Dean & Linda Stock
Well-known member
June 13 Day 27 Whitehorse, YT
We have been getting up early, so we decided to sleep in. But...We awakened to the sound of chirping, and it wasn't birds--it was our phones. Electricity was going on and off, until it finally stayed off completely. Power was restored 30 minutes later.
Today we went to the Beringia Interpretive Centre, our favorite attraction when we stayed here for 10 days in 2009. Admission was $5 x 2 for seniors, and well worth it. They have added a whole new wing since we were last here, and we were the only people there from 11-1.
I had taught my sixth graders and third graders about the "land bridge", but I had no idea that this land mass was the size of the 48 United States and was a flat plain never covered by glaciers. It had plentiful grasses and very few trees, so it was like a grocery store for mammoths, bison, sloths, sheep, goats, caribou, and short-faced bears. These in turn were a food source for LIONS, yes lions, which were the most numerous predators.
We viewed exhibits and then saw a 17-minute film explaining Beringia that had been made specifically for the museum. We went to lunch at nearby Airport Chalet--Dean had a hamburger and coffee, and I had the cheapest meal on the menu, perogies with tap water to drink. It cost $30. Everything was tasty.
We returned to the museum in time for their National Geographic film about Beringia, which focused more on the animals and less on its creation. They had a multitude of fossils that have been discovered by placer miners when mining using high-pressure water on the sides of cliffs. They are mining for gold, silver, copper, and tungsten.
We pretended we were hunters and used the atlatl, a spear-throwing tool. Dean excelled (Picture 1), and in 2 tries almost hit the bison. He threw it with enough force that it stuck in the ground. (Picture 2) We would not have starved with such a skilled hunter. Mine came close to the rabbits in the foreground, but they flopped. I would merely have tickled the rabbit.
Yesterday, we went to Extra Foods, only to find that it closed at 9:00, and it was then 9:20. We found them to be the best grocery when we were here before, so we returned today to buy fresh produce. Walmart didn't carry groceries in '09, so we didn't try them.
Last night, we went to the Yukon Movie Theatre and saw "Internship", which we both really enjoyed. On the way home, we stopped at the bald eagles' nest because it was the perfect time (they are usually home from 9-11, based on past experience). No eagles on the cliff, lightposts, flying over the Yukon River, or in the nest! We returned today and again scoured the scenery, but we found no sign of them. (Picture 3) We did see a TV camera, and it may be new. We'll check again on our trip home.
Population in Whitehorse has gone from 34,000 in 2009 to 36,000 in 2012. I looked this up because I see so much construction going on, many new buildings and remodeled buildings, making the town look much nicer.
At the Beringia Centre, I asked the guide about the difference between a territory and a province. He said that the federal government gives territories a LOT of money, subsidizing many programs. They only get one member of Parliament. Whitehorse is the capitol of the Yukon, and they have a government building, which we will visit on our return.
Staying at Pioneer RV Park--30 amps (sometimes), FHU, good WIFI, good cable TV, very full, suggest you reserve ahead
Postscript: I had finished my posting, e-mails, bills, etc., and settled down for TV & dinner at 9:00, and there on TV was my eagle nest! Inside it were 3 eggs, and the narrator said they are expected to hatch any day now. Mama is turning them and active. I want to go to it again and see if we can see anything. The camera is new--just put up a few weeks ago by Yukon Electrical.
We have been getting up early, so we decided to sleep in. But...We awakened to the sound of chirping, and it wasn't birds--it was our phones. Electricity was going on and off, until it finally stayed off completely. Power was restored 30 minutes later.
Today we went to the Beringia Interpretive Centre, our favorite attraction when we stayed here for 10 days in 2009. Admission was $5 x 2 for seniors, and well worth it. They have added a whole new wing since we were last here, and we were the only people there from 11-1.
I had taught my sixth graders and third graders about the "land bridge", but I had no idea that this land mass was the size of the 48 United States and was a flat plain never covered by glaciers. It had plentiful grasses and very few trees, so it was like a grocery store for mammoths, bison, sloths, sheep, goats, caribou, and short-faced bears. These in turn were a food source for LIONS, yes lions, which were the most numerous predators.
We viewed exhibits and then saw a 17-minute film explaining Beringia that had been made specifically for the museum. We went to lunch at nearby Airport Chalet--Dean had a hamburger and coffee, and I had the cheapest meal on the menu, perogies with tap water to drink. It cost $30. Everything was tasty.
We returned to the museum in time for their National Geographic film about Beringia, which focused more on the animals and less on its creation. They had a multitude of fossils that have been discovered by placer miners when mining using high-pressure water on the sides of cliffs. They are mining for gold, silver, copper, and tungsten.
We pretended we were hunters and used the atlatl, a spear-throwing tool. Dean excelled (Picture 1), and in 2 tries almost hit the bison. He threw it with enough force that it stuck in the ground. (Picture 2) We would not have starved with such a skilled hunter. Mine came close to the rabbits in the foreground, but they flopped. I would merely have tickled the rabbit.
Yesterday, we went to Extra Foods, only to find that it closed at 9:00, and it was then 9:20. We found them to be the best grocery when we were here before, so we returned today to buy fresh produce. Walmart didn't carry groceries in '09, so we didn't try them.
Last night, we went to the Yukon Movie Theatre and saw "Internship", which we both really enjoyed. On the way home, we stopped at the bald eagles' nest because it was the perfect time (they are usually home from 9-11, based on past experience). No eagles on the cliff, lightposts, flying over the Yukon River, or in the nest! We returned today and again scoured the scenery, but we found no sign of them. (Picture 3) We did see a TV camera, and it may be new. We'll check again on our trip home.
Population in Whitehorse has gone from 34,000 in 2009 to 36,000 in 2012. I looked this up because I see so much construction going on, many new buildings and remodeled buildings, making the town look much nicer.
At the Beringia Centre, I asked the guide about the difference between a territory and a province. He said that the federal government gives territories a LOT of money, subsidizing many programs. They only get one member of Parliament. Whitehorse is the capitol of the Yukon, and they have a government building, which we will visit on our return.
Staying at Pioneer RV Park--30 amps (sometimes), FHU, good WIFI, good cable TV, very full, suggest you reserve ahead
Postscript: I had finished my posting, e-mails, bills, etc., and settled down for TV & dinner at 9:00, and there on TV was my eagle nest! Inside it were 3 eggs, and the narrator said they are expected to hatch any day now. Mama is turning them and active. I want to go to it again and see if we can see anything. The camera is new--just put up a few weeks ago by Yukon Electrical.
