Oilcan and Sparky go on an adventure!: Day 2

Day 2 - Blue Skies, smiling at me!

Woke up to a beautiful blue sky kind of day. We breakfasted and had our morning engagement in a scrabble game just to get the brain going and then packed up for another day of traveling. Our first stop was a little backtrack to Teslin where we blogged yesterdays events and admired the view of the Teslin Bridge. Before leaving, we stopped at the George McCormick Museum.

This museum is well layed out with interesting information about the First Nations in this area (the Tlingit ~ pronounced Klingkit). Sue appreciated the clear explanations of their life on the land and the matrilineal line of geneology. The information on George McCormick and the first car (before there were roads) was fascinating. This museum also has a separate building that explains the coming of electricity and modern amenities and the effects on the first nations people. Earl picked up some ideas to bring back to the Fort Nelson Historical Society as these folks had some unique and very effective ways to display their information that would be good to borrow for the Fort Nelson Museum.

From there we went to the Cultural Centre with its amazing display of Tlinglit masts. These are amazing and we had discussed how marvelous to own one of these masks. In the gift shop, there was one for sale but the price was about 1500 dollars and alas their interac was not working! Well, perhaps that would have blown the budget for the whole trip but its nice to dream. We settled for some pictures and cards of Tlinglit art. Outside of this centre stands a line of very impressive looking totem poles and a beautiful Tlinglit Canoe.

We needed to hit the road so we get to Atlin in time for the festival so off we go again. The highway drives for a way past Teslin lake and then winds its way towards the Atlin turn off. Earl laments the many places that were once vibrant businesses that have closed down - especially Dawson Peaks where you used to get delicious Rhubarb pie and Jakes Corner right at the turnoff to Atlin, Tagish and Carcross. There are various reasons for these places to close but the reality is travel is changing, cars go further on less gas and the road is so improved that less services are needed. Still, its a shame to see everything closing.

Just past the turn-off to Atlin we pulled in to admire the sparkling waters and mountains of Little Atlin Lake where we met some folks from Edmonton also heading to the festival. We exchanged stories of meeting Harry Manx one of the headliner performers that we were all looking forward to seeing! A little later down the way, we pulled into a rest area, had a picnic and let Corona have a little stretch. One thing about the Yukon, they know how to treat their tourists - beautifully maintained rest stops and campgrounds.

If you look on a map of BC and the Yukon you will notice that the road winds in and out of the Yukon and BC and that is why Atlin is a BC community that identifies itself more with the Yukon. The road was not bad on the Yukon side with a little construction where they are improving it, then you see a sign that tells you you are back in BC and the road is rough and not so good! Luckily that was only for a few miles but even some of the artists commented about BC not caring so much for its roads!

We arrived in Atlin and immediately you could feel the buzz and excitement of the festival. We drove around town and oohed and aahed over the spectacular scenery - mountains and water! what we love best! Then found out where we could camp (turns out Spencer Field! just a field with a bunch of others but its free with our tickets and just a place to lay our heads once we are finished festivalling!) By the time we were settled, we had missed the opening but were able to catch Trent Severn a female trio with awesome harmonies and the festival for us had begun. Oh, what joy! So much excellent music, interesting people, and fun. The Gibson Brothers serenaded us with their awesome Bluegrass and Gospel sounds and then a very talented but strange artist named Hawksley was up. While I recognize his genius, it was just not our cup of tea so we decided to make it a fairly early night (it was getting very chilly too) and headed back to our camp. We knew that we would not be shutting down very early the next night (headliners night) so a good sleep is what is needed.

It has been a good day and so amazing to be part of this cultural event. It has long been on Earl's Bucket List and of course Sue is always up for music!

So that's day two! Humming ourselves to sleep!