Day 25 and on Sunday they rested in Whitehorse YT

Sunday, July 24, 2011 in Whitehorse the capital of the Yukon Territories.

Jerry, Gail and Heidi declared a day of rest and decided to sleep in.

Lon and Pam sought out the local Church of the Nazarene and Pastor Norman on a tip from Jim Brillhart.

After an enjoyable service and worship it was off to the grocery store to re-provision as we understand shopping gets scarce until Anchorage or Fairbanks.  After putting away the groceries and having a little lunch the Cockerells felt rested enough to go exploring.

At the entrance to the airport was this perfectly balanced full size DC-3 airplane that they claim as the "World's Largest Weather Vane" it's nose swings perfectly into the wind as the wind direction changes giving pilots a visual on wind direction.

First stop was the local Yukon Brewing Company for a sample of the wares.  Yummy, Lon had to buy some, don't you know.  In fact he's enjoying one right now.  Although a small batch craft brewery they clearly have the market cornered in Whitehorse.  Downtown isn't quite as modern as you'd think in the 21st century.

                                        The high rise condos didn't exactly dominate the skyline.

                                           We checked out the SS Klondike paddle wheeler.

Boats like this were the main supply and transportation vessels until the Alaskan Highway was built in 1942.

                            This pic gives you perspective on the size of the paddle wheel and rudder.

It was kinda rainy so that was the extent of the touring.  Besides it was B-A-T-H day for Heidi so we headed back to the RVs.  We'll let Heidi tell you how that all worked out.

Lon and Pam had heard about "THE" place to have dinner in Whitehorse.  Originally a tent and then the first 2 buildings in WH it started as the MacMillan Bakery in 1900.

                        They waited in line for 20 minutes at The Klondike Rib and Salmon BBQ

                                                                   it was worth the wait.

The food was excellent, the portions generous and the prices reasonably.  Passing on the Reindeer Stew, Buffalo Rib Eye and the Elk Stroganoff, Lon and Pam had the Halibut.  WONDERFUL!!

Then it was off to the Frantic Follies with everything you might expect in a frontier town show.  Two hours of a corny but very entertaining Vaudeville show.
                                         The dancing girls, (can you believe Doc missed out on this)

                                                                         The musicians

                                                                                and the skits

All in all it was a good day for everyone, except maybe Heidi.  Next stop Destruction Bay. Maybe

Day 24 Watson Lake to Whitehorse, YT

Up and at'em early this morning. Lon went to town and found the parts we needed to repair the exhaust system. I waited for the "certified mechanic" that the park advertises in their literature. We talked to the people in charge last evening when we were there for dinner and were told he would be there in the morning, site #7. Within an hour Lon returned with all the stuff we needed, and a life-time of knowledge from the man at the shop in town. Then under the bus we went, well Lon went...I was the gopher (go for tools). In about an hour we were good as new. ( Lon is like having Charlie around when it comes to repairs, but I haven't experienced Lon's fish and hush-puppies). So we were the last ones to leave the RV park, at the crack of noon. Still haven't seen that "Certified Mechanic".

                                                             The scenery continues.

                       These purple wild flowers are everywhere. (Trust me Byron, they are purple).

Still in the Rocky Mountains.

It is Saturday so no one was working. The number at the bottom of the light tells you how many seconds till you can go. It starts at 180 seconds. How long does it take for you to get up and go pee ?

                                                           Approaching Teslin, YT           

                                  Some more purple wildflowers. I'm going to take some home to plant.

                                                                            GO FIGURE!!

                                                   Heidi acted like she didn't know them.

                                       These bridges have a steel deck, makes it rather slippery.

Did I mention, I got to set and drink beer all afternoon?

We got to Whitehorse in about 4 1/2 hrs

Parked at the Pioneer RV Park. Ever wonder what a sardine feels like in that can?

                                       Lon and Pam invited us over to their place for social hour.

Tomorrow is a day off. We are going to explore Whitehorse and, time permitting, take Heidi to the "dog wash". Yes, a coin operated dog wash!

Day 23 Toad River to Watson Lake

Left Toad River this morning, the last ones in the park to leave. So good not to have to rush.
The weather was cool, overcast, rain and drizzle off and on all day through the Rockies.

We saw a small moose and a mountain goat early, but didn't get a picture.

Muncho Lake in the distance.

Muncho Lake closer.

Lon and Pam at Muncho Lake.

Heidi fishing in Muncho Lake.

We saw the "Chamber of Commerce" signs warning us of Buffalo, and this time they didn't lie!

Today was a Great Bear Day!!! NINE sightings between Toad River and Watson Lake.

Lon had to wait for this guy to get off the road. He was just meandering along as if he owned the road.

And he did!

Of the 9 bear one was a brown. Not very old.

Finally made it to Yukon Territory! Alaska is getting closer!

Sure is a looonnng way across Canada.

Fueled up in Watson Lake....OMG!!! Ya don't even want to know.

Had to stop at The Sign Post Forest to see if the sign we left there in 2007 was still up. Went right to it.

The Sign Post Forest was started when the Alaska Highway was being built. A few Corp. of Engineer men, that were homesick, put up signs with the name of their hometown and how many miles away it was.

Today it is estimated there are 70,000 signs here.

Ours reads "KINGSTON, OK 3188 MI."

We got settled in for the night at Baby Nugget RV Park in Nugget City just outside Watson Lake.

They told us that there was a nice walking trail that lead to a lake where we could possibly view moose and bear. Twice we attempted to find the lake. Bear and bug spray in hand off we went. And twice, the girls chickened out! Said something about how INSANE it was to be walking through the forest at dusk in bear country. Go figure.

Gail noticed when we pulled in that the motor home sounded louder than normal. As we sat outside, she also noticed that the tail pipe was hanging down a little. After investigating, sure enough, we had lost the bolts that hold the pipe up and it had been bouncing enough to break the pipe between the manifold and the muffler. So first thing in the morning...off to find parts. Ah...the joys of RVing.



Day 22 57.97096N 122.77661W to Toad River

We left our secluded campsite this morning headed for Watson Lake. The weather was rainy and a little cool most of the day. And the scenery again was awesome.

This little guy seemed to be lost. He (or she) is a juvenile moose and we are hoping Mom is around somewhere. It was up by the road and was somewhat startled by the vehicles.

We decided to shorten the day and stopped for the night at Toad River. Again...scenic overkill!

Inside this little log building is a restaurant, gift shop, post office, and no telling what else. It's the only civilization for miles and miles. Oh...and fresh baked cinnamon rolls...MMMMM!

This couple is from New Hampshire. They told us they have been right behind us for a while now. As you travel the Alaska Highway, you tend to start seeing the same people over and over again. It's great to be able to share stories and the "Did you see this?" or "Did you do that?" or "How are the roads up there?"

"Aunt Pam, are you SURE there's no more burgers????"

We are told that in the evening moose come to this pond two or three times a week. Unfortunately, today was not the day. But there were a family of beaver.

The best part of the day! Sitting around the campfire after dinner. We met this couple, Dale and Gayle from Red Deer, AB. They are on their way back home from Alaska. He was a hoot!

Ya just meet the nicest people on the road.

Tomorrow...Watson Lake....Maybe.

Day 21 Dawson Creek to 57.97096N 122.77661W

We left Dawson Creek about 10:30 deciding to have an easy driving day.  The area surrounding Dawson Creek is largely filled with fields of Canola plants, tens of thousands of acres.  Next time you crack open a bottle of Canola Oil think of this picture of the yellow Canola.

More broken promises from the Chamber of Commerce.  We think they have more signs then actual wildlife.  We did see one roadkill moose in the ditch.  I think they can take down the sign now.

A roadside stop in Pink Mountain for lunch

After the Canola fields we began to see gas and oil sites out in the middle of nowhere.  Ever wonder where the workers stay?   At camps like these that are sprinkled along the road side every 50 miles or so.

We had decided to "Dry Camp" for the evening and found this abandoned / closed Wayside Provincial Park with no hook ups or facilities about 3pm.  We call that roughing it.  We were the only ones around, except this plane on this grass strip.  Theories ranged from Meth lab to Oil Company plane.

 

We made ourselves at home,  fired up our generators and microwaves.  Ahh... yes roughing it,
"SMOOTHLY".

                                Certain that there were bears about Pam had her "Bear Spray"

                                                              And Gail her "Bear Bell"

                                                             Jerry cut wood for a fire.

 Heidi stayed on alert watching for bears.  Not having internet, TV or phone service is not always a bad thing.  We enjoyed the fire and retelling old stories sprinkled with a few new ones.

No bears, no deer, no moose, no caribou, only mosquitos.     I'm thinking of petitioning the Canadian government to replace the pictures of wildlife on their signs with depictions of vicious mosquitos.