Breath taking

The clouds were laying low here in Dawson City yesterday so I gambled that I could get above them if I went to explore The Top of the World Highway that runs from Dawson City to Alaska. The border is closed for the season and I heard there was lots of fresh snow on the road, but what the hell. The whole idea of this trip is an adventure.

The road starts on the other side of the Yukon River and a free car ferry runs back and forth, until winter and river freezes over.

Couple of things I didn’t realize – there are family farms across the river just upstream from Dawson and there is also a small gold course as you start the climb after the ferry. By the ferry landing on the far side is a campground and a graveyard for old beached paddle wheelers. There were many, many such boats during and after the gold rush going from Whitehorse all the way down the river to the Bering Sea. When I was here 45 years ago with Dad you could climb around the beached boats and explore. The huge paddle was largely intact on a couple of the boats. Not anymore. Just piles of bleached lumber. Sad to see.

I wasn’t sure how long the Top of the World is and there were no signs, so it was a leap of faith. The road’s name arises from it being built along the tops of mountains and ridges, literally top of the world. Most of the drive was at or just above tree level. Lots of snow and mud, but all the truck traffic generated by all the mines along the route meant it was passable.

I thought there were be some good shots of the fall colours below, but I was wrong. What I wasn’t prepared for was the stunning panorama view of the Ogilivie Mountain Range that is north east of Dawson. Stopped multiple times just to look in awe. My route north to Inuvik and then Tuktoyuktuk will take me up and through that range of mountains.

So, about that planned trip north to Tuk. It all depends on how fast the territorial highway department can clear the multiple slides that blocked the only road out of town, just outside of town. Not only cannot I not leave town, I can’t get to the start of the Dempster Highway that ends at Tuktoyuktuk and the Arctic Ocean. The major rains the other night brought a bit of havoc. Fortunately nobody hurt but it’s the talk of the town. Fingers crossed at least one lane will be open for when I hope to leave Monday.

If my sense of adventure holds, I will do the Sourdough Cocktail tonight. I was Screeched In and kissed the cod on the east coast in Newfoundland, so maybe this is something I need to do. Iconic Canadian traditions are weird.

And one more, just because I can and it was such an amazing view.