Friday June 25, Pioneer Campground, Whitehorse, YT

150 Miles

Back in civilisation today in the capital city of Yukon Territories, with a population of 25,000 people which swells dramatically in the summer months as the tourists pour in.

We had an easy drive into town this morning from our campsite. The highway just keeps on rolling through such breathtaking scenery, something we never tire of.

It was time to do some laundry so decided to book into a “proper” campground with laundry facilities. It was early afternoon and we were able to find a spot although some of the campgrounds were already fill. Organised a site then drove into town, deciding it was a good opportunity to go out for lunch. 

Whitehorse was a real gold rush city, being the starting point for those after their fortune in the Klondike. We lunched at a place that is the oldest operating building in town, The Klondike Rib and Salmon Barbecue. I had some smoked salmon and Ian had some haddock washed down with really good Yukon beer, very enjoyable, and didn’t need to cook dinner tonight…which is even better! A very pleasant few hours sitting outside in the sun watching the traffic…which we have to say is some of the craziest we have seen, sheer bedlam at times. They drive as though the roads were about to freeze over for another winter!

Called into the liquor store to get some beer, it would have to have been the biggest and busiest outlet we have ever been in….guess it was Friday night and they were stocking up, but it is just that sort of town.

The best thing tonight is the lack of mosquitoes, must say I am having to learn all sorts of strategies to survive as most places we have been staying at have quite a population. Have heard that eating bananas is not good…some say that the extra potassium is an attractant, maybe an old wives tale, but they are off my menu just in case. Also the Bounce drier sheets as supposed to act as a deterrent, so have been tucking one in my pocket, and hanging one at the door of the van. Make sure and keep mossie spray on and cover up as much as I can in the evenings. Mossies are just something you have to live with in this part of the country.

We leave Whitehorse in the morning and are heading north for about 300 miles to just before Dawson City, then we are driving the Dempster Highway to Inuvik in the Arctic Circle. It is a trip of 450 miles of unsealed highway each way. The scenery is supposed to be just amazing, pure wilderness. Everyone that has done the trip say it is one of the best they have done….so guess it just has to be done. We have filled some extra fuel containers and they are on the roof of Ruakiwi as well as plenty of supplies and water.

Not sure where the next wifi link will be so keep watching!