17SEP2014
Dawson City, Yukon to Skagway, Alaska (700km)
Leaving Dawson City in the morning for Whitehorse. It was a day in the saddle, driving thought the endless seeming forests of Yukon. Miles Miles Miles. However indian summer, every now and then a river crossing and a sunny day. Arriving in Whitehorse, which is what I call a hub city with a major hospital, schools, supermarkets and supply of all you need, I decided to keep going to Skagway.
The highway from Whitehorse to Skagway is the beautiful so-called Klondike Highway. Nice curves and good driving. To arrive to Skagway a pass need to be taken that goes through the mountains. Nice scenery. However, temperature fell to 6°C on the summit, but then down to the Skagway (in sea level was pure pleasure). Blue air, blue rocks, glaciers on far distance, no-one near and far, just me and the bike humming. Great !
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Skagway belongs to Alaska and an other border crossing need ed to be done. Meanwhile the 7th time I crossed borders between Canada and USA (it will be 11 times at the end), however they do not stamp the passport.
Found a super nice hotel, spent the evening in a nice bar, and had fun. The entire place should shut down the season by end of the week, so basically every thing was on sale, and the drinks have been reasonably cheap.
Skagway is famous for the cruise ships and very touristic, however has a lot of history to tell. But this to discover the next day, only.
18SEP2014
Skagway, Alaska to Rancheria, Yukon (at the Alaska Highway) (400km)
I woke up early in the morning, because I wanted to do the White Pass & Yukon Route railway. This is a historical train starting with two diesel engines at 0 meters and climbing the mountains to 873 meters within 30-40 minutes. the railway was built to access the Yukon from the sea for minerals and gold. Only in four years it was don (1896-1900) and all year long, even in Winter at -40°C they have been digging this iron railway. The story-teller shows us the old and still visible walkway for those who could not afford to buy a ticket at the time.
Very nice experience and an other view on the valley that I came in the night before. Slow curves, tunnels, bridges, just a nice morning to be spent. The Engines have been working hard, the scenery was awesome, and the breaks after did their job.
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Did a little souvenir shopping, gave some wifes a headache talking to their husbands about my tour who wanted to start immediately (almost with me).
By noon I left for as far as I can get. At Rancheria (a petrol station with few buildings and some beds was where I stopped). I asked the old mate at the petrol station where is the next one and where to sleep. He said, well, its 6:30pm, you better stay, because the next petrol station will be closed for today before you get there. The price for the room and the fresh made pasta have been other arguments to stay.
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Behind the petrol station was the house owned lake, where the Moose should take a bathe in the morning. It came out they shower instead.
19SEP2014
Rancheria, Yukon, to Stewart, British-Columbia (730km)
It was rain predicted. Worse than expected. Since I went to bed early, i had a look out at 7am, and it was raining cats and dogs. 8am the same. Packed motorcycle in the rain at 9am and looked at the sky. Didnt look good. So I said to myself if I start now in the rain or after a coffee with the old mate would not make any difference. This took longer than expected. 10:15am I came out and the rain stopped. INCREDIBLE !!!
Old mate, can’t believe its opening up, hurry up !
Off I went and from 9 hours driving to Steward I had 7 hours dry from the top, however wet on the bottom. Wherever i went the road was wet. Lucky punch, or just blessed.
I enjoyed the Cassiar Highway. A little bumpy but lots of curves, lakes, forests. No one near and far, except a couple from “Allgäu” Southern Bavaria also with a Camper licensed in Germany. Met them days later again on the way back from the Salmon Glacier.
I Loved the ride. Yellow leaves dancing in my rear mirror. Speeding a little. and a mystic last 100km approaching Stweard. Glaciers close and far, incredible light through the clouds. Wunderbar !!!
20SEP2014
Steward British Columbia, a day rest.
It was raining all day, Internet was bad, so I slept a lot. I met a german fellow who came to Canada 40 years ago. I was at his home for better internet but didn’t work out. Had very good talks together and he invited me for dinner. Thank you Eike.
21SEP2014
Stewart, british-Columbia to Burns Lake, British Columbia (470km)
A few miles behind the Stewart is the Salmon Glacier. Actually the reason to come to Steward was the Salmon Glacier. You could tour it by Helicopter, but also drive up there on a gravel road. Nice glacier and I took nice pictures.
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Beside I went on that road to see what else to discover. I turned around after some miles when the Buddy crossed my way and asked for a picture too. While having my camera in the hand I did not get the attention that my motorcycle lost balance and I had to choose what to let down; camera or motorcycle. I decided for motorcycle.
At home I bet with Andreas, that I will not let down my bike. Actually I wasnt, since I was at zero speed. His opinion was different, of course …
I learned that I should never stop at the edge of the street. Since if I would have stopped 30cm more to the right I would have let my motorcycle a 50 meters down the hill, into the rocks and woods.