Carcross - A gem of a town

June 23rd - Okay, today is the 27th.  What?  5 days behind on posting?  Time for some POWER POSTING......

We departed Skagway on what I called our 4th leg of our adventure.  Back in Canada and already I was feeling safer and more confident.  Leaving Skagway on the South Klondike Hwy the road rises quickly for about 15k to the summit of the White Pass.  Sea level to alpine in less than 30 minutes.  The geology of the pass is fascinating and I confess that I know nothing about it only that it is other-worldly beautiful and unique.  Photo below of a small pond, stream and waterfall.  We stopped at this location to search for Ptarmigan.  We were sure we heard 2 or 3 calling but we had no visual contact.

Carcross, Yukon was our next stop.  I have been to Carcross many times and each time I left sad and disappointed at how this small village was slipping into obscurity.  It seems things have changed.  2, or maybe 3 First Nations Bands have partnered to create a first class art/cultural centre.  The rest of the village has responded by sprucing up the place.  I wish them all the best.  Photos of the art/cultural mall and a few landscapes are included.

Whitehorse for 3 days.  After 3 days in Whitehorse Dana and I need a rest.  Our friends Nat and Sean hosted our stay.  Nat took us sightseeing, birding and on an amazing 30k hike into the high mountains west of Whitehorse.  Okay, it was probably only 5k but with elevation gain and less than summer weather it was challenging and one of the best hikes we have been on in a very long time.  Thanks Nat!

One of the many highlights of our stay in Whitehorse was a visit to one of the local micro brew-pubs.  Our visit coincided with Oyster and Beer day.  How convenient was that!  2 dozen oysters on the half shell later, and of course some excellent beer to wash it all down, we headed back to Nat and Sean's place for another fabulous meal.

Dana and I set out on our own on Sunday to explore downtown Whitehorse.  Dana tells me that a lot has changed in 38 years.  A lot of effort is being made to clean up some of the less desirable locations.  So far they seem to have done a great job.  The town is very busy with a lot of tourists in town.  Walking downtown you can hear many different languages although French and German dominate.  (Photos to follow as our internet in Dawson is sooo  sloooww....)

4 life birds in Whitehorse this visit.  Bank Swallow, Boreal Chickadee, Herring Gull and American Tree Sparrow.

On to Dawson City............  Post to follow....

White Pass summit

Tutshii Lake, Carcross

First Nations Art and Cultural Centre, Carcross

First Nations Art and Cultural Centre, Carcross

Lake Bennett, Carcross

Emerald Lake, east of Carcross


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