MORE WHITEHORSE, YUKON TERRITORY

July 17th, A nice easy day is in store for us. The weather today and tomorrow is suppose to be near perfect--comfortable days and cool nights. We are on our own to tour the Klondike and roam around the area on our own until we meet at 8 to go to the Frantic Follies at 8. YAY! Stu and Bev had a terrible thing happen to their 5th wheeler. The tow company had the truck up on the dolly and a hitch for the 5th wheeler. However, as they drove off, Stu and Bev who where in our WM's truck, saw the 5th wheel drop. It was not attached securely to the hitch. This resulted in the jacks getting jammed up inside the fifth wheel and multiple cracks in the under-carriage. They were able to tow it on to Whitehorse and Stu, along with all the other guys in our group worked on it most of yesterday and this morning, but all is well. The jacks are fixed, his truck is back with the clutch repaired ($1900.00) and the cracks are semi-repaired enough till he gets back home to Iowa. Whew! I will say this, the mechanics in this area sure do work in a hurry to accommodate travelers. We are so glad the Blythes can continue with us. Three or four had the glass man come to repair their car and RV windshields. Everyone was bragging on Denny's cover. One guy tried to copy but didn't have near the right equipment. Here's hoping it continues to hold out.

Anyway, we left around 11 with Dave and Maddie and toured the Klondike. We ran in to Jim and Betty (TG's) and a Parc Canada employee gave us a tour after a short film on its history. It was the flagship paddle steamboat at the time and served to deliver both goods and passengers between Whitehorse and Dawson City on the Yukon. By the way, we saw the headwaters of the Yukon before entering Whitehorse yesterday. Pretty insignificant looking considering how long and mighty it becomes- but I digress. After the Klondike, we went into town which is quite a metropolis for this area. They have a population of 15,000. Quite a bit larger than the other town we have been thru that averaged around 800 to 1000. Our Parc Canada tour guide recommended the Klondike Rib and Salmon restaurant and boy was it good. We ran into several of our group there. Each couple ordered one fish and chips to split. The fish was halibut, so the order was huge. It melted in your mouth. Two got bumbleberry pie (rhubarb, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries combined) and we got the brownie. They served huge portions with ice cream and Denny was a happy man.

We were so full we drove back to the RV to do some catch up washing and maintenance, but mainly to nap. At 8 we car-pooled to the Frantic Follies, which was back in town. A very corny but funny throwback to Vaudeville with a tribute to Robert Service, who was the bard of the Yukon. Everyone enjoyed it very much. When we came out of the theatre, it was 10:30 and still broad daylight. Back at the RV, we pulled the old blackout curtains and slept soundly.

July 18th, Today is a free day. After sleeping until 7:20 in our cave like bedroom, Rudy and I reluctantly got up. I don't know when I have slept this late. Several in the group took an optional river float, but we chose to just hang out here and in town. I washed again and then we took off back to town for lunch at the same place we ate yesterday. This time I had ribs that looked like baby-backs and Denny had the halibut fish sandwich. We shared an enormous piece of bread pudding with ice cream and caramel icing. Our WM and TG's walked in and ate with us. We had a lot of fun. Pretty soon, about 6 couples in our group showed up. We all recognize a good thing when we eat it :-) We left to walk around town where I purchased a couple of books and we went in the cutest corner grocery store. It looked so small on the outside but was really well-stocked on the inside. Back at the RV-washing my last load, straightening up and finishing this blog. I need to print some pictures -I hope I stay in the mood to do so. I know I will take Rudy for a long walk in a few minutes. Denny bathed him last night and he looks so cute. When I say everyone has fallen in love with him, I am not just bragging. As soon as we walk outside with him, several come out to see him. He is really learning to be sociable. There are 4 other dogs in our group, but none as cute as Rudy. Well, I am signing off until Dawson City. We have our drivers meeting at 7. Dawson City is our last stop in the Yukon and Canada before the Top of the World Highway. That drive is very anticipated and dreaded at the same time.