Day 8

June 8, 2017

Whitehorse temps: 31/9 C

A wholesome gourmet breakfast of wonderfully fluffy scrambled eggs, toast with locally made spruce tip jam, and a seasoned poached pear awaited us on this particular morning.

Sign at Hidden Valley B&B: tasty food, local ingredients. © Dan Silas 2017

With a leisurely paced day in store, I hung around and plucked out a few fingerstyle tunes on one of the living room guitars while my wife had a shower. The old acoustic axe sounded surprisingly good given its appearance. Before I knew it, one of the resident hounds joined me on the couch and promptly fell asleep. Innkeeper Tara Steigenberger gazed upon the scene with surprise, remarking that the this particular she-dog didn’t like men (score one for me).

Serenading the hound that apparently doesn't like men. © Laura Dyck 2017

This being our second last day in Whitehorse, we chose to explore a few shops inadequately enjoyed when we first arrived.

We once again took advantage of Art in the Park and enjoyed the West Dawson Ramblers. I later learned that lead singer and guitar player Kevin Barr has some history as a politician. Later I had a nice chat with the mandolin player Marc Ladouceur who promptly invited me to the Yukon Bluegrass Festival at Haines Junction on the weekend. I’ve been part of a number of bands over the decades, including a long stretch with a Manitoba based bluegrass band, so Marc’s invitation spoke to my soul while the cold beer he offered me if I showed up spoke to my thirst on this 30 degree Celsius weekend. Sadly, we had other plans - and a schedule that required us to be on a plane back to the Prairies by noon on the Saturday of the festival.

West Dawson Ramblers perform at Art in the Park © Dan Silas 2017

Lunch involved some excellent chicken thigh thingies I don’t recall the name of with dipping sauces from the Garlic A GoGo Greek food truck nearby. Yum!

Next stop was the Arts Underground where we enjoyed more local artists’ work - and met yet another Winnipegger minding the shop. Without exception, everyone we met in the Yukon was friendly, hospitable, and helpful.

The sun was bright and the temps were hot as we passed a sign that beckoned us in for cool refreshments. How can you not check out a place called The Dirty Northern Bastard? After enjoying a Happy Hour discounted refreshment, my wife opted to check out a few more shops. I was done-in, so I hung out in the park next door to the White Pass Yukon Route rail station reflecting on the past nine days and jotting down some notes.

Dirty Northern Bastard © Dan Silas 2017

Supper took us to Epic Pizza in the Riverdale subdivision, where we’d read that a well known local folk performer would lead patrons into an open mic night. For whatever reason he didn’t show, so the hosts started the open mic. I can tell you that Kris Kristofferson covers are alive and well in Whitehorse. The Epic’s claim to fame is “the best thin crust pizza in town.” Even an after-the-fact review of their menu could not break loose any recollections of what we had, but it was delicious.

The next day - our last in the Yukon - called for a road trip to Kluane National Park and Reserve, so we turned in early to rest up.