THE ALASKAN ADVENTURE Day 63 & 64 July 17,18 2009 Haines, AK Day 4 & 5

The last couple of days we got a chance to tour around Haines and learned a little bit about the area. Haines was formerly a city with a population of 1800 but no longer has municipal government. In October 2002, voters approved a measure consolidating the city of Haines and Haines Borough into a home rule borough.

In the early 1900's a fort was constructed here when Canada and the US were squabbling over where the border between the two countries actually ran. They were really worried about waterways and there hadn't been a lot of concern until gold was discovered in the Yukon. All of a sudden both Haines and The Lynn Canal were important. It went to arbitration and the US won the decision and Haines remained in Alaska. However, it was during this time and because of the politcal unrest that Fort Seward was constructed. It played a major financial role in the area and did so until its closure in 1946. The buildings are still here but are now private homes.





Old Parade Ground on Fort Seward






Remains of old dock built to service the fort. Recently a live grenade was
found near the old dock.

Other industries over the years have come and gone with the last of the fishing canneries closing down in 1972. This was mainly due to decrease in the fish population. Over the years Haines has opened it doors to the cruise ships and tourism has became a major source of revenue.






Sign on dock to receive cruise ship
passengers











Small boat harbor at Haines






2 shots of Haines from
across the Cove.



















One portion of our stay in Haines we visited the Kroschel Films Wildlife Center which is located 26 miles north of town on Mosquito Lake Road. Steve Kroschel is a cinematographer, film director and producer and most importantly animal lover. In the course of his work he has taken in orphaned animals and gave them a home as well as breeding some of them in captivity.

He is one of the few people who has bred wolverines and kept them alive. He also uses some of the animals in his current work.

We took a narritated two hour tour of his place and of course saw all of the animals. All of the animals are indiginous to Alaska. Animals that reside at Kroschel's that did not make the picture list are Moose, Weasel, Caribou, Lemings, Red Foxes, Cross Bred Foxes, Ermine, Mink and a few others I forgotten.





This fellow looks malnourished
but is anything but. Huge.
He has just lost his winter fur.





The Lynx - the only meat they eat are Snowshoe Hares


























This young lady's mother was shot on Kodiak Island. She is only one year old and already weights 400 lbs.









Red Tailed Hawk

Baby Lynx: These two cuties were born May 14 of this year.

Wolverine - This one was bred in captivity.

Snowy Owl.

Tomorrow we plan to take in the Bald Eagle Museum prior to catching the ferry that will take us to Skagway.