Sunday, August 31, 2014

FALL HAS ARRIVED IN THE YUKON

I believe it was in the upper 30's when we got up this morning, and was just a bit over 40 when we left.  The fall chill is definitely in the air.  We spent the night in Tok, and had a rough night.  A circuit must have blown in our room, and Ernie's breathing machine didn't run.  Neither of us slept after 2 am, him because he didn't have his machine, me because he would drop off to sleep, snore, wake up, thrash around, and drop off and snore again, etc, etc, etc.  We are both tired and a bit short tonight.

 Over 200 hundred of the miles we drove today were frost heaves and construction.  This is definitely the worst stretch of road on the whole highway.
We stopped for gas at the Alaska/Yukon border station, and there he was.....Okay, ready?  All together now.  "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary, over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore.........Quoth the raven,  "nevermore." "
Yes, the Yukon is larger than life.  It is a huge, sparsely populated, wild, beautiful province, and I love it!
Don''t love the construction, though.
It is a way of life up here, I guess!
There is color in the hills.
There is new snow on the top of the hills.
The flats were all yellow mixed in the green spruce.
And this was probably the most beautiful spot of the day.  Lake Kluane with the bright yellow, gold and orange along the shore.
Do you see the two bikers along the right side?  I think these were just day riders, but we have seen many riders who are obviously doing the whole highway.  They are loaded down with gear and are very slim and trim and are peddling up and down the hills like no body's business.
Another pretty spot of bright yellow in the midst of the green spruce.
And then comes the weird display in Haines Junction.  Animals of the Yukon are seemingly jumping out of a cone of cement.  This is the 10th time I've seen it, and I still fail to understand!
More frost heaves close to Whitehorse.  And rain.  And clouds.
And here I am, cooking supper in the alley behind the hotel.  Chicken and potatoes and carrots.  And I am pooped.  With no sleep last night, I think my hot shower in about 7 minutes is going to knock me out! 

Tomorrow is our longest mileage day....over 600 miles.  See you then!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

That sculpture is an old native american warning. It means, "hey you dumb tourists, beware of animals jumping out at you on the highway!!"

Lisa said...

So at least you have the camera ready to shoot all those pictures. I am so impressed you two travel so well together. I'm nervous to see how Scott and I do for our WEEK together......ugh!

Jeanne said...

I've never heard of "frost heaves" so had to go look that one up. I bet that does tend to slow you down! Amazing the difference in the scenery in just a couple of weeks isn't it! Love the look of FALL!!

Debbie said...

Remember the frost heaves from Maine...oh my

The photo of Lake Kluane practically lept off the page when I scrolled down. Gorgeous!

Hope 600 miles goes fast for ya'll!

StitchinByTheLake said...

I hope it looks like that when we get to the Rockies in a couple of weeks. :) blessings, marlene