I am so excited I feel as if I will burst with it. I made it! What’s funny is that the gold rush doesn’t interest me all that much, maybe it’s a bit of been there, done that being from California. Even so, just being here fills me with excitement. I haven’t really seen much yet since I got in so terribly late last night, but just driving through the edge of town was a thrill.
Dirt streets and buildings lost in time, Dawson City is a time capsule. I can’t wait to expore it today!!
Later I can fill you in on today, but first let me tell you about yesterday. I got an earlyish start so that I would have time to enjoy Whitehorse before embarking upon the 6-8 hour drive to Dawson City. The drive was so daunting that I told myself I would enjoy Whitehorse and refuse to worry about time, since I could stop and camp any time on the drive if I wanted to.
I started with a scenic side route into downtown Whitehorse through the Miles Canyon. It was pretty cool to see this narrow gorge with a pedestrian suspension bridge across. This gorge was a trial for prospectors because the already fast-moving Yukon river turned ugly through this narrow gorge and the homemade rafts laden with supplies would just break up, letting the river swallow their hopes, dreams, and sometimes their lives. They did find solutions, but the explanation is lengthy and probably uninteresting – so skip it I will.
Whitehorse is delightful! There’s a waterfront trail along the Yukon River with the SS Klodike and lots of informational signs. I enjoyed a nice little wander about town. I had planned to see the MacBride Museum of Yukon history, but there was live music in a little park with two folk singers on acoustic guitar…if you know me, they you know I did a little happy dance. I love live music, especially when it’s folksy. It only lasted an hour, but it put the pink sprinkles on my little cake for the day.
It was getting “late” (1pm), so I skipped the museum and the fish ladder to get on the road. I am a little sorry that I skipped the fish ladder, but knowing it means +1 hour, I am regretfully glad I did.
The 350 mile drive to Dawson City goes up the Klondike highway, which is off the main Alcan and much more remote. I felt both some anxiety and some excitement at the idea of leaving the main path of the Alcan and heading further north. Here I am less than 150 miles from the acrtic circle! I thought I would see loads of wildlife on this drive, but I saw not a single thing. Well, not for the first 300 miles. Then, off to my left, TWO GRIZZLIES!! Woohoo! My first Griz. My first TWO Griz. They were very skittish compared to the black bears. They got very jumpy and began to head for the trees just because I slowed down and stopped the van. They REALLY didn’t like me rolling down the window and just about bolted. I did get a picture, but they were moving away fast. Aw, Griz, why you gotta go? Stay, let me enjoy you from the safety of my van!
I was so excited after that, I wiggled and squealed in my seat. I was only 35 miles from Dawson City, my drive was almost done, and I saw Griz! But, it wasn’t over yet. I was on the approach, 10 miles out, and I saw a beaverlodge in the stream that the road was following. Now, I have seen lots of beaver lodges and dams, but no beavers. (Stop laughing! I mean the actual little furry animal with buck teeth and a big tail. Ok, now you are laughing even harder!) Anyway, I slowed down just in case but I really didn’t expect anything. Then I saw the arrows in the water of something big swimming. I hit the brakes, backed up Rosie, and pulled over as much as possible. YES! It was a beaver! He was swimming along and actually came nearer to where I was standing, he seemed curious? When I raised my phone to take a picture he got mad and flipped over and angrily slapped his tail at me. Thwap! I got some pictures, but he was elusive and cagey. I did my happy dance and got back in the van.
After that, I arrived in Dawson City and couldn’t believe my eyes. It really did have dirt streets and ancient buildings. It looked like what I imagine it looked like in 1900. I felt like I had stepped back in time.