Day 8 - September 2, 2026

We spent the day touring around Dawson City. Easy right? I mean how long can it take to drive around 20 blocks. Longer than you might think. Our first stop was the Visitor Centre. From there we drove down Front Street for a few photos (one of the ferry we take to the “top of the World Highway” on Saturday), then a quick bite. We had purchased a couple tours from the Visitor Centre and the first was the Palace Theatre.  I will preface this story with this. Dawson City might be the biggest rags to riches to rags story in history. It went from not existing in 1896 to almost 30,000 people in 1900 then almost wiped out by 1920. Today there are about 1,800 residents. The building run from new, (made to look old) to old (late 1890s to early 1900s) and well maintained to destroyed. The Palace Theatre was built and run by a wild west performer from the Buffalo Bill Cody troupe. It was built in 1898 and was done by 1905. In that time, he made millions. One of the leading ladies is said to have made up to $700 a night over an 8-month contract.  In today’s money that’s… are you ready… over SIX MILLION DOLLARS! Verna was on stage and I a star is born!

Next was a stop at the cabin of Robert W. service where we were treated to a wonderful account of his life and several readings of his poetry, including “The Cremation of Sam McGee”. His life is a fascinating story.

Next up to Midnight Dome which is an overlook that looks down on Dawson City and the Yukon River. Stunning. We waited for sunset before calling it a day.

Day 9 - September 3, 2026

The first and last couple are from Dawson City. BTW, I neglected to mention that the streets here are not paved.  They are well packed, but in rain they are quite slick. Second shot is the same spot, overlooking the town and river, as the sunset shots from yesterday, only at sunrise today.

After that we headed up the Dempster Highway. We went 220 kms, passing through the Tombstone Territorial Park. While we considered going all the way to the Arctic Circle, we decided against it.  Today was a 10-hour day as it was. The Arctic Circle would have made it 16+. Too much for an old guy. Anyway, the Dempster was not what I expected. I expected flat, tundra and muskeg. Nope.  Breathtakingly beautiful.  Since adjectives are not sufficient, I will let the photos speak. But remember, photos are never nearly as good as the real thing.

Day 10 - September 4, 2026

Again, the morning was rainy, but the weather improved as the day went along. We toured the SS Keno a stern wheeler used to transport people, goods and mail on Yukon rivers. Not exactly the Oasis of the Seas...but in 1904 it was classy.  Across the street is the Flora Dora Hotel. Quite the history as well. Yes, it is what it looks like. A brothel.

Next up, Dredge #4.  This was fascinating. Basically, it is a giant (I mean giant) gold pan. But while a gold pan is about 10% efficient, this monster was over 90%. It dug down through permafrost to bedrock, scooped up tons of rock and dirt, ran it through various separation systems and poured the leftover out the back. It took 17 years to dig through from the highway to its current location. A 12-minute drive today. The guides who do these tours are very good. There is obviously so much more to the stories than I can recite here.

To finish the day, we went to the place where the original discovery of gold happened in 1896 (red chairs). Then off to pan for gold ourselves. We got so much I needed to beef up the springs in the Honda, so we decided to throw it all back!

Day 11 - September 5, 2026

NOTE: Due to technical issues (no internet in Tok, AK.) I am a day behind posting these.

We say goodbye to Dawson City today and head to Tok, Alaska over the “Top of the World Highway”. The day starts in fog and cloud with a short ferry ride across the Yukon River. Amazingly, we are not at a high elevation (max, just about 1,300 M) but we were above the clouds in no time.  The road reminds me a bit of the Blue Ridge Mountain parkway in Virginia in that you drive along a crest with stunning views on both sides.

The valleys, the mountains, the changing light conditions (as the skies slowly cleared) and the amazing contrasting colours.  Yellows, many shades of greens, whites, blues and of course, reds. This all adds up to too many pictures but, I couldn’t not take them, and I couldn’t pare them down anymore.

We had a flock of White Winged Crossbills visit, we stopped at Chicken, Alaska, and ended up in a cute log cabin in Tok.

Day 12 - September 6, 2026

Tok, Alaska to Haines Junction, Yukon. Again, the day started off very foggy but cleared up nicely.  Just more boring scenery pictures (the scenery is not boring, it’s gorgeous!). The Fireweed is very red and everywhere.

And then this happened.  Photos 17 through 23. A very large Mama Grizzly and two cubs came out of the bush. I stopped, they went behind the car, crossed the road and into the forest on the other side. They were in no hurry, didn’t pay any attention to us and slowly disappeared. The highway was busier than we have seen but at this moment we were the only vehicle there. I turned on the hazards but not another vehicle saw them.

Then on past Kluane lake, more scenery and we are here at Haines Junction. The bears had our hearts going! Tomorrow we are off to Skagway, AK.

Day 13 - September 7, 2026

A beautiful drive to Skagway today. The first picture is of a bridge built in 1903 by Sam McGee (yes, that Sam McGee of the poem “The Cremation of Sam McGee) and it is still standing! A few shots of the scenery then the Carcross Desert and the town of Carcross. Here I got a couple shots of a “Canadian” Bald Eagle. Then off to Skagway. Very rugged and very beautiful. I was extremely fortunate to get a few of a White Pass and Yukon Railway train over a trestle over a waterfall on the other side of the valley. I got a similar shot when I was here in 2010. What are the odds?

Skagway is driven by the cruise lines. Today there were four ships in port, and I estimate over 10,000 people descend on a town of about 1,300 residents.  This happens every day over the summer. As a result, the “main” street and the side streets are just shop after shop of jewelry, art, souvenirs and restaurants.  And loads of people. After a great dinner we went to the Skagway Lookout which overlooks the town.  On the way down we saw a Stellar’s Jay.  Beautiful birds.

Day 14 - September 8, 2026

Today was out longest drive of the trip, from Skagway, AK to Dease Lake, BC. So, only a few photos. A waterfall, a gorgeous “Canadian” Bald Eagle then a few scenery shots.