Back Into Canada ......... Part One

Time to cross the border and head back through Canada. We decided to travel the Top of the World Highway and cross over at the most northern border crossing in the Americas. The road was a mix of gravel and seal but the views from the ridge tops as we travelled to the border were amazing. We could see for miles down gullies and river valleys. Again more forest fires were visible in the distance. This whole area has a rich mining history and the small town of Chicken was no exception. Very quirky and a great place to stop for a sandwich. We met a couple of Alaskan guys who were interested in what we had been up to and they themselves were heading to Dawson City for a weekend of bike riding. We met them again later just before the border at a closed down gas station. By now we were getting to know them quite well. They told us that they had to stop before the border and hide their handguns under rocks and stumps as Canada does not have the same gun laws as the US, its something all the locals do. Soon we were invited up to a rock quarry to try our hand at hitting a few targets.

Out comes the pistol and it turned out to be a short barrel 357 magnum, not a small pistol by any means. With six rounds in the cylinder away we went and boy was this little shortie loud. Annette had the biggest smile I have seen on anyone for a while. Her response, “Boy, I like guns.” There’s something there deep down inside and now I’m worried.

Soon we were over the border and taking the ferry across the Yukon into Dawson City. An old gold mining town from the late 1800s, still with it’s main street intact as it was back then. Its also the town where Jack London and Robert Service lived and wrote many of their famous books.

From Dawson City it was back to Whitehorse and then onto Watson Lake and it’s famous Sign Forest. First started by a soldier during the construction of the Alaskan Highway. Interesting to see in the original photo that there must have been a Kiwi there somewhere and also the Dark Side is now a global phenomena. Our accommodation that night was in the Air Force Lodge, a 1942 bunk house.

Next day we entered the Rockies for the first time and the wildlife started to make a presence again. Huge granite mountains and fast flowing rivers made for a great days riding.

Fairview was the last stop and here we caught up with Nigel and Judy for a few days. Nigel was an old friend and flatmate from my Lincoln University days, so we have had a great time catching up and being shown around the farming district they live in. A days jet boating on the Peace River spotting wild animals was a highlight. Many thanks guys. Make sure you come over our way sometime soon so we can return the hospitality.

I don’t think we could match the fluffy lamb sale or the tasty moose dinner, but we could impress with a Jimmie’s Pie or two and I will make sure that we have a tin or two of tongue in the cupboard.