Along for the ride: The Klondike Hwy

After leaving Whitehorse we start towards the Klondike Hwy, but first we detour to Muktuk Adventures, run by Yukon Quest legend Frank Turner (three times retired) and his wife Anne. Although Frank no longer mushes competitively anymore, he still enjoys raising and training sled dogs. Sled dogs are bred much like sheep herding dogs, that is, they're not bred for show, but rather for doing the best job pulling sleds. Each sled dog breeder has his/her own mix that they like the best. Frank and Ann tend to like huskies mixed with labs for stamina, while others like to add in some greyhound for speed.

road into Muktuk Ranch

Peter meets one of the puppies

shown to us by a
German intern

A puppy mugging in the pen...

A black puppy gets interested in me

and starts licking my ear

so vigorously, he knocks me over
and then starts chomping on my hat

Ohhhh yes, we would like to take you home with us, but the Ratz would riot!

Please take me home with you... pleeeease.

After playing with the puppies, we look at the race sleds used to train the dogs

Sled shed

Peter tries out his mushing skills

We then wander around the to meet the other dogs by their houses. Since it's a warm day, they're not too active.

Sas looks like he could pull anything

Valec not so much.

What a handsome fellow

Humm - wonder how he got his name?

The 1000 mile Yukon Quest is not a dog sled race to be taken lightly, nor is it as commercialized as the better known Iditarod. It runs every February between Whitehorse and Fairbanks, alternating each year between the start and end points. Below are photos of the 20 Official Finishers from a previous year.

After having fun with the dogs and getting to meet Frank, who not only tells us more about the Yukon Quest, but also gives us some great travel tips, we head up the Klondike Hwy to Dawson.

We stop at Mom's Bakery for lunch

Trisha, aka Mom, brings our lunches

Peter wolfing down his buffalo chili


in Mom's garden patio - Now that's a Yukon sized bumble bee!

Although the history of the Yukon is fascinating, the scenery along the Klondike Hwy isn't as spectacular as others we have driven.

We stop for caffeine at Braeburn Lodge famous for their gigantic cinnamon buns. The lady behind the counter asks if we'd like to buy one. We jokingly tell her that they're not exactly on our diet and then ask her if anyone ever eats a whole one all at once. She says yes, but it's not the kind of person you'd think. It's the tall skinny cyclists that come in and devour them in one fell swoop.

Braeburn Lodge

Monster cinnamon buns

and their main customers.

The towns (loosely used term for small settlements) are few and far between. If fuel's running low, pray they have a gas station open with an operating credit card processor (no guarantees and carry cash). No David, there aren't any McDonalds to stop at so we can connect with WiFi.

Carmacks' tile welcome sign

Blue bridge over the Yukon at Pelly Crossing

We pass miles and miles of Boreal forest {yawn}. Yes, we know it's an important ecosystem.

Miles and miles of Boreal forest

as in real boring.

We amuse ourselves by passing 20 out of the 38 Airstreams
in a Wally Byam Caravan

After being shut out of the RV Park of our choice by the Airstream Caravan, we aren't sure if we'd find a decent place to camp. Then we stumble into one of the nicest campsites we've had ever right next to the creek in Tatchun Creek Yukon government campground. BTW, what the Yukon Government campgrounds may lack in services, they make up for in beautiful locations and cheap prices.