Day 8 and 9 - It's still Rock and Roll to me!
We must open this blog with a very special thank you to Dan the Heavy Duty mechanic who was vacationing at the Bedrock Motel and RV where we camped last night. He took a look at our vehicle, drained the burned transmission fluid and added more so that we could keep going on our journey and get to a garage. He would only take 40 dollars for his trouble and he is our hero.
While we were waiting for all this to be done, I caught up on the blogs and had some breakfast. Then, we were off again rather later than we had hoped but that's ok we're on vacation so it doesn't really matter when we get going in the morning.
With our truck not behaving itself, we weren't sure about the Dempster but the transmission seemed to be working properly after Dan's care and attention so we turned down the Dempster. Unfortunately, it was a rainy and cloudy day so there was not a great opportunity for pictures and the new interpretive centre was closed when we got there! Oh, boy! We did see the strangest looking fox and he seemed to be expecting something from us - he looked pretty skinny. When we looked in our book, it seems he must be a silver or red fox (it tells us the colours vary but he was sure strange looking.
Our experience on the Dempster was not great but we do not want to discourage others. Five years ago, we headed up there and it was wonderful! We here the new interpretive centre is great and hope to get back there one day to experience it for ourselves.
We headed back down the road to stay the night in Dawson City and got another souvenir of the Dempster (many people collect this souvenir here) -- A Flat Tire! It petty much shredded it, so the next day we got to buy a set of match Michelin's! They are very nice... and we now have two spares! We are so lucky! Oh, a shout out to Mike who helped us with the flat - we had a great time with him and his wife Terri at Diamond Tooth Gerties that night - cheers you two. Diamond Tooth Gerties where we had a delicious supper and enjoyed the shows was fun - singing and dancing and can-can girls! Sue even got to sing with the gentleman since she knows all the words to these songs. Off to bed quite late but happy.
Thursday was quiet. We have a lovely spot at the Bonanza Gold Campground and we are set up nicely. Sue did the laundry, finished one whole book (Calico Joe by John Grisham - great read!) and tidied up the camper. Earl went off to get the truck looked at and the tires sorted. As we said earlier we are the proud new owners of the two match Michelin's. We have an appointment for Saturday to get our transmission flushed, new filter and the tires put on.
The kick-off concert for the Dawson City Music Festival featured Wanda Jackson. She is credited with being the first female to record a Rock and Roll song in 1956! She toured with Elvis back in the day and at 76 can still rock out! What a great concert! She played with the Trilliums and included some old time Country, Rockabilly and early rock and roll. It's amazing to hear her sing like that after all this time. We were not sure about getting this tickets but we are sure glad we took in the show.
It is a late night again, but of course it's still light and we sat and had a cup of tea and scrabble before bed. Our second music festival in a week begins tomorrow - yahoo!
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
Wednesday, 17 July 2013
Day 6 - Whitehorse to Mayo and Keno City (The Silver Trail)
Day 6 - Pussycat, Pussycat I love you, deed I do!
You have probably noticed that all the titles are lines or titles of songs. Today's quote from Tom Jones' "What's New Pussycat!" is in homage to the two beautiful Lynx we saw today. The first we got a good view of and he was just lovely and the second was a quick look of a furry body racing across the road! Neither of these cats wanted to stick around for photo ops! We also saw a cinnamon coloured black bear, a grouse and her chick, a red fox, a little pika and heard the call of a loon at Twin Lakes. It had been a bit of a drought animal wise so it was wonderful to experience so much in one day.
Today, we traveled up the Klondike Highway towards Dawson City. We stopped on the Marge of Lake Laberge (of Cremation of Sam Magee fame) and visited with Earl's friend Tracie who runs Mom's Bakery. Some of the scenery up this highway is stunning with mirror lakes and mountain peaks. Today, it was very hazy as there is a very large forest fire about 40 km NE of the highway. In some places, you could smell and taste the smoke in the air!
We stopped at twin lakes to take some amazing photo's of the mirror-like water and reflections and at Montague House which is the last remaining relic of the roadhouses which offered lodging and meals on the stagecoach rout between Whitehorse and Dawson City in the early 1900's way before the highway was pushed through.
We spent the late afternoon and evening exploring the Silver Trail. This is a mining corridor first explored in the late 1800's. At first it was the cry of gold that brought people to the communities now know as Keno City and Mayo. But later it was the silver mines and they still operate today. An interesting stop in Mayo is the Binet House. This museum has artefacts and history of the early miners and development of the area. Our guide was an engaging young man studying Geology at Mount Royal in Calgary. His passion and interest in the history and mining of the area made the information come alive.
We headed for Keno City which at one time had a vibrant population but is now down to 20 residents. The museum was closed already but we had fun at the Snack Bar with its quirky signs and trip down memory lane. One of the highlights of this area is the trip up Keno HIll to an elevation of 6,000 feet but about three quarters of the way up our car decided to be unhappy, overheat and 'throw-up' transmission fluid! We carefully backed down the hill till we could turn around and crawled down the hill. We found someone to sell us some transmission fluid and slowly wind our way back to Mayo. At the campground and hotel there, a heavy-duty mechanic "Dan" happened to be visiting his in-laws and was able to look at our truck. He said that we should be okay with a transmission fluid flush and new fluid but he is looking at it more carefully this morning. Hopefully, the news is still good and we can continue our journey!
We went to bed swatting the mosquitoes (there is not a single mosquito in the Yukon ~ they are all married with very large and hungry families!) Hopefully the morning will bring good news about our vehicle and the adventure will continue.
You have probably noticed that all the titles are lines or titles of songs. Today's quote from Tom Jones' "What's New Pussycat!" is in homage to the two beautiful Lynx we saw today. The first we got a good view of and he was just lovely and the second was a quick look of a furry body racing across the road! Neither of these cats wanted to stick around for photo ops! We also saw a cinnamon coloured black bear, a grouse and her chick, a red fox, a little pika and heard the call of a loon at Twin Lakes. It had been a bit of a drought animal wise so it was wonderful to experience so much in one day.
Today, we traveled up the Klondike Highway towards Dawson City. We stopped on the Marge of Lake Laberge (of Cremation of Sam Magee fame) and visited with Earl's friend Tracie who runs Mom's Bakery. Some of the scenery up this highway is stunning with mirror lakes and mountain peaks. Today, it was very hazy as there is a very large forest fire about 40 km NE of the highway. In some places, you could smell and taste the smoke in the air!
We stopped at twin lakes to take some amazing photo's of the mirror-like water and reflections and at Montague House which is the last remaining relic of the roadhouses which offered lodging and meals on the stagecoach rout between Whitehorse and Dawson City in the early 1900's way before the highway was pushed through.
We spent the late afternoon and evening exploring the Silver Trail. This is a mining corridor first explored in the late 1800's. At first it was the cry of gold that brought people to the communities now know as Keno City and Mayo. But later it was the silver mines and they still operate today. An interesting stop in Mayo is the Binet House. This museum has artefacts and history of the early miners and development of the area. Our guide was an engaging young man studying Geology at Mount Royal in Calgary. His passion and interest in the history and mining of the area made the information come alive.
We headed for Keno City which at one time had a vibrant population but is now down to 20 residents. The museum was closed already but we had fun at the Snack Bar with its quirky signs and trip down memory lane. One of the highlights of this area is the trip up Keno HIll to an elevation of 6,000 feet but about three quarters of the way up our car decided to be unhappy, overheat and 'throw-up' transmission fluid! We carefully backed down the hill till we could turn around and crawled down the hill. We found someone to sell us some transmission fluid and slowly wind our way back to Mayo. At the campground and hotel there, a heavy-duty mechanic "Dan" happened to be visiting his in-laws and was able to look at our truck. He said that we should be okay with a transmission fluid flush and new fluid but he is looking at it more carefully this morning. Hopefully, the news is still good and we can continue our journey!
We went to bed swatting the mosquitoes (there is not a single mosquito in the Yukon ~ they are all married with very large and hungry families!) Hopefully the morning will bring good news about our vehicle and the adventure will continue.
Day 5 - Whitehorse
Day 5 - When you're alone and life is making you lonely you can always go, Downtown!
Our day five was an errand day in Whitehorse. Because, we live in a village with very limited amenities, when you get to a city you have things that need to get done. Sue spent the time at the Visitor's center catching up on blogging and downloading pictures. While there, she met up with Tyler Abraham a friend and fellow teacher from Fort Nelson! Great to catch up and share adventure plans! While downloading pictures discovered that we are running out of room so had to get an external drive so I could make room for more pictures.
Earl spent the day running around getting (very expensive) keys cut for our truck (they are computer chip keys but we only had one so we needed a spare. This took most of the afternoon and Earl was more than a little frustrated, but the job is done. We also did some banking, and Sue bought a new guitar and some music.
We went back to our campsite (Caribou RV) and made some supper. We had some good chats with our neighbours one couple from Missouri and one from Chilliwack. We packed up ready to go in the morning to head up the Klondike Highway and take in the Silver Trail.
So that was the day in town which is not very interesting. We have been to Whitehorse many times and knew that this time would not be a tourist visit but here are some highlights you might take in if you find yourselves in Whitehorse for a visit.
1) SS Klondike Sternwheeler - beside the Yukon River with an interpretive centre
2) Transportation Museum - memorabilia from Alaska Highway plus Bush Pilot history - very interesting and well laid out
3) Beringia Interpretive Centre - tracing the history of the Ice Age in the Yukon - excellent displays and fascinating information
4) Miles Canyon - beautiful views, photo ops and a hike
5) MacBride Museum - Yukon History and the colourful characters who built it
6) Don't miss the Frantic Follies Vaudeville Review
7) Feast at the Klondike Rib and Salmon BBQ (right across from the Follies)
8) Tour the Yukon Brewery Company - choose a special beer to fill your growler
Lots of information in The Milepost or at The Milepost Website.
Our day five was an errand day in Whitehorse. Because, we live in a village with very limited amenities, when you get to a city you have things that need to get done. Sue spent the time at the Visitor's center catching up on blogging and downloading pictures. While there, she met up with Tyler Abraham a friend and fellow teacher from Fort Nelson! Great to catch up and share adventure plans! While downloading pictures discovered that we are running out of room so had to get an external drive so I could make room for more pictures.
Earl spent the day running around getting (very expensive) keys cut for our truck (they are computer chip keys but we only had one so we needed a spare. This took most of the afternoon and Earl was more than a little frustrated, but the job is done. We also did some banking, and Sue bought a new guitar and some music.
We went back to our campsite (Caribou RV) and made some supper. We had some good chats with our neighbours one couple from Missouri and one from Chilliwack. We packed up ready to go in the morning to head up the Klondike Highway and take in the Silver Trail.
So that was the day in town which is not very interesting. We have been to Whitehorse many times and knew that this time would not be a tourist visit but here are some highlights you might take in if you find yourselves in Whitehorse for a visit.
1) SS Klondike Sternwheeler - beside the Yukon River with an interpretive centre
2) Transportation Museum - memorabilia from Alaska Highway plus Bush Pilot history - very interesting and well laid out
3) Beringia Interpretive Centre - tracing the history of the Ice Age in the Yukon - excellent displays and fascinating information
4) Miles Canyon - beautiful views, photo ops and a hike
5) MacBride Museum - Yukon History and the colourful characters who built it
6) Don't miss the Frantic Follies Vaudeville Review
7) Feast at the Klondike Rib and Salmon BBQ (right across from the Follies)
8) Tour the Yukon Brewery Company - choose a special beer to fill your growler
Lots of information in The Milepost or at The Milepost Website.
Monday, 15 July 2013
Day 4 - Atlin Music Festival to Whitehorse
Day 4 - Diamonds on the Soles of her shoes!
We were a little slower getting going this morning but made it for the church service at the Lake stage. A group from Sylvan Lake Alliance Church called SLAC Worship led the service with a wonderful sermon from the pastor at Whitehorse Alliance. Great music and an inspiring service. For our Alliance Church friends in Fort Nelson, a shout out from Myles and Polly Thorpe who we saw at the happenings last night and at the church service.
Then we headed back to the Main Stage for the Old Country Music Workshop with Michelle Wright and the Gibson Brothers. Great tributes to Anne Murray, George Jones, Dolly Parton and other Country legends. The Rhythm Boys were up next with their East Coast sound, crazy dancing and amazing instruments - fiddle, bango, mandolin, upright bass,.... what a blast!
The next act was an up and coming artist from the North, that we were glad we stuck around for. Her name is Brenda Berezan and her group is the Free Radicals. Heartfelt original music with a rock kick but very well done. It was just a shame because there were so few to hear them because she was at the same time and Hawksley Workman (very well know star but not our cup of tea) and The Mother Blues Workshop with the likes of Brandon Isaak, Mike Stevens and Steve Brockley. We actually wanted to go to that but did not want to miss one minute of Harry Manx who began at three! So of course we loved Harry and his amazing blues with such a unique instrument the Indian Guitar called a Mohan Veena - a 20 stringed guitar with such a unique sound, and harmonica, bango, guitar and blues vocals.
The last act was the Boom Booms from Vancouver - high energy and amazing as were all the acts. They ended with Paul Simon's Diamonds on the Soles of her shoes. What a great cover they did. One of my favourite Paul Simon songs. We were dancing!
The closing was amazing with the Dakha Khwaan Dancers and all the artists on stage. We sang "Will the circle be unbroken?" at the top of our lungs and said a fond farewell to the Atlin Music Festival.
We packed up and headed to Whitehorse to do some errands and catch up on blogging and emails. A very cool setting sun - it is blood red from the forest fires (what the radio is calling 'local smoke!')
Found a cosy nook for the Little Guy at Caribou RV park - a shower! and a good rest will get us ready for a day in the city.
We were a little slower getting going this morning but made it for the church service at the Lake stage. A group from Sylvan Lake Alliance Church called SLAC Worship led the service with a wonderful sermon from the pastor at Whitehorse Alliance. Great music and an inspiring service. For our Alliance Church friends in Fort Nelson, a shout out from Myles and Polly Thorpe who we saw at the happenings last night and at the church service.
Then we headed back to the Main Stage for the Old Country Music Workshop with Michelle Wright and the Gibson Brothers. Great tributes to Anne Murray, George Jones, Dolly Parton and other Country legends. The Rhythm Boys were up next with their East Coast sound, crazy dancing and amazing instruments - fiddle, bango, mandolin, upright bass,.... what a blast!
The next act was an up and coming artist from the North, that we were glad we stuck around for. Her name is Brenda Berezan and her group is the Free Radicals. Heartfelt original music with a rock kick but very well done. It was just a shame because there were so few to hear them because she was at the same time and Hawksley Workman (very well know star but not our cup of tea) and The Mother Blues Workshop with the likes of Brandon Isaak, Mike Stevens and Steve Brockley. We actually wanted to go to that but did not want to miss one minute of Harry Manx who began at three! So of course we loved Harry and his amazing blues with such a unique instrument the Indian Guitar called a Mohan Veena - a 20 stringed guitar with such a unique sound, and harmonica, bango, guitar and blues vocals.
The last act was the Boom Booms from Vancouver - high energy and amazing as were all the acts. They ended with Paul Simon's Diamonds on the Soles of her shoes. What a great cover they did. One of my favourite Paul Simon songs. We were dancing!
The closing was amazing with the Dakha Khwaan Dancers and all the artists on stage. We sang "Will the circle be unbroken?" at the top of our lungs and said a fond farewell to the Atlin Music Festival.
We packed up and headed to Whitehorse to do some errands and catch up on blogging and emails. A very cool setting sun - it is blood red from the forest fires (what the radio is calling 'local smoke!')
Found a cosy nook for the Little Guy at Caribou RV park - a shower! and a good rest will get us ready for a day in the city.
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| Michelle Wright sang some awesome songs off her new album |
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| SLAC Worship lead the Sunday Service |
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| SLAC Worship Leader - awesome vocals and heartfelt worship |
Day 3 - Saturday at the Atlin Music Festival
Day 3 - "Rock and Roll is a friend of mine but
I cannot take her home for she does not get along with my mother!"
This Rock and Roll phrase is from one of the songs we heard today! What a great line! I was thinking about what to write about such jam-packed full of music day. It will be hard I think, to relay the experience in words. For folks who have not been to a music festival I urge you to put it on your bucket list. The variety of music, the talent (so amazing), the people you meet, the absolute pride you get from knowing that all this talent is CANADIAN! Sorry I'm shouting but I don't think we realize how deep the pool of talent is in this country. We saw acts from right across the country ~ PEI, Ontario, Vancouver, the North and other parts to numerous to mention and they were all fantastic.
We spent the morning taking in some workshops at the Lake Stage. This stage is right on the waters edge where you just look over your shoulder for a glimpse of the mountain vista! Workshops our one of our favourite things to take in at a music festival because it is so fascinating to hear the music that comes from this. The organizers pair two or three artists together and give them a theme. They meet perhaps up to an hour before the show and then come on stage and improvise, talk about their music, and create original music together. Our favourite this morning was the coming together of Mike Stevens and Anne Lindsay. Mike Stevens plays the harmonica like nobodies business - even makes it sound like a dog chasing a rabbit! Anne Lindsay is a violin/fiddle playing virtuoso who's original compositions leave you breathless. So, you put these two phenomenal musicians together, and magic happens. We could have listened to them all day!
We spent part of the afternoon in a line up on bated breath. Would we get in to see "The Silver Screen Scoundrels"? We first experienced them last night and their original jazz and swing with funny patter and shenannigans left us laughing so hard and their music is beyond words. So it turns out we did get in, I had a seat but Earl was standing room only which suited his free range photography needs anyway. This time, the were at the Globe Theatre and they played their original music to black and white silent movies they had made! We had a great chat with them afterwards, they are looking for a Model T (mmmm, who do we know with one or two of those). Earl had a link with Brandon Isaak as his family are long time yukon Musicians and Entertainers (Mom and Dad ore Ed and Donna Isaac). Earl remembers was Drummer witht he Canteen Show which perfromed in Watson lake in the 1990's when Earl was the Milepost Man! Such a small world. This was the most original performances, we have ever seen and here is the link so you can have a taste of their work http://silverscreenscoundrels.com/
Back at the mainstage, it was Headliners night from 7 p.m. to past midnight. The Crooked Brothers, Michelle Wright, Harry manx and Kevin Breit, Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys and The Boom Booms. Folk, Jazz, Blues, Country, PEI jigs, Oh my goodness. We clapped, stamped, danced, marveled, sang along, laughed and were oh, so happy!
We went to bed just so tired but humming happy tunes and ready for more tomorrow ~ the closing day already - it will be bittersweet.
I cannot take her home for she does not get along with my mother!"
This Rock and Roll phrase is from one of the songs we heard today! What a great line! I was thinking about what to write about such jam-packed full of music day. It will be hard I think, to relay the experience in words. For folks who have not been to a music festival I urge you to put it on your bucket list. The variety of music, the talent (so amazing), the people you meet, the absolute pride you get from knowing that all this talent is CANADIAN! Sorry I'm shouting but I don't think we realize how deep the pool of talent is in this country. We saw acts from right across the country ~ PEI, Ontario, Vancouver, the North and other parts to numerous to mention and they were all fantastic.
We spent the morning taking in some workshops at the Lake Stage. This stage is right on the waters edge where you just look over your shoulder for a glimpse of the mountain vista! Workshops our one of our favourite things to take in at a music festival because it is so fascinating to hear the music that comes from this. The organizers pair two or three artists together and give them a theme. They meet perhaps up to an hour before the show and then come on stage and improvise, talk about their music, and create original music together. Our favourite this morning was the coming together of Mike Stevens and Anne Lindsay. Mike Stevens plays the harmonica like nobodies business - even makes it sound like a dog chasing a rabbit! Anne Lindsay is a violin/fiddle playing virtuoso who's original compositions leave you breathless. So, you put these two phenomenal musicians together, and magic happens. We could have listened to them all day!
We spent part of the afternoon in a line up on bated breath. Would we get in to see "The Silver Screen Scoundrels"? We first experienced them last night and their original jazz and swing with funny patter and shenannigans left us laughing so hard and their music is beyond words. So it turns out we did get in, I had a seat but Earl was standing room only which suited his free range photography needs anyway. This time, the were at the Globe Theatre and they played their original music to black and white silent movies they had made! We had a great chat with them afterwards, they are looking for a Model T (mmmm, who do we know with one or two of those). Earl had a link with Brandon Isaak as his family are long time yukon Musicians and Entertainers (Mom and Dad ore Ed and Donna Isaac). Earl remembers was Drummer witht he Canteen Show which perfromed in Watson lake in the 1990's when Earl was the Milepost Man! Such a small world. This was the most original performances, we have ever seen and here is the link so you can have a taste of their work http://silverscreenscoundrels.com/
Back at the mainstage, it was Headliners night from 7 p.m. to past midnight. The Crooked Brothers, Michelle Wright, Harry manx and Kevin Breit, Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys and The Boom Booms. Folk, Jazz, Blues, Country, PEI jigs, Oh my goodness. We clapped, stamped, danced, marveled, sang along, laughed and were oh, so happy!
We went to bed just so tired but humming happy tunes and ready for more tomorrow ~ the closing day already - it will be bittersweet.
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| Down by the shore |
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| The Town of Atlin |
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| Houseboat for sale - where would we put our books |
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| Here we are meeting the Silver Screen Scoundrels |
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| From the Lakeshore of Atlin Lake |
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| Gordie McKeeman and the Rhythm boys |
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| Harry Manx getting ready for his performance |
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| Happy crowd in the Main Stage Tent |
Day 2 - Teslin to Atlin
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!
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!
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| Native Boat at the Teslin Cultural Centre |
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| Display of native art at George Johnson Museum |
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| Beautiful Bear at the Museum in Teslin |
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| Sue and Corona admire the totems at Teslin |
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| The Silver Screen Scoundrels! |
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| The Gibson Brothers - they sang a song called 'They Call it Music" that Sue wants to learn |
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| Singer Songwriter Eric Gibson with the Gibson Brothers |
Friday, 12 July 2013
Day 1 - Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head!
| Day 1 of the Adventure - Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head!
We
had a great first day on our adventure however it was quite soggy!
Pulling away from Toad River Lodge with a full tank of gas at exactly
8:08 in the morning, we headed up the Alaska Highway with great
anticipation. The low lying clouds made a lacy tablecloth over folded
mountain as we made our way along side the very full and fast Toad
River. Just before Muncho Lake we spotted a mommy moose and her baby
grabbing some breakfast in a watering hole. Sue was able to snap a
picture before more tourtists showed up and the Mommy Moose decided to
take her baby out of the spotlight. We stopped at Double G services for
a "Captain Jack" breakfast and eavesdropped on some great trucker
conversation and ribbing of Jack on his day off. Our bellies were full
so we headed back on the highway past the beautiful Muncho Lake on our
way to the Hot Springs.
Ahh, the hot springs! You
cannot drive past Liard Hot Springs without stopping for a soak. Earl's
back was a little sore when he woke up but a good dip in that amazing
mineral water and he declared he was cured! While soaking in the
springs, we struck up a conservation with a couple from Australia (this
is something that always happens there, interesting people from all over
the world all in one big bath tub together just leads to great chats!)
. They have taken a year off work to tour North America. What a
fantastic idea! They were just returning from Alaska so were able to
give us some advice of some must sees and dos. The hot springs
themselves have undergone a bit of a face lift in the last year and the
new seating and changes rooms sure add some class!
We
did not see much wildlife between the Hot Springs and Watson Lake this
time - just some Bison every now and then wandering across the road.
The rain let up long enough for us to snap some pics at the Yukon border
sign. We were there with a couple from France who had flown over their
own camping rig and were traveling in North America for three months.
We did reciprocal picture taking so that each couple had their picture
taken together at this milestone along the Alaska Highway. We also met
up with this couple at the Watson Lake Signpost Forest at historical
mile 635. This is a very cool atttraction which had its infancy in the
second world war when the highway was first being built when Carl
Lindley erected the first sign and now the forest has blossomed to over
72,000 signs. We have traveled through Watson Lake so often and never
think to bring our own sign. Next time for sure!
The
visitor centre which is right there at the signpost forest is a
wonderful place with an interpretive centre about the building of the
highway and friendly, welcoming staff. Sue's older students will be
studying the Alaska Highway as part of a Transportation Unit this coming
school year and she was very excited getting Earl to take all sorts of
pictures of things that gave her ideas for exciting projects the
students could do! Remember, its all curriculum! Unfortunately the
Northern Lights Centre was closed so we did a little souvenir shopping
at Haugen's and admired their beautiful flowers and then were deciding
between waiting till the Centre was open or heading out when we got a
phone call from our friend Judy Nadon (the Milepost lady) and made
arrangements to rendezvous with her at a campground in Teslin. So off
we raced into the rainy horizon, catching glimpses of mountains, lakes
and racing rivers along the way but unfortunately no wildlife - they
were staying out of the rain, I think! Judy had reserved a spot for us
so we slid our little guy trailer into place and went for 'cocktails'
and conversation. We had a great chat by the fire and the skies
gradually cleared until we had blue sky and sunshine for a walk along
the Teslin Lake shoreline before bed.
Sweet dreams of
more adventures tomorrow - Teslin Cultural Centre and joy of joys - the
beginning of the Atlin Music Festival! Can't wait!
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| Mama Moose and Baby in the rain just south of Muncho Lake |
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| At the Yukon Border |
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| Sign Post Forest in Watson Lake |
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| Earl (Oilcan) at the Signpost Forest |
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| Aahh! The Liard Hot Springs with new updates! |
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| The Milepost Man with Judy Nadon who took over his route! |
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| The weather cleared long enough for an evening stroll along Teslin Lake Shoreline |
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