Talk about walking in a history book! Dawson has dirt streets, no street lights, no crime and the Parks Canada has literally brought to life the mid 1890’s. We had a guided, walking tour about town to the working man’s saloon, the bank, the post office and the general goods store. Our guide, a lovely young lady, born and raised in Dawson told us so many stories about how happenings transpired during the gold rush of 1896.
The town caught fire and had to be rebuilt sometime after 1900 so not all of the buildings were from prior to and during the gold rush. Parks Canada has poured a lot of money into these and many other buildings to preserve the history of this tumultuous time. So many of the poor saps that carried their 2000 pounds of provisions over Chilkoot Pass to reach Dawson, arrived with most of the land and creeks already claimed. Most, discouraged, tired and lonely for their families, turned around and went back home. But there were some real “characters” that stayed and survived, perhaps by means other than finding gold. We could have stayed in Dawson longer than scheduled with so much to see and learn. We attended a production in the Palace Theatre, where still, someone else ended up with a Mountie, again.
We had a town tour with Spike, a one-man presentation of the poems by Robert Service, who we didn’t know much of before but now we really like. The person who performed the poems was so natural and authentic. 
and a tour of and presentation about Jack London and his cabin.
The last tour was to view Dawson City from high up on Midnight Dome, named for when locals would gather on summer’s solstice, the longest day of the year, and party hearty. The view was so dramatic, in spite of or maybe because of, the rain. You could see an aerial view of the town and where the Klondike River poured into the mighty Yukon River.
Spike took folks to pan for gold, showing them the correct technique and let me tell you, there is gold in them thar hills and we’ve got people in this group that have major gold fever!
We had 4 nights and 3 days, all but one was rainy but we sure made up for it rain and all. We packed a lot of looking and learning in those 3 days. Could have spent longer here, too. Fun, fun place and right on the Yukon river as it powerfully winds it way, gathering other rivers as it goes, to the Bering Sea.
The next morning, early-early-early, we had everything put away, stowed and hooked up and were at the ferry at the Yukon at 5:30 a.m. for our trip across. Yes, Connie got up and ready that early! I was a little apprehensive about loading the big 5th-wheel and truck on that small-looking ferry but we did it and here’s the proof.
When we reached the other bank, there was a “cross fox” on the bank. I think the ferry people might have been feeding him because he really didn’t show any fear. A cross fox is a cross between a red fox and an arctic fox. We saw several while in Dawson and they were black with a white-tipped tail. So different.
So now that we have left Rip-Roarin’ Dawson City, we are headed for Chicken and Tok, Alaska and the Top of the World Highway which we will share next posting.
Connie’s Lesson for the day: “When you enter a pancake throwing contest and win a free breakfast the next morning, remember to claim your prize” And she even woke up hungry. We left without breakfast.
Loving your stories and pics....The rig on the ferry is priceless!
ReplyDeleteIrene S