Jim and Kim's Travels: Alaska, BC and the Yukon in One Drive

Happy Anniversary...#26! No better way than to spend it on a cruise ship with family and friends. We're very lucky.

And here we are arriving in Skagway. Last time we were here we did the White Pass train ride which was very enjoyable. Today, we were going to rent a vehicle and drive the same route but with the opportunity to stop where we want.

Vehicle rented...tick! And we were off. We had downloaded Murray's Guide to the South Klondike Highway, which was super helpful. He gives all the tips on what to do and where to stop. First stop...a lookout to see the many cruise ships in port that day.

Once again, we were blessed with the most beautiful weather.

We stopped at this lookout to see the train tracks across the valley. This is the tour we took the last time.

35,000 workers using hand tools built the railroad in just 26 months...amazing!

Including many of these trestles...

This is Pitchfork Falls, one of the most photographed falls in Alaska. It is incredibly high at 2100 feet.

On the right is an amazingly small pipeline that feeds a plant that supplies power for Skagway and the nearby town of Haines. And there goes the train...

Lots of sad stories, involving both humans and animals, in the making of the trail...

This falls on our side of the valley was pretty nice as well, although not nearly as impressive.

Here comes one of the ship's tour busses making its way up the incline...

View from the window...whether it was tree covered or barren rock, it was beautiful!

Hey, wait a minute...weren't we in Alaska?

And if I knew more about my camera, all my photos wouldn't be faded out in the background. Some day!

What a perfect day!

Happy Anniversary!

So happy to share this trip with Joanne...

Look at the crystal clear water...

And the rugged terrain...

Just so you know...

Welcome to Canada! Yup, we were heading back into Canada. Passports were necessary. The sign looks a little neglected...

Such beauty...

With quick flashes of bright yellow trees...

Mike was our very capable driver. His view...

Seriously, look at these mountains! I'm sure it's a completely different scenario in the winter.

We could have stopped 100 times, the scenery was so magnificent...

After a brief blip in BC, here we are in the Yukon...

Our vehicle for the day...thanks, Mike, for the driving, and Jim for the navigating and scenery commentary.

Mmm...bakery...I could go for that about now.

Coming into Carcross, population 422. This is one of the oldest communities in the Yukon.

And some pretty new and nifty buildings. The people are sitting outside the Caribou Crossing bakery. The coffee was delicious, the sandwiches were huge and the cinnamon bun disappeared in a hurry!