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Saturday  July 20        Rest Day 3

      Whitehorse (Y)

Nice relaxing day.

Rose early as usual and through moving SIM cards around called home and more. Dropped down to the Bell store to ensure I’ve service till we leave Canada...in a months time.

Had a bit of a cycle around Whitehorse to get a feel of the place. No great distance involve. Dropped down by my beloved Yukon River seeing families organizing themselves for a day’s canoe outing. 

The river is navigable up as far as Whitehorse. Most of those heading for the Gold Rush sailed to Skegway, crossed the Chillkoot Pass and sailed downstream to Dawson City. Sound easy and scenic but not so by a long shot. The restored Klondike sternwheeler is a big tourist attraction here.

Back at the hotel re-packed the two bags, a few jobs on the bike and grabbed a bite to eat.

In the centre of Main St is a sculpture dedicated to ‘those who follow their dream’ with particular reference to those of 1896-1899. I liked it,

Walked further up the Main St (about 15 mins) and browsed in outdoor, sports and book stores. Picked up a book or two to read back home (not of the nature of the one I put up the other day!). Spotted a handy set of panniers: I wonder if Ted would fancy one of those?

In my walkabout I came on the MacBride Museum and reckoned this would cover a number of aspects of Yukon’s past. Did a self-guided tour (about an hour) through sections dealing with the First Nation people who called this area home for thousands of years before Europeans arrived. Next section contained the birds and mammals of the Yukon with my friend the grizzly standing tall and a close look at moose, muskox and caribou. Outside was Sam McGee’s cabin built in 1899 and a section dealing with river transportation on the river between Whitehorse and Dawson. Downstairs a whole section on the building of the Alaska Highway by the Americans during the war (the Alcan). Some feat ploughing through the muck and snow. In a separate building we’re reconstructions of the miners living conditions when they finally got to the goldfield (and the majority of them were too late). I thoroughly enjoyed the hour, an hour well spent.

I had earlier passed Sacred Heart Cathedral and was at Mass there at 5 said by the bishop himself, Hector Vila. Larger numbers than in Dawson but the minute breakdown was the same 15-15-20. Met himself as I was leaving and gave him the best wishes from Ireland.

I notice that petrol and diesel here at Can$1.42 (approx Eur1) and the place is bulky thirst vehicles.

Didn’t do any high dining today, the camp fare is so good. Very much grab and so, a practice I’m not unknown for.

So all ready for the next section, the Alaska Highway, that entails 11 days riding down to Fort St John. At least it’s not on gravel.

I hope Brendan Lowry has done the job by the time ye read this.

Thank God for a lovely day.