Hyder AK

Stewart B.C. and Hyder, AK.,July 29

What a surprise we had when we got into Stewart.  First of all, everything is happening in Hyder, Ak.  We camped in Stewart, B.C.  Then just down the road is the border for Hyder, AK.  We have to pass customs every time we left Hyder to go into Stewart.  Last night in Hyder we went to the bear viewing area.  After 5 minutes we saw a beautiful huge grizzly bear scoping out the salmon.  We were able to observe him for a long time.  You will see the picture.  So cool!  Then we were told to go to the "Bus".  A couple bought an old school bus and made a restaurant out of it.  The husband catches the fish and the wife cooks it.  They have a little patio in front with 2 picnic tables.  They added a room in the back of the bus with a heater.  It was so neat!  Robin Williams and Hilary Swank ate there when they were filming a movie in Stewart.  Neat, huh?  The food was delicious.
Today we took the 30 mile historic dirt road to Salmon Glacier which is the 5th largest glacier in the world.  It was cloudy and foggy when we left but once we drove through the clouds it cleared up a little.  We passed some old deserted mines and saw a working mine.  Hyder's population is only 100 but they are happy people.  Hyder was settled by many of the same miners that came through the Stewart area.  It was originally known as Portland city but the U.S. post office rejected the name because there were already too many Portlands in the U.S.  The name was then changed to Hyder named after Frederick Hyder, a Canadian engineer working for the Juneau Gastineau Mining Co.  We are a little sad to leave beautiful Alaska.  But we are sure to see more beauty in Canada on our way home.  Love you all.