Day 9 – the shortest drive (7/5/2009)

We were up and out early with the anticipation of see moose and caribou along the route. We only drove 281 miles today in 6 ¾ hours. Along the route from Watson Lake to Whitehorse, we only saw one moose with a calf. Do not get me wrong, seeing them was wonderful! There we supposed to be herds of caribou roaming along the roads, but no not today. It was very hazy along the route, when we checked in we found out why, there is a large forest fire putting up some heavy smoke. In addition to the smoke, it has been a hotter, drier summer and the winds are kicking up dust. We had breakfast at the Continental Divide Restaurant an hour after leaving the Air Force Lodge; I had to refresh myself on what the Continental Divide is. We continued to travel through mountains, big tall Rocky Mountains, rolling grass covered mountains, tree covered mountains, and mountains that you can definitely see the timberline. During the melt-off, the place must be full of water judging by the number of runoff ditches. We crossed the longest bridge on the Alaska Highway today. We went to see the Klondike; a paddle wheeler that delivered mail up and down the Yukon River. It was closed for tours, but the young cute girl that works for the park service came out and asked if she could take a picture with me (I was wearing an American Flag shirt). Of course, I said yes and smiled nicely. And Nina asked me why I was wearing my flag shirt today (ha)?!?!!! After the Klondike we went to see the fish ladders, it is too early to see the salmon migrating upstream but it was still interesting to walk around them and watch the other fish swim through. From Whitehorse to Delta Junction, our new home is a little over 400 miles. Depending on the number of photo stops we make we should pull in around 7:00 p.m. tomorrow. We still do not have a place to rent so we are staying in a bed & breakfast until we find our new home.