Midnight Dome

Laurence and I climbed up the landslide to Midnight Dome. It's a very strenuous hike that takes almost 2 hours. The views are spectacular.

This spring they had a new landslide along the 200 year old stretch. This erased most of the trail that was there two years ago when Hilary, Lynda and I did it. The locals still do the trail but they don't recommend it to tourists anymore. I guess that makes us local.

When we got to the top we worked on my timed exposures to get a nice shot of us. It took a bit but I finally got one. I like to think that I'm getting better at them.

DiamondTooth Gertie's

Dempster Highway

This is my 4th time up here. Third in this century. Back in 2006 Hilary, Polly Evans and I went partway up the Dempster to see Tombstone Mountain but very dark clouds ahead sent me back. I didn't want to face bad weather in a country that I didn't know.

In 2007 when we were up it just seemed that we were too busy in Dawson to head up. Simply not enough time.

This trip I have my new Rav4 and I have to confess with the new chips in the paint already I was very hesitant to go. But on the urging of a woman at the NWT Tourist Information Centre we decided to go ahead and give it a whirl.
There was almost no traffic so we didn't face any new rock chips and the gravel road was very good, fast travelling.
I love doing timed exposure shots... sometimes I'm not fast enough.



We had a long chat with the Park Ranger at the campground at Tombstone Mtn. She is a local native and takes her family out for winter camping trips for days on end into the bush near Old Crow, YT. They use a wall tent and carry along a wood stove to go inside the tent, complete with chimney. She gave us all sorts of information about the people who live up there and their lifestyle.

We're clearly going to have to come back and explore the Dempster at some point in the future... that might have to wait until we buy a house in Dawson (just kidding Mum.)

July 1st in Dawson City

Dawson City does things very big for Canada Day. Many different groups plan different activities in different areas of town. I don't think I've ever seen so much Canadian spirit and all done without any talk of fireworks displays... Land of the Midnight Sun and all, there isn't any darkness to display fireworks.

I was impressed with how busy we were and how little money it cost us. The local souvenir stores had everything discounted 15 - 20% and all the food businesses were open for service. I'm sure a lot of money was spent in the local establishments as people moved from one area of town to the other to participate in the various events.

The day started at 10:30 with bicycle decorating for the parade. I was correct in thinking that everyone participating would be about 8 years old, in spite of what all the adults in town said, only those who had children participated. I did, much to Hilary's dismay decorate my bike with all those little children, but we didn't participate in the parade but found a nice spot, with my bike on front street. Then we followed behind to Victory Square.

The Flag Raising ceremonies were held there with the singing of Oh Canada by all.

That was followed by dance lessons at the museum. A BBQ was held by one group in town and the price of food was by donation. We skipped that and scooted up to the Native Cultural Centre for fresh bannock which was also available by donation only.

Laurence and I headed back to the Museum and learned the Two Step in the free dance classes offered.

We had to rush from there to the Recreation Centre grounds so Laurence could entered the Cheechako gold panning contest. He came in towards the end of his heat and found 4 gold flakes.

A local band performed at the Pavilion in the afternoon. They were very good and the event was free.

Laurence and I spent some time play ball with a 2.5 year old German boy. He was quite a little ham and it was exhausting, by far the best exercise program imaginable. We ran all over the park kicking, laughing and falling.

We topped the day off with a few Yukon Red Beer at Diamond Tooth Gertie's while watching the CanCan Show and a few people lose large sums of money at the gambling tables. I lost a loonie in the slot machine, so much for beginners luck.

Yukon River

Hilary and I went for coffee yesterday afternoon and sat beside the Yukon River to drink it.
The water is extremely cold.

Robert Service

Today I had the priviledge of assisting in the presentation at Robert Service's Cabin. Freddie, from Parks Canada asked me if I would like to read a couple of poems during the performance.


I am very critical of people who attempt to read poetry and fail to read it according to punctuation (sorry if I offend). Freddie is the best poetry reader I have ever heard. He was brilliant.

On The Road To Dawson City, YT

Here are some pictures of the cycling portion of the journey.

The first stop was after a 45 kilometer ride. We stopped by the very windy Fox Lake. We only stayed long enough for Laurence to change into cycling shorts. Much to his embarrassment. He did agree that cycling was much more comfortable in padded shorts.


The high point of the day was a stretch of about 20 kilometers (or so it seemed) that was all downhill. Followed by a great meal at Braeburn Lodge.


After 112 kilometers we spent the first night after camping at Twin Lake. Hilary slept in the car and Laurence enjoyed the luxury of my 2 person light weight REI tent. He complained a little in the morning about his very sore back (he's got an appointment to fix that when he gets home). It was also somewhat chilly and of course extremely windy.

The next day we cycled for 45 kilometers into a strong wind and then decided that vacations are supposed to be fun. We both didn't have time to train for the trip, so we wimped out. For me the main reason for the entire trip was to get to the Yukon. I'm here, why do I need to torture myself? I accomplished my goal. (I do feel a small amount of guilt, but only the tiniest amount)

We stopped at Five Finger Rapids. We got a good chuckle about the caution sign on the deck that perched over a rather long fall. (click to enlarge picture and read the sign)

On the cycling trip in 2007 Hilary had felt very creepy while waiting for Lynda and I at Minto. There is a rumour that in the 1950s there was a murder in the community. Hilary felt it was haunted there. We decided to drive down to the landing and have a look. It was raining but I jumped out and took some pictures regardless.
Our second night was spent camping at Stewart River in the RV park. Again it was very chilly and wet. It's possible that our neighbours had more comfortable accomodations than we did.
Since we're not cycling we decided to go up to Keno (a mining town 57 km up a very muddy road.) It was a great journey with amazing views. I have a few small chips in the paint on the front of my new car, but nothing that a little touchup won't fix.



High atop a mountain overlooking Keno, after an extremely rough road we found the Signposts that have been put up over the years by miners who worked there. By that time the weather had turned really nasty and the road was really mucky. The ruts were very deep and the traction beeper on my car went off a couple of times to indicate that I had lost traction. The cliffs to the side were rather steep.

It was quite an adventure and well worth the mud that was packed onto the car and the bikes. (It took a pressure washer in Dawson to get the worst of it off.)
















This is Hilary waiting patiently for me to take her photo in the high winds and snow that was falling while I fooled around trying to get just the right angle.




We're now in Dawson City. I'll start taking photos tomorrow.