1017 August 20, 2023 Still Discovering Whitehorse

I drove to town and walked the river path.  I am still finding new things to enjoy.

I love these trashcans decorated by local students.

This afternoon, we took the bikes into Whitehorse.  We took the Millenium Trail across a footbridge and into Bert Law Park.  The path was narrow and muddy in places so we pushed our bikes.  This was a pretty little island in the Yukon River.  Migrating birds will stop on their way south to feed on the multitude of berries that thrive here.

We took the Centennial Bridge across the river. 

There was a person in a tiny kayak practicing maneuvers in the rapids.  She was fun to watch.

We cycled along the river and then into downtown. 

We checked the progress at the Hyatt site.  The rodbusters have been here again, laying more rebar.

We stopped to get some blackberries at a nice produce market.

We spotted an eagle. I’m not certain if this is a juvenile bald eagle or a golden eagle.

We biked about 6 miles.  Neither of us was good about keeping track of our mileage.  It doesn’t really matter!  It was a great day to be outside and moving.

This evening, we took our dinner back to the river. 

1016 August 19, 2023 Hidden Lakes Hiking Trail

I took just a short walk around the campground this morning.  I was saving my legs for the hike we planned later in the day. 

We started at Long Lake.  It was pretty there but we couldn’t find the trailhead.

We went back to Hidden Lakes.  It was so chilly and wet the other day that we didn’t hike here.  Today was a perfect day to be outside.  The sky was blue and the sunshine was warm.  This was a nice hike.  Lots of hills up and down around the lakes. 

Slogging it up a long hill.

We found a bench where we sat and enjoyed the view.

We saw a kayaker.  The water was calm and it was a nice day to be on the water.

We could hear the loons calling.  Soon, it will be time for them to leave.

Evidence of beaver activity.

We hiked a little more than 3 miles.

We went back into town to do a couple of errands.

The rest of the day was spent quietly…still no word on when we can expect the parts for the RV.  They apparently left Fort Saint John on Wednesday.  Everything takes longer here. 

1015 August 18, 2023 Transportation Museum

It was another chilly morning walk.  The fireweed has lost its blossoms and the leaves are turning.

Today we visited the Yukon Transportation Museum.  Because of the harsh winter weather.  The Yukon has a variety of transportation modes that are uncommon where we come from.

Snowshoes.

Sleighs.

Whitehorse is the site for the Yukon Quest.  This is a 1,000-mile sled dog race on the frozen Yukon River.                                                                                                                                                      

The first snowmobile, the Fluffy Cat.

This is the story of a couple stranded for 49 days after the crash of their bush plane.

The first transit bus.

A truck used in the construction of the Alcan Highway.

An old red truck.

Planes are important in the transport of supplies to remote regions.

Trains were an essential part of the settlements that formed in the Yukon.

This is a birch bark canoe.  These were crafted by the First Nation Peoples that inhabited this area. These were also used by trappers and hunters.

Seal skin kayaks or qayaqs.

The local quilters guild created this quilt of the Alaska Highway.  It was gorgeous.

A well-crafted replica of the SS Klondike, an old steam powered paddlewheeler.

 The 16^th edition of the Milepost.  This has been our guide as we travel through Alaska and Canada.  Our book is the 75^th edition and is 656 pages.  There have been a lot of changes in the intervening years

This US Army truck was used to transport supplies in difficult terrain.

I wasn’t sure I would enjoy this place but it was extremely well-done and informative.  It was worth the trip!

This evening, we drove downtown.  We walked first through town.  There was live music in the town square.

There was more progress at the hotel building site.

We returned to Shipyards Park where we enjoyed a picnic dinner.  It was 65 degrees and sunny and it was nice to be outside and warm enough!

Yukon Workers’ Memorial at Shipyards Park. The five pillars represent workers, employers, governance, health care, and community.

1014 August 17, 2023 The Wilderness City

It was chilly and rainy and raw this morning.  I tried to walk in the campground and I lasted only a short time after the spitting rain started.

The other day at the Beringia Museum, I picked up “A Guide to Our Natural Areas – Wildlife in Whitehorse.”  Today we decided to follow the map and explore some of the trails just outside the city.  We packed lunch and away we went.

We drove to Hidden Lakes.  Many of the surrounding lakes are kettle lakes.  These lakes were the result of depressions left by glaciers, the melting ice then filled the depressions and lovely lakes were left behind.

We traveled to Chadburn Lake.  There were lots of places to get out and look around.  There were also lots of hiking trails.  It continued to be damp and nasty.  It was 43 degrees at lunchtime.  We declined the hiking opportunities.

We took the road to Grey Mountain.  It started as a paved road and then a nicely maintained gravel road and then the fun part was 3 miles of rough and bumpy.   The ride was incredible even on this gloomy day! 

We took the road to the end where it stopped at the cell phone and communication towers at the summit at an elevation of 4,250 feet.

The views of the Yukon River Valley were expansive.

We got back to RV just before the soaking rain began.

We had a quiet afternoon.  At 5pm the rain had stopped.  We drove downtown to the Fireweed Community Market.  There were all kinds of food and produce and craft vendors.  We found some orange zest sourdough bread, a small loaf of Danish rye, fresh greens, and some peach melba jam.

The Shipyards Park has an amazing playground…two boys I know would love it here!

We purchased California chicken sandwiches from a food truck.

We got some veggie and elk empanadas for dinner tomorrow.  I love a good market!

On our way through Whitehorse, we stopped to look at the progress at the hotel building site.  They placed some of the rebar today.

We had a great day in spite of the weather!

1013 August 16, 2023 Beringia

I began the day with a great walk along the Yukon River.

On my way back to the Jeep, I watched eagles and ravens sparring in the sky above the ridge.

We moved the RV from the truck stop to a real campground where we will wait to hear from the mechanic.

This afternoon, we visited the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre.  During the last Ice Age, much of Canada was covered by glacial ice.  The area from East Siberia into Alaska and Yukon was protected by mountains.  This area received very little moisture…no snow…no glaciers.  Instead, the sea water levels decreased and the Continental Shelf was exposed.  This region was then covered with grasses.  Grazing animals migrated across the Bering Strait; most notably musk oxen and wooly mammoths, bison and sheep.  Predators including short nosed giant bears and lions also came.  Eventually at the end of the Ice Age, people began to walk into this area.

This museum explains the history and culture of this portion of the world.  Lots of fossils have been preserved in the permafrost and as they are uncovered, discoveries are made about the life and survival of the inhabitants of Beringia.  We spent a couple of hours wandering through the exhibits and then watching a film about the mammoths…always learning and always more to learn!

1012 August 15, 2023 Progress!

Happy 7^th Birthday sweet Oliver!!!

Yesterday was frustrating.  Today was much better.

We waited all day at New North on Monday and didn’t learn until late in the day that the guy we needed to do the diagnostic work on our engine had not come to work. 

In the meantime, we had received a call from a mobile certified Cummins diesel mechanic.  We had gotten his contact information on Friday and because he was out of cell service range, we hadn’t heard from him yet.  He said that he could see us Tuesday morning if we still needed help.

We met Reid at the Airport Chalet Truck Stop.  He was professional and knowledgeable.  It took him awhile to get his software working but he was able to figure out the problem.  He ordered the new DEF injector and all the seals and gaskets to install it.  In this part of the world, things happen much more slowly.  Overnight shipping means 4-5 days.  Hopefully, he will get stuff in by the end of the week.  Monday is a Yukon holiday, Discovery Day, and so it may be Tuesday before we can get fixed.  After the repair, Reid will have to run the software again to make sure no other codes crop up.  If they don’t, we can be on our way…if they do…we will see what next steps we have to take.

The weather here is cool and rainy.  It feels like Autumn.

This evening, we went into town.  We walked around and through some shops. 

We had to stop at this hotel construction site.  I know Tim was wondering what comes next and how things will be laid out.

We found a small place called La Cara for our dinner.  The food was really good.  It rained as we tried walking along the river and so we are back in the RV, safe and warm.

1011 August 14, 2023 No Progress

No progress today. That’s all!

1010 August 13, 2023 Miles Canyon Rim Trail

I drove to Whitehorse and parked along the Yukon River.  I walked from there into town.

This afternoon, Tim and I took the Jeep back to Miles Canyon.  We hiked the Rim Trail.

We have our appointment at New North Truck and Equipment and we are hopeful that they will be able to help us.

The campground WIFI was completely down. We drove to the Visitor Center in Whitehorse so that I could get caught up!

1009 August 12, 2023 Rainy Day

It was in the low forties overnight.  This morning, it was 50 degrees and raw and raining and windy.  I took a short walk until it began to rain harder.  I spent time cleaning cupboards and drawers and the fridge and the bathroom.

After lunch, we drove into Whitehorse to the Visitor Center.  A very nice lady who reminded Tim of my mom a lot, helped us.  She told us about things to see in the area.  We left with maps and restaurant suggestions. 

We stopped at the grocery store for produce.

We drove Miles Canyon Road.  We stopped at the overlook to take pictures.  We walked only a little way before we decided that it was just too nasty to be outside. 

We have cable television.  Tim simultaneously watched Toronto baseball and took a nap.

We took the opportunity to get laundry done.

We made reservations at Sanchez Cantina after a recommendation by the lady from the Visitor Center.  The owner cooks everything herself and the food was fresh and delicious.

After dinner it was nice enough outside to walk through town.  There were two powerful exhibits acknowledging Canada’s history of placing indigenous children in Mission schools. 

Other art and statues are scattered throughout town and highlight the history of Whitehorse.

This store looks like it has had some trouble with theft.

We drove to the Yukon Energy Whitehorse Dam.

The fish hatchery and salmon ladder were adjacent but was closed for the evening.

1008 August 11, 2023 Back To Whitehorse

The day started nicely enough.  It was a beautiful morning for a walk in a great park.  I walked to Marsh Lake.

We planned to do more driving today.  The Alcan was in good condition and we were making good time. 

We crossed the Teslin River.

Shortly after that, the RV check engine light came on.  Tim pulled into a rest area and checked the oil.  Everything looked ok.  The engine temperature was normal. 

We made it to the town of Teslin.  Attached to the gas station was a small garage.  The guy there was a mechanic whose responsibility it was to take care of all the trucks and equipment being utilized to build the new bridge.  He was gracious enough to come out to the RV and plug his computer in to check the codes.  It was the exhaust system.  It was showing a moderately severe leak.  This guy wasn’t able to help us.  He did advise that Fort St. John would be a good place to get service.  That was about 700 miles away.  We knew that earlier in the trip when we had a problem with the exhaust system, the rig began derating.  We were concerned that this would begin to happen before we could travel another 700 miles.  Our only other option was to return to Whitehorse.  It was 90 miles back to town.  We called New North Truck and Equipment, a Cummins Certified Shop, and the old man that answered the phone told us to come on back and they would take good care of us and get us back on the road again.

We turned back and fervently hoped that we could make it back to Whitehorse on our own power.  We were grateful when we finally pulled in at New North.  Unfortunately, when we arrived, the owner we talked to earlier was gone.  John was there.  John said that he couldn’t possibly help us until at least Monday.  He gave us another shop to try.  Inland Truck was great.  They helped us to get the codes and printed out the information we needed but they could not help us for two weeks.  

We spent the next two hours driving from one shop to another trying to find someone who could help us.  In the end, we called John at New North.  He agreed that he would see us Monday morning at 8:30. 

It was after 5pm on a Friday evening.  We found an RV site at Hi Country for the weekend.  

We were tired and frustrated.  One good thing is that this is fixable.  Another good thing is that this did not happen while Kyle and Allison were here. So, we will wait until Monday and see what our next options are.  In the meantime, we will make the best of being here.  We have never explored the area.  Usually, we have used the resources here to resupply.  We will see what we can find to do!