early breakfast followed by a picnic lunch that we were unable to do justice to, we find cookies and donoughts in Skagway. We then obtain more nourishing food when we explore the Cullen Creek Park near the Small Boat Harbour. A number of fishermen are catching salmon with monotonous regularity, and we find a couple barbecuing the fish caught by their son. We are delighted to take up their offer of freshly cooked salmon, which we eat with our fingers after adding a squeeze of lemon - absolutely delicious.

Our Cessna flight from Skagway to Juneau departs at 5:34pm and follows the Lynn Canal for most of the journey, providing wonderful views of the mountains and glaciers. We are in plenty of time for our onward flight to Anchorage with the Boeing 737 being delayed by a tyre change. Much of the flight is above cloud level, but the clouds clear as we approach Anchorage, where we land at 8:44pm.

 

Within half-an-hour of landing we have picked up a Chevrolet Blazer from National Car Rental and commence the eight-mile drive to the Holiday Inn.

The end of a very long day only arrives after we finally succeed in discovering the secret of how to transport our luggage from the car to the hotel's third floor - a tortuous route as a result of the Holiday Inn having three wings on different levels.

 

The Holiday Inn in Anchorage is our base for three nights as we explore both the city and the surrounding area. Our exploration of Anchorage begins with the aid of a trolley tour that covers an extensive area including Lake Hood; Earthquake Park; Resolution Park; the Alaska Statehood Monument; and the Alaska Railroad Depot.

 

After consuming cinnamon buns and muffins at the Downtown Deli & Cafe we continue our exploring on foot. Returning to Resolution Park we are able to admire the statue of Captain Cook. The park's viewing deck has excellent views of the surrounding mountains.

President Eisenhower,

who signed the Alaska Statehood Act in 1959.

Statue of Captain Cook

in Resolution Park.