27/08/2009 - Tayler - / Top of the World Highway
to get from Alaska to Dawson City, there is only one way - the Taylor / Top of the World Highway. The road runs largely above the tree line along a ridge with spectacular views over the uninhabited land and the colorful tundra. There is no settlement, no gas station or service station - the last frontier station on the American side is abandoned for some years. As beautiful as the route and the views were so disastrous was the state of the roads to the last 70 kilometers to the Canadian border. This rough dirt road one should drive only if you have full confidence in his vehicle. We needed for the 70 kilometers Gravel Road (gravel road) almost 3 hours and have each suffered sharp stone with the tires, drive through every bump in walking speed. Without a hitch, tire damage, falling rocks, we arrived at the lonely, only open in summer border station. Our confidence in the reliability of the hobby and the Ford Transit continued to rise. Many local motor home rental ban travel along this road and pass many Canadian and American motor home arrived with damage in Dawson. We also had some luck, because a stone chip on the windshield can happen anywhere, as we have learned a short time later.
The border crossing was totally fine, we were not even asked for "contraband". The 5 liter Merlot, which we bought in Alaska, would have been in Canada more than twice as expensive.
went on a Gravel Road is much better then on the Canadian side down towards Dawson City.
28.09.09 - Dawson City
Our ideas of Dawson City were heavily influenced by Jack London's tales of the Klondike Gold Rush on. Located far up in the cold North Dawson City was at that time almost unattainable. Unlike today, after the comfortable Fährüberquerung the Yukon River, we rolled with our hobby over the historic Front Street. Here on the banks of the Yukon River in the spring of 1898 landed the first soldiers of fortune, who had their luggage with the arduous walk from Skagway (Alaska) made it over the Chilkoot Pass to Lake Bennett. Everyone had a one-year supply of food and the associated equipment, together about 700 kilograms show, to the Canadian border to happen allowed. Up to 20 times had the Chilkoot Pass in snow and ice to be conquered - 30,000 men and some women overcame this ordeal, which continued in the Yukon. The White Horse Rapids and the Five Finger Rapids for many, this brought out their dreams. Many are now very few. Dawson City was not only established himself as a supply base and capital of the Yukon but also offered all the opportunities that few washed gold - often in just one night - to spend again. At Diamond Tooth Gertie's Gambling Hall, we felt in the stylish ambience with a can-can show at this time back. Unlike today, then all profits from the gambling hall and the show will go to the Klondike Visitors Association, and so were my playful $ 5 to charity.
In the City many of the old buildings are lovingly restored or left in its original condition. We ran down sidewalks made of wood planks, looked at historically decorated shop windows and felt like in a museum, which is inhabited and enlivened.
From Midnight Cathedral, a vantage point had about 600 feet above the town a great panoramic view of Dawson City, Yukon and the zerpflügte of prospectors landscape. Not insignificant proportion of this was gold dredge # 4, the largest gold dredge with wooden hulls, who until 1966. Today he can, as after the last restoration of basic received gold dredge be seen inside and out. After three eventful days we left Dawson City.
01.09.09 - White Horse
The Klondike Highway connects Dawson City to Whitehorse. He is well developed and almost no traffic. We drove leisurely enjoying the autumn scenery. On the one short gravel section came to meet us one of the few vehicles and hurled a volley of Split on our front window - Score: 3 stone chips. In Whitehorse we had to remove the front wheel and Ford have set the same track, because a front left tire was one side something more. Then there
refueling, shopping ... and again the question of where and to where. Opposite us Jo is Bentfeld, a German emigrant who is in Canada has become a hermit and lived for 10 years in the wilderness alone. Books, lectures and a film-ARD have made him known. I had read two books during the preparation for our trip and could really talk shop with him.
A man is just as extraordinary Gitta, who we met on the same day. Gitta traveled in an old VW bus through North America. Together with her dog Mex she was already almost a year on the road and still not tired of traveling. They repaired their bus better than many a man has impressed us with their courage and zest for life.
The next morning we said goodbye to Gitta Mex and took off and in opposite directions. Gitta north and we continue towards Vancouver.
06.09.09 - 'can be in Hyder bears and the salmon fishing' We were in Bear Country
writes our travel guide and other passengers reported that "must see". It is close to our route and fit into our schedule. "Well, then - after Hyder" We drove the Alaska Highway to Watson Lake and from there via the Cassiar Highway to Stewart / Hyder. Already on the way we were able to watch three bears. Twice cute little black bear and then the highlight of the day - a full-grown grizzly bear. He stood beside the road, feast on young branches and was disturbed by us in any way. Three times I've started the car and went back a few feet, because the grizzly the branches next to the best camper ever tasted. In the shelter of the car, his finger on the button of the window regulator, it was all very critical and yet we had heart palpitations and a great respect for the fastest animal in North America. Get out we would have dared in this situation, never, by the way, it is also prohibited. Up to 800 kilograms and erect up to 3 feet tall can be a grizzly. Should he attack, which happens very rarely, however, a person has absolutely no chance. Also swim away run away, or a tree climbing is not a solution - all can be a Grizzly better than humans.
After 20 minutes of grizzly bear had enough of us or its fresh branches and trotted slowly towards the woods. We knew at that time was not sure what critical situation we are experiencing in Hyder.
between Stewart and Hyder runs the Canadian-American border and it is probably the only U.S. border crossing, where there are no passport controls. You drive just over to Alaska - will then, if by land further. Hyder is accessible only by Steward. Main attractions are the surrounding glaciers and the Fish Creek, a salmon river, where you brown and grizzly bears can watch the salmon catch and eat. It was specially built a viewing platform and ranchers protect everything. "Because nothing can happen," reassured the Park rancher some tourists, announcing also the most likely time for the bear dinner. "The have everything under control" I said to Peter, actually a little disappointed about the increasing commercialization - namely admission it cost too. We went to the most remote and tranquil park to use the time and the nice weather until the evening. Two chairs and table were quick to set up our camp before the hobby, coffee and biscuits were available and we spent a sunny afternoon. We had just everything put away and wanted to start running when we heard a noise behind us. We could not believe our eyes and were pale in less than 5 feet away next to us was a full-grown grizzly bear. The pulse was up to his neck and our knees were shaking. What now? Theoretically, we knew everything - but in such a situation ... Slowly we walked back to the car and thus out of sight of the bear. Who took care of absolutely not about us, the smells on the camper for him were much more interesting. Wages of fear and with trembling hands I could take a snapshot before the grizzly lumbered down the embankment to the river and all along the brook ran until he was at the viewing platform for photo opportunity of the many tourists.
Petra had always wanted so much to bear watching closely. This desire was more than come true.
08.09.09 - About Smithers to Vancouver
stood in our Calendar on the 14.09.2009: 'Catherine arrived in Vancouver. " Our daughter will travel with us 3 weeks by Canada and we have to be on time at the airport. On the way to Vancouver, we visited Petra and Mario, the two German emigrants, which we know in Mackenzie have learned. They were very happy about our visit. With a hearty BBQ we had time too many of our questions about it and we have some experience of Canada and life here. The next morning we were having a real Canadian breakfast of fried ham, eggs and pancakes (pancakes) with Mapple syrup (maple syrup) spoiled. Each request was read to us from the eyes and we spent two wonderful days in Smithers. Too bad that the goodbye is so hard sometimes, like we would have stayed another day. On our way to Vancouver, we were lucky every night from a beautiful parking lot on a lake or even on Indian land. Slowly we have the right look for it. Just in time we stood at the airport in Vancouver and have our daughter in my arms.
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