Welcome to the Yukon

Posted on June 12, 2013June 12, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Move over Dudley Do-Right!

We are standing in the famous Yukon Territory! ( Not really. Its actually British Columbia but don’t tell the tourists) There be gold in them thar hills! Or so the stampeeders believed but once they reached Lake Bennett with all of their supplies they had to wait for the snow to melt. Then they built rafts and waited for the Yukon River to melt. Once spring came, they sailed down the rapids into gold territory.

According to the exhibits located at the visitor Center , miners put boats in the Tutshi River near the canyon where the suspension bridge is today. Looking at the rapids as they swirled down under the bridge and beyond its hard to believe they could take fully loaded boats and survive. Many didn’t survive and many other lost everything except their lives.

Tutshi River and Canyon today is one of the top white water rafting spots of North America.

It was cold here. The wind was blowing. This is the start of spring in the north and it was cold. I’d tried to imagine how cold it must have been when the miners dragged their supplies here to wait for the spring thaw.

But enough exploring the exhibits. It was time to cross the suspension bridge. That was what we came here for. No chickening out.

This was a pretty sturdy bridge as suspension bridges go but when you got to the middle you were at the mercy of the wind that gained momentum as it raced down the canyon from the icy tops of the surrounding mountains.

On the far side of the bridge was a platform and at the rear of the platform a wooden boardwalk that led to a tiny cabin. Just the basic 4 walls,a stove for heat, a bed frame and a tub for washing if you dared; this tiny cabin illustrated the conditions the stampeeders experienced as they waited for spring.

Chilled to the bone we returned across the suspension bridge to the visitor center to warm up and explore the souvenirs. The hot chocolate was pretty good too.

This was where we had out passports stamped with the Yukon Suspension Bridge stamp.

Totem Poles

Posted on June 2, 2013June 2, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Don’t feel bad if someone tells you you’re “low man on the totem pole.” Often, the most important figure can be found at the base, not on the top, as many believe. (Taken from the Port Guide of the Island Princess)

Ketchikan is home to the largest collection of totem poles in the world.

They stand sprinkled throughout the city, at Totem Bight State Park and at Saxman Native Village.

While we visited the Saxman Native Village we were invited to visit the carving shed, a large woodworking shop where totem poles and masks are carved by a master carver and his apprentices. Our interpreter joined us to give an explanation and answer questions.

The scent of the freshly carved wood permeates the carving shed with its fresh, clean smell. While we were visiting we had a chance to see a totem pole that was recently commissioned by a family in California. The carvings on the pole represented a baker and a wine maker. A figure is carved for each branch of the family. It is still a work in progress . The carving is still done by hand in the old tradition.

Nathan, the master carver, was in residence but could not be enticed to tell us the price tag on such a pole. His only comment was that “It was enough.” Nathan would not tell us how long it takes to carve a pole either. He is truly a man of few words.

A totem pole can identify a clan and placed by the front door of their lodge can tell the history of the clan.

Totem poles are erected for many reasons even to commemorate shameful events.
A potlatch was held in honor of Secretary of State Seward but when he did not reciprocate his ears and nose on his totem were painted red. A sign of disrespect. At one time his descendants asked how much it would cost to hold the potlatch now. When they were told the cost they decided to leave the totem painted as is.

Battleship Cove

Posted on April 23, 2013April 23, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Battleship Cove is located in Fall River , Ma.

It’s a nonprofit maritime museum. In addition to the brick and mortar museum, the grounds are decorated with propellers, props and preserved pieces of hulls.

In the water of beautiful Mt. Hope Bay the rescued naval vessels are still afloat and maintained. A nominal admission allows you to explore the majestic ships.

This is the largest collection of preserved US Navy Ships in the World. The fleet includes five National Historic Landmarks: Battleship USS Massachusetts, Destroyer USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., Submarine USS Lionfish, and PT Boats 617 and 796.

While exploring the grounds I met a veteran who is now making his living as a pilot/photographer. He had a stand set up with his amazing photographs. You can check out his work at http://newenglandwings.com/.

Battleship Cove and it’s museums sit surrounded by Fall River Heritage State Park. The park hugs the shore of the Taunton River (Mt. Hope Bay) and offers a boardwalk, benches, groves of trees, an antique carousel, public sailing programs, and a three-acre meadow where I watched families flying kites.

The carousel is housed in a separate building and was closed to the public for a private party when I was there. I definitely want to return to see that. I could see traditional carousel lights through the windows of the upper level but couldn’t see much else.

I watched a common merganser float with the tide and a 2 drakes got into a tussle over a female duck.

I even saw a turtle making a dive for the bottom. All around was activity, joggers, dog walkers, families with strollers. It was clear that this is a popular park in beautiful shape and I had a beautiful spring day to enjoy my introduction.

If you go you’ll find the parking is free in the lot located under the Braga Bridge near the Battleship Cove Visitor Center.

Park all day and enjoy all the area has to offer. I only scratched the surface on this first visit.

It’s clear I’ll have to go back to dig a little deeper.

Mystery Monday

Posted on April 22, 2013April 22, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Any guesses where this is? I thought I’d try something other than buildings. Here’s a hint…it’s still New England. Guesses, comments and observations welcome! 🙂

Haddam CT

Posted on April 21, 2013April 21, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Since my Riverquest cruise left from the boat dock at Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam, I thought it might be worthwhile to check out this little town while I was here. It seems there’s something for everyone.

Sportsmen can go fishing on the Connecticut river or boaters can go boating.

Birders can take the Riverquest cruises and look for eagles and osprey and other birds of sea and shore.

Architecture buffs can lose themselves in the Village of East Haddam, filled with beautifully maintained historic homes and businesses.

The premier example is the Goodspeed Opera house still a fully functional theater located right on the river.

Engineers can marvel over the Haddam Swing Bridge, a steel, movable truss bridge composed of two main spans crossing the Connecticut River.

Of course East Haddam is home to the unique Gillette Castle and Gillette Castle State Park. Picnic, walk trails and explore the grounds. The intricate architecture and beautiful surroundings seem to appeal to all.

Nature is represented everywhere in East Haddam. There’s nothing like a sunset dinner while watching the world go by on the Connecticut River.

For a sleepy little town there’s plenty to do. Other attractions close by include Nathan Hale House and the oldest bell in America. ( housed in the belfry of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.)

The Nature Conservancy calls East Haddam “One of the last great places.” So take some time to drop in for a visit to a classic New England Village and surroundings.