Dawson City, YT

Today, August 5th is a bitter sweet day leaving Alaska. I had such an amazing time here! It's time to head over the Top of the World Highway into Dawson City, Yukon. This highway is not for the faint of heart, which is why I decided against going to Eagle, AK to the north of Chicken. That road is even worse.

It's a gorgeous drive, the first 43 miles from Chicken to the Canadian border is all dusty dirt road, steep, windey, narrow hairpin turns and guard rails are unheard of.

The shoulders are soft, especially on a rainy day. Many rigs have gone over steep enbankments. The latest being Friday. A Class A towing a car pulled over a bit too far and went over the edge. By the grace of God, it was stopped by a tree. It had been raining that day as evidenced by the mud halfway up the side of the fifth wheel of the man telling me about it at the Chicken Creek Cafe. He had just come from Dawson City and passed it.

The second half, 108 miles from the border crossing to Dawson City was supposedly "paved". However, I found it in worse condition than the dirt road. It just meant the pot holes were deeper and hit harder and the washboard sections on both sides of the road rattled my teeth and rig apart. At one point, I was so exasperated I just stopped my rig in the middle of the road and took this picture. (Not to worry, not many cars were traveling it ;) I was beginning to ask myself why I was!

But then, when I could take my eyes off the potholes and enjoy all the beauty I was reminded why I did :) I was above the tree line several times.

There was a pull off on the Canadian side telling about the highway. I was glad for a break. I also lost an hour at the border. The Yukon is on Pacific time.

I finally got to the end. But before you reach Dawson City, you have to take the George Black Ferry across the Yukon River.

Here we go! :)

Dawson City is a quaint little town all about the Gold Rush Era too.

Paddlewheel boats are plentiful here.

I missed the show and casino at Diamond Tooth Gerties. It is only open in the evenings. But looks like a fun place to visit :)

I ran into my friends Nan & Tina again. We were staying at the same park in town within walking distance to tour the town. They had came over yesterday and witnessed the final results of the retrieval of the Class A and toad. Both windshields were cracked and no doubt other damage. Can't imagine how they even pulled it back up onto the road. Just hope nobody was hurt.

Now, I'll gradually make my way back down the Alaskan and Cassier Highways to the Canadian Rockies to visit Jasper and Banff National Parks before heading back into Texas.