More Haines

July 31. We have enjoyed this place so much and it is so much fun having John and Barbara here. Today was rain, so did not get outside much.

August 1. Another month down the tube. To town today for various touristy things and to catch up  on wifi. Internet went down at the library, so we got very little done. Went to John's for (happy hour). Wine and cheese and A BEAR. We were sitting around the campfire when some boaters pulled to shore to warn us of a bear near. We fast put our food away and waited. In the meantime a ranger drove up and as he was preparing his weapons the darn thing came out of the brush down from our camp. I got my bear picture! He used a noise shot to scare it away. Later,  Duke, Barbara and I went back to sitting. Shortly, the bear was back and thanks to Duke seeing it come out of the brush by the camper, we were able to yell and he moved on. Took its time though as he reared up on a table in the site across the way. No food found so moved on. We resumed our sitting till late, but definitely an unforgettable night.
August 2. No rain, but damp and chilly and had to have heat on. What a difference from the lower 48,
August 3. Caught up on internet today. Went to Big Al's to eat fish and chips. Tiny little drive up shack with really good food. So pretty and sunny today! Sat at John's campfire and had a few visitors stop by.

August 4. Up early and started preparing chili for tomorrow. Off to the farmer's market and met a few locals. This was at the fairgrounds and inside was a cute area of old shops- some real and some only shells to make them look authentic- Dalton City. Did the laundry afterwards and a real eye opener at $5.00 a load. We were at John's later and a bear came up on the bank beside us. A stupid tourist followed him too close and made him go back into the campground rather than off into the woods. Someone shot off a noise maker to scare him off.

August 5. Went to mass and stayed afterward for coffee. Friendly people. Father Perry asked to bless our truck and in doing so made our day and visit to Haines even more special. We took our chili and wine down to John's and had such a good time. Back at camp later, knock on the door and Jean Boeckman- our Casita buddy was there. We knew she was in Alaska, but did not know where. We met her twin sister, Jane and we all spent a while under John's awning talking. The rain had moved in earlier, so no campfire. Later, we said our goodbyes and went back to prepare for our ferry ride tomorrow to Juneau.