Yukon Chatter Bug

The sky was clear, the hot tub was ready, and we were out in the country. What more could one ask for? A meteor shower had been announced for last night, which prompted us to keep our eyes stuck on the sky. We didn’t see many shooting stars though, probably because we may have not been out during “peak time.” But the sky was so clear and starry, that I was mesmerized by the celestial scenery before me.

The only feature I could ever identify with certainty in the past was the Big Dipper. But looking up, way up, on such a clear night from the comfort of a hot tub, it was amazing to see the flickering lights before me. All of this prompted me search the Internet the moment I walked through the door. I got so excited that I ended up going outside with my laptop (a bit too bright even with the lowest brightness setting on my screen) to try and identify some of what was before me.

Looking southward, we saw Taurus, Orion, Pleiades, and most excitingly, Mars. I always knew that some of the brighter “stars” were planets, but I never knew which one, or whether it was just a very bright star. So when I discovered that what I thought might be a planet was actually Mars, I literally jumped for joy. I’ve never been so excited about astronomy before.

When I first spotted Pleiades, I found it too small to be the Little Dipper. It looked like a mini-dipper. Pleiades is also known as M45 or The Seven Sisters. It looks big on this photograph, but it’s a tiny little thing, relatively speaking of course.

Westward, we were able to identify Perseus and Cassiopeia.

The site I referred to for information about the skies was Sky and Telescope: The Essential Magazine of Astronomy, and it has an interactive sky chart. You enter your location, and there you have it. The nightsky as you see it. You can drag the picture in any direction, view it with or without lines and labels.

For the experienced skygazers out there, I’m sure none of this is news to you, but think back to the first time you actually “saw” a constellation in the sky. Remember the excitement of being able to identify something? Post a comment to let me know.

Hot tubs, clear nights, stars, January, the Great White North, and my hunny…What more can a girl want? Oh, and Yukon skies.

As a kid, I remember our teachers getting all sorts of gifts from students: chocolates, coffee cups, and cookies. These are the standards, and students in the Yukon are no different. Teachers get enough chocolate and cookies to feed the whole school. What’s different in the Yukon, however, are the unique gifts that can only be a standard north of 60.

Why am I writing about this? This month marks the end of my studies (a long four years), and to finish it off, I spent the last four months in a grade 4/5 class here in Whitehorse. So, this is the first time I’m in a classroom at Christmas being the one facing away from the blackboard.

Students and their families show much gratitude at this time of year. I received tasty gifts of cookies, chocolates, and candy. I also got a beautiful locally carved wooden oil lamp. Earrings, classroom supplies, coffee, and the list goes on. Wow, I couldn’t believe the generosity of these kids. I must say, though, that even though I didn’t expect all these beautiful gifts, I expected even less a gift of moose meat. Yes, you read it right: MOOSE MEAT!!! MMMmmmmmMMM. What a treat to be teaching in the north.

Weddings, trains, fishing, camping, honeymoon, trips, back to school, and the list of reasons why I haven’t been writing goes on. So, the next couple of posts will bring you up to speed regarding my summer.

After my wedding, I went to Skagway, AK with a friend, Deb, that was visiting from Ontario. I couldn’t count the number of times I’d been to Skagway, and Deb had already been, so we decided to check out the White Pass & Yukon Route (WP&YR), which was something new for both of us. The narrow-gauge railroad built during the 1898 Gold Rush takes visitors through the mountains with breathtaking views.

We did the summit route, which was pretty exciting. One nice thing about the trip is that it doesn’t matter which side of the train you sit on, because at the summit, they get people to flip their seats (to face the opposite direction) and then to switch sides. This way, everyone gets to sit on the scenic side of the train.

Unfortunately, many tourists have an inability to grasp simple directions. Either they just sit there looking confused while others stand and flip the seats, or they try to keep their seats, not wanting to switch. It wasn’t too much of a big deal since the train wasn’t full, but I can’t imagine what it would be like with a full load, as it is usually the case on Wednesdays. Other than this and the 15-year old (?) announcer who didn’t seem to know how to work the microphone, the ride was wonderful.

Here are a few pics:

We also visited the new Yukon Suspension Bridge, though technically it’s in B.C. Anyway, I felt it was definitely worth it. The people who work there were wonderful: very knowledgeable and friendly. There’s a neat relief map of the area, huge interpretive displays, and a nice gift store (not the tacky souvenir type).

(Photo added Aug 14, 2007)

For all those unmarried people out there wishing, someday, to plan a wedding: DON’T DO IT! Not the wedding, I mean, but the actual planning part! Dave and I finally tied the knot with zero-stress going into the planning. It was a small wedding, with a dozen or so guests who didn’t know they were coming until about a week beforehand. We hadn’t planned on having any guests at first, but at the last minute decided to invite a few friends to join us.When I say stress-free, I mean it. I actually flew into town the day before the wedding, which was a result of finally deciding on an actual date after having planned a trip to Ontario. We decided that getting married on summer solstice in the Yukon would be perfect. So, during my visit to Ontario, I did a bit of shopping and found a simple white cotton skirt with a white cross-over blouse. The only running around took place the day of the wedding:

• breakfast
• pressing our outfits
• washing the truck
• picking up flowers
• driving to the location for the ceremony
• Voilà!

Then, the ceremony took all of about 3.5 minutes, after which we had a toast with champagne, then made our way over to a nice little restaurant tucked away in the woods, (The Wolf’s Den) for some fondue. Perfect!

Since the wedding, I’ve spent more time Outside than in the Yukon, which partly explains why I haven’t been posting to my blog. Thanks for stickin’ around.

How I wish the world was filled with airline service that compares to that of Air North‘s. Whether you’re in the air, at the ticket counter, or on the telephone, the service provided by Air North is always outstanding. If you have a problem, a question, or a concern, it’s just a matter of picking up the phone and voilà! Whatever needs fixin’ gets fixed.

Before I go on, let me assure you that I have no affiliation with them or any of their employees.

Yesterday, I spent a good part of the afternoon trying to arrange travel to attend my brother’s wedding in northern Ontario. After trying to book the “other” airline’s portion of the flight online a couple of times and getting a message that, “Your request cannot be processed at this time. Please try again,” I decided to call their reservations centre. They would not (or in their words, could not) match the price I had on my screen, despite the fact that the online system wasn’t letting me book the darn thing. They even admitted that, yes, the online system at their end was down. The lower online price was due to my opting to travel without checked-in luggage.

While on the phone, their online system came up again, but of course, the price of the selected flights was now higher. I was in a catch-22 situation. If I booked through the web, I pay much more than my initial quote; if I stay on the phone and let them book it, they can’t give me the initial discount. Regardless of my choice, I was still paying more. GGggrrrr!!! In the end, I decided to book a different day altogether to avoid paying the higher cost.

Coming back to Air North’s service, according to the reservations page on their site, they will do their best to match other prices, and they came through for me. I could go on and on about many instances where they came through, but I think what sums it up is that they have common sense! The people who work there have common sense! How’s that for a first in customer service? If you have a request or a concern, ask yourself if it’s reasonable or if the issue is a matter of common sense. If the answer to either question is yes, then it’s a matter of making one phone call and, voilà, everything’s taken care of.

Please feel free to post your comments about your positive experiences with Air North, because as far as I’m concerned, they deserve it!

First, it was Joe’s Free Pour.* That was the one place that any Cheechako* had to be initiated to upon arrival in Whitehorse.

“It’s the first time I’ve been served a see-through Ceasar!” I exclaimed when my aunt and uncle took me there for the first time.

I don’t drink beer or hard liquor, and the place didn’t sell wine. It was an old-fashioned bar with good old-fashioned service, no frills attached. Walking into that place was like stepping back in time, both in decor and in atmosphere. The live entertainment consisted of good conversation with old Yukoners, friends, and, of course, Joe, who is a friend of my uncle’s.

If a good blues’ band is what you were after, it was a matter of walking a few blocks south, down to what the locals still call “The Taku” (the current name being The Discovery Bar). Another landmark in Whitehorse, apparently they’re closing their doors in a year’s time. There’s talk that the whole place is being purchased by a well-known group (who already own half of Main Street) and the building will be converted into offices, and who knows what will be on the first floor, but it definitely won’t be the pub.

These last couple of years, however, my visits to The Taku tended to be at the hour of the after-work crowd. The only entertainment was either chatting with some of the regulars, people-watching, and meeting people during the terrorist tourist season. I love the small pub feel of the place; it’s the only bar in town like it.

That leaves the downtown core with four bars that I can think of. One is a “joint” that, though busy, has, shall we say, a reputation. The other two are half the size of a football field each; no small pub atmosphere there. And that leaves the Gold Rush. Yup, fairly small, but that building, too, has been recently purchased by yet another local corporation. Will they keep it going? Probably. Will it be the same? Who knows! Oh, I almost forgot about the Roadhouse. Boy, has that place changed and for the better! (Nice outdoor patio, good food!) Hhmm… I wonder where the Taku regulars will end up going.

It’s funny how things change; in the case of local bars, most of the changes have been positive. My aunt and uncle talk about the old days when people could literally (and legally) walk from one bar to the next, drink in hand, then stumble into their car and drive home at the end of the night. Thank goodness we don’t see that anymore. But seeing more little spots that are congregating points for old (and new) Yukoners closing their doors one after the other is another thing. Because of archaic laws, no small business person can open a little pub because you have to have x number of rooms attached to the place. That leaves the door open to huge chains of hotels to set up shop. I’m not against free enterprise, but it wouldn’t surprise me of one or two of these eventually replaces the small individually owned places, making Whitehorse look more and more like any other city. We’re already seeing this in other sectors – just look to your right next time you drive up Two Mile Hill. Now, that I have a problem with!

(*Note: Hyperlinks added April 3rd, 2007)

Okay, I know I’ve made my opinion clear about the CWG hiring of outside musicians, but after a conversation about this with an acquaintance, I realized there was an aspect that I hadn’t considered. First, let me say that after seeing the entertainment during the games at the ATCO tent and the First Nations tent, there was no shortage of local talent. My hats off to organizers!

Second, the final concert was for the volunteers, and most of these volunteers are locals. So, it only makes sense to bring a Canadian band from outside the Yukon. Why? Because most people in town have already seen all the local talent. Not that local musicians aren’t good enough; local groups really are a treat. However, it seems to make more sense to bring in someone new, a group that we normally wouldn’t have the privilege of seeing in the Yukon. Most bands that do come up are 80s bands that are “has beens,” as a friend of mine put it. That said, the choice of bringing in Great Big Sea was an excellent one.

Yes, I was there, and it was a blast! I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people assembled in one place in Whitehorse. I do think that there should be a universal rule, though, where tall people must stand at the back (sorry guys)! I had a perfect view until a couple of tall fellows weasled their way in front of me. Still, it didn’t ruin the fun. I had a great time.

Another nice aspect of the concert was that it was dry, which allowed younger ones to take part in the event. One air cadet that I know of, Braiden, put in more hours than most volunteers. He did an outstanding job at medal presentations, and it would’ve been a shame had he not been able to attend his very first concert as part of a thanks to him and other volunteers.

Now that Whitehorse has hosted an event on such a scale (the Games and the concert), I wonder what will come next.

Sunlight is flowing in from the windowpane in front of me, illuminating the tiny dust particles that flitter and flutter in its path. They glisten like magic dust from a storybook fairy as they flicker about. On the thick wooden windowsill stand three small antique-looking picture frames next to a curled bamboo stick, its green stalk curling upward toward a fountain of green leaves.

One portrait is of my beautiful sister with her hazel eyes and extra-long trademark eyelashes. Her perfectly styled auburn hair frames her smiling face. Looking at it reminds me of home and memories only sisters can share. The second snapshot is one that makes me grin every time I glance at it. It is of my eager-to-please five-year-old dog, Smidgen. Her huge black paws are over the top of a rust-coloured wooden picket fence. Her tongue hangs from her mouth while her chocolate-brown eyes stare out from the darkness of her fur as if to say, “Will you come and play with me?”

Finally, the last photograph, the one closest to me, is of my beau, my soul mate, the love of my life, Dave. His 6’6” frame seems tiny compared to the Yukon scenery before him; valley and mountains dwarf him. His elbow resting on his bent knee, he gives off an air of contentment with his hiker’s hat and boots. Behind these photos, gazing out my own window, a large flat field of mixed grasses extends beyond me, making its way to snow-covered mountains in the distance.

A simple wooden desk, placed at an angle to the window, serves as a writing surface in moments of enlightenment or work. A practical office chair tucked neatly beside it allows me to peer out the window while working away. In the small space between the other side of the desk and the window is a stuffed black Ikea chair with a matching ottoman. This area is reserved for reading, reflection, and relaxation. The chair sits close enough to the old wooden desk that I can reach for a pen in the green marble holder if I feel the need to jot something down.

While reading or writing next to the window, I can hear the crackling of the fire nearby, filling the air with warmth. This cozy nook is open to the rest of the second floor of this spectacular log home. The fireplace is smack in the middle, with the stone chimney extending below to the kitchen and above to the rooftop. The thick wooden floorboards feel solid underneath my feet. The log walls around me remind me of old totem poles lying on their side, waiting for the master carver to work his magic.

Dreaming of a log home tucked away in the wilderness of the Yukon as I sit here, sipping on a cup of steaming coffee. The scent of spring is in the air with a bright blue sky above. I look forward to spring and summer with their long sunlit days, but I also enjoy the cosiness of winter days. Bundled up and cuddled up with a good read on a Sunday morning.

We finally got our favourite sporting event in: short-track speed skating relay race. We got there about 45 minutes early, were told at the information kiosk that they still hadn’t finished the previous races, and then there would be a 15-minute break before the relay would start on time at 4:50. We went upstairs to find a seat and realized that the relay races were just getting underway. Well, at least we did get to see them; thank goodness we were early.

Quebec took the gold, Ontario the silver, and New Brunswick the bronze for both male and female races.

After these races, I went down to see the performers in the tents on Second Avenue, and it was all free! The smaller tent held performances from First Nations people all over the north for the Gathering of Northern Nations. A real treat were the Deh Cho Drummers from NWT. In fact, they were so good that I returned later in the evening to see them perform again in the Atco tent. There were also throat singers and our very own Tlingit dancers from Teslin. Between performances, I enjoyed browsing the tables filled with beautiful moccasins, beadwork, and tools made by First Nations elders and others.

Another treat in the evening at the Atco tent was a performance by Serena Ryder. What a powerful voice this woman has. I truly felt that the events and displays in the two tents were the hightlights of the Games, and they appeared to be well organized to boot! Here are some pictures:

My partner came across this hilarious picture from The Onion, a satirical newspaper/website.

After the end of the Yukon Quest, some mushers will be heading to Anchorage for the start of the Iditarod on March 3rd. Sled dogs don’t look like what most people imagine, though they also don’t resemble anything in the above picture.

My posting’s title is from the book Ellen Degeneres: My Point…And I Do Have One.