Thank you, Francisco!
This is a very special day....
I purchased a ticket yesterday scheduled to board ferry with my car and leave Skagway for Haines early this morning. I heard Haines Highway was a beautiful route to go back to Whitehorse.
I was ready to leave RV Park around 5:15 when I realized that my car battery went dead. I had no explanation of how did this happen but needed to have it fixed right away to be at ferry terminal in 30 minutes. I walked around the campground; no one else seemed to awake this early. Getting camp manger’s help seemed to be the next logical thing to do but the camp office would not open until seven. I called AAA’s roadside assistance and was told they did not have a participating shop here in Skagway but would send a service truck across the border from Whitehorse if I could wait a few hours. I would consider waking up manager or other campers for help if this was an emergency. But this was not. Cancelling a planned trip traveling Haines Highway certainly was disappointing but I had come to the conclusion that my convenience of continuing the trip could not justify someone else’s inconvenience of being waken up this early.
It seemed doors were all closed for me. I sensed this was an unusual happening and it must have an unusual significance that was unveiling. I went back to my car and pray a brief prayer. Not knowing the situation of the road ahead I asked Him to show me the way; if Haines was not where I should be today I would not go. Then, I stepped out of my car feeling serene and surrendering. I had peace in my heart. I would try one more time seeking help and knocking on the door of camp manger who, I believed, lived upstairs of the office. If he did not answer the door I decided to cancel or postpone going to Haines today.
As I approaching the office in the dim dawn light, suddenly, I saw a man hop on a RV parked next to the camp office. I did not believe my eyes; I saw the head lights were just turned on. The vehicle was ready to drive away. This early!! I thought. I ran toward the RV and waving my hands high to call driver’s attention. The RV stopped.
It only took him a couple minutes to jump start my car. I thank him and asked him his name “Francisco!” he replied with a smile and told me he was heading to the ferry terminal too.
On the ferry, I saw Francisco, his lovely wife and two beautiful children. I thank them again and asked her where they came from. “Mexico!” She replied in a Spanish accent. I saw joy and pride shined in her eyes.
This is a very special day....
I purchased a ticket yesterday scheduled to board ferry with my car and leave Skagway for Haines early this morning. I heard Haines Highway was a beautiful route to go back to Whitehorse.
I was ready to leave RV Park around 5:15 when I realized that my car battery went dead. I had no explanation of how did this happen but needed to have it fixed right away to be at ferry terminal in 30 minutes. I walked around the campground; no one else seemed to awake this early. Getting camp manger’s help seemed to be the next logical thing to do but the camp office would not open until seven. I called AAA’s roadside assistance and was told they did not have a participating shop here in Skagway but would send a service truck across the border from Whitehorse if I could wait a few hours. I would consider waking up manager or other campers for help if this was an emergency. But this was not. Cancelling a planned trip traveling Haines Highway certainly was disappointing but I had come to the conclusion that my convenience of continuing the trip could not justify someone else’s inconvenience of being waken up this early.
It seemed doors were all closed for me. I sensed this was an unusual happening and it must have an unusual significance that was unveiling. I went back to my car and pray a brief prayer. Not knowing the situation of the road ahead I asked Him to show me the way; if Haines was not where I should be today I would not go. Then, I stepped out of my car feeling serene and surrendering. I had peace in my heart. I would try one more time seeking help and knocking on the door of camp manger who, I believed, lived upstairs of the office. If he did not answer the door I decided to cancel or postpone going to Haines today.
As I approaching the office in the dim dawn light, suddenly, I saw a man hop on a RV parked next to the camp office. I did not believe my eyes; I saw the head lights were just turned on. The vehicle was ready to drive away. This early!! I thought. I ran toward the RV and waving my hands high to call driver’s attention. The RV stopped.
It only took him a couple minutes to jump start my car. I thank him and asked him his name “Francisco!” he replied with a smile and told me he was heading to the ferry terminal too.
On the ferry, I saw Francisco, his lovely wife and two beautiful children. I thank them again and asked her where they came from. “Mexico!” She replied in a Spanish accent. I saw joy and pride shined in her eyes.
5:15 am, at the campground, I realize my car battery is dead for no reason. I am supposed to be at Skagway Ferry Terminal in 30 min. to take ferry along with my car to Haines. Ticket was purchased yesterday. No help in sight. Camp manger's office will not open until 7 o'clock. AAA does not have a contract shop in this town and will need to send someone across the border from Canada. No one else in this campground is awake this early. I may have to give up going to Haines as planned. Then, a good Samaritan comes to help .... 
At the port parking lot, each vehicle was assigned a lane waiting to enter the ferry.
It is a foggy morning. This is the ferry I am taking to cross Taiya Inlet to Haines.
Look back to Skagway from the ferry deck.
Look forward into the water passage
An interesting all-inclusive restroom sign on the ferry.
Arriving at Haines...
Haines is a service town as a gateway to Alaska Highway for Inside Passage travelers. 
Haines' "The Hammer Museum" displays more than 1800 hammers. I arrived around 10:00am on Saturday morning. But it is not open yet.
Remember the song - " I'd rather be a hammer than a nail ..."
Travel northbound back to Haines Junction.146 miles Haines Highway connects Haines to Haines Junction on Alaska Highway. It has a variety of scenery from glaciated mountain to coastal forest to alpine tundra.
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