We left Whitehorse Thursday late morning and it took us almost the rest of the day to get to Dawson City. The drive was dragging quite a bit, we zig-zagged around potholes on the road, passed small villages, some wildlife ( a moose, ready to cross the road but retreated when we showed up, pew!) and by 6:30pm we reached Dawson, old capital of the Yukon.
Five Finger Rapids Yukon River
Front Street, right along the Yukon River is the only paved street in the city with nicely restored buildings from the gold rush times. I could really picture the crowds walking the streets in the old days!
Historic Theater in Dawson
The back streets are not paved and some of the old buildings were purposely not restored and look ghostly. Bill had told us about a campground on the other side of the river, so we took the ( free) ferry, which took only 10 min. to the other side, set up camp, had a quick dinner and then ferried and walked back into town.
A lot of the town’s history that we learned in Whitehorse we could picture now. All the gold rush “ stampeders” setting up camp here, that later developed into this town, but the smart people who started a business right here in this town benefitted the most and made even more money.
Yukon River
We went back into town yesterday in the morning and it was bustling with tourists, I believe there were a lot of cruiseship tourists that went on a tour. We checked out the visitor centre from the NWT and got more info about the Dempster Highway and the Tombstone Park where we will be heading today. It will be all gravel road with at times sharp stones so we have to pray for a safe riding and no flats!! This road goes all the way up to Inuvik and it will take us a couple of days.
In the afternoon we drove up the Dome Road that takes you up a mountain from which you have a lovely panoramic view over Dawson and the Yukon River. People come up here in the summer ever since the old days, have picnics and watch the midnight sun in June.
Relaxing at MIdnight Dome
Free Ferry across the Yukon River
So this morning we will stock up on our food supplies from the “ general store” and will go north. Not sure what the wi-fi situation will be but you won’t be hearing from us for a couple of days, I think.
Feli
Reading this post brings up memories of our Alaska trip many, many moons ago with our Award Trailer. Beautiful scenery above Dawson, we also took the ferry and went on towards Tok. Experiencing a flat tire on the trailer just outside Chicken is another fond memory. A Greyhound bus stopped with German tourists on board and before we knew it, the driver, a young woman, was under our trailer, took out the spare tire and in no time had it on the wheelbase so we could drive on and get the damaged tire fixed.
What she said will always stay with me: “We never leave anyone stranded and always help; that’s how it’s done here.”
Looks like a great trip so far. Have lots of fun.