We joined the Alaska Highway at Mile 626 in Nuggett City, Yukon. You will not find this “City” on any map. Traveling across the Yukon, we encountered more kilometers of construction than we wish to count.

 

      

We have been staying in a variety of camping facilities. The best one so far was located along Kluane Lake, at least 16 miles from the nearest town, Destruction Bay (pop 55). Our site was on the waters edge with views of the surrounding mountains. That night there happened to be entertainment by a retired couple from southern Alberta who are just touring around the area for the summer and volunteered to entertain us with their “Hillbilly” folk singing and recitation of Robert Service stories. Made for a wonderful evening in this semi-wilderness with campers from throughout the USA, Canada, and Europe.

                                 

Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon, was the first true shopping area available for many days – a WalMart, Real Canada Super Store, Yukon Brewery, etc. During the gold rush, Whitehorse was the start of travel on the Yukon River to the Bering Sea via steam powered stern wheeler. The S S Klondike was built in 1929 to carry mail, general supplies, passengers and silver lead ore.  Steam power required about one cord of wood per hour which needed to be resupplied regularly along the route. They stoked the fire with logs, four foot long by 10 inch diameter.

We have crossed the border and are now on Alaska time, 4 hour different from east coast time. Tonight we are at N 64º 11.8’, W145º49.7’. Sunset is 23:28 (11:28 PM) and sunrise is 4:10 AM, almost before the birds are up.

Wildlife report: Sighting of a MOOSE just along the road eating in a pond. Actually it was our fourth moose sighting of the day.

Non-wildlife report: Sighted near the end of the Alaska Highway monument.

Fortunately Jim has purchased both an electronic insect zapper racket and a Mosquito Hunting Permit so he was about to protect us as the mighty hunter he is. And we thought NJ has BIG mosquitoes.

The science/weather report for today:

We have heard that the east coast has been sweltering in the 90’s. We have been enjoying the 60’s and low 70’s during the day and cool nights in the mid-50’s.  Nice sleeping but with sunlight

“Cold is a Relative Thing” as perceived by Alaskans: 

+65.…Floridians turn on the heat, people in Wisconsin plant gardens, Alaskans water ski at 2 AM, without wet suits.

+40.…Georgians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves and wool hats.  People in Wisconsin throw on a flannel shirt, while Alaskans put on rubber boots and wash the car.

+20….Californians fly to Mexico, people in Wisconsin close the windows and teachers in Alaska try to convince school kids to wear coats for recess.

-20.…Washington, D.C. runs out of hot air, people in Wisconsin let the dog sleep indoors and kids in Alaska have recess in the gym.

-50….Hell freezes over. Wisconsin schools will open two hours late, and school in Alaska opens as usual.

-80.…Alaskans are asking “Cold enough fer ya?” and watching the thermometer to see if the temperature will drop to a new record low.

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