Another great day in the Yukon

Saturday, June 29th, 2013

Wow! a day off.  Of course, Gordon and I have not had the same day off since the second week in May when Saralee was still here and in charge.  Now, no one is in charge!  It began raining just after 6:00 am and is it raining.  The forecast was for severe thundershowers for yesterday and today.  So far all we have is rain today.  Because it has been so hot, lightening is a big concern.  There has been over 100 fires started in just one night of electrical storms.

As it is too early to begin laundry as the washing machine sounds like a 747 taking off in the living room, and I have two new neighbours in the back half of the house who like to sleep until 5 minutes after they should have reported for work, I don't want to disturb their rest.  You understand that there isn't too many hours of rest from 3:00 am to 8:00 am.

Yesterday I had an interesting thing happen.  You have seen the front of the house we are living in.  Yesterday I got home just after 6:00 pm.  As Gordon was doing the raft transfers I knew he wouldn't be home until after 8:00 so I lie down on the bed for a wee bit of shut-eye.  I was just dozing when I heard steps on the stairs and then the door opened.  I dragged myself off the bed, said "Hello".  A strange voice said "hello".  As I came around the corner there were two men standing in the entry.  Shadow covered the face of the front one and at first I thought he was a native.  As we got closer to each other I could see he was not native.

In broken English they said they were looking for two homes.  As I wasn't sure I had heard right I asked him to please repeat.  He again said they were looking for two homes.

"Well, you can't have mine" I said.

"But, but" then he sort of pointed back to the front of the house and said, "it is a bed and breakfast".

I laughed and had to apologize, hoping they understood.  They were Austrians looking, obviously for a cheap place to live.  This place wouldn't instill confidence in anyone because the paint on the deck is all peeling and the house paint is faded.  In other words, it is a bit run down, both inside and out.  Unless they were looking for something very cheap, and in Dawson in the summer there is nothing cheap, I bet they were glad I didn't have a room for them.

I gave them directions to the 5th Avenue Bed and Breakfast and hoped she had two rooms for them.  Maybe in future I should keep the door locked.

Shall we stroll again around Dawson for a few minutes?

Carnegie Library/Masonic Lodge
This building was built in 1904 with a $25,000 grant from the Carnegie Foundation and a yearly Government operating Library grant.  The design of the building was typical of the buildings of the area.  It was built to resemble stone.  This was done because at the time there was a law that required buildings to be either tin or asbestos for fire protection.  The builders opted for metal that looked like stone.  This building housed the local library until 1920.  In 1934 it was given to the Mason's for a lodge.  The Masonic family still use this building for meetings and special events.

About mid-May we were able to enter this building when seven historic buildings were open for public viewing.  It is the most amazingly beautiful building on the inside.  From floor to floor the walls and ceilings are decorated tin.  I could have stayed in there all day, and me without a camera.  The main floor ceilings have to be at least 16' high.  Oh what it would take to heat that beautiful building.  That was the first time in seven years the public were allowed in.

The Midnight Sun Hotel is home to the Sour Toe Cocktail.  Yes, they actually have a human toe in this drink, and my understanding is that your lips must touch the toe.  However, you are not allowed to chew on it, swallow it or in any way deface it or you will be fined.  If you are silly enough to indulge, you become a member of the club.

Being at the Sales Desk in the morning while guests are waiting to leave on a tour, the conversation most often ends up with the Sour Toe Cocktail and just who did or didn't partake.  It is quite hilarious to hear them.

Klondike Institue of Art and Culture (KIAC)

   In the spring of 1998 a group of local artists formed the Dawson City Arts Society (DCAS), a non-profit organization that creates an environment for the advancement of the arts.  To fulfill their mandate, DCAS' founding Directors envisioned a school. The KIAC School of Visual Art opened its doors in September, 2007.

   KIAC has grown into an art centre offering special events, courses, festivals, the ODD Gallery and an Artist in Residence program.  It has 5 full time staff, a national network of instructors and a talented local volunteer base.

   Each year KIAC conducts more than 30 visual, performing and literary arts courses and workshops for more than 300 students and present more than 20 special events to a regional audience.

   I was also informed by a very talented local artist that only modern, need to be high on crack to understand, art is allowed.  Nothing that signifies the Yukon qualifies.

The Yukon is a great place for artists because the Government is very liberal with their handouts. grants!

Well, it is time for me to attend to my bread.  Have a great day!