After fueling at Dease Lake (in a peculiar situation where we taxied uphill to the pump, then had to restrain the plane from tumbling back down the slope when we hand-turned it) we began our second leg mid-day. That meant daytime heating, cumulus clouds and turbulence. This was a typical view during much of the flight over high plains. The dark patches are cloud shadows. In the distance you see protrusions, common in the north, called pingos. A pingo is a conical, ice-cored hill, found in permafrost. Sorry, once a science teacher, always a science teacher! You'll see the formations better in the enroute photos:http://www.spotadventures.com/trip/view?trip_id=213776
Nearly 100 of the Century planes had arrived ahead of us. We were marshalled down to the end of the parking area, where Bill had to shift positions several times until he found solid enough ground to anchor his tie-down stakes. A quad carried our luggage from the plane to the Welcome area. After registration we went into Whitehorse to check in at our hotel and unwind for a couple of hours.
Back out to the airport late afternoon for a reception and pizza dinner in the Transportation Museum. A spectacular exhibit!Shuttle buses, not taxis are used here. True to form, our driver Dave is a character. There are 2 Westmark Hotels and 2 Klondike Hotels in Whitehorse, so he needs to keep his wits about him. The second Westmark operates only in the summer, for cruise ship tours.
There's nothing planned today until the Public Viewing at 4 pm. I'm loafing around the hotel, eating chocolates and watching TV....just kidding!
Happy 36th Jay!!! Glad we managed to reach you this morning for the birthday serenade.
Hi..It is late and you need a reply.. Congratulations on arriving safely in Whitehorse..Soak up the ambiance!
ReplyDeleteHow is the temperature there? Love C&P
Now it's early, but I'll write anyway. The adventure continues to unfold. It reminds me a little of those mediaeval/Renaissance progressions when a monarch would tour the country, eating everyone out of house and home - or shack and manor - en route. They probably didn't have pizza though. More's the pity.
ReplyDeleteToday's existential question: Why would a relatively small town have hotels with the same name? It must lead to some interesting close midnight encounters. Go safely. Love/hugs - j
I'm still searching for the answer as to why the same place names circulate around this town. It's not as though there weren't great Yukon pioneers.
ReplyDeleteThe Westmark puzzle is easily solved. It's a Holland American company. Whitehorse is flooded with cruise ship passengers this time of year. If the weather closes in on Saturday, I doubt we'd be able to extend our hotel reservation - made months ago.
I love the mediaeval image, Jill! Where are my tights?