Whitehorse

Arrived in Whitehorse, larger city with many areas to see and stock up on food, gas, and diesel. Most of the campgrounds in Canada are similar: large gravel parking lot, power and possibly water/sewer hookups.  Sites are side by side like a parking lot. The price of a nice resort in the south US, but definitely not the look or amenities.  ($32/night) But fortunately we got the Good Sam Club discount 10% ($28.80) and translate that from Canadian to US dollar ($23.90)  So worth the stop to recharge our batteries, literally.  We drove Miles Canyon drive, a short few miles but a beautiful over view of the canyon along the Yukon River.  Walking a trail to the edge is a swinging bridge to cross the river. Beautiful tiny wild flowers along the edge and great views.  Even saw a beaver, in action. The rapids below the Miles Canyon were thought to resemble the main of a horse - hence it's name.

Then on to the Fish Ladder. In short, the Salmon eggs hatch up river, hang out for a few months then start downstream on the Yukon River for 1875 miles to the Bering Sea.  It takes the little "fry" about 2 years to make the trip. They live in the sea for 4-7 years then feel the call for their one time mating.  Heading back up the Yukon for 1875 miles, which now only takes them 3 months.  Lay their eggs, fertilize the eggs and shortly after die.  Each salmon has their birth place "GPS" location within them and all return to their own specific area on the river to lay eggs, fertilize, and die.  The ladder comes into play like the Locks in Lake Superior or Panama.  Humans have built damns and the fish can't return so they put in ladder like tunnels on the side of the river that tunnels the fish slowly up the grade of the river without hitting the falls.  Very interesting stop.  It will be mid July before the salmon are in this area in the 10,000s.  USS Klondike steamboat is dry docked on the side of the Yukon for viewing and tours. The way to get to the Yukon and get supplies for many, many years in the early 1900's.

We were lucky enough to arrive on June 21 (Summer Solstice) and the Tlingit First Nation celebration. Performers, dancers, entertainment, crafts, and food at the First Nation center in town.  Neat to be in a place for a specific event and see how they celebrate.  They are very firm on their beliefs in who marries who.  The females dictate the tribe types, either Crow or Wolf.  If the Grandmother was Crow the Grandfather would be Wolf.  But all the kids must marry Wolf.  So their next generation would marry the opposite of the female in the relationship.  They have had murders of spouses, when someone married the same tribe type. Like I said, very firm on this!! There is a large Canadian Tire (Sam's Club type) store, Wal-Mart, and Canada Supercenter (Canada Super Wal-Mart) huge fresh produce section and many items only sold in bins (candy, pasta, beans, spices) Scoop, bag, and buy. 

The Wal-Mart must have had 30 RV's in its parking lot.  Breaks the rules on overnight parking in Wal-Mart but they must be OK with it.  More RV's than cars. I had to stop at the local Quilt shop and pick up some local fabric prints for future use. 

The MacBride Museum is a wonderful display of history and taxidermy mounts of all animals in the area. Great to see these beautiful animals up close, without grabbing my bear spray or running faster than Randy to get out of their way. We learned to pan gold in their class, even picked up a fleck of gold to take home.  The delay in history really showed us how far advanced the Lower 48 has been.  Probably 20-30 years later in receiving/achieving many modern items.  The First Nation (Indians) just received their official land in the 1970's after being removed, relocated, and ignored for decades.  That's recent history and blows my mind. 

We walked through the Old Log Church in town.  First church built in 1900 for the people (miners) and First Nation in the area.  The newer church next door had a fund raiser for Nepal and for $5 we got a hamburger, coleslaw, chips, cake, and juice.  Great lunch and very nice people.  It reminded me of the 1960-70 church social.  We had many of those in our church and our basement.  

A local front yard had this massive bike tire dome on display.  I wonder where all those wheel-less bikes are?   Maybe on display in someone else's front yard.

The world's largest wind vine - a DC3 plane that turns easily with any 5mph or greater wind.  We saw it move many times. It is at the airport and outside the Transportation Museum in Whitehorse.  Great museum. A few days after we leave they have an annual race down the Yukon in canoes.  Just like many people & miners did to get around.  They race from Whitehorse to Dawson City. Takes about 4 days and they were preparing for the big event.  Filled our water tank and diesel tank and after 3 nights, off we go towards Dawson City.