New Traditions

We've decided to start a new tradition and travel to Canada every year for Canada Day, on July 1st, and then work our way home on July 4th. Well, at least it seems like a tradition since we've done this twice now.

This year we decided to travel from Fairbanks to Whitehorse, Canada. It's about a 1200 mile round trip. We set off right after work on a Friday afternoon and came back home on the 4th of July. Kind of fun celebrating two holidays during one trip! On both trips to Canada - or the Yukon - we've had fantastic weather! Hard to beat a vacation like that. We checked out all the campgrounds along that stretch of the Alaska Highway , fishing spots, hiking spots, lakes for canoeing, kid friendly areas, and most importantly - future adventures. So, if you go that way - give as call!

Our first stop was at Moon Lake, just outside Tok, Alaska. In the morning, the kids found a friend to play with, Sophia from Switzerland. They had a blast playing in the dirt and throwing sticks and rocks into the lake. The parents all watched in awe as the kids played despite the language barriers....don't you wish we could all get along so well in the world?


Not long after Moon Lake, we crossed the border and we were in Canada. Crossing was very fun - really! They gave the kids little Canadian flags and pins for Canada Day! We didn't get anything when we crossed the US border on the 4th of July - not even a "Happy 4th of July" greeting! Geez.....


After a night at Kluane Lake, we headed to the visitor center near the lake and got maple leaf tattoos. Also, we got to look for sheep through the spotting scope and check out future hiking adventures!

Canada Day!

Kluane Lake

We eventually made it to Whitehorse and hooked up with an old college roommate, Norm. We see Norm and his wife, BJ, every once in a great while. BJ is a singer and last year they came to Fairbanks for a concert. Our visit and call to them on Canada Day was quite a surprise! We celebrated with Norm in the campground :-).

Norm

Then spent the next day at the Beringia Museum. Now, that is a museum for everyone. Check out these prehistoric creatures....they really were real animals!!

Giant Beaver - YIKES!!

Wholly Mammoth

Short-faced Bear (bigger than a Polar Bear)

And, the scariest of all in my mind...the Giant Sloth!! I hope it does eat only plants!!

Saiga Antelope - they are still around in Siberia.

Scimitar (Saber-tooth) Cat

Another fun thing at the museum was shooting prehistoric weapons at targets out back. Here is Landon and Brad trying out a spear. These weapons are based on artifacts that they have found in the area during recent archeology digs. I think on our next trip, we are going to have take our friends and anthropologists, Jeff and Julie, with us!! It would be more interesting having our own guide :)

Riding a baby wholly.

More fun things to do in Whitehorse - visit the playground and ride the local trolley. Both kids got to blow the whistle and toot the horn. Such fun!!

Sadly, we need to head back towards Alaska and home. We discovered a beautiful lake near Haines Junction, Kathleen Lake. We spent almost the whole day at the lake fishing and just being....




...it was hard to get back in the truck and face the rough road and traffic along the Alaska Highway.


Once we crossed the border (and didn't get any fun 4th of July pins or flags) - we stopped at "Deadman Lake" in the Tetlin Refuge. I was a little weary of this (and so was Landon) but it was a beautiful day and we had a great paddle around the lake while fishing for Northern Pike.




All in all it was a good way to celebrate the 4th and a good way to end our new tradition.