We have arrived!Aug 28, 2009
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| We are in Whitehorse! An amazing trip up here, through miles and miles of Boreal Forest. If the trees in this area (known as the lungs of the planet) were deciduous, and a wind blew from north to south, we in the south would drown in the leaves! It is a wonderous thing to behold--untouched parts of our planet that extend as far as you can see for days on end. And, to add interest, first, between Chetwynd and Muncho Lake, there were caribou! We saw about ten or so, all separately. Another bear was seen that day too. Tuesday was our longest travelling day, so we were very glad, after nine or so hours, to see the red roof of the Canadian Mountain Lodge at Muncho. We were booked into a 'rustic' cabin, and so it was, so we changed that to the one room they had left in the main lodge, up 45 feet at the peak of the roof, with great views of the surrounding valley. Clare's husband, Ron, was at the lodge on his epic journey across Canada on a 30-year old motorbike. We invited him up to our room for a glass of wine, and then we all went down to the dining room for traditional Swiss fare overlooking the lovely lake of Muncho. I highly recommend this lodge--open year round, wonderful staff, good food. On Wednesday, we went for a hike down the lake and around the property. They have two float planes that take you for tours or to outpost cabins for lunch, but we passed; we'll save our pennies to do that next time. After walking, we headed down the highway to Liard hot springs. Around a corner, and there in front of us was a herd of bison! Woodplains bison--a herd of about 250--roams the valley, mostly, it seems, sticking quite close to the highway as an easy travelling trail. Quite a sight! When we arrived at the hot springs park, we took a ten minute walk on a boardwalk (where a mother bear and her two cubs had been seen about an hour before!); we rounded another corner to see a mist of steam rising from the nature mineral pool. We'd been told to start left, where it was cooler, and we did. A good thing, as it is very hot right! Uncrowded, quiet, with moss and ferns growing from the banks, and a natural bottom underfoot. So nice. Back to Muncho Lake for the night, and then off Thursday for Whitehorse, arriving at Ron and Clare's about 3:30. Now it is Friday, and I've been called for breakfast, so I'll get back to you, hopefully with pictures, in a day or two. Having a blast--wish you were here!! |
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