Hyder

i went almost 100 miles out of my way to visit this little “alaskan” town on my way through BC to the lower 48. its a joke. its really stewart then you go through an actual border with gaurds and everything and then theres one tiny street and you cant even use US currency you have to use canadian money!! i was mad…............ but hey the people are still great so if you wanna visit just be forwarned….your really still in canada… oh and there is this GREAT little homemade candy/gift shop there. you cant miss it. think its one of the only buildings in hyder…your really still in canada

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….