Day 23: Teslin, Yukon - Haines Junction, Yukon
Monday, May 23, 2016
Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada
Well, I have to pick up with last night since we had a little more fun after I signed the blog at dinner (where we could only get internet in the restaurant). We ran into Andrew and Erika (the Swiss couple we've met twice before) and we invited them over for a drink (a sparse drink since I am dangerously low on wine - didn't think ahead to stocking up for entertaining!) They came carrying a box of Triscuits, so it was red wine and Triscuits for our party. They were so cute and entertaining in all their observations of the trip from their perspective: I think I mentioned they had their Peugeot minivan shipped over from Switzerland (that looks like a hippie VWbus), but we had no idea it was a 1977model with 111,000 miles (since the last engine) and he said does a max speed of about 55mph before it starts shimmying. But they have driven it all over Europe taking their family camping and now it was shipped to Baltimore and they drove across US to Michigan, North Dakota, and into Canada! And they plan to drive through Alaska and down to southern US (Texas) to ship it next to South America and drive from Ecuador area to Argentina!!! Apparently, this little bus was originally owned by a German children's author who is now famous for stories/movies and 4 other owners- so the little bus has a history! They laughed about trying to find parts for it when we asked if they worry about breakdowns - said they have frequent concerns about getting parts, yet they keep on trekking! They are fascinated by our microbreweries and were a wealth of information on European wineries and breweries as well. So we parted with wishes for safe trip and hoping to meet again. And then it was immediate crash into bed since it had been an exhausing day - I slept solid until 9:30 am, when I asked Linda if something was wrong since she was getting up! She had to inform me it was time to get up if we were to check out by 11am. But first I had to take care of some insurance business and the water bill in Atlanta, so that took awhile on the phone. We tried to fill up with propane before leaving, but they didn't have anyone working the tank (it's Victoria Day, so I guess short staffed) We have 1/3 tank showing on propane and that gives us heat and the refrig power while we are driving, so it's kind of important. But we knew Whitehorse was next big town and decided to wait for that stop. It was a cold, dreary morning and we hit some patches of heavy rain, which is always good to clean the windshield. The weather changes so suddenly, though - we were driving under a gray, ugly sky and we could see patches of clear sky ahead, and then it was totally beautiful and warm again. Lots of gorgeous scenery again, but no animals today except for a herd of horses on either side of the road. Whitehorse was the biggest city we've seen since we were in Edmonton - I knew it would be bigger because they have a Walmart, but it was big enough to have Walmart and Canada Superstore! A cute downtown with a waterfront trolley so we cruised the town and finally ended up at Superstore because I got bonus points there after buying their gas. It was kind of like a Sam's club with large quantity foods so we only bought a few things, and still had to go to Walmart because they didn't have windshield washer fluid. I thought I could get propane at the gas station outside Walmart while Linda ran in, but gas station was closed for Victoria Day. So we progressed to another station where we were able to find propane - apparently my tank is12.2 gallons, which held about 40 lbs of LP gas, coming to $24 Canadian (that came to about $2 US/day since it has been 12 days since last LP fillup in Billings, MT) - not bad since we have used heat every night and refrig runs on gas while we drive or don't have electric hookups. The propane attendant did remark on our "sweet rig" and wanted to know if we are from the Yukon - I was shocked he had to ask! I feel very foreign in this territory and they have a dfferent accent here! So back on the road - thought we would find a lunch spot where Sara could run, but realized we were actually getting close to Haines Junction where we planned to spend the night anyway. We did make one stop at Canyon Creek Bridge, originally built in 1904 - a new one was built in 1942 which is what the Alaska Highway goes over, but we got out to walk the old bridge and explore the area around it - an ancient log cabin and a hike to the "top of the bluff" where there was supposed to be a cemetary - never found it, but had a spectacular view of snowcapped Kluane Mountains and the St Elias Mountains in ALASKA (getting close!) And Sara had a great run and seems to be feeling better! Back in the RV, we started looking for Pine Lake Yukon Government Campgrounds just south of Haines Junction. When we pulled in, it wasn't very impressive but price was good for campsite without hookups - $ 12 Canadian. Apparently, you drive around the campsites to find one not reserved, then go get a ticket at the self service ticket booth, dropping off payment, and then tagging your campsite as taken. We drove through the campground and picked a site - should have been more selective in finding a level site, but did use some leveling boards for a little improvment. But our big shock was when we went out on the nature trail and discovered incredible views over a lake and mountains in the backdrop! It's like you're the only people on earth to view this, and yet most campsites are taken. We were starved since we never ate lunch, but we had to do the hike first, then came in to eat at 9pm! A litte rotisserie chicken, zucchini/onions/mushrooms fried on the cast iron skillet, and an arugula/tomato/feta salad - delicious!
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