Skagway to Haines Ferry ride

 Our trip this pass week was a Ferry ride from Skagway to Haines Alaska. As I wrote earlier, our plan in 2015 was to go from Haines to Skagway. That ferry trip was cancelled, was do to issues with the larger ferry boat. 

Well this time we got it off out bucket list, except going the opposite way. As the adventure closed out on Skagway we spend the day hiking and walking the town.

So, what Susan and I did was capture some video moments entering and exiting the ferry. Enjoy.

Oh wait, you want more info on Skagway? Like were we stayed and what there is to do? There are alot of side trips you can do, train ride, Walk the Chilkoot Pass or the White Pass Trail

Quote - 

“Whichever trail you took you wish you had taken the other.”
- Tappan Adney, Journalist, writing about 1897 in The Klondike Stampede, 1900.

Skagway and Dyea are two important entry points into the interior of Canada because of their location at the end of the Inside Passage. When the first gold prospectors arrived at the end of the Lynn Canal in 1897 they had to make a decision. They could choose the 45 mile White Pass Trail out of Skagway or the 33 mile Chilkoot Trail out of Dyea. The two trails end at the shores of Lake Bennett in the Yukon Territory at the headwaters of the Yukon River. Both trails are ice free and low in elevation making them the most practical way to cross over the Coastal Mountains into the interior of Canada. The White Pass Trail lacked the steep slopes of the Chilkoot, but it was 10 miles longer and had its own obstacles. The trail became clogged with mud during the wet fall months of 1897, making it impassable at some spots.

“There ain’t no choice, one's hell and the other damnation.”
-Martha Ferguson McKeown, The Trail Lead North: Mont Hawthorne’s Story, 1948.

Only the ones on the Journeys will come.

Susan's View on Going on

Dale's view of entering the ferry

Not to worry we will do a wrap up of Haines later, enjoy the videos

Sake Travels and Journeys

Susan, Dakota, Tilly and Me

DaGirls Rv AkA Gus

P.S. 

Dry Camping      14

Nights Total        32

Average Nightly Rate        $14.27

Total Cost Rates $482.00

 

Word is out -

Well the secret is out. We are on our way to Skagway, Ak. Yes, Susan scored us a ferry ride from Skagway to Haines. We tried this in 2015, however the ferry, required maintenance and our ride was cancelled. This time all the stars fell into line. In the mean time, when we left Whitehorse, we needed a place to stay instead of coming right into Skagway.

The place we choose was Conrad Campground.

Conrad Campground is a campground in the Yukon Territory, Canada. It's located on the shores of Tagish Lake, about 9.5 miles out of Carcross on the road to Skagway Alaska.

The campground has 29 campsites, including two pull-throughs. It also has a kitchen shelter with a fire stove, pit toilets, picnic tables, and a playground.

As you can see Dakota love this place. One trip to the beach, and each time she came out, she headed back down the road to the beach. Along with the beach, there are 2 hikes which are easy, to take.

Safe Travels and Journeys

Susan, Dakota, Tilly and me

DaGirls Rv AkA Gus

Play Catch Up

 June 27, we arrived in Whitehorse on the 25 of June. Plan, we have no real plan. We arrived at the Pioneer Rv Park & Campground. Plan, laundry, clean up vehicles, windshields and visit the area and dinner. 

We were only able to get 1 night FHU, and would have to check back at 10am on Tuesday, to see about staying anther night. We were not worried, as they have an upper level with electric & water, also an overflow. Plus there is also a dump, which is available and easy to get to. So, there you have it, a plan.

The population is around 25k, small compared to Anchorage which is closed to 300k. Whitehorse still has that small town feel, while providing all the services you require. 

We headed to down town for walks and to check out the area. I was amazed at the amount of people in town. One of the biggest draw is the Yukon river in the center of town. 

Just a few photos of the area. As you read below, if you think there is nothing todo, then you are not looking.

Unique things to see and do.

A big draw is the Whitehorse Rapids Fishway (aka Fish-Ladder). 

Come down and see the  S.S. Klondike

Walk the paved path along the Yukon river, the Millennium Trail

MacBride Museum 

Take a drive out to Miles Canyon, once a treacherous stretch of water which foiled many a prospectors’ dream of reaching Dawson City back in the Gold Rush. It’s the most photographed spot in the Yukon and was formed by a lava vent that happened 8.5 million years ago.

Try your hand in Glassblowing at the Glassblowing shop to have an intro to the art. 

 In Whitehorse there are cafes, galleries and shops selling locally made products in among the charming colorful buildings. You can spend the afternoon shopping in Whitehorse to stock up on tasty, beautiful goodies. 

For those of you who bring bicycles,  get up in the mountains and there are miles of biking trails. 

 If you want to know more about the wildlife of Whitehorse then the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre is a great place to explore.

Now for those of you who like hot pools, don't forget to pack your swimwear, Packing your swim ware might not be at the top of your Yukon list, but make sure you do otherwise you’ll miss out on Takhini Hot Pools!

The pools are located just on the outskirts of Whitehorse.

Finally there is the Yukon Wildlife Preserve.

For those of you who think there is nothing here, well you can see, you can spend a week here and still not see or do everything Whitehorse has to offer you.

Dinner was done in town at the Miner's Daughter/Dirty Northern restaurant.

Susan and I shared the bison burger and fries - needless to say excellent, and done to Susan liking. I did happen to find a small restaurant online. When we come back we are going to locate and try it out.

Restaurant Guide 

“Welcome to my humble habanero”, so said the sign above the door. Inside it was all colorful tablecloths, yellow walls and jolly Mexican music in the background. 

Remember when I said we have no real plan, and that everything is very fluid. Well stay tune for the next installment of DaGirls Blog. We have a plan, and a big change in direction. 

Team DaGirls are ready to take snap shots 

Daddy

Momma

Baby

Safe Travels and Journeys 

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

DaGirls Rv AkA Gus

Roads & Driving

 So, what are the road conditions. Well, first of all, lot of the highways is chip seal process. This is the least expensive of the 2, and will last the same as asphalt. 

But, it creates dust and bumpy roads. Other highways are a mixer of other types. So, what can you do to ensure a safe journeys.

Most of it is just common sense that's it's. Other is looking ahead, seeing what the vehicle in front of you is doing. 

Watch for the road signs, as is the most common way to avoid issues. Don't be afraid of using the opposite lane are even splitting the 2 lanes. Especially since you are alone on the road.

Now what are some of the other things you can do. The biggest is just slow down. When we came into Iskut, which is 210 from Watson Lake (end), and 250 miles from Kitwanga (start). Susan had been driving. She started the drive in the morning from Meziadin Provincial park. The images below are from that section of highway north of Iskut. Don't be afraid to drive less then 40mph or even less then 20mph, due to road conditions. 

Now along with roads - are some of the rest stops, especially along the Cassiar Hwy. Be prepared to pull over. Relax and even spend the night. Don't be worried about spending the night, many people do it and some even enjoy it.

Last but not least is, when you get behind someone, pay attention to what they do. As you can see in the video.

Finally, go online, and check road conditions, download the apps and even use Facebook groups.

Safe Travels and Journeys

Susan, Dakota, Tilly and me

Daygirls Rv AkA Gus

Question Asked

 Ok, so where did we leave off. Right a question was asked. How do you know if a bear poops in the wood. 

Do you know the answer? Don't worry yourself about it, because Susan and I found it for you. But first  a word from out sponsor:

And now for the answer you have been waiting for

And there you have it.

Safe Travels and Journey's Especially to Carol and David Welling, as they are selling their Alfa and moving into a Park Model

Susan, Dakota, Tilly and me