7/6/19 - Day 8 - The Klondike Highway

Our first stop today was in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Most of those seeking their fortune during the Klondike gold rush of 1897-98 passed through this town  on their way to the gold fields surrounding Dawson City. This is one stop that Pat's grandfather, John Wood, and grandmother, Mary Mitchell, had to pass through as they separately worked their way to Dawson. Of course we took a few photos of Pat at the intersection of Wood and Main :-)

Our next stop of the day was at the Montague Roadhouse. This site has the remains of the original buildings which would provide lodging and food for those going by stagecoach from Whitehorse to Dawson. We were surprised that the logs hadn't been peeled before building the structures... maybe they didn't have time?  You can still see the mud chinking in places between the logs.

The last stop before making camp today was at the Tage Cho Hundan interpretive center at Carmacks. The girl working there was very informative and friendly.  She told us a number of stories about the artifacts they house there. I am always fascinated with the intricate beading that many first nations use in their regalia. I have just tried it a little and know that it requires patience and skill! One of their displays was of slippers (moccasins, mucklucks) made by a number of the elders who had passed. The girl told us that one of the ladies was 92 and still making her intricately beaded slippers in only three days! She also told us of their family tree that connects back to George Caracks. He is the person who found substantial gold on Bonanza Creek  in 1896 which started the whole Klondike gold rush.
10 PM and the sun is still up, a bright'
orange ball due to the forest fires.

         Its pretty smoky in the area due to forest fires up near Dawson. We've asked some park rangers and they said there is no threat to the town, the fires are way out in the bush. So tomorrow's goal is to reach Dawson City.



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