Sisters

Had fun with my sister's visit.  Wish the weather was better but there was nothing I could do about that except say it does not always rain every day.  Looking forward to playing with them again.

The Rest of the Visit

We did a quick bunch of other things too.  Went to the cabin to see where I lived for 10 years and where SR lived till grade two.  

We took a picnic lunch there.

Stopped at a look-out I have just discovered not too long ago.

Had a coffee break at Beans North on our way home from the Hot Springs.

Saw the Frantic Follies.

You can hardly see them but they are on the suspension bridge (above) at Miles Canyon.

Took a small walk around Miles Canyon.

Took a photo of them by our famous Welcome sign when viewing the empty eagles nest on the South Access Road.  Did get to cousin Frank's house also.

The visitors were here for six whole days, two half days.  Not nearly long enough.  Stay longer next visit please.

Fjordline to Juneau

Rain Rain GO AWAY.  The  cloud cover was extremely low as we departed Skagway on the Fjord Express to Juneau.

We got excellent seats though.  Only two tables on the boat and we got one of them.

On the way to Juneau we saw (and heard)  Steller Sea Lions, a near threatened species of sea lion.  We also watched Dall's Porpoises (that look like miniature Killer Whales).  They swim up to 30 miles per hours and create "rooster tails" in the water as they swim.  And we saw eagles, eagles, eagles.  John figured he saw at least one each kilometre we travelled and according to Captain Glen, we travelled 120 miles from Skagway to Juneau.

Arrived in Juneau, had a bite to eat then toured the downtown.  We had a 3 hour stay before we had to board the bus to return to the boat.

The famous (infamous) Red Dog Saloon, Juneau Alaska.

The bus stopped at the Mendenhall Glacier which I always find spectacular to view.

Then it was back on the Fjordline's boat for our trip back to Skagway.  There are always Harbour Seals resting on this structure.  And, so sorry Lisa, but according to Captain Glen, the whales must have been sleeping on our return as he had seen them when he took a small whale watching crew out earlier in the day.  He did try and try and try to find them, but with no success.

On our way home we did spot a black bear and two grizzlies with a baby.  John couldn't believe how much was packed into one day.  We were in two Capital Cities (Whitehorse and Juneau), two countries (Canada and USA), one state (Alaska) and two provinces (B.C. and Yukon) all with ground transportation (boat and car) and it was daylight the whole way.  What is that saying, "Make hay while the sun shines";  I guess that is our motto in the north.

In Skagway, Alaska - July 24th continued

Our first stop was to eat, so to the Skagway Brewing Company we went.  Just before our food arrived we were greeted by SR and family.  They joined us for a meal before boarding their plane to Juneau.

That evening we drove out to the start of the Chilkoot Trail in Dyea.  On our way back into town we stopped at a look-out and viewed the town of Skagway from above.  We stayed at The White House and it was an excellent choice.  As it was getting late, we had take-out from Pescaritos and ate the feast in our room.  It was excellent fare.

July 23rd & 24th

A little touring around Whitehorse today.  The Fish Ladder is always a good start although the salmon had not started their journey through it yet.  

We visited the Beringia Centre and everyone learned what Beringia was as well as seeing some reproductions of Woolly Mammoths.  An interesting fact - that centre has the BEST washrooms in Whitehorse - in fact, they are award winning.  The day ended with a dinner at my house, then the next day we were all off to Skagway.

Rain, rain, GO AWAY.  Unfortunately the weather was damp and the clouds were low.  It was difficult to envision the beauty of the drive when you couldn't see the scenery!  Emerald Lake wasn't quite emerald colour, it was too wet for the Husky Pups sled dog rides and we stopped in Carcross for a snack - they now have an excellent little bistro - and we had to run from building to building as the rain was pouring down.

But, we made it to Alaska (note the large puddle in the foreground).

July 22

July 22nd went to the airport to meet the plane of sister Lisa and family.  I had my fingers crossed that Air Canada would land as there was a lightning storm which ended only about five minutes before the plane was scheduled to touch down.  But, luckily it did arrive, safely.

Welcome to Whitehorse!  Lisa had been here once before in the 1990's but this was a first for John and Kate.

The first couple of days were "family days" as SR and family were leaving for a trip as were we.  Kate enjoyed entertaining the wee ones, especially with the new toys and books she brought for them.  

Kate not only enjoyed playing with the kids but fell in love (I think) with Timber who in turn fell in love with her.  No one can belly rub like Kate!  In the picture above you can see her squatting on the floor.  I have no doubt who is behind the counter.

We had a fabulous dinner the first night, then it was home to bed as the time change was catching up with the travellers.

A Saturday Afternoon

I love our new library.  Went to show it off to Cathy, who used to live here but now resides on Vancouver Island.  We went outside onto the balcony which offers a beautiful view of the river as well as the back of the Kwanlin Dunn Cultural Centre fire pit and seating area.

 Just at that time, a bunch of Stand Up Paddleboarders came paddling down the river and passed us, helped on by the current of the river.

Then off we went, downtown to the Farmer's Market.  This is new (as of last year) to hold a 2nd Farmers' Market on a Saturday.  Traditionally (and still) we have our Farmers' Market on Thursday afternoons and it IS filled with farmers amongst others.   I hadn't yet been to the Saturday one and I must say it is more a craft fair than a Farmers' Market.  They did have lettuces and radishes for sale and that was it,  other than Kettle Corn (whatever that is, but is IS popular) and the French Fry-mobile was doing booming business.  There was a tent with art exhibits and demonstrations.  That was fun.

I was pleased to see one of my favourite artists Nicole Bauberger demonstrating her encaustic work.  (I even bought a small work of hers!!)

    

Then it was off to Long Lake.  The inclement weather began to clear beautifully and with the sun came the heat.  It was beautiful, picturesque and oh so quiet there that afternoon.  Cathy rued the fact she wore jeans.

Just another photo from around Long Lake.  Summer in the Yukon.  I love it!

July 7

July 7 was an extra busy day at my house.  Beginning at 7:45 AM the trucks started rolling in.  First came the men to disassemble my oil furnace and install my brand new electric furnace.  Next came the electricians who had to add a 200 amp fuse panel to my house.  Then came the door people who were installing a new window insert - with screen - and weather stripping my door.  It was a whirlwind of activity and all was completed in one day.

  

A perfect ending to the day was having dinner made for me at Kim's house.  Above she is showing me the glass plates she made herself.  The were very nice.  

And she showed me the radishes that were given to her from a Yukon garden.  Now, what do you do with radishes that big???

A Skagway Monday

Monday and it was off to Skagway.  It was a beautiful clear hot day.  The ride was scenic and we did see one black bear and two goats climbing a crumbling cliff - the bear wasn't climbing the cliff, just easting grass on the side of the road.  

Only three ships in port, one being a very small one, so the tourist crowd was at a minimum for July.

Above is just around the corner from the Skagway Brewing Co.  I can't believe I have never eaten there.  That wee person in the bottom right hand corner is Debbie carrying pretzels she purchase there.

We parked by the museum which I have never been inside of either.  While waiting for the pretzel lady I peeked inside and it looks interesting even though I am not a museum type person.  And if you need a restroom, this is the place to go, no pun intended.

And,  while still waiting for the pretzel lady, I strolled around this back street and found this wonderful child's play area.  Imagine, I have been to Skagway so many times and didn't even know this existed.

My house

While waiting for my ride to the movies I took advantage of the time and took some quick pics of my house.  Above is the entrance way.

Sitting on the fence I had built last September, is the raven I received for Xmas a couple of years ago.  I LOVE ravens and love this gift.  Yes Merv, similar to your own raven.

Still trying to figure out what to do with this yard but painting comes before rethinking the yard so it is what it is.

So, if you're walking by a house that looks like this, drop in for a cup of tea.

Jurassic World

Hopped in the car on Sunday to go and see Jurassic World.  Wasn't sure I wanted to see this movie or not.  I had just re-watched Jurassic Park, which, when I saw it many moons ago, I quite liked.  Second time around is was still OK but a bit hokey.  Well ...   #1, don't take your young child to see this movie.  It is quite dinosaur eating dinosaur, dinosaur eating people kind of violent.  There is lots of that.  I did have to laugh though when some people went into they what they thought was an empty raptor's cage, a little boys voice in the theatre slowly said, "don't go in there".  And he was right.  They shouldn't have gone in there.

#2, don't go into the theatre thinking you are going to see an epic, best movie of the century type film.  You are not.  What you are seeing is pure entertainment filled with action and (thank heavens) a bit of comedy.  There are lots of loose ends, some poor acting but all in all it is a few hours of entertainment.

On Day in July

Driving home the other day I came across some familiar faces.  I stopped to say hello then we were all on our way once again.

I must say Brooke has a lot of energy to be pedalling with all this crew.  Kudo's to her!