When Bruce Funk left his Whitehorse home at 8:30 a.m. Yukon time on Nov. 8, he didn’t expect cookies, hot chocolate, a band playing “O Canada,” news reporters, curious residents, a police escort, Haines Mayor Douglas Olerud and a gift basket all waiting for him at the visitor information center.
But that’s exactly what welcomed the first Canadian visitor to cross the highway into Haines in nearly two years.
The U.S. opened its land and ferry borders to fully vaccinated foreigners on Nov. 8.
Funk expected a line of cars when he got to the border station at about 10:30 a.m. Alaska time. “But apparently not,” he said. He was the only car in the queue, and more than a dozen Haines residents armed with goodies and cameras, along with the Haines Community Marching Band, had gathered on the brisk morning to welcome him.
“I had been waiting a year and a half for this day,” Funk said, adding that he owns property in Haines and has been coming to town for 45 years. He planned to fish and said he would stick around for several weeks. “I’m very happy to be back,” he said.
After Funk crossed the border, Haines Police Chief Heath Scott escorted him to the visitor center. The mayor presented Funk with a gift bag, which included a T-shirt, coffee, chocolates, and a restaurant gift card, among other items.
“I think it’s important to recognize that it’s a milestone that we’re reaching,” Olerud said. “It was cool being able to see a nonessential Canadian visitor in Haines again.”
Steven Auch, Haines Borough tourism director, helped organize the welcome event. As of Nov. 9, he had given out three of five gift bags that were prepared for the first visitors. He suspects some are waiting for the weekend to make the trip down from the Yukon.
At the visitor’s center, marching band member Tom Morphet told Funk, “I hope you catch some fish.”
“I don’t care if I do,” Funk replied. “I’m here!”
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