Overlooking the Pelly River and Pelly Crossing:
We stopped and ate lunch at Gravel Lake and then stopped to see Tintina Trench. According to The Milepost, this geologic feature, which extends hundreds of miles across Yukon and Alaska, is the largest fault in North America and one of two major bird migration corridors in Yukon.
Tintina Trench and Ogilvie Mountains:
We all had dinner at the Dawson Daily Diner which is next door to the RV park. The people who had the chicken and/or ribs had a good dinner; however, I'd ordered the Pepper Steak and it was tough as nails.
On Sunday, Bill, Gisela, Earl, and I started our tour of Dawson City by going to the top of the Dome, a hill overlooking the city perched on the banks of the Yukon River.
Yukon River:
Dawson City:
We then went by Jack London's cabin and the Jack London Interpretive Centre next door. The museum has a collection of photos tracing London's journey to the Klondike during the Gold Rush. We stayed to listen to a man give a talk about London and his days in Dawson City.
Originally, Jack London's cabin was located on the North Fort of Henderson Creek, south of Dawson City. The cabin was abandoned after the gold rush and re-discovered by trappers in 1936 who noted London's signature on the back wall. Two replicas were made from the original logs -- one is at the interpretive site we visited and the other is at Jack London Square in Oakland, California.
After seeing London's cabin, we walk a few short blocks to see Robert Service's cabin. We were too early to hear anyone speak about Service who was known as the "Bard of the Klondike."
Jack London's cabin:
Robert Service's cabin:
We had lunch downtown at the River West Cappuccino and Bistro and then walked around town going into several shops and buying souvenirs. Most of the buildings in town are either original or replicas of buildings from the Gold Rush days.
Quilt in the Visitor's Center:
Downtown Dawson City:
The Bunkhouse:
In the evening, we all had dinner at Klondike Kate's where we had excellent food. After dinner, we went to the Gaslight Follies at the Palace Grand Theatre where we watched a funny play.
Palace Grand Theatre:
The cast:
On Monday, Bill, Gisela, Earl, and I drove about 57 miles up the Dempster Highway. Someone had told us that the first 50 miles of the Dempster was a good road (it's gravel) and had great scenery. He wasn't lying -- the scenery was absolutely awesome, some of the most beautiful we've seen so far.
Ogilvie Mountains & Klondike River:
More views of the Ogilvie Mountains:
Note that, in the left-hand picture, the white on the river is not the reflection of the sun, but, rather, ice sheets which have not yet melted. They were quite thick.
Tombstone Mountain
(needle-like peak at center of picture)
Coming back, we got a rock ding on our windshield from a passing freight truck that was really hauling *$$ down the road. Fortunately, we were able to get it repaired at a reasonable price when we got back into town.
"Shrimpy Trees"
(Black Spruce)
In the evening, we went back downtown and spent an enjoyable hour listening to Tom Byrne tell about the life of Robert Service and recite some of his poetry, including The Cremation of Sam McGee. Afterward, we went to Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall for drinks and their show. During one of the numbers, the "girls" came down into the audience and picked several men to do a skit with them. One of the men they chose was Kirk...we had lots of fun watching him up on the stage making a fool of himself along with the other three men!
The gambling hall:
Diamond Tooth Gertie:
The show:
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