The Rest of The Story

We turn our travel to the East and head down to Hwy 9, aptly named the "Top of the World Highway". As we follow the crest of this range we marvel at the vistas on either side of the road. We wish that this was a hiking and not a vehicle trail.We come to a sign announcing that we are at the northern most border crossing. After more beautiful views we start to head out of the higher elevations an pass an abandoned gold dredge in Jack Wade. A few mining operations are still active, and the tell tale tailing piles are seen along this stretch of river.

We arrive at Chicken Alaska and I make my way down to an enormous gold ship. This huge piece of machinery is impressive. *** One of my favorite Service pieces talks about these monstrous hulks and how how one prospector deals with the new technology. Click here to read "The Prospector". I recited this poem to a modern day gold prospector in Dawson by the name of James Archibald. When James isn't sinking holes he runs a very nice exhibit about gold out of the old Y.O.O.P Hall. I could see as I was reciting that I was touching a nerve in this man. He told me after the recital that the prospector's story was also his story. He said that he went out this Spring and sunk a few holes, they did not pan out but that it was his hobby to keep searching. Here's hoping James finds his elusive mother load!

A few hours later we are in Tok Alaska, where we decide to spend the evening. We find a truly awful motel, even by our low standards. We light out of Tok heading South East along the Alcan Hwy. We finally see bear, and to Karen's delight we observe them from the security of our car. We spot 6 grizzly and 2 black bears this day, each time stopping to watch them graze. At Beaver Creek we call ahead to Haines Junction to reserve a room. Beaver Creek is on the old Dalton Trail, yet another early route to the Klondike.

We arrive in Haines Junction and our motel for the night, the Raven. If you are in the vicinity this is the place to come for lodging and dinner. Voted one of the best restaurants in Canada, the Raven was a perfect place to spend our last evening in the Yukon. The proprietors, Hans and Christine, created a truly memorable dining experience. . . (poetry on a plate!) The next morning we partook of a wonderful European breakfast, Hans then sent us on our way with a gourmet box lunch. http://yukonweb.com/tourism/raven/

We continued down the Alcan passing through a piece of British Columbia and arrive at our last stop on the mainland, Haines Alaska. Although rain and fog kept the scenery partially hidden the ride was gorgeous. We spent the night at the Hotel Hälsingland in the old Fort Chilkoot complex.
The next afternoon we boarded the Alaskan Ferry Matenuska and started our three day journey back to Bellingham. Blessed with good weather, and friendly deck mates the trip was most pleasant.

Epilogue

As we drifted down the inside passage on our way back to the lower 48 there was little to do but gawk at the impressive scenery and reflect on our northern exposure. Half way through a bottle of Port, on our last evening of our trip, I watched as the shoreline of Vancouver Island flit by in the moonlight. I vowed I would return to the north someday and perhaps become a true Soughdough. As in Service's verse the the Spell of the Yukon . . .

There's hardships that nobody reckons,
There's valleys unpeopled and still
There's a land and it beckons and beckons,
And I want to go back . . .
and I will!

To find out what services, accommodations or websites worked well for Our travels Click Here

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