Oct 20, 2012 - Planning to Plan

The reality of finishing this term is fast approaching now that it is mid-Oct. and the next few weeks are going to fly by. With Christmas done and not returning to YC for 6 months, the prospect of going first to AU and then some spring-summer Rv'ing is really appealing. AU looks right now to be some time in Tasmania and then over to Perth and the west coast ... going as far north as the monsoon season will allow. For now, maps, options for accommodations and transportation and some general scouting to see what has to be on the todo list.

Sep 24, 2012 - Back in Whitehorse!

We traveled from Skagway back to the Alaska Highway on the South Klondike highway - another stretch of road with the most amazing scenery. We crossed back into the Yukon and it was time to get the truck serviced so we came back through Whitehorse where there is a GM dealer to do the job. One night and half a day and we were off again headed down the Cassiar highway through Northern British Columbia.

Sep 3, 2012 - Frozen Fish...

A quick update... We cannot find dry ice in Alaska or the Yukon! Arrrrrrrgggggh! We've opted for plan B - we bought an "extreme" cooler that advertises it will keep ice for 5 days in 90 degree heat. So, Fritz opened one of the fishboxes and everything is just barely starting to thaw. The gelpacks we have are still frozen solid. We're going to pack "wet" ice around the fish as best we can and keep the cooler as cool as we can and run for home. Wish us luck! If it thaws - who's up for a HUGE fishfry??

Sep 3, 2012 - Labor Day is a holiday in Canada too. Who knew?

September may not the best time to drive home from Alaska… We got up nice and early Saturday morning expecting to spend an hour or so packing up the truck and then planned to drive to Anchorage. It was actually more like FIVE hours packing! It drizzled rain off and on and we had a few chores to do to get the Seward homestead winterized and ready to be unmanned for the next year. We blew out the water lines and put antifreeze in the drain and toilet. We chose to cover all the windows of the hut with black trash bags because our neighbor has...

Aug 30, 2012 - civilization of some sort

We came south 150 miles and returned to the same campground in Whitehorse that we enjoyed the beginning of June. Since then they've changed their unlimited internet policy, much to our chagrin, since this may be our last chance to catch up with podcasts, app updates, new magazines, etc. until we cross the US border. At the rate we are going that will be another week or so. Today's drive would have been spectacular if we hadn't already had so many other better ones. The bright blue sky made it all look its best, but except for a stop for...

Aug 27, 2012 - Pioneer RV Park - Whitehorse YT

Hit the road by 10 am. Roads still not great but better and repairs have been done since our trip up. Saw beautiful mountain views but less glacier tops now. We even saw some wild horses along the roadway including a baby. 50's but pretty cool and breezy to start. Had lunch in Destruction Bay at Talbot Arm Motel...another placed we have been before and liked. Another stop was near an old log bridge we walked on but could not drive on. We arrived in Whitehorse with a small leak in one duelly tire. Guys backed into RV wash at Hi-Country RV...

Aug 14, 2012 - From Whitehorse, Yukon, Along The Alaska Highway

8-14 From Whitehorse Along The Alaska Highway Sunny And Warm Stayed at Big Creek Campground Yesterday we made it to Whitehorse, and today we headed back out along the Alaska Highway toward Teslin. Again, the drive was more scenic than the first time, as it was rainy and dreary going the other direction. We loved the many lakes, the beautiful mountains, and the scenery that by this time you may be getting tired of hearing about! We drove beside Marsh Lake for a while, and read that it hosts 10,000 migrating trumpeter swans, as well as tundra...

Aug 14, 2012 - Dawson City to Whitehorse

Tuesday, August 14 We packed and left Dawson City by 9:30 am, after getting gas. About 20 miles or so out of Dawson City on the Klondike Highway, we saw a small, black and brown fox beside the road. A little further and we saw a ptarmigan!. Before this road was completed in 1955, most access to Dawson City was by boat on the Yukon River from Whitehorse, a several day trip. Now it is a little over 300 miles by road. At Pelly's Crossing we stopped for gas and a pit stop. A little further south, and we realized there was still a little snow...

Aug 11, 2012 - Day 43

Again the temperature was cool in the morning, but getting up to the upper 60’s in the afternoon. We drove down the Alcan to the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Center for another stamp and then next door to the Yukon Transportation Museum for another stamp. In front of the transportation museum, which is next to the airport, is a Douglas DC-3 Weathervane. They were in the process of ‘yarn bombing’ the fuselage when we arrived. ‘Yarn bombing’ apparently is covering something with quilts/afgans for about 10 days and then removing it. I have...

Aug 10, 2012 - Day 42

This morning we awoke to 46 degree F temps. Glad we had put the thermostats over to heat last night. Nice day though, finally getting up to the upper 60’s. We needed to get more of our passport stamps in Whitehorse, so today we drove into downtown Whitehorse to stop first at the stern-wheeler SS Klondike. After getting our stamp there, we went to the Yukon Visitor Information Center to get another stamp. From there we drove over to the Yukon Arts Centre Gallery and Yukon Archives to get our stamps there. Some very nice native art at the...

Aug 9, 2012 - Day 41

Another travel day, covering approximately 270 miles from Watson Lake to Whitehorse, YT. It started raining during the night and was still raining when we woke. I hate hooking up in the rain! Once we got on the road, the weather started clearing up and stayed that way for most of the trip. Leaving Watson Lake, we passed Upper Laird Village and then the junction of the Alcan and Cassier Highways. We hope to return to the lower 48 by going down the Cassier. Enroute to Teslin, we crossed over the Little Rancheria River and Big Creek. Rancheria...

Aug 8, 2012 - Pioneer RV Park & Campground

Stayed at Pioneer RV Park & Campground in Whitehorse, YT, for three nights in a FHU site. This is the second time we have stayed at this RV park while traveling with the SMART AK Caravan. Once again, we especially enjoyed the free Wi-Fi while we have no cell phone or satellite TV service while in Canada. This is a recommended RV park. Note 1: While traveling from Dawson City to Whitehorse, YT, we stopped at Heritage Center Big Johnson House (Selkirk First Nation) in Pelly Crossing, YT, and Tagé Cho Hudän Interpretive Center (Little...