Yukon Road Trip

Wednesday August 12, 2009

Day 1 - Ottawa to Whitehorse, Yukon

Sunny skies with cloudy periods along with a few scattered showers. +18 ^oC

Greetings from the land of bush planes, camper vans, kayaks, bear spray, outdoor cafes and sushi bars.

I made it back to Whitehorse for the second time this summer. Seriously, Whitehorse is a fabulous city. This place has everything I enjoy about the North - the atmosphere, open spaces, close proximity to wilderness, a more relaxed pace of life, endless summer sun, trumpeter swans and internet cafes. More importantly, the Yukon has TREES - something many don't associate with Canada's North!!

Whitehorse also has a vibrant artisan community and evidence of this can be seen at every street corner. Colourful murals depicting aboriginal culture and scenes from the Klondike Gold Rush adorn the façades of numerous buildings in town while musicians play at every pup or cafe. Hundreds, if not thousands, of postcards from local and international photographers are sold at every shop as are homemade jams, preserves and fireweed honey & jelly. Every second car or truck has a canoe, kayak or mountain bike in it suggesting the endless outdoor possibilities this territory has to offer. Tourists (from Germany, France, Canada, the States and other regions) flock here by the thousands to enjoy canoe trips, whitewater river excursions or drive the famed Dempster Highway to cross the Arctic Circle. There's even a direct flight from Frankfurt, Germany - imagine! In winter, Whitehorse offers unlimited cross country skiing opportunities, dog sled journeys and northern lights. Canoe , kayak and bike races as well as the famed Yukon Quest (dog sled race) are annual events that attract thousands from around the world. I have a funny feeling this northern city will become home in the not to distant future.

I'll spend another day here before driving northwards to Dawson City to participate in the annual Discovery Day celebrations. I'm anxious to hit the road and photograph the spectacular scenery along the way.

Click here to read the next installment of "Yukon Road Trip - Day 2 in Whitehorse"

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,
Claus

Click here to read an introduction to "Yukon Road Trip"

Click here to follow my journey on a highway map to the Yukon