Whitehorse to Watson Lake

Whitehorse to Watson Lake

Last night we talked to Jeff in CA a good friend who has worked here on the Alaska Pipeline years ago and is now an electrical contractor in So. Cal. Our thoughts are with you and Kim his wife who has just had hip surgery on her second hip. Get well soon Kim!
We also skipped dinner at Tim Horton’s restaurant last night instead opting for our favorite from last time of a fish and exotic foods place. Originally it was a bakery in 1900 in a tent and they still keep the tent atmosphere. Well eat your hearts out Pearl and Bob because we had fish and chips and Bev was going to get Artic Char but they were out of it so instead you can have Muskox fillet or Bison stroganoff, or Caribou steaks. In addition was the 5 berry pie with ice cream for dessert (strawberry, rubarb, mooseberry and I don’t know the others). Interestingly the hostess remembered everyone’s name and the wait was 30 minutes but she remembered who you were even after dinner, and the waitress took orders from several tables, with drinks and how you wanted it prepared without ever writing anything down. I was impressed.
Today we bid fairwell to Whitehorse and headed towards Watson Lake. Along the way we ate at Muckluck Annies, a must stop for anyone in the area. Annie serves a salmon bake and we had ribs and salmon combo with a full salad bar and dessert. Mmmmm eating was good the last two days.
Along the way we crossed the continental divide (that’s where water flowing on one side of the road goes to the Pacific ocean via the Yukon River and water on the other side of the road goes to the Artic ocean via the McKenzie River. We have done this several times up the Dempster Hwy. But it was still something to stop for.
Tonight we are camped along the Rancheria River which flows into the Dease River which will take us down the Cassier Hwy to Hyder.
We were not planning to go this way until this afternoon when we again met up with Les and Maureen who told me that the Cassier was now paved. When we drove it in 2004 it was all dirt. That and the fact that there are bears in Hyder clinched the decision to alter our course. This will mean we will miss the Laird Hot Springs and Dawson Springs the start of the Al Can Hwy bur for lots of bears welllllll.
The Cassier is also a beautiful hwy and I msut say that this last stretch of the Alaska Hwy has been great. Very few frost heaves, paved and almost no road construction. I was actually able to achieve 65mph for short stretches.
So tomorrow it’s into Watson Lake to refuel and then seet the signpost city. This is where people have placed signposts from all over the world usually listing mileage to that place.
Speaking of gas let me say just a word about that. When you live in a small closed environment (eg an RV) and you have GAZZZ well what do you do. You have two choices 1. PAIN or 2. Shame . Well I choose not to have excruciating pain and this causes Bev to look with somewhat of a bewildered look at me and to say “Was that you?” Now one could lie and say it was Scruffy but I doubt that I would be believed, and furthermore after 38 years Bev knows me well. Ah, but love still lives on and conquers all.
During our drive today we crossed in and out of the Yukon and British Columbia seven times. After a while you just don’t stop to take pictures of the welcome signs.
We also stopped at the Tslingich Indian interpretive center today and it was really quite good with displays of the clothing and snowshoes and tools they used. Also got to see a craftsman who had built a Cedar canoe (these are long about 25-30 feet and made from a single log. He was painting another one with Indian design while we were there that had done a race between Whitehorse and Dawson. They still have to pass thru Five Fingers Rapids which from what he said could be quite adventuresome.
Stopped at Swan Lake and another stopping grounds for the Trumpheter Swans and Northern Swans but none were there at this time of year.
Well now it’s time to enjoy the river that we are parked next to boondocking or as the English group would say wild camping.
Lorne
1 Taghini Hot Springs
2 Swan River and Bev
3 Muckluck Annies
4 Tlinguish Indian Boat Builder
5 Silk Road English Group Maureen, with Bev and Les