Hyder is this cool little tiny hamlet on the Alaska-BC border. The best thing is to be there when July 1 and July 4 fall on a Friday and Monday so that you have a loooong weekend of celebrations.

I’ve been up to Hyder a few times. The drive from Kitwanga is marvellous, especially when you turn west at Meziadin and head to Stewart and through to Hyder. You’ll be impressed, and you may even see some wildlife like bears.

Hyder is so isolated from the rest of Alaska that the businesses there would take Canadian dollars at par. I wonder if they still do.

The must-do thing (I hear disturbing rumours that it’s no longer done) is to go to the Glacier Inn and get Hyderized – down a shot of Everclear without chaser or sipping. If it comes up, you buy drinks for the house. Yes, it’s totally a 21 year old thing to do, but you do get a little card for your wallet. I wonder where mine went….