Jetboat Adventure and Haines Highlights

While you might not be able to see Russia from the houses in Haines, Alaska, doan-cha know, there’s not much else out of reach for the “Adventure Capital of Alaska.” Located within Chilkat Valley and originally settled by the Tlingit culture, Haines has a multi-millennial history of Tlingit habitation. The reasons then are much the same as the reasons people flock to Haines now: its mild climate, natural beauty, and proximity to fishing, hunting, river rafting, kayaking, whale watching, hiking, Glacier Bay National Park and, of course, the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. For these reasons and more, it’s the perfect launch pad for any Chilkat experience.

You’ll begin with a brief but fascinating tour of Haines. The town boasts the WWI-era military base of Ft. William H. Seward, set against its stunning Chilkat Mountain backdrop, as well as the Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center’s outstanding Tlingit and pioneer relics. In the category of “Alaskan trivia for a thousand, Alex,” the movie White Fang, starring a young Ethan Hawke, was filmed in Haines, and Discovery Channel’s Gold Rush is partially filmed on the Porcupine River just north of Haines.

Next, you’ll be driven along the Haines Scenic Byway (one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the world!) on the half-hour trip to River Adventure’s private property. There, you’ll trade asphalt and wheels for the water and a flat-bottomed jet boat uniquely designed for your glacial river tour through the Bald Eagle Preserve. As the Captain maneuvers the quiet, open-air boat along the river, soak in the Alaskan scenery as you look for Bald Eagles and their massive nests. Should you also happen to spot a moose or bear, your captain will stop the boat so that you can snap the Alaskan photo of a lifetime!

Still giddy from the Preserve and its amazing denizens, you’ll return to River Adventure’s property and be greeted with coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate, hot cider, and lemonade as well as a tasty meal. This epic tour will leave you planning your next visit before you ever pack up to head home.

Think Again, Ben

Despite the fact that Benjamin Franklin felt it to be “a bird of bad moral character” that “does not get his living honestly,” the Bald Eagle has nonetheless earned its mark of distinction as the national symbol of America. It’s an amazing bird, actually. For starters, it mates for life - which in itself is wonder enough. Both males and females build their nests (usually in trees) and take turns sitting on the chicks. Bald Eagle nests are enormous, generally around 5’ wide and 3’ deep, but one sassy mama in Florida said “no” to the condo and held out for the treetop mansion with a view. The resulting nest, examined in 1963, broke all records with its 9 ½ foot diameter, depth of 20 feet, and weight of two tons. With all due respect to Mr. Franklin, seems like the Bald Eagle is, indeed, the perfect symbol of American ingenuity!