Yukon Quest 2009

Thanks to everyone who has been checking this blog to see what I will present next. I was away for two weeks and now that I am back, I will endeavour to publish at least once a week with some new activity or entertainment from the north. This week to begin, I have some photos of the Yukon Quest 2009.
Thanks to a co-worker, I am able to publish some photos of the start of the Yukon Quest 2009. This photo was taken right outside the hotel where I work. As you can see, those dogs sure enjoy their work. Of course, these dogs love to run and during the Quest, they get a real good chance to do just that - RUN! 1000 miles of running is ahead of them! Some of them will not make it to the end of the race as pulled muscles and sore feet are often a reason for them to be taken out of the race. But the race carries on! Google "Yukon Quest 2009" and you can learn more. The race is now half over and some of the mushers have dropped out. Some new mushers are making their bid for top honours. Lance MacKay, the winner of both the Quest and the Ididorod last year decided to not run in the Quest this year to better concentrate on the running of the Ididorod. Instead his brother, Jason, is running his first Quest this year.


While I was away on holiday, I went to the Vancouver Aquarium and had the opportunity to see the new beluga calf and her mother. They are sure beautiful and graceful swimming around the tank at the aquarium.


I have this next picture of the resident sea otter as he is cleaning himself. He's a cute little guy who seems to enjoy entertaining the aquarium guests. I'll say goodbye for now and be back soon. Check often as I try to entertain and inform.

H-3

Well it's only 3 days now until I leave on my holiday. The weather has been windy but has warmed up considerably. It is now + 5 outside and the snow is melting at a prodigious rate. The city workers are plowing snow here in Whitehorse and soon the streets will all be clear of snow. The forecast is for some rain and that will clear the snow even faster.
Today as I was editing my Yukon photographs, I discovered this one of a place called "The Bennett Ranch". It shows some of the beauty of the Yukon that we, as Yukoners, get to see most everyday. When I first arrived here in '98, I was impressed by the continual displays which we often take for granted. This vista was one I discovered by stopping at a rest area on the road to Carcross. There are many places as beautiful to discover if one just takes the time to LOOK at their surroundings. I will be adding different locations in upcoming blogs for those of you who are interested in such things.

I've added this photograph of a rest area on the final approach on Robert Service Way to show another angle of Whitehorse. If you LOOK closely to the right of the sign, you can see the M.V. Klondike paddle wheeler, one of the ships plying their trade on the river in earlier years, serving the needs of the early settlers.
Please let me know through your comments what you might like to see here in future blogs and what you might have enjoyed in current blogs.
God bless and have a good day!

"H-5"

Hi! again...I decided a countdown was in order! 5 days to go before I leave on holidays! I leave on Monday, Jan. 19th, for a 2 week vacation. It's been a long time coming but worth the wait.
Now that the weather in the Yukon has started to warm up, I'm leaving for warmer climates, to Vancouver and Abbotsford to visit family and meet new grandchildren. It will probably be -25 again when I return, lol.
I promised some photos of Yukon artists' works and I am showing two photos of each artist tonight.

This first photo is one of Lisa Secord's landscapes of a local scene here in the Yukon. Lisa has been painting for a long while and has created some amazing art work.

These next two pieces are by a new artist named Andrea. She is being encouraged to extend herself in her artwork and as you can see has a great imagination. Both of her new pieces have the same theme, yet show some diversity.











This next exhibit is one of Lisa's penguin series. A little different than some of the others in the series, it shows the community of these lovable creatures.
I only have limited time to photograph these paintings, some have picked up too much lighting from my camera. Next time I'll do better!

Frosty Friday

This photo of Main Street at 8 am is typical of -40 degrees with an ice fog. The day started off at -40 and ended at -37. A great day to be in the Yukon! It's going to warm up tomorrow, all the way up to -33. Ah! Isn't life grand!
Now that the New Year is here, it's time for a vacation, not to get away from the cold like a snowbird, but rather to visit family I haven't yet met. I am really looking forward to seeing and meeting my grandchildren, two of which were not even born when I was last at their home. So I'll have some pictures to post when I get back from holidaying. Well good bye for now. God Bless and have a great day.

New Year Already

New Years morning and all's quiet here in Whitehorse.
All the town looks like a ghost town and this relic of the Yukon's past sits in the ice fog and snow along the river bank of the Yukon River. The M.V. Klondike sits on the shoreline along Robert Service Way and is open to visitors in the summer. This boat, along with many sister ships, sailed along the waterways of the Yukon long before my time. Here in the Yukon, I'm still a Chechako, a new comer. Maybe after I'm here for about fifty years, I might just become a regular Yukoner. I wish all of my family could experience the fullness of the Yukon during their lifetime. They're still young yet, 6 months to 39 years, but maybe in their lifetime they will get the urge to go north and see the land of the goldminers of the '98 goldrush. Of course it'll never be quite the same with all our modern conveniences, but they will experience the land.
Happy New Year Everyone!

Happy Holidays

Happy holiday greetings to all!
It's been a long while since updating my blog but I'm back and hope to continue on a fairly regular basis. I know I said that the last time but I really will try this time!
This photo was taken on Christmas Eve and shows the beauty of our winter at Rotary Park in Whitehorse. We have had many snowfalls, but the snow has not paralized our community. The accompanying cold weather just seems to make people more aware of the fact that it is WINTER here.
Now I have mentioned in a previous blog that I would also be showing some local artwork in my blog, so I have added a photo from an artist called Ron Lang. He has just recently started painting and has sold some of his work, but mostly just gives it away as gifts. Perhaps there will be more on the market for sale, but not too soon as he is still working on gifts for his family. No name on this one yet.
The night is drawing to a close and I must finish my nightly duties. To close my blog tonight I am adding a photo of a small tree in our downtown area just to show a tiny piece of God's creation. I will be taking more pictures this winter so there will be lots to post about, The Yukon Quest, Winter Rendezvous, the 600 km Endurance Footrace through the wilderness and other seasonal events such as the Tok, Alaska to Dawson City, Yukon Snowmobile Race.
Visitors to the Yukon for any of these events are strongly urged to reserve early as these events draw many people from around the world. Mushers and mushing enthusiasts fill the town and Yukoners from all the towns and villages around come to Whitehorse for Rendezvous to participate or encourage the participants. A great time and experience for all. Until next time, God Bless.

A New Day

Hi! folks!



I'm glad to see that someone is interested in my little site. 1 comment so far. Thanks.



Well It is now June and I realize that twice again I have forgotten two very important dates- My son's anniversary, and My grandson's birthday, - SORRY Dan and Jenny, and SORRY Josh for not remembering your special day's. It's too bad we live so far apart or else we'd be able to connect much better.

Hey! the weather has been super fine and spring is progressing beautifully. My partner, Isabel, is eagerly looking forward to picking those wild strawberries and raspberries as they appear on the landscape. There's nothing as good as homemade wildberry jam and jellies.

This is just a short note to let folks know that I'm still around and looking forward to the birth of the next grandchild here in Whitehorse.



Good day to all!