Yukon and Alaska Bound, Part 29. Whitehorse to Destruction Bay, Yukon

Drive from Whitehorse to Destruction Bay, Yukon.

Liz and Annamarie on the near side. Hansuli, Christian and Lisbeth. Cottonwood RV Park on Kluane Lake

Westbound Alaska Highway. West of Whitehorse, Yukon.

A pit-stop for a sandwich.

Yesterday the 20th of July 2014 the Swiss Team arrived: my brother Hansuli and his wife Lisbeth, and my cousin Christian and his wife Annemarie.



They flew in over the North Pole directly from Frankfurt. They had good weather and a pleasant flight.



After they freshened up in the hotel, we picked them up and all together we had a chicken BBQ at our campsite.



It was so nice to see them all and to have them here in the Yukon.



Early on the 21st of July we all went to CanadaDream to pick up their rental campers. Each couple had a truck and camper top reserved.

Kluane Lake in the back ground.

Another stop to make sure everyone are OK.

Looking for Dall Sheep at Sheep Mountain. Yukon.

It was nice that the staff there spoke German, so my relatives could fully understand the introduction to their campers. For both couples it was the very first time they ever rented such a vehicle.


Unfortunately one of the trucks (the one using diesel) needed a special essential additive only available from Canadian Tire and some other stores.


That should have been provided. We think this kind of service from the rental company could be improved on for sure.


The Europeans coming to Canada have no clue what and where Canadian Tire is. Why did they not sell it at the rental place, they certainly charged for all the other additional services and costs.


Anders and I were happy we could help, and run around and pick it up for them.

Cottonwood RV Park is great, one of the nicest spots on the trip.

Liz, Anders, Hansuli, Christian, Annemarie and Lisbeth

Anders getting the fire ready to BBQ some steaks.

Kluane Lake, so beautiful.

Also the gas tanks were not full, unacceptable. It would be much easier if the tank is full when you pick it up and full when you return it.



After we got the trucks, and Anders went to Canadian Tire, we all went food, booze and gas shopping we were on our way. The plan was to drive on the Alaska Highway to Destruction Bay along the Kluane National Park.



At about 11:30am on the 21st of July our Caravan was rolling west out of Whitehorse. It was raining. The further west we drove, the weather improved. We stopped at viewpoints along the way.



At Haines Junction we stopped at the Parks Canada Visitor Reception Centre in the Dã Ku Cultural Centre.



Here we watched their interesting video and enjoyed their art gallery and display of tratitional clothing of the Southern Tutchone people. That is a beautiful Centre.



Haines Junction was established during the construction of the Alaska Highway. Today it is the gateway and information place for the joint UNESCO World Heritage site of the Kluane National Park, Tashenshini-Alsek Wilderness Park, and Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park and Wrangell-St.Elias National Park.



Near Boutillier Summit we made another stop. By now the sun was out. It was a beautiful day.

Anders enjoying the natural beauty of Kluane Lake and area.

Kluane Lake, Yukon.

Time to go to bed.

By the time we reached the Tachal Dhal Visitor Centre it was closed. We searched the Sheep Mountain ( Tachal Dhal ) for the Dall sheeps, but we could not spot any.



This is a great area to stop.



Along the beautiful Kluane Lake we reached our campground for tonight, Cottonwood RV Park, just before Destruction Bay, right on Kluane Lake.



Anders had made reservations for 3 sites right on the lake. It was perfect.



The sun was shining, the campfire was warming us up, we had some wine and saluted our first day on our caravan trip.



After we dined on BBQ steaks, we mellowed with the sun setting over the mountains across the lake.



What a welcome to Canada for our Swiss Team.



More pictures on line.

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