Still thinking of the trip

Am putting together my photo album today and came across this picture which actually contains ME! I was taking a picture of the gang on the banks of the Yukon River in Dawson City when a tourist asked me if I wanted him to take our picture, so for once, I am not on the end of a camera. If you want to see any more pictures, you have to come up to the Yukon, and I will gladly give you a bed and show you the pictures. For those who know Wally Paprocki, he is coming north in September to spend a few days. So, after just about 30 years, I am getting visitors.

The End

Had a great visit with the crew. Hope they did too. They did see a moose, a bear on the way home from Skagway and a bear while riding the rapids of the Tatshenshini. They visited Dawson City, toured a gold mine, watched Tex drink a shot with a toe in it, went to Alaska and even toured Whitehorse a bit. All in all, it was a very full 10 days. Will did say that he is thinking of moving to the Yukon, and David did say that when he starts working, he is saving money to come back. So one day it will be me and the boys! You're all welcome back, any time folks. I had fun too!

Muktuk Kennels

Finally, hours before the first group was to catch their plane south, we stopped into Cousin Frank's house where they saw 100+ dogs kennelled. Frank was in the puppy pen, where we spent our time during our visit.

Here is a 6 week old puppy chewing on Kayla's laces.

And here's Frank and Tex just before we left. It was a short visit, but fun.

August 20

August 20th was Kristin's 17th Birthday. She wanted to go wake-boarding on that day, and Shaun accommodated her on Schwatka Lake.

And we had her birthday dinner that night, complete with cake.

The Rest of Us

While they were on the Tat, the rest of us were doing our Whitehorse thing. Here is Will with a Wooley Mammoth. We visited the Beringia Centre and the Transportation Museum. Both were very interesting. (The washrooms in the Beringia Centre are the nicest I have seen in the whole world - worth the trip just to view them - not stalls, but individual little rooms - wow). Will enjoyed them both too and I'm sure he will be the only person in Grade 2 in Ancaster who knows what a Wooley Mammoth is and where Beringia is!

Later, we set Will out on the old Alaska Highway and he had to hitch-hike home -- not!

Riding the Tatshenshini River

Six of the 10 of us rode the Tat. Here they are looking all dry and happy. Then.......

from the stories and pictures that came home, there were many dunks in the icy cold water.


They all had a blast! They arrived home late at night, pumped on adrenaline.

Took the crew to Skagway Alaska these last few days. The weather was once again superb. Made many stops along the way. Here are part of the Eccles family viewing Emerald Lake. Also took in Caribou Crossing - lots and lots of taxidermied (stuffed) animals. Little Will was in heaven. A stop in Carcross Desert and then to Carcross to eat an ice cream cone, and walk the sands of Bennet Lake.
Made it to Skagway where we shopped till we dropped.

Took the White Pass & Yukon Route narrow gauge rail to the White Pass summit and back. The train trip was 3 hours long and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.
Most of the group is off to raft the Tatshenini River today. The rest of us are doing the Whitehorse thing. Only two more days then the Ontario crew are returning home. I'll be so lonely in my house all alone. Maybe some will catch the spirit of the north and not leave, like so many Yukoners did.

Tex and the Sour Toe Cocktail

Here is Tex drinking the famous Sour Toe Cocktail. It is a shot that contains a real pickled toe, which must touch your lips during drinking to make it a successful drink. He was the ONLY one in our group to do that! Below is pictured the toe that was in the glass....gross!

The sisters et al have arrived. My house may never look the same. There are nine of us all together and they do fit into my downsized house. We're (maybe I should say "I'm" as I shouldn't speak for everyone) having a great time. Had dinner with cousin Frank and Saul and a few other friends the night after their arrival, then drove 500+ km to Dawson City where they took a tour of the Gold Mine Shaun manages. Here we are on top of the Dome in Dawson City. It is chaos getting 5 adults, two teenagers, one pre-teen and one 6 year old and two vehicles all organized, but I'm sure I'll miss it all when they're gone.

Whitehorse Frog

I need the expertise of all those nature lovers out there. I don't live by a pond. I don't live by a river, stream, or any other body of water. I live in suburbia now - and I have frogs! They are wee, about 1" in length and live by my rock garden and flower garden. Last night I snapped its portrait in the hopes that someone will recognize it and tell me a bit about them. My fear is that when I weed-eat, I will whip this little thing to death. Mowing the lawn is also a bit ify, even walking, I can easily step on them. Does anyone recognize this little creature?