Yukon and Alaska Bound, Part 43. The Swiss Team's last days in Whitehorse, Yukon

Exploring Whitehorse, Yukon.

8th, 9th and 10th August 2014 in Whitehorse

The last few days in Whitehorse with Lisbeth, Annemarie, Hansuli and Christian. On the 10th of August they will all fly back to Switzerland.

Lisbeth and Hansuli in Whitehorse

For the last few days we all were together here in Whitehorse, we were enjoying this comfortable city by doing touristy things.

One afternoon we visited the Whitehorse Fishway. It has one of the longest wooden fish ladders in the world. When we visited, unfortunately there were very few salmon coming through. The salmon come from over 3,000 kilometers away to come and spawn in the Yukon River and its tributaries.

Miles Canyon, Whitehorse

One day we hiked along the Yukon River by Miles Canyon. The Miles Canyon was a huge problem to navigate through during the goldrush. Sometimes, over 1000 boats were jammed above the canyon, waiting to go through. Many lost their lives and outfits. 

Christian, Lisbeth and Hansuli hiking along the Yukon

To avoid further accidents, Sam Steele of the Northwest Mounted Police at that time decided that inexperienced boaters were not allowed anymore to take their own boats through the rapids. They had to hire an experienced captain for a fee. The supplies were unloaded and transported around the canyon by a quickly constructed horse-drawn tramway.

Miles Canyon

Today the rapids through Miles Canyon are tamed by the construction of the dam and the creation of Schwatka Lake.

Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre

Our visit to the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre was again very interesting. Anders and I visited here before, but each time we found out more interesting facts about the Ice Age.

Beringia Museum

Somehow for me, having seen mammoth tusks being uncovered by the miners of today, make the mammoth and other ice age animal exhibits more real.

Beringia Museum

One evening we went dining at the Klondike Rib and Salmon BBQ restaurant on 2nd and Steele Street. Go there early, the line-ups are long, but the wait is well worth it. They specialise in Northern Foods. It is a very funky place. The portions are humongous and the food is good.

Anders, Hansuli and Christian at the Klondike Rib and Salmon BBQ

Man-size portions!

All too soon it was time for the Swiss Team to return the two rented campers and trucks to CanaDream by the airport. They were all very happy with the units they had rented. The trucks were almost new and very comfortable. The camper tops were also fine, but they remarked that they were small. If they would not have travelled with us, and had to cook every day in there, it would have been very tight.

Exploring Whitehorse in our truck

Looking back to their Three - Week camping trip through the Yukon and Alaska, they all had a good time. For the distance we travelled together, four weeks would probably have been better. We could have stayed more often 2-3 nights in the same campground. They also would have loved to see more wild animals, but they realised that the Yukon and Alaska has huge areas where its wildlife can hide.

On the 10th of August we met at the "Baked" coffee shop for a late lunch and coffee. Then it was time to go to the airport. We all said good-bye. We all had a great time exploring the north together. 

Whitehorse Airport - Saying good-bye to Hansuli, Christian, Annemarie and Lisbeth

It was also nice to spend more time with my brother Hansuli, my sister-in-law Lisbeth, my cousin Christian and his wife Annemarie. When I left Switzerland almost 50 years ago, we were young, now more mature, it was nice to get to know them better. Big hugs.

At 7pm, back at our campground , we heard the rumblings overhead of the Condor plane leaving for Europe.

Anders and I had a quiet supper together at the Hi-Country RV park. For more pictures see our web album.

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