I can’t believe that it’s been 3 months since we left Haines.  While we only spent  4 1/2 months there, I feel like it’s a second home and hold it close to my heart.  I miss the grizzlies along the Chilkoot-watching them dig for eels along the shoreline or watching them trying to catch salmon in the stream.

And the sound of the bald eagles stays with me.  We have a few eagles on Whidbey Island and whenever I hear that familiar high pitched whistling I immediately remember that same sound , it immediately takes me back to the deck of the cabin in Chilkat State Park.

I know Jim misses the fishing, even though he wasn’t very lucky this past summer !

And then the magic of stumbling on the little pond while blue berry hunting.  Two majestic swans gliding across the water, ignoring our presence.  What a beautiful memory.

Blueberry picking up on Flower Mountain, when we return next year I’m going to be better prepared with a blueberry picking tool-no more picking one or two at a time.

Just driving into town or over to Chilkoot was always an adventure.  The scenery was never the same because of fog or sunshine or rain, but it was always incredibly stunning.

It was always a joy when we saw this eagle along the highway on the way to town.  He had a great spot looking out on the water and many times we would see him bring his “catch” back to his perch.

Kitkat grew into enjoying her job as campground host doggie !

The Haines Packing Company , they have  processed seafood in Letnikof Cove since 1917. We picked up smoked sockeye and canned salmon here for our trip back to Washington-of course it’s all gone !

We both looked forward to the end of the day campground check, especially down on the waterfront.  This is something I’m looking forward to upon our return in May of 2020.

I’m looking forward to see how these boys will have grown when we return in 2020.

Our view from our home on Whidbey is beautiful but waking up to this every morning was breathtaking.  How could you not feel grateful and blessed ?  Every day I thanked God and the Universe for our good fortune in being placed here to caretake this wonderful park, if only for a short time.  Our plan is to definitely return in May of 2020 to camp host at Chilkat again for the summer.  This time we will have two hard sided Hobie Kayaks to take with us-planning on doing lots of fishing and crabbing.  Looking forward to sharing more stories with all of you.

Until then, Happy Trails, Safe Travels and Merry Christmas !