In the footsteps of the gold-seekers

When gold was discovered in the Klondike (the name given to the whole area in Alaska AND the Yukon Territory of Canada where gold was unearthed in great quantities starting in 1896), thousands of people from around the world anxiously made their way to port cities like Skagway and Dyea (in Alaska) to start their climb northwards. That is, they had to carry 2,000 pounds (about 750 kilos) of equipment and supplies (mandated by the Canadian Mounted Police, who had put themselves in place to manage the mad-house and prevent death) over the mountains and then build a boat that would take them the rest of the way to Dawson City, the city that served as the supply base and stopping off point for prospectors.

These days, you can drive or take the scenic White Pass Railroad (which was completed 2 years after the big gold rush started) up to Dawson with your supplies and equipment. It’s a long drive, which we did in about 12 hours, but when you compare it to what those hearty souls did in 1898; we were in the lap of luxury.

Dawson is a fantastic place – dirt roads, restored gold-rush era buildings (lots of saloons!) and lovely setting along the mighty Yukon River and, on the day we were there, warm sun and blue skies. In fact, the sky was so clear, that Michiel got to experience his first true midnight sun. Driving into town at 8:00 pm, the sun was still so high in the sky that it felt more like 3:00 pm in the afternoon and at 11:30 pm, there was still plenty of ambient light. Of course, we haven’t even had the longest day of the year, yet.

We spent the evening enjoying excellent hospitality, good food and drink (Yukon Jack, a whiskey-based liqueur) and chatting with the new “Captain” in charge of the Sour Toe Cocktail. (This is a tale that Sheri has told before, so rather than repeat it here, we’ll refer you to the following website: http://www.donreddick.com/tr_27.html )