Saturday, May 5, 2013

Polar Bear

Saralee, the boss; Janet, the Guest Services Manager, and myself were planning on leaving Whitehorse around 10:00 am.  Well, things do have a habit of changing and we finally pulled out of Whitehorse at 1:30 pm. Groceries had to be purchased, lunch eaten and vehicle fueled.  

Sheep

We arrived in Dawson City around 9:00 pm.  Didn’t seem that late as it was still light.  It was a long drive from Whitehorse, but Saralee kept us in stitches.  Of course, Janet certainly added to the hilarity by informing us she had purchased, for the sum total of $100 plus $50 shipping, a GOLD BUCKET - not a gold PAN but a BUCKET.  We laughed so hard we thought we would wet our pants.  I really don’t know how Saralee kept the van on the road at times.

Wolf

The house is the Bonanza Bed & Breakfast.  There is a three bedroom house in the front which Gordon and I will be sharing with Janet; and there is a three bedroom unit at the back of the house which is shared by Paul, Denise and Scott.

Paul is the logistics co-ordinator, Denise is in charge of river rafting, and Scott is doing jeep tours.  Paul and Denise were here last year.  Scott is new.

There is a door between the front of the house and the back which can be closed off.  The “kids” seem really nice and willing to help.  Of course, Saralee told Gordon he is not to unload the deepfreeze - the young kids can do it, that’s what they are for.  And true to her word, they were right there to help us unload last night, leaving their supper.  After helping unload Janet & I two of them went with Saralee to help her.

Life was getting pretty boring for me staying in that hotel.  It was so unpleasant walking because of the wind, but I did.  Yesterday morning at 8:30 am I walked a couple of blocks to Shoppers Drug Mart and had to pass six natives standing across the sidewalk.  As I approached one of them took of his hat and knelt on one knee with his hat open and his other hand in a pleading position.  I just looked at him and laughed and said, “you’re kidding, you can afford to smoke so you don’t need my money” and just walked by.  There was no one else around and I was a bit nervous.

Moose

Dog Sled

Gordon’s first day of training was in a room down the hall in the hotel.  There was a lot of stuff they went over - like helping people who are motion sick. I guess the bus drivers are responsible for cleaning up after their passengers - unless they do what one driver did which was drive off leaving a woman in a walker along side the road.  The husband said nothing about his wife not being there, and the driver didn’t do a physical count.  Oh Oh!  

First Nations Beaded Bag

More bead work

May Day Tree, Whitehorse

The second day was a driving test.  He had to drive between pylons and tell instructor, Ethan,  just where he was between the two.  He said 12” on right  and 24” on left.  They got out and measured and it was dead on.  Ethan was very impressed.  All those years of having to place his loads in the EXACT spot paid off.  he afternoon was spent back in classroom.

It was very hot in the house last night.  Both Janet and I were concerned that we may be cold but not so.  I stepped outside this morning, was going for a walk and take some pictures but it was raining and the steps looked as if they were covered in ice.  No one else was awake so I didn’t want to risk slipping and getting hurt.  As I got out of the van last night I stepped on some ice and toppled over into a snow bank.

While in Whitehorse Gord and I went to the museum.  They have a nice display of local animals.  Took some pictures there.  On our return we stopped in front of City Hall and took picture of the May Day tree.  I ask someone if it was usually in bloom on May 1st and they said no, not until mid June.  It is a nice looking tree naked!

We are hearing of little episodes from other years.   I am sure this is going to be a very interesting summer, and we will experience our own bits of things.

Our Dawson Digs

Deck of Dawson Digs May 4.13

We spent the afternoon dunging out the office on main street.  Bringing  things to the house we are living in, the kids house behind us, and to Saralee’s place.  It is a big job getting things opened up after winter.  I met Niki who I will be working with at the sales office.  She is from Ontario and worked here a few years ago.  Dawn is a native and she is a part time driver.  We met a couple of other people today but I can’t remember names or duties.

I was going to buy a pair of rubber boots in Whitehorse and we decided we wouldn’t need them, the sidewalks would be clear of snow.  HELLO, or Saralee would say, REALLY?    There are no sidewalks except those right along the highway - only MUD.  If I am walking to work I will have to roll my pants up or they will be filthy.  This is a learning experience that is for sure.

We were all cold and tired so about 4:30 we went to a restaurant for lunch.  It has rained  here all day and I heard someone say that we are expecting -13 C.  That won’t help the river situation any.

Tomorrow is our day off so we can get our houses in order.  We are pretty good on our side of the doors, but there was so much stuff brought in to the kids place.

Saralee came over around 6:30 to bring some stuff.  She said Ethan said Gordon did a knock out on his test narration

and they said he would have no trouble doing the narration.  Talking to him this evening he said he felt real good about training so far.

9:30 pm and it is snowing and daylight.  Will sign off for now.