Whitehorse, Yukon Territory

The road from Dawson Creek to Whitehorse was basically chip seal and had numerous sections that were under repair due to frost heaves.  The truck was covered in gravel when we arrived at Whitehorse but, fortunately was so dirty from dust and mud that it was hard to notice.  Only cleaning the windshield and lights until we arrive in Tok, Alaska as the next 400 miles of Alcan are under repair and we have been warned that it actually gets worse.

We spent the first day touring the town, visiting the shops and stopping by the Klondike, a restored steam-powered paddlewheeler that plied the Yukon River until the middle 1950’s.

It was late in the day, so we were the last persons aboard.  This is the kitchen with the dining room in the back:

This is where the crew “dined”:

The storeroom for veggies (meat was kept on the top deck in a screened room):

In the belly of the ship was material for consumption in Whitehorse and the surrounding areas. Notice the cases of Gin and the barrels of beer (10 dozen pints per barrel), both necessities, of course:

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We found this statue on Main Street.  Pierre Berton wrote several books on the Yukon and Klondike, most of which I have read.  He is considered one of the finest authors on the subject.

Cathy, Barbara and Myrna conversing as the trolley is approaching.  We took a ride on this waterfront trolley the length of town.

The trolley was a first class act! The conductor wore tails!

Cathy with the big birds at the waterfront park:

The Yukon river runs through Whitehorse and was the main means of transportation during the Klondike Gold Rush.  It is crystal clear and flowing very fast . .

I finished my second Half Marathon of the trip, this one the Yukon River Tail Half.  Lots of single track, cliffs, 45+ deg inclines, even steeper declines . . a very challenging course.  I took a wrong turn on the trail through the woods and was told by a hiker the correct trail, and had to backtrack about 1K.  I ran by myself in the dense forest for long periods of time. I then tripped and fell over a root on a cliff overlooking the Yukon, about 200 feet straight down. Luckily I fell forward and landed on the single track.  (Too busy looking at the scenery and not the trail).  We were warned.  The pre race meeting included warnings about active bears on the trail and the anticipated heat.  It was going to top out at about 72 degrees and that is considered really hot here.  We started and finished the race in Rotary Park, near the Klondike paddlewheeler  (in the background).  We climbed the hills in the background.

Leaving Whitehorse at 066 tomorrow for a two day haul to Tok, ALASKA.