I love to walk, and since arriving in late September I’ve tried to get out and explore the town of Dawson (and environs) on foot as much as possible. Heading out my door and across Eighth Ave I can join up with the 9th Avenue Trail behind Robert Service’s cabin, which links up to theContinue reading “Dawson Walkabout”
Author Archives: dmcadmin
Northern Beards, Moustaches, and Movember
The Yukon has a long, distinguished history of bearded men. Images of hairy-faced fellas abound from the gold-rush era. There were many good reasons to grow a beard in those days: warmth, protection from the elements, plus it was a good place to stash gold nuggets… Flash-forward to the 1940s and well-coiffed moustaches were theContinue reading “Northern Beards, Moustaches, and Movember”
Doing the Mighty Sourtoe
Dawson may be known for the Klondike gold rush, Jack London, Robert Service, and Pierre Berton. But it has another claim to fame – the Sourtoe Cocktail – and last night I was inducted into the club as member #39600. After dinner at the Drunken Goat we ambled over to the Downtown Hotel, home ofContinue reading “Doing the Mighty Sourtoe”
Battening Down the Hatches at Bombay Peggy’s
When I first came to Dawson in late September and scoured the town for hangouts, Bombay Peggy’s floated to the top of the list. Don’t get me wrong, the Billy Goat, Downtown, Eldo and the Pit are fun, but Peggy and I became fast friends. Maybe it’s the sense of history, or the original artContinue reading “Battening Down the Hatches at Bombay Peggy’s”
Doing it All in Inuvik
Flying from Old Crow to Inuvik I managed to snag a window seat away from the wing, but it was an overcast day so I wasn’t able to glimpse the scenery below too often. When I did, somewhere over the border between the Yukon and the NWT, it looked pretty unforgiving and I couldn’t helpContinue reading “Doing it All in Inuvik”
A New Soul in Old Crow
On Wednesday, October 13th, after a day and a half to do laundry and regroup in Dawson, I repacked my bag and headed out. Destination: Old Crow, the Yukon’s only fly-in community. Old Crow is not a hub of tourism. The group of us staying at Patti and Kenny’s Ch’oo Deenjik Accommodations was pretty indicativeContinue reading “A New Soul in Old Crow”
Travels in the Borderlands
I left Whitehorse for Watson Lake on Sunday, October 3rd – a perfect fall day by any standard. Driving down the Alaska Highway with the sun on my face, rocking out to my mixed CDs (not many radio stations along this stretch of road), life was good. I was headed to WL for a fewContinue reading “Travels in the Borderlands”
Music of the Northland
Since coming to the Yukon I’ve been lucky to meet and hear some fantastic musicians. It may be a small territory population-wise, but it’s big on talent in this writer’s humble opinion. I met Gerald Edzerdza (on right) in Watson Lake when I interviewed him for my book on northern aviation. It turns out anotherContinue reading “Music of the Northland”
Shacking it Up at Berton House
Upon my arrival in Dawson I realized I didn’t actually have the address for Berton House handy. A quick tour of town would surely reveal it, I thought. First stop: front street. Looking out over the Yukon River I thought I spied a cozy cabin. Maybe this was it? But how to get to it….?Continue reading “Shacking it Up at Berton House”
First Days in Dawson
On a good day the drive between Whitehorse and Dawson is 6 hours. When you hit snow and ice… a little longer (there were a couple of cars still in the ditch from the snowstorm the day before). I strongly recommend stopping at the Braeburn Lodge to fortify yourself with a family-sized cinnamon bun. InContinue reading “First Days in Dawson”