Day 22: Dawson City

Wow!  Did we start this day out bright and early!.   A group of us drove to the top of the Midnight Dome -- we wanted to be there to see what Dawson City looked like at and after midnight.  We were treated with a view of the western sky filled with an array of red and pink clouds to rival an Arizona sunset.  The 8 of us that suppressed our yawning for sleep, were amazed at how bright Dawson City was after the midnight hours.  Dawson City was at its height of beauty as we looked down from the Midnight Dome.

After Midnight at the Midnight Dome: Jim & Linda,
Dan & Nancy, Jesse & Rita, Betty & Jim

Dawson City Sunset - Midnight Dome (After midnight)

We managed to get to bed around 1:30 A.M.  and back up at 7:00 A.M. for the schedule Dawson City Walking Tour.  This tour was great.  Anna,  our tour guide (employed by Parks Canada),  was really good.  She was the first person we had met in the 4 years we have been coming here who was a true native born Dawson City Resident.  Anna was dressed in period clothing and gave us an excellent tour of how Dawson City lived and existed during the 1890’s.  We were able to go through many of the 1890 era restored buildings. 

Anna explaining the responsibilities the 'Women of the Night'

Inside the Post Office



Inside the BNA Bank showing how Gold was weigh

 

K.T.M. Co. was one of many buildings we saw on the Tour.

  

 Just as we finished our tour the rain began, but that doesn’t stop the fun in Dawson City.  You can see so much history and just imagine how and what the town was really like in the Gold Rush time.

Because of the rain we had our Travel Briefing via CB’s and walkie talkies. At 6:45 pm everyone gathered to see “Diamond Tooth Gertie’s” show in the local casino.  Gertie and her 4 dancing girls performed a wonderful show.   But the stars of the show were David and Arnie.  We must say that David showed us a side of him we have never seen before.  (David, you little rascal)



Gertie loved Arnie's bald head

David with Gertie and her girls

ALASKA/CALGARY 2012


Jim, Helen & Jim, Rich & Tammy, Rita & Jesse enjoying the show

What a fun way to end a Great day.

Submitted by: Rig # 2

Jim & Betty inside the Dawson City Bar

Day 21: Travel to Dawson City, Yukon

This morning, having left the campground at 6:30 a.m., should have put us in a good position to see some animals out having breakfast.  No, that was not the case.  However, about an hour into our trip, we saw a very large, very handsome elk with huge antlers still in velvet.  We passed too quickly to get a photo, but it is imprinted in our memory forever.  What a beautiful sight.  The sun was shining brightly and the elk looked up just as we passed, striking a pose for us.  He was very majestic!

We went right on by Braeburn’s Lodge.  Too many cinnamon buns on this trip already.  We stopped in the rest area where the Montague Roadhouse Historic Site is; a preserved early day roadhouse on the stage coach route between Whitehorse and Dawson City.  During the late 1800’s to early 1900’s, it offered travelers a good meal and a place to sleep on their way. 

Montague Roadhouse

Five Finger Rapids was a scenic spot to take a 5 minute break from the frost heaves.  We decided NOT to take the 219 steps down to the bottom, however.  

Five Fingers Rapids

We are always amazed at the vast wilderness of the area known as the Tintina Trench, the largest fault in North America.  The landscape has changed considerably here over the last million or so years, and will continue to do so for years to come.

Overlooking Tintina Trench

Sign explaining Tintina Trench

Landscape changes at Tintina Trench


After reaching the campground at Goldrush RV Park, and getting everyone parked, we gathered to await the arrival of Pat Brooks, the owner of the campground.  He was coming to talk to us and get us oriented to Dawson City and what there is to see and do here.  While we were waiting for him, we gave each guest a “Welcome to the Klondike” surprise, in the form of a Klondike Bar.  They were a big hit.  Who can say no to ice cream? 
 

Klondike bars

At 8:30, we led a small group up to the Midnight Dome.  The majority of the group was going to go up around midnight, but we wanted to be asleep by then after our early start this morning.  Regardless of the time, it is an awesome view from up there.  We also saw a little black fox with a white tuft on his tail as we came down the road on our return.  Another fine day comes to an end.

Black Fox crossing the road

Submitted by: Rig #1

Spence & Madi

Day 20: Whitehorse

Burrrr!   Darn cold.
Breakfast. Wonderful pancakes, bacon, orange juice and the ever popular hot, hot coffee, greeted with the smile of our hosts Spence, Madi, Jim and Betty.  Thanks for toiling for us.

Jim, Madi, Betty and Spence cooking Pancakes

One of the tables enjoying the Pancakes



Another table enjoying the Pancakes

After breakfast on this free day David and Jackie enjoyed Miles Canyon on the Yukon River.

We walked down the steps to the suspension bridge that straddles the river. There’s a fantastic view on both sides of bridge.

Miles Canyon on the Yukon River

Miles Canyon on the Yukon River

Then we visited the MacBride Museum of Yukon History located at the corner of First Avenue and Wood Street in Whitehorse. Blog viewer can find out more about the Museum at www.macbridemuseum.com.

MacBride museum

W.D. [Bill] MacBride was one of the 13 men and women who on December 20, 1950 formed the Yukon Historical Society. He later became known far and wide outside of the Yukon by historians, writers, publishers and broadcasters.

No visit to the Museum would be complete without first screening the National Film Board’s “City of Gold” 20-minute film, narrated by Pierre Berton, noted Canadian author of Yukon history and the far North. He grew up in Dawson City, known as the City of Gold.

The Museum has ten buildings, each overflowing with history and biographies of noted Yukoners.

 Of delight in the downstair gallery is the art works of Jim Robb: Yukon’s “shack and outhouse artist.”

Outdoor exhibits included Sam McGee’s original cabin built in 1899, the Coach House, and the cabin of the North West Mounted Police Detachment circa 1895. 

Sam McGee’s original cabin

Overhead at the exit of the exhibit is the caption, 100,000 Rushed to the Klondike, 30,000 Make It to Dawson City and Only a Handful Strike It Rich.

Now it was time to visit McDonald’s, a coffee and muffin looks good and a race back to our campsite to do laundry.

It was a delightful day at Whitehorse.

This sculpture is dedicated to those 
who follow their dreams

Submitted by Rig #21

Jackie & David

Day 19 Whitehorse, Yukon

Whitehorse is nestled on the banks of the famous Yukon River surrounded by mountains and lakes.  Whitehorse, land of the midnight sun and the northern lights.

Welcome to Whitehorse Sign

We started the day with a 9:00 am Travel meeting and then we all headed for a tour of the S.S. Klondike II – The S.S. Klondike represents an era of riverboat transportation.  Built in 1937, she had two careers from 1937 to 1952 primarily used as cargo vessel carrying general merchandise and few passengers. In 1952 she was refurbished as a cruise ship and in 1955 steamed into Whitehorse for the very last time.

Part of the group in front of the S.S. Klondike

The tour guide giving us information about the S.S. Klondike

It was lunch time. Everyone had raved about the Klondike Rib & Salmon BBQ restaurant, and to our delight it was as good as everyone claimed.  We ended our meal with a fabulous piece of bread pudding ( Oh to die for). 

Look close and you can see Dan, Helen and Gary through the window

After lunch we browsed the town of Whitehorse, and around 7:30 met everyone at the “Frantic Follies”.  This is a Gold Rush Variety Entertainment show.

Frantic Follies Vaudeville Revue – Gold Rush Variety Entertainment

Getting ready for the show

    


The entertainers were asking for a man who was: tall, dark, and handsome. They selected Ron and escorted him to the stage.  He was great

Ron helping with the magic act

Again they wanted audience participation and this time Jim was escorted to the stage.  He was more than happy to help with the important job of taking off the garter.

Jim is always ready to help with any task that is asked of him and the help was so appreciated.

Jim getting a big red kiss on his head for doing a great job

A good time was had by all.

End of the show

Submitted by Rig # 20 

Tom & Penny

Day 18: Travel to Whitehorse, Yukon

Travel  Day from Watson Lake to Whitehorse,Yukon. I went past the Sign Post Forest on the way out.

Sign Post Forest

The day did not start well as it rained while most of us hitched-up and got ready to leave for Whitehorse although it did stop about 9 and made the drive even better seeing we didn’t have to contend with the dust from the road repair.

 So here we are on the road again

Driving on a rainy day

The picture is a little hazy from the mist and clouds but got better as the morning progressed.

The first stop of interest was Rancheria Falls. Very nice 10 minute walk on a boardwalk into the bush.

Rancheria Falls

Rancheria Falls

This was my day for wildlife. I saw a total of 7 bears today. I was really beginning to wonder if they were just making up that there was bears here or not but a picture is worth a 1000 words.

1st bear

2nd bear

The scenery from the continental divide over to Teslin was spectacular, the mountains here are high enough to still have snow on some of them.

Driving over the Continental Divide

Beautiful Senery

Nisutlin River Bridge was another interesting stop with a history of the Chinook salmon displayed on information boards.

Nisutlin River Bridge

Johnson Crossing was another stop, thought I’d have lunch but several of our group was there before me and about the only thing left was the cinnamon buns. In my opinion the sticky buns at Testa River Lodge  were much better, a lot more brown sugar and cinnamon. If I had been making them they would also have had chopped marichino cherries and walnuts along with some raisins too.

Getting closer to Whitehorse the rain started again so it was really a non exciting last few miles. For those who haven’t already Googled to see how Whitehorse got its name here is an explaination.

Origin of Name Whitehorse: Whitehorse gets its name from the White Horse Rapids on the Yukon River, which were a major obstacle on the Trail of '98 for prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush. The frothing rapids were said to resemble the manes of white, charging horses. With the construction of the Whitehorse hydro-electric dam in 1958, the rapids were covered by the Schwatka Lake reservoir.

The day ended with our Staff making us dinner and several staying to play double Hearts.

Submitted by Rig # 19

Garry

Day 17: Watson Lake, Yukon

The day began bright and early with an 8:00 Travel briefing.  Joining us for the briefing were millions of mosquitos.  This was one of our quickest briefing thank  goodness. 

Betty was prepared for the Travel Briefing (Mosquito protection)

Everyone listening, taken notes and fighting off the mosquitos

Another group at the travel meeting

The weather was great as we headed out for another day in quest of animal sightings.  The day did not disappoint.  All members in the Caravan were able to make at least one sighting.  We saw several bears, individual buffalo and even a small heard.  It was a great experience to see these animals in their natural habitat. 

Black Bears

Buffalo

Buffals crossing the road

As we approached Watson Lake we entered the Yukon.

Sign when you enterYukonTerritory

After setting up at our parking lot camping location we had some free time.  Some took a brief tour of town, others went to the Arctic Lights Show or hung out at camp.

In the late afternoon we gathered together at the Sign Post Forrest.  It was amazing to see how many people have posted individual signs.  Some of our group brought their own. 

One small area of the Sign Post Forest

Another area of the Sign Post Forest

We ended another great day on the trail with a 7:00 travel briefing with threatening rain but happy spirits.

Submitted by Rig # 18

Jerry & Lynda