To mix things up a little, we decided that both of us would do a blog entry each. Just to get a little different perspectives on things. After all, the way Victoria perceives and describes things in the blog might be a little different from how Robert sees them.

So here we go. First out is Victoria who will write about searching for gold in Dawson, keeping fit in the wilderness and having a good laugh about grey flamingos.

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Back in Whitehorse! We are back at the B&B where we stayed the night before we set out to conquer the Dempster highway. In a week's time it feels as if fall (yes, 'fall', not 'autumn') is a little bit further along. All the leafy trees are bright yellow and orange and the air has that little 'nip' to it that kind of smells snow or at least colder times.

We spent three really good days in Dawson City which is highly recommended! Great little town that has been able to maintain a century old atmosphere without being overly touristy. Most towns trying to preserve old buildings and history still has Starbucks and Tim Hortons crammed into a heritage building but Dawson is just... Dawson. No 'Gap', no 'Blenz', no 'Superstore'. Some of the little shops are even the same as they were almost 100 years ago. Mud roads without pavement and houses that truly look like they are 80 years old!

There is a claim along the river where people can pan for gold for free ('without getting shot' as one local explained it. It sounds like there is still some strict rules on who any little gold flakes that might have been overlooked in this heavily explored area would belong to).

Panning for gold

Victoria searching for gold

As we approached the claim there were already a few people by the river in pouring rain with their shovels, pans and buckets. We didn't have our own equipment but the couple that was there offered us their to have a try. I started out first by scooping up some dirt and washing it in the stream. No luck though but it was fun. Robert had a go at it as well but unfortunately we didn't get rich!

No luck but having fun!

Looking deep into the gold pan....

We continued on to have a look at Dredge number 4 which is now a National Historical site.

Back in town we also visited the city museum which was located in a beutiful building. It was very impressive, informative and interesting with exhibitions and artifacts telling the story of this area from a geological, native people, as well as the gold diggers' perspective.

City museum

The next morning we left Dawson but if opportunity presents itself, I would love to come back! We took the ferry over the Klondike River to drive a bit on the Top of the World highway which goes into Alaska but unfortunately, the fog made it impossible to see anything so we turned around after about 20 miles.

Oh, before we left I went for a run in the morning and I would dedicate just a few lines on my attempts to stay in shape during this trip. As most of my close friends know, I'm known to be a litte bit 'nutty' when it comes to exercise and some have asked how I mangage that being on the road. Well... it does take some creativity. While I realize that I won't be able to swim everyday I think that almost four weeks into the journey, I've got a fair amount of exercise in. I've done one ocean swim, one lake swim and two pool swims. On top of that I've run seven times and gotten a bit use out of some stretch cords. Some of the runs have been around the camp ground eight times in fear for bears if I would venture out on the road. On runs where I have gone outside my 'comfort zone' I've been running with a bear bell that makes sound like Jingle Bells that probably can be heard in half of Canada! Other runs have been like orienteering with me running with a map trying to figure out where the heck I am and where is the hotel????? So again; it is possible to stay in shape but some creativity helps...

On our way down to Whitehorse we passed an air field with lots of grey birds. I thought they looked as cranes but Robert is convinced that they were flamingos. I've heard of Canada geese but never Canadian flamingos! 'Flamingos don't have to be pink!!!!' Robert says. I had a very good laugh over the grey flamingos and we still are not agreeing if grey flamingos exist (I maintain that the birds we saw were cranes) but if somebody knows, let us know!

written by  Victoria & Robert on September 21, 2009 from Whitehorse, Canada
from the travel blog: the Canadian Arctic
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Dawson City Museum är en arkitektonisk pärla, klassisk stil men i trä! Det ser man inte ofta.
Hälsningar
Maud

written by  Maud Naess on September 26, 2009

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