About 2,000 people live in Haines, just south of Skagway on the western shore of Lynn Canal. And nothing against them - they're fine folk - but it's the town's "other" inhabitants who interest CruiseMon: about 200 or so bald eagles who reside here year-round. (If you want to see even more bald eagles, fly up in winter, when they flock to Haines in droves in search of the delectable salmon of unfrozen Chilkat River . . . incidentally, CruiseMon won't be joining you at that time of year - he will be busy tanning in the Caribbean.)

Beyond the abundant wildlife, Haines lays claim to being yet another intriguing frontier town for you to explore, as well as a cultural center for the Chilkat Indians, with native arts and crafts on full display.