Whitehorse - We interrupt this vacation for a vacation!!

Today we left the Northwest Territories to fly back, first to Dawson City and finally back to Whitehorse.  We chose to fly back. The Dempster Highway was a bucket list item to drive, and we were very satisfied to have made the journey north, but we really didn't want to spend another 3 or 4 days driving back, so we said goodbye to our Jeep and flew back today.

I will say that we have been impressed with Air North Airlines, which is owned by indigenous people here in the north. The service was great, food / snacks and beverages were provided on every flight which we didn't expect based on how Westjet and Air Canada are currently operating.  This is a great airline to use if you are travelling to the north.

We flew back to Whitehorse and met a couple from Switzerland who are travelling around the world for 3.5 months. They are heading to Dawson City tomorrow and wanted to try the Dempster, but not all of the way.  We suggested heading up for about 100 Km to the Tombstone Visitor Center. I believe they will do this as a day trip while they are in Dawson. They will then travel the Top of the World road which leaves Dawson and travels to Alaska.  It too is a dirt road, a bit rougher than the Dempster but everyone says the scenery on this road is even better than we have seen.

Now back in Whitehorse, we returned to what has become our favourite restaurant here called Klondike Rib and Salmon. They serve a great variety of northern food. Tonight we tried sticky balls, meatballs made from Elk, Bison and Wild Boar.  Barb then had Bangers and Mash and the sausages were made of YBAR (Yukon born and raised) Elk and Caribou, while I had a Bison Steak. Guess who we met there, the same Swiss couple so we shared a table with them during dinner. Part of travelling is the different people you meet.

Our waitress who served us here a few days ago, came up to us and said welcome back!!!  I must have made an impression after drinking 1/2 litre of wine that evening.  It was a difficult walk home that night so I was much better behaved tonight.

Afterwards we took our final walk around Whitehorse and came across these wonderful murals on the downtown buildings.

There was a bus that crashed in town today. Nobody was hurt except the light stand at the corner of the intersection. But we thought we would take this picture for our firefighter friend back home.

So what is next you ask?  We are taking two days off, after driving 1785 Km in total, we are now travelling to Haines Junction tomorrow to a place called Yukon Lakes Cabins. I wanted to spend a couple of days in the mountains where Barb and I could just sit and relax before our next leg of this trip. Originally we were set to go to Mount Logan Lodge in the same area but they had a small fire in one of their cabins which has caused them to close temporarily.  They notified our travel agent and we got a call two days ago in Inuvik with this news.  We were given several options and chose Yukon Lakes Cabins.  However we have been told there is no internet or cell service at this new location, AND no alcohol for sale so we had to do a bit of grocery shopping today.  

The hotel next door does offsite alcohol sales you just walk up to the window and make your selection.

So we will have to take a break from updating this blog until we return and travel back to Edmonton in a few days.  

Of course we will have lots more pictures and stories to update when we return on Monday.