Pictures from Tuesday and Wednesday

Oh the places we'll go

It's 10 pm in the Yukon and we are settled in for the night at kilometer marker 668 of the Klondyde highway.  After the day we have had I think it is a good omen that we were able to make the extra 2 kilometers.   We had been having smooth sailing until about 20 miles north of Pelly crossing. We came up on a pothole on the edge of the road that was 18" around and at least 6" deep. A car was approaching us and it was hugging the center line. I was able to swerve just enough to miss it with the front right tire, but had to steer back away from the center line to avoid theoncomming vehicle and hit the pothole dead center with the right read tire. We instantly felt the car swing from side to side.  As soon as was safe we came to a stop at the side of the road. We had a 3" x 2" rip on the sidewall. 

We now had a decision to make go back to Pelly or on to Stewart crossing. We decided to continue north to Stewart. Let me back up a little our new van has special tires that will allow you to drive on a flat for 100 miles at speeds under 50 MPH. Since they give you a jack but not a spare and Whitehorse was further south than Dawson was north we decided to trudge on at 30 MPH and check things out every 15-20 miles.

We were doing fairly well the hole did not appear to be getting to much larger so we thought heck the 

tire is dust lets just go until we can't go any farther.   We reached that point when we hit a patch of washboarded gravel. The tire split out in several more places and gave up the gohst. So here we are at K668 parked along the Klondike river.  

When we first stopped we decided to walk to a campground we saw listed in the Milepost. It was only 8 kilometers away it had full services including a tire shop. We were starting to feel encouraged until we got to a sign that was overgrown with trees and brush stating our service center was closed.  Not just for the night but for good and by the looks of the sign it had been for several years.  We turned around and walked back to the car. It was a nice 5 mile hike.  

Dayna and the boys are in the van while Scottie and I are in the  pop up screen tent. We wait until morning to find a ride to Dawson to get a new tire put on our rim. We are at least hoping they have a tire that will work.  It's 11 pm and the sun has just gone over the northern horizon. It is starting to get a chill in the air.  The Mosquitos are are covering the outside of the tent in the hundreds and it is time to get some rest. 

11:42 I was sleeping sound and had been for about 30 minutes. Dayna and Quade came to join us as it was to hot in the van. 

1:46 a semi truck just blasted by and woke me up.  It has clouded over and feels like rain.  

3:08 I am waken by Scottie itching frantically at her bug bites from the day before

3:40 Scottie had to go to the bathroom we are all awake in the tent. 

4:17 mosquito buzzing in my ear woke me up

5:32  truck went by and woke me up

7:09. Cars are starting to come from the north. Dayna and I are awake. Let the adventure continue. 

I have ventured from the safe confines of the tent. The tent did well for us it only allowed the smallest of the noseeums to enter.  Now I am sitting in a lawn chair just waiting.  It makes me think of Dr. Seusse in oh the places youll go. And now we are in the waiting place. We have a sign on another chair that simply states need ride. It is funny how the people going south wave more than the people going north. I think the folks going north are trying to hide and not show there guilt for just passing   

 We had a young guy from Sweden stop and make camp in our pull out. He offered to help , but only has I seat.  We have decided its all or none if we get a ride.  I have 13% battery. I will continue latter. 

So much for one for all and all for one.  

Now in Dawson with the whole family. We have a tent site and no vehicle for now. We are off to explore on foot I will update latter and tell the whole story. 

On the pass between Skagway and Whitehorse

#26

Whitehorse

The ferry ride to Skagway was uneventful.  One funny thing did happen right before docking in Skagway.  We were passing a small drainage that has a hydro project on it and I pointed it out to Dayna from the Solariam deck where 75 tourist came running cameras and binoculars in hand to the side of the ship I had pointed to.  It was fun to see them all look for the invisible whales. 

On the drive to Whitehorse we stopped in Carcross for a leg stretch and then settled in for the night at the Robery Service campground on the banks of the Yukon.   It was a nice campground. Be aware you have to carry your stuff to the sites, so if you are packing a lot of stuff get one next to the parking area. We recommend #26. 

Yesterday was filled with some shopping at the usual haunts of Canadian Tire and "the real Canadian supper store."

We also went to the pool it was a blast.  For those who have not been it is a must visit when in the territory.   

We are sitting in front of Tim Hortons. getting crullers.  I am useing the Starbucks wifi from access the street.  The guy at the skate shop (where Zane got his new tuque), said to go to Timmy's and to use Starbucks as it was faster and stronger. One more stop  for milk , gas and ice and then north to the gold fields of Dawson.  Internet connection may be sketchy at best until the weekend. So this may be the last post for awhile. 

Eldred Rock in the background

Captains Log

We are at the Ferry Terminal in Juneau waiting to load. It is 5:30 am.  When we left the house at 5 am it was sunny and 48 degrees.   We made a quick stop at the Breeze Inn for Bagels.   We are eventually headed for Girdwood for Matt and Natalie's wedding. We should be in Girdwood by Saturday.  

The journey will take us to Whitehorse YT today.  We plan on spending a couple of days there and then to Dawson City YT. It is us so who knows we may make a wrong turn and end up in Inuvik.  

Stay tuned. We will try to post when we have service.