Reliving youth

Whitehorse is a perfect place for people who love the great outdoors, as there is a lot of the great outdoors to enjoy. I would like to say I was reliving my youth as Mike and I dirt-biked around Whitehorse, but as I never had the resources to afford a dirt-bike it was more like two old guys pretending to be youth while zooming at middle aged speeds. Because now it is not the zooming we appreciate but rather the views and the vistas. Because at my age in this beautiful country "look-out" means stop for some inward looking while enjoying the perspective of the pleasant panorama, not to warn other motorcyclists of a log or barrier on the path.

Four Story Log Cabins

Yes even after seeing the great cities of the world with their tall skyscrapers it is still impressive to see the three-story skyscraper circa 1947 in Whitehorse Yukon, built by a man named Berrigan who was in his 70's at the time he built it. They say this land has many stories to tell. None more interesting than the four stories in this log building. Ok there are only three actual stories, the fourth story is how, when, and why it was built.

Judo Instructor

While in the Yukon I got together with John and Chuck Mckenzie (middle). Chuck was my Judo instructor through the years I placed 3rd and 2nd twice in the Canadian Championships. He was a big part of my youth and a great inspiration as I grew up. Come to think of it he is still a great inspiration to me now. Thanks Chuck.

Bear Country

The sayings on the shirt thank tourists for thier support of local paramedics by feeding the bears, petting moose and taking pictures from the middle of the road We broke two of the three rules, because you just have to to get the great photos. However, I liked the saying on the bear.... no grouches, sourpusses or malcontents which is perhaps the best advice you can give anyone to prepare them to go north and survive in this great part of the world.

Bad snowmobiling

Here we are in Carcross in the Yukon. In different places in the world there are various saying about the weather. In Ontario they say they say there are four seasons - almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction. In the U.S. they say there are only two seasons - winter and baseball. In Ireland they say you don't have to worry if it is going to rain - it's already raining. In England they say it can get so cold you can see a lawyer with his hands in his own pockets. In Eastern Europe they say the driving is better in winter because the potholes are filled in with frozen snow and slush. And from the picture you can tell what they say about the seasons in the Yukon... There are 10 months of winter and 2 months of bad snowmobiling...

Gold Rush Graves

The Yukon is still very much alive with poems and tales of the Gold rush. The gold rush and it's colorful characters add a unique historical perspective and a sense of adventure to this Northern territory. Four for the six original discoverers of the Klondike are buried in the graveyard at Carcross; Skookum Jim Mason, Tagish Charlie, Kate Carmacks and Patsy Henderson. When I see the graves of these once wealthy people I am reminded of what is of value on our journey through this land and this world.

I always visit this graveyard when I come to the Yukon as many of the spiritual giants and heros of my childhood and youth are also buried there. There are many legends in the Yukon about wealth and riches that can be squandered or stolen and the real riches that cannot. The wealth in the lives and souls of so many of the people buried here are infinitely precious to me for their lives will forever bless me and the landscape in ways that the gold never can. Every time I visit here I am reminded of a great Baha'i quote that says, "with fire we test the gold and with gold we test the servants."

Paddle Wheeler

The S. S. Klondike, now a museum, is the only remaining paddle wheeler left in the Yukon since the glory days of the gold rush. The majestic paddle-wheelers added to the look and feel of the Yukon's colorful history, and the romance of the Gold rush. These paddle-wheelers made the 740 Km trip downstream to Dawson City in 36 hours which included one stop for wood. The return trip upstream took anywhere from four to five days and five to seven wood-stops. It is impressive to see one of them today, it must have been awe-inspiring in the days when a fleet of them weaved their way along the mighty Yukon river carrying passengers and supplies to the gold fields.