Saturday night: Since I had a hard time pulling myself out of Dawson City, I made myself pay for it on the road. Ive made it all the way to Pelly Crossing. A very kind First Nations man and his wife who I met the night before, invited me to stay with them. They fed me and let me take a hot shower! So kind! Friday night: Friday Departing Dawson City was like having a Velcro experience! I really didnt want to leave! It is probably the most charming towns I have ever been to. It feels like you are back in the 1880s, but with a very new age attitude. The streets are not paved and the sidewalks are all wooden. But its not that cheesy recreated old west feel. There is such an honesty and realness about the town. It is very organic! It actually reminds me of what Aspen or Telluride felt like back in the 1960s. The people are a real mix. There is a very artsy vibe! To begin with they have a visual arts school. They also have a film festival! And the cutest log cabin, but with touches of high tech lighting and vivid paint colors coffee shop. In the bathroom the hot and cold plastic water lines are blue and red and artistically come down the log wall. The metal electrical cables are supported by copper clamps. The proprietor, Frenchman, former jet propulsion engineer thought out all of the details in a very creative way and this creative detail carries its way right into the food! It is amazing! And then this morning, as I was boarding the quaint little ferry, to get from my camp site into Dawson City, I meet a wonderful gal, Wendy and her two sled dogs. Wendy owns a beautiful B&B and Pub. Wendy converted an old brothel into a gem of a place! It is so elegant and charming....mixing hints of the past with incredible bold stroked oil paintings of a local fur trapper, turned successful artist! Wendy said something that I really liked! She said, Even though Dawson City is remote, the world comes to Dawson City! I normally try and get on my bike by 8 or 9. I didnt pull out of Dawson City until high noon! My peddle strokes felt heavy leaving all of that charm behind. I will be back Dawson City! Even though I had to pull myself away to hit a road that doesnt see much civilization for 4 days, I was still able to manage getting 55 miles behind me today. I am camped by a small flowing river. It will sooth me to sleep. Good night for the middle of somewhere in the Larger than Life Yukon! RANDOM donnie NOTES The drivers in the Northwest Territories get way over into the next Lane when passing a cyclists...very considerate! I find I get ADD on my bike when Ive been on it all day. I get anxious, but cant get off my bike. Riding through the Yukon reminds me of when the space shuttle would re enter earths atmosphere and and there is always that period of a communication black-out. The Yukon you can ride for days before you can find wifi. My bike is holding up remarkably well! Keith had 2 flats to this point, Ive had none...due to better road conditions and better rubber tires.
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 07:14:27 +0000