14/09/2024
Day 7 of "The 50th State Celebration Vacation"
Day 5, Haines week #1 of 2 week Cruise
We have finally witnessed September Alaska weather. COLD, RAINY, COLD. Wait? Sorry! Did I already say cold? We were the only ship in port today as it can only hold 1 at a time. The other pier is for the ferry. Hains has a population of about 1,700. If you ask our bus driver in the winter the population goes down to about 50. 😅 we took the free shuttle into town, but then discovered that it is a very easy walk. It was a way to keep dry for just a couple of minutes. Here are some fun facts about Haines....They have No traffic lights. Only stop signs.
~They have No fast food. 🤪 there were on 11 graduates in thw class of 2024.
~It cost less for gas at $5.20 per gallon than it does for gallon of milk.
~Their eagle population is almost 4x the people at about 4,000 or more bald Eagles
~They have 5 types of salmon. : Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, chum salmon, pink salmon, and coho salmon. They get massive in size too!
After walking around this tiny town stopping at the hammer museum, some shops, the grocery store, the libray, and the American Bald Eagle foundation and sloshed our way back to the ship.
We just stopped the Eagle foundation in hopes to check it out, but it was quite pricey at $25 us dollars per person. They only had 6 birds that were being rehabilitated. With a small museum that you could also visit.
We grabbed some lunch, me quicker than David and I set back out for shore so I could catch my excursion. It was pretty fantastic. I hopped into a raft on the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Float trip. I took a short 20-30 min. Bus trip north to reach the beginning our trip down river. My guide was Kalhiem. A first year raft guide from Oregon with some great stories. Despite not being able to feel my toes and only being able to partially feel my fingers the trip was once in a life time. The rain did stop about 1/2 way down the river. We actually started our rafting trip on the Klaheni eventually joining with the Chilkat river. Thw river nevwr fully freezer over because it is on a fault line making it a hot springs river, even though there is absolutely nothing hot about it. The average water temperature year round is 40°f (4°c) the reason for the low temperature of the river is because the water is coming from Glacier meltwater. Along my amazing journey down the river with some really great people and an awesome guide we saw so many eagles. Some full grown and some still juveniles. Oh yes, and a few nests. 🦅 I have always found the eagle fascinating and really need to share these Fun facts of the American Bald Eagle:🦅
🦅SIZE~ Bald eagles can weigh between 8 and 14 pounds, have a wingspan of 7 to 8 feet, and measure 30 to 40 inches from head to tail. Females are typically larger than males.
🦅NESTS ~Bald eagles build the largest nests of any North American bird, which can reach up to 10 feet wide and weigh over 2,000 pounds. They often return to the same nest year after year, adding to it each time.
🦅HUNTING~ Bald eagles are strong swimmers and can drop down on prey from up to 100 miles per hour. They primarily eat fish, but will also eat ducks, rodents, snakes, and carrion.
🦅EYESIGHT ~Bald eagles have excellent eyesight, allowing them to see fish up to a mile away. They have two centers of focus, which allows them to see forward and to the side at the same time.
🦅COUTSHIP ~Bald eagle males perform dramatic courtship displays to attract females, including high-speed chases and tumbling together.
🦅ENDANGERED STATUS ~Bald eagles were listed as endangered in 1967 due to habitat loss, hunting, and possibly pesticide exposure. They were removed from the endangered species list in 2007.
🦅NATIONAL BIRDS ~Bald eagles are the national bird of the United States and appear on its seal.
Of course I have shared my pictures, but without a proper camera these amazing birds just seem average.
Tonight was 70's night, of course this duo participated! Are you kidding? We wouldn't miss it!!!🤣😂
Our Entertainment tonight was Scott Cavanaugh. We passed as we have seen his juggling act before.
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