Since leaving Whitehorse we’ve been spending time at the lakes.
Our first stop was Kathleen Lake which is about 115 mi Northwest of Whitehorse
and 16 miles south of Haines Junction which we covered
and 16 miles south of Haines Junction which we covered
in our last post.
It was a surprising bonus that I had internet there.
It was a surprising bonus that I had internet there.
The downside was that I did not get to take a couple of well deserved days off from work.
Maybe down the road.
Below is the view from the my bedroom window on our final morning in Kluane NP.
The rising sun painted the clouds and snow-covered peaks with a fiery glow
and again these photos cannot do the scene justice.
and again these photos cannot do the scene justice.
We had a leisurely departure that morning as our next stop was only 80 miles or so
down the road so I took advantage of my internet connection to finish up
on some last minute work requests before heading out around 11am.
If I was forced to choose I might say that the drive from Haines Jct to Kluane Lake
and beyond is one of the prettiest parts of the AH.
and beyond is one of the prettiest parts of the AH.
Paralleling the St Elias Mountains which have the highest peaks in Canada its a beautiful drive
and then later beyond Kluane the broad valleys, majestic mountains and long range views
continue - even as the road condition deteriorates.
and then later beyond Kluane the broad valleys, majestic mountains and long range views
continue - even as the road condition deteriorates.
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
The clouds paint a dramatic backdrop on the road between Haines Jct and Kluane Lake.
Our next stop was beautiful Kluane Lake - the largest in the Yukon.
We had stopped here last trip at the Congdon Creek Yukon Govt Campground
and we wanted to come back and spend more time.
and we wanted to come back and spend more time.
There was also a private RV park about 6 miles prior to Congdon that I had heard about
and wanted to try so first we stopped there.
and wanted to try so first we stopped there.
We spend two nights in a boondocking site at the Cottonwood RV Park
They do have electric (15a only) and water sites and a dump on premise.
We did not use their utilities.
We did not use their utilities.
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| Our view at Cottonwood |
While true that the view is great - the owner (husband not the wife) seemed as if he considered
us a necessary evil to supplement his summer existence here in the Yukon.
The wife was wonderful but he was the first person in all of my years of
RVing that I had words with.
us a necessary evil to supplement his summer existence here in the Yukon.
The wife was wonderful but he was the first person in all of my years of
RVing that I had words with.
Kate said it best when se said that she felt like we were unwelcome guests
parked on their property.
parked on their property.
So that was our impression. Yours might be different.
We had a gorgeous sunrise and looked forward to getting out of there
and heading to where we should have gone in the first place.
and heading to where we should have gone in the first place.
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| A Kluane Lake Sunrise in the Yukon |
Our Boondocking site at Cottonwood
Just a few more miles down the road is the Congdon Creek Yukon Govt Campground.
At $12/night (free firewood included) it is 1/3 the price of Cottonwood and more our cup of tea.
Just my opinion, but I think the people who are looking only for hookups
are really missing the real beauty of being in such remote spots.
Mid day you can sit outside and hear a pine cone drop a mile away!
You don’t get that when you are crammed in with 40 other RV’s.
But then again - I guess that is why these spots are so quiet...
Most folks are somewhere else!
But then again - I guess that is why these spots are so quiet...
Most folks are somewhere else!
The lake was like glass.
Where the sky meets the water.
Where the sky meets the water.
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| Kluane Lake Yukon - reflections |
Our campsite was huge and next to the lake.
A double site - this is the same site that our friends John & Ron stayed in last time.
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| Site #9 Congdon Creek Yukon Govt Campground |
From this spot we had a good view of the satellites and mostly no shade on the panels.
We get the best of both worlds...
The beauty, peace, and quiet of the Yukon,
and some relaxing time on the couch with HD TV.
Plus a killer view out the front window!
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| Congdon Creek Yukon Govt Campground |
This is on the beach right next to our campsite. Two days in a row the lake was like glass!
Congdon Creek has two loops.
One is along the water front with about 10sites where we are,
and then a second loop back in the trees with back in and pull thru sites.
Below is the back loop.
The sites will handle any size RV and you can drive in - check it out - and drive out with
no worries about un-hooking.
Plenty of room to negotiate the roads with no worries.
And one of the great features of all the Yukon Govt Campgrounds...
Free dry firewood!
Amber has been asking me for more wildlife photos.
We haven’t seen much along the road lately but did find a few rare critters.
A pair of Yukon lovebirds
And a pair of Majestic Northern Hunting Doodles.
We don’t have internet here at Congdon Creek but there is cell service about 10 miles
up the road in Destruction Bay.
up the road in Destruction Bay.
I need to run up there later to send out a contract that I put together last night for work
so I am doing this post on my off-line blog editor and will
so I am doing this post on my off-line blog editor and will
upload it to the blog later when I run up to email the contract.
The down side of the off line editor is I have to size the pictures prior to uploading them.
They are larger on the blog page - but you cannot click on them to expand them in size like
most of my posts.
The down side of the off line editor is I have to size the pictures prior to uploading them.
They are larger on the blog page - but you cannot click on them to expand them in size like
most of my posts.
We are here at Congdon Creek for another day or two and then will probably head
to Tok, Ak which is only about 200 miles or so down the road.
to Tok, Ak which is only about 200 miles or so down the road.
One last point
I’m going to respond to all questions/comments that I get on the blog comment section -
right back in the comment section below your comment.
If you post a comment or question - I get an email that you did…
but to protect your privacy I cannot reply to that email.
So if I don’t know your email address, putting a reply on the the blog is the only way that I can answer your question.
You can either come back later and check to see if I answered your question…..
or - when you post your comment you can check the box to be notified
of follow up comments .
of follow up comments .
If you check that box you will get an email when everyone comments
on that specifc blog post so it might generate a few more emails
to you than you would like
on that specifc blog post so it might generate a few more emails
to you than you would like
But you will also get an email when I answer your comment
as well so its your choice.
as well so its your choice.
You must check that box each time you leave a comment if you want to be notified
of comments to that post.
I just want you to know that we appreciate your comments and questions and
endeavor to answer all.
of comments to that post.
I just want you to know that we appreciate your comments and questions and
endeavor to answer all.
I thought I’d just point it out as you might find it convenient.
What offline blog editor do you use? Are you able to include your photos in the post even when offline then just click the publish button to post when you have Internet? Or do you insert the photos when you have Internet before publishing but just do your writing offline? Hope that makes sense to you. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMars Edit. I sent you and email. If you did not receive it let me know. Hope that you guys are enjoying the Maritimes. Looking forward to seeing you somewhere down the road.
DeleteI did not get an email from you Greg. I'll look back not Mars Edit. Thanks! And yes we are having a wonderful time. Get on the ferry for a month in Newfoundland tomorrow.
DeleteQuite enjoyed this blog entry, as two summers ago we spent six weeks doing a similar trip! We unfortunately just had a truck & slide in camper at the time, so I can only imagine the added comfort you have with the MH. We've been looking for one for a year and a half now, but with the exchange rate between Canada (where live) and the U.S. finding one as new as possible in our budget is difficult when we have to add on the 40% of the $$ and then another 12% in taxes added on to the final cost, not to mention getting it home and through a safety inspection. Needless to say, we envy you in both the current trip your on, and your accommodation! Very much enjoyed it Greg, so keep up to good work, and sit back and enjoy, as that scenery is exemplary!
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted that you are enjoying the ride. I can understand the exchange rate. We are currently enjoying the GOOD exchange rate of .73 or so.. When we purchased the Bus we had a 5th wheel and a Truck Camper. We miss the TC. We really enjoyed the Truck Camper. It was great for getting to those out of the way spots. I still think one is in our future. Right now we have some excursions planned using the F150 with the cap as a mini-truck camper.
DeleteI love the wildlife!! Love birds & doodles.....lol!! Perfect. That sunset is gorgeous. I'm going to email you our beautify Beaufort sunset from last week. The sky was pink. Safe travels!!
ReplyDeleteGot your picture there Amber Girl.... Looking good for sure. Miss you guys. Give Kemp a big kiss from ME! xxoo
DeleteWhat beautiful scenery! The lake photos truly do not look real....isn't that an odd way to compliment? Anyway, glad to know you two lovebirds and the Doods are well and that life on the open road is treating you so well....one grumpy guy notwithstanding!
ReplyDeleteIt does not look real. I agree. It was really something looking across the lake and trying to figure out where the real stopped and the reflections began. Give Hayden a kiss from all 4 of us. Wish you were flying in with the Fulmers. We are excited to be seeing them in about a week! Yay!
DeleteI love it that there are so many beautiful places right here in North America. So much to see and I'm happy for you both that you are doing it!
ReplyDeleteNorth America... South America... Europe... its hard to tell the difference sometimes. The money looks different... The people are the same. It's a small world these days. When I look at the BIG map it's hard to envision how far we've come, but lot's of cool plans in the future for sure. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Maybe we'll bump into you in some crazy place like... oh lets say a barbecue place in Austin!
Deletehaha...you just never know where we will see each other next!
ReplyDelete