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Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America are incredibly popular vacation destinations for Yukonners.
Outside
Yukonners love travelling outside, and sharing their stories. And by outside, we mean anywhere that isn’t in the Yukon. Find out what your adventurous neighbours have been up to while they are away.
What were you thinking?
In spite of the fact that it was after dark in Baracoa, Cuba, I suppose it wasn’t that urgent. I just felt like going for a walk in the soft…
What were you thinking? Read More »
A Trip To Ovamboland
You will never forget the smell of rain in Namibia,” a friend told me when I disembarked for Namibia for the first time.
A Trip To Ovamboland Read More »
Exploring Peru: Part 3
From Marcahuamachuco we continued heading south along the Andes, spending the night in Santiago de Chuco, the birthplace of César Vallejo…
Exploring Peru: Part 3 Read More »
The Mountains Are Calling …
December 11 was designated International Mountain Day by the United Nations General Assembly, in 2003, and has been observed…
The Mountains Are Calling … Read More »
Exploring Peru: Part 2
After following the hot and dry Peruvian coast north to Lambayeque, we turned east. In a single day we left the Pacific Ocean…
Exploring Peru: Part 2 Read More »
Cycling Utah
Bicycle touring in the sunny desert has its perks. Always hot and dry, you forget where the rain jacket is in the chaos of your panniers…
Exploring Peru: Part 1
A few years ago I was lucky enough to tag along on a road trip to the north of Peru. I say “lucky” because it was a once-in-a-lifetime…
Exploring Peru: Part 1 Read More »
Postcards from Peru—Madre de Dios
A few years ago, during the hot and dry days of an Andean August, I took a trip from the brown hills of Cusco…
Postcards from Peru—Madre de Dios Read More »
Shore Lunch With Mario
The tip of my rod jerked and dipped toward the dimpled grey water, and I glanced up at our guide. He shook his head.
Shore Lunch With Mario Read More »
Passing The Test Of Time
After spending the summer in the B.C. Kootenays and before returning to the Yukon, my boyfriend and I decided to wrap up the summer…
Passing The Test Of Time Read More »
Snakes and ‘Ladders’
I am spending the summer “Outside,” away from the Yukon. These days I am in the town of Rossland, in the Kootenay region of British Columbia.
Snakes and ‘Ladders’ Read More »
‘Love At First Sight’ (or Why Germans Love The Yukon)
Nancy Ohm recently went to Germany, with her partner, to visit family and friends. After 11 years in the Yukon, the German…
‘Love At First Sight’ (or Why Germans Love The Yukon) Read More »
From Whitehorse To The Kootenays
I was not going to ask anyone to drive me to the Whitehorse airport at 3:45 a.m. on a Tuesday. It would have been cruel.
From Whitehorse To The Kootenays Read More »
Qoyllur Rit’i
I can see my breath in the chilly pre-dawn light as my lungs work a little harder than usual to get enough oxygen from the thin mountain air.
In Search Of Boredom
As I write this I’m finding it hard to focus. My thoughts dart back and forth, scattered and agitated. I could say that it’s the infectious…
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Solo Travel
Most of the travelling I’ve done in my life has been solo. Sometimes it’s been out of necessity—but most of the time, out of preference.
International Travel in Covid Times
My husband Ryan and I continue our adventures travelling internationally, for the first time in two years, with flight delays…
International Travel in Covid Times Read More »
Christmas and Potato Salad
Having spent Christmas in three countries, there is one thing which will never change for me: eating potato salad and sausages on Christmas.
Christmas and Potato Salad Read More »
Travel in Covid Times: Part 2
My husband Ryan and I continue our adventures travelling internationally for the first time in two years…
Travel in Covid Times: Part 2 Read More »
Be A Conscious Traveller This Winter
The COVID-19 pandemic stopped travel, from one day to the next, in a way that was impossible to imagine before.
Be A Conscious Traveller This Winter Read More »
International Travel in Covid Times
Over two years ago, everyone’s lives changed with Covid. Vacations and trips were cancelled; even just meeting was impossible.
International Travel in Covid Times Read More »
A Dispatch From Namibia Part 2
Once is the name of my taxi driver in Namibia (like once in a lifetime). People have strange names here: Darling, Given, Gift, or Mistake.
A Dispatch From Namibia Part 2 Read More »
A Hunter’s First Ram
For many hunters that live outside of the Yukon, having the opportunity to hunt and harvest a mature Dall sheep is merely a pipe dream.
A Hunter’s First Ram Read More »
The Phoenix Burns Brightly In Fort Nelson
John Roper, general manager of the Phoenix Theatre Management Society, greets me with friendly enthusiasm. His love for the theatre and his love for his audience shine warmly in all of his stories.
The Phoenix Burns Brightly In Fort Nelson Read More »
A Long-Awaited Return To Namibia, Part 1
How to prepare for my trip to Namibia?, I am asking myself a few days before boarding the plane to Africa.
A Long-Awaited Return To Namibia, Part 1 Read More »
Old Quebec City Is A Magical Place
When celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain travelled to Québec City, in 2013, he said he felt Iike he was in an entirely different country.
Old Quebec City Is A Magical Place Read More »
Pan-fried Fish on the West Coast Trail
West Coast Trail inspired Pan Fried Salmon & Baked Potatoe. Great recipes from Miche Genest, with an accompanying trail tail.
Pan-fried Fish on the West Coast Trail Read More »
Biking With Your Spouse
Mountain biking, like relationships require work. From the first date to the wedding day, you’re constantly learning how to be with someone.
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Dining In The Dark
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to eat … without being able to see? Well, you can experience eating at a restaurant without being able to see! Yes, that’s right, your only senses would be touch, smell, taste and hearing.
Dining In The Dark Read More »
Coming Back To The Yukon (Part 2)
“I cannot cross the river,” I told my friends as they were about to move on. (The truth was I didn’t want to cross the river.) We were a group of seven people hiking … two of us were staying behind on the beautiful sandy beach at Kusawa Lake, as the others went farther. I felt like sitting back and relaxing. My other friend was feeling the same. We are queens, we said. We don’t like to cross rivers.
Coming Back To The Yukon (Part 2) Read More »
Try to escape (if you can)
Skagway plays host to a unique venue for their first-ever escape room. At 777 Alaska Street, you will spot an old White Pass train car that hosts the challenging puzzle.
Try to escape (if you can) Read More »
The Gifts of Haida Gwaii
Some places, like some people, are incredibly special but also a little bit elusive. They may not make things easy; they can be difficult to reach and they don’t open themselves up to just anyone.
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Mountain biking, a solo sport (but way more fun with friends!)
Learning to mountain bike solo can be daunting. Having a chance to ride with others and learn the ropes can build skills and confidence.
Mountain biking, a solo sport (but way more fun with friends!) Read More »
Cat Camping
Camping with a cat can be both rewarding. Howie the cat got his first taste of camping in the Yukon and made some memories along the way.
Mindfulness on Two Wheels
Exploring the Yukon while exercising mindfulness on two wheels can help you take in all the splendour the territory has to offer.
Mindfulness on Two Wheels Read More »
Pause and Give Thanks to Those Wonderful Summer Pollinators
Pollination is part of life on Earth, enabling plants to turn flowers into fruit. There is no more-famous pollinator than the honeybee.
Pause and Give Thanks to Those Wonderful Summer Pollinators Read More »
Coming Back: A German In The Yukon
The call of the Yukon or the call of the wild that so many have heard and have followed, like my friends … they came here and stayed.
Coming Back: A German In The Yukon Read More »
Let’s Build A Better Future For Waterfowl
Wetlands are vital for waterfowl reproduction. Unfortunately, encroachment by industry and humans is harmful.
Let’s Build A Better Future For Waterfowl Read More »
Postcards: Yukon Microadventures
The summer days here in the Yukon are wonderfully long, and the midnight sun is perfect for going on adventures & microadventures.
Postcards: Yukon Microadventures Read More »
A Convivial Conveyance
Flying to Toronto on Air North: relaxation. No change of airline, no transfer of luggage. I figured they were also going to feed me.
A Convivial Conveyance Read More »
Welcome to Vaucluse and to Olive Oil, Wine and Sun-kissed Hills in the South of France
Mont Ventoux (literally Mount Windy). Not quite as impressive as the peaks of Kluane National Park and Reserve, at 1,909 m (6,263 ft), it is the highest mountain of the region. The “Giant of Provence” is also well-known to be the iconic climb during the cycling race, Tour de France.
Welcome to Vaucluse and to Olive Oil, Wine and Sun-kissed Hills in the South of France Read More »
Tuktoyaktuk part 2: The Arctic Ocean
Our journey continues to Tuktoyaktuk. Tips on things to see and do: Climb a Pingo, Arctic houses, Arctic Ocean, muktuk at Grandma’s kitchen
Tuktoyaktuk part 2: The Arctic Ocean Read More »
The road trip begins: Tuktoyaktuk on The Dempster Highway
When the Tuktoyaktuk (Tuk) highway officially opened Nov. 15, 2017, I wanted to drive it to the Arctic Ocean.
The road trip begins: Tuktoyaktuk on The Dempster Highway Read More »
Grey Matters: Age-friendly outdoors
“Mr. Spock,” my 1998 camper van (pure luxury) is put to bed. My old arthritic bones will no longer take sleeping on the cold, hard ground.
Grey Matters: Age-friendly outdoors Read More »
Beverly Brazier turns to thoughts of fall
September is quite a month. There are poems about it. It’s a month that digs deep into the range of our emotions.
Beverly Brazier turns to thoughts of fall Read More »
Yukon coyotes: The dos and don’ts
Coyotes are survivors and are very adaptable. Unlike other predators, they thrive living in our urban environment.
Yukon coyotes: The dos and don’ts Read More »
A bear spray refresher
They may still be good, but who wants to learn they don’t work while facing a bear? Each container has only eight seconds of spray.
A bear spray refresher Read More »
Postcards from Peru – Cusco
Jessica loves being in the mountains, working with plants and exploring beyond her comfort zone. She divides time between Peru and the Yukon.
Postcards from Peru – Cusco Read More »
Moose Bush: The way-posts home
In the North, we measure distance by the amount of time it takes. A way-post is an item that marks your progress along a road or trail.
Moose Bush: The way-posts home Read More »
Birthday Pairings, Campground Treats
Jennifer’s (Free Pour Jenny) cocktail and an appetizer. The cocktail’s bright, sharp and tart. Something cheesy immediately suggested itself.
Birthday Pairings, Campground Treats Read More »
Bioblitz is back & going to Dawson City
bringing experts and aspiring citizen scientists to one location for a day of counting and identifying as many species as possible.
Bioblitz is back & going to Dawson City Read More »
Pour one out during the pandemic
Almost a year into this pandemic, we’re all dreaming about travelling again. Last summer, during the B.C. bubble, my wife and I took a road trip to explore Okanagan vineyards.
Pour one out during the pandemic Read More »
Isla de Taquile
With a population of roughly 2,000 people, Taquile is one of several islands in the Peruvian part of Lake Titicaca.
Western New Mexico
From Mogollon Cliff Dwellers to Geronimo and Billy the Kid to this author, we have all made our mark on western New Mexico. Well, maybe I haven’t made a mark on western New Mexico. But western New Mexico has certainly left its mark on me.
Western New Mexico Read More »
Escape to warmer weather and a unique landscape
Yukoners at large in the Badlands of South Dakota.
Escape to warmer weather and a unique landscape Read More »
Tall tales and fish cakes
People who live and work on the water are good at tall tales. Fisher people don’t just tell whoppers about the whopper that got away,
Tall tales and fish cakes Read More »
Lessons in gratitude from my life in the Andes
there are certain days of the year that are designated to remind us more strongly of where we should direct our gratitude, but what really makes a difference in our lives are the small acts of reverence. Here in Peru, for example, it’s quite common to share a bit of whatever you’re drinking.
Lessons in gratitude from my life in the Andes Read More »
Postcards from Peru: Cusco
The last several months have taken their toll on Peru. Experience another part of the world while you stay safe in your own communities.
Postcards from Peru: Cusco Read More »
Japan must-sees
If you ever have the opportunity to get to Japan, I strongly encourage you to take it. It’s safe, easy to navigate and the accommodations were all so nice it has effectively ruined me for backpacking other countries.
Japan in a nutshell
I had high hopes for Japan and my expectations were still blown out of the water. I don’t think I could be more in support of absolutely everyone making time to go explore this very special place.
Japan in a nutshell Read More »
Small world, eh?
It’s a small world, at least along one of its dimensions – the line between Canada and Spain. There I was in Spain a few months ago walking the Camino de Santiago, a 1200 year old pilgrimage route, and already I’d met an orthodontist from Ottawa and two retirees from Saskatoon who knew friends of mine.
The unknown life of a butterfly
Like most, I used to just take the butterfly for granted. Like most, I never gave it a thought other than that it was nice
The unknown life of a butterfly Read More »
Running on a postcard
After scraping to survive the half marathon on Skiathos and then eating and drinking my way through Greece, I approached the Oct. 5 run on Santorini with some hesitation.
Running on a postcard Read More »
That’s not a trail, that’s a goat path
I was certain of my ability to casually run and enjoy the 21-kilometre Skiathos Trail Race, taking photos and enjoying the morning. Reality, however, can be a jarring experience…
That’s not a trail, that’s a goat path Read More »
Discover the Okanagan
Part 3 of 3 – West Kelowna and Kelowna Breathtaking views, delicious food and delectable wines. The Okanagan is the top wine destination in the
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Discover the Okanagan
Breathtaking views, delicious food and delectable wines. The Okanagan is the top wine destination in the world, according to Huffington Post and I had to
Discover the Okanagan Read More »
Discover the Okanagan
Part 1 of 3 Breathtaking views, delicious food and delectable wines. The Okanagan is the top wine destination in the world, according to the Huffington
Discover the Okanagan Read More »
A tasting tour of Portugal
I’m not a real connoisseur of fine dining, but I do enjoy trying out new tastes and exploring local foods, especially when I’m travelling. Portugal
A tasting tour of Portugal Read More »
Edmonton Eskimo fan-atic
My dad became a season ticket holder for the Edmonton Eskimos (EE) in 1959. I cannot say when he first became a loyal Eskimos fan,
Edmonton Eskimo fan-atic Read More »
Spread the word: free peanuts on Park Street
They say the fastest land mammal of all is the cheetah, capable of running as fast as 120 km/h without breaking a sweat. But “they”
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When in Faro… Portugal
Here are some of my tips on travel to Portugal as a curious 70-year-old with a “willing to try it at least once” philosophy. This
When in Faro… Portugal Read More »
So long, smug Victoria. Welcome to Canada
The allure of even a well-crafted, lightweight shovel begins to pale after days upon numberless days of snow upon snow upon snow. There is wisdom
So long, smug Victoria. Welcome to Canada Read More »
One woman’s tale travelling solo in Iran
In 2016 I was living in the Republic of Georgia and travelled to the Islamic Republic of Iran for two months solo. Where and why
One woman’s tale travelling solo in Iran Read More »
Endings and beginnings
It was the end of my first camino, the ancient pilgrimage route across Spain, and I never wanted to put those dang boots on again.
Endings and beginnings Read More »
The last great road race
The 50th running of the Alcan 200 International Snow Machine Road Rally takes place on the third weekend in January, attracting snow-machine enthusiasts from Alaska, the Yukon and northern B.C.
The last great road race Read More »
Surviving (and thriving) in the great outdoors
You are also cold and you need to find a way to make a fire and warm up. If you have followed the motto of the Boy Scouts, “Be Prepared,” then survival is on your side.
Surviving (and thriving) in the great outdoors Read More »
Bear Mountain – A redux
If you’ve read about our first attempt to climb (or even glimpse) Bear Mountain, you may be wondering how or why we ever returned. I
Bear Mountain – A redux Read More »
Jade — Green, tough, and valuable
On July 8, 1992, the Whitehorse Star reported a find near Frances Lake of what was stated to be a world-record-sized piece of jade at
Jade — Green, tough, and valuable Read More »
Saskatchewan in October
Once upon a time, “back in the days” (last year, in October) when the Greyhound bus still existed, a garter snake slithered out of the
Saskatchewan in October Read More »
Bear Mountain: A loving tribute to a living nightmare – Part 2
Things started off great when we immediately got off trail (we wouldn’t know this till days later). We attempted to follow some GPS tracks I
Bear Mountain: A loving tribute to a living nightmare – Part 2 Read More »
Ross River coal: Transforming plants to carbon
The widespread use of coal was one of the major factors in fueling the Industrial Revolution of the late 1700s and early 1800s. In recent
Ross River coal: Transforming plants to carbon Read More »
Bear Mountain – A loving tribute to a living nightmare
In the late summer of 2016, my friend Dan and I attempted to climb Bear Mountain, a 2,400-metre tall peak situated in the North Cascades
Bear Mountain – A loving tribute to a living nightmare Read More »
Take a walk in Kluane
Fall is upon us. When I leave the house in the mornings now, the sun has yet to awaken. It feels too early in the
Take a walk in Kluane Read More »
Walk, hike, stroll …
Walk … “You weren’t in any hurry to walk,” my mother said as she showed me a photo of myself at 15 months, happily sitting
Walk, hike, stroll … Read More »
South to Alberta (a.k.a. Sid’s trip down memory lane)
Fun fact: Elvis Presley drove a 1958 red MGA, just like this one, in Blue Hawaii.
South to Alberta (a.k.a. Sid’s trip down memory lane) Read More »
The White River Ash, the mega eruption next door – Part 4
Past volcanic eruptions in Alaska have resulted in massive displacement of peoples and widespread environmental damage in the Yukon.
The White River Ash, the mega eruption next door – Part 4 Read More »
Lost and found in the woods …
Do you have a dial watch? You have a compass!
Lost and found in the woods … Read More »
Axes
Axes are very useful tools here in the north where campfires, bonfires and wood stoves are a big part of life. Everybody has at least one tucked away somewhere.
South to Alberta – Part I
Exploration, adventure and community are among the most important aspects of living in the North. For many Yukoners, it was the “want” to explore a fantasized part of the world and to seek adventure in discovering Canada’s North, but it was the sense of community that made people want to stay.
South to Alberta – Part I Read More »
Ten days in Germany
Sherri Green won our 2018 Condor competition with her ‘pretzel itinerary’ If I were to go to Germany, where would I go? There are so
Ten days in Germany Read More »
Cuba Impressions
Passion – that’s the word that comes to mind when I reflect on my recent Cuban holiday in January. The passion of our tour guides throughout our travels. Their devotion to sharing their love of Cuba and how Cubans are working to build a more equitable country.
Black forest cake in Namibia
In Swakopmund, Germany and Namibia come together like the Namib Desert and the ocean just outside the town. If you didn’t know that this is an African country, you would think that it’s a town somewhere in Germany.
Black forest cake in Namibia Read More »
Bridging the Divide
Author Kate Harris shucked her space dreams and, with her friend, Mel Yule, picked up the courage to embark on a different trip: to cycle the Silk Road from end to end.
Bridging the Divide Read More »
This is the way…
March is the perfect time of year to plan ahead for a “camino.” April and May in Spain offer green fields flecked with red poppies,
Knowing the beaver
Evolution is an amazing thing and for the beaver, it has taken millions of years. Once almost 8 feet long some thousans of years ago,
Knowing the beaver Read More »
The Power of ‘the camino’
It’s a walk, it’s a pilgrimage. It’s called “the camino” and it has the power to make people feel called to do it, the power to make people talk about it, the power to draw people back to do it again.
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There and back
The Nā Pali Coast’s Kalalau Trail is a stunning 18-kilometre there-and-back hike on the north coast of Kauai, Hawaii. Often topping Greatest-Hikes-in-the-World lists, along with
Go Where The Road Takes You
Many of us daydream about packing everything into a van and hitting the road at one time or another. For one Yukoner, 25-year-old Ben Barrett-Forrest, this
Go Where The Road Takes You Read More »
Colours of Autumn
Fall is the favourite season of many Yukoners. Avid photographer and outdoors person Jozien Keijzer provided this gallery of early-autumn scenes captured in various locations
The Last, Loveliest Smile
I never took much notice of something as simple as the seasons until moving North. Pre-Yukon, I was rather unmoved by the monotonous blend of
The Last, Loveliest Smile Read More »
Trinidad’s Carnival: Experience of a Lifetime!
Carnival is a massive street party that falls the week before Ash Wednesday, which is in late February/early March, and is observed annually in many
Trinidad’s Carnival: Experience of a Lifetime! Read More »
Glück Auf! A Mini-Mining Tour of Germany
I’m not a miner, but on a recent visit to Germany my friends took me on impromptu mining tours of their regions. First Clemens and
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Vimy Ridge to Tuk
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a great victory for Canada, To our knowledge, Herbert Lawless was the only known Yukoner to fall in this battle.
From the East to the Beautiful South
Keen on history? The Castle Wartburg in Wittenberg in Eastern Germany offers an opportunity to learn about the 500th Anniversary of Martin Luther’s Reformation. The
From the East to the Beautiful South Read More »
Experiencing Theatre in Namibia
It’s 15 minutes before our performance starts and one of my actors has a meltdown. “No, I am not gonna play,” he says avoiding eye
Experiencing Theatre in Namibia Read More »
Start South, GoNorth!
Winter in Whitehorse is beautiful, but long. By the end of April 2016 we traveled down south to find Vancouver fully in bloom already. A
Start South, GoNorth! Read More »
Erik Nielsen Gets a Long Overdue Facelift
Manlig says he’s excited about the project and looks forward to seeing it through to completion. He’s worked on similar projects before and brings a
Erik Nielsen Gets a Long Overdue Facelift Read More »
Let Me Get to Know You. How About a Little Bicycle Trip?
When Hélène met François, she’d been dreaming of a long-distance bicycle trip for years. I think the fact that François was an experienced cyclist just
Let Me Get to Know You. How About a Little Bicycle Trip? Read More »
Yukon Pilgrims Gather
Whitehorse resident Dianne Homan knows people make the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage for many reasons. So on March 15, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.,
Yukon Pilgrims Gather Read More »
Experiencing creative writing in Namibia
I am sitting in the Lemon Tree Restaurant in Windhoek, Namibia, waiting for my fellow writers to show up. It is raining, and everybody is
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Home for a Yukon Spell
When my parents drove the Canadian Shield to Whitehorse 34 years ago in a rusted, steel blue Pontiac, they were unaware of the lifelong curse
Home for a Yukon Spell Read More »
Like the Beauty of the Yukon? You’ll Love Hiking Japan
He would leave home at 6:30 a.m. and return at 10 or 11 p.m. When Japan’s economy faltered, he wanted a change. He came to
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Unexpected Awesomeness
After 15 countries, 34 cities and 99 days backpacking through Europe I can honestly say that it was not the big name cities that ended
Unexpected Awesomeness Read More »
No Farmer Left Behind (Iceland Age part 2)
A square, two-storey guest house with bare, small rooms and a simple kitchen is snugged in between the trailer-cum-farmhouse and the sheep barn. The collection
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Plant-Based Contemplations
If you think Mexican food, you might think meat. Sure, Mayan cuisine includes an exotic array of spices, herbs and plant-based delicacies- elote (corn on
Plant-Based Contemplations Read More »
(Hot) Water Water Everywhere (Iceland Age part 1)
Although Iceland has been getting a lot of press lately as a hot – metaphorically and geologically speaking – tourist destination, it hardly seems a
(Hot) Water Water Everywhere (Iceland Age part 1) Read More »
Get Used to More Glowing, Dancing Skies
The visible green line of the aurora is about 100 to 120 kilometres above Earth, Hampton says. The rockets will soar well beyond that —
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The Lure of the Aurora Borealis
Tourists visit the Yukon to see the aurora; it’s the heart of the winter tourism industry. Visitors who have done their research will also have
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Learning About Ubuntu in Namibia
My African friends think that Yukoners are cannibals. When I told them the story about the Sourtoe Cocktail I expected the usual reaction: laughter and
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Loco for Mangoes
Perhaps my Yukon upbringing prevented me from eating mangoes during my formative years. Especially in the grateful, sticky chin kind of way that I eat mangoes
Haiti after Hurricane Matthew
The eye of Hurricane Matthew hit the Tiburon Peninsula, the southwest tip of Haiti, on October 4th. With winds that blew 230 kilometres an hour
Haiti after Hurricane Matthew Read More »
Family Vacation
As children are once again back in school — practicing their writing skills by reporting on the topic “What I did last summer,” — it
On Simple Pleasures
There is a microwave placed awkwardly in front of the little, old fashioned split-glass window. The curtains are open and on the other side of
On Simple Pleasures Read More »
Final Days and Thoughts
The final week of Icelandic adventuring saw us completing the Ring Road, which encircles the whole country and has tourist spots dotted along the way.
Final Days and Thoughts Read More »
Eastward Ho, at Last
They’re on the road again. Bruce Barrett and Judy Forrest, the Whitehorse couple whose van was torched by an arsonist in British Columbia last month,
Eastward Ho, at Last Read More »
Petting Cheetahs in Namibia
The cheetah appeared suddently, and instantly I was overcome with fear. I saw it walking slowly on the porch of the farm house. I froze
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Vestmannaeyjar Voyage
The road that encircles Iceland, called Highway 1 or the Ring Road, offers access to many of the sights on the tourist track, called the
Vestmannaeyjar Voyage Read More »
On The Benefits of Hot Pools, Mostly
Spring in Iceland is a mostly cold, grey affair, strikingly suited to the harsh, rugged landscape. The road into the capital city, Reykjavik, from the airport
On The Benefits of Hot Pools, Mostly Read More »
How To Do Your Part to Reduce the Risk
On July 2, 1998, as Canada Day weekend celebrations carried out across the Yukon, a wildfire ignited. It was one of the largest and most
How To Do Your Part to Reduce the Risk Read More »
Not Precisely Iceland, More Like Montreal
I would like to revoke the claim I made in my introduction about being a seasoned traveller, because I have made an embarrassingly rookie mistake.
Not Precisely Iceland, More Like Montreal Read More »
Managing Yukon Wildfire: How, When and Why
Wildfire is as common in the Yukon as camping and bear sightings. There are roughly 150 wildfires in the territory every fire season.
Managing Yukon Wildfire: How, When and Why Read More »
Three Weeks in Iceland
Hvernig segir maður, “I’m completely lost” á íslensku? What’s that, you say? Icelandic is one of the most difficult languages to learn? On second thought,
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On the Hot Seat
Traveling always gives me a new perspective on commonplace things. Daily activities become challenges as I figure out the basics of food and shelter all
The Dawn of Spring
Spring is more than sales on winter gear en route to the clearance bin or the emergence of chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies in store
The Dawn of Spring Read More »
Getting in Sheep Shape
We drove four hours from Whitehorse to one of my favourite fishing lakes, then an hour and a half across. As a sheep hunter that’s
Getting in Sheep Shape Read More »
MAKE A BETTER FIRE
Except above tree-line, good firewood is available in most places in the Yukon but a few days of rain can make pretty good wood too
MAKE A BETTER FIRE Read More »
Fish
It will not surprise many that this little planet called Earth is covered by seventy percent water. What may surprise many is that the water
Newspaper-Making in Namibia
Murder, betrayal or New Year celebrations – these are the topics on the list. It is December 30 and we have to decide which story
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There Goes my Life
My hunting partner is the best. I know we’ll head out on more adventures, but it may be a while. Hayley is graduating & heading to law school.
There Goes my Life Read More »
States of Inebriation
We gratefully dropped our packs in the well-appointed bedroom of the houseboat. After one hour and five boats we had settled on the first we
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Axes: Use and Abuse
Winter is the busiest and most abusive time of the year for axes. They get a solid workout in the fall when we split the
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Hostel Hostility, Part 2
Before coming to Nicaragua’s beach mecca of San Juan del Sur, I had undergone a hostel scare in Granada – a polite-seeming colonial city with
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Cooler Tips
These days the word “cooler” can mean a pre-mixed alcoholic beverage, but it’s also the name of an insulated box to keep your food and
Here I Am
I ran away from Toronto like a rabbit from a wolf. Moving to the country’s largest city from my smaller Ontario hometown had been like
Hostel Hostility, Part 1
Early in my trip to Nicaragua last spring, I lost my bank card. I had a large sum of money in the bank, but no
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Becoming A Role Model in India
One of the very first things that Yukoner Liam Campbell did when he arrived in India was land himself an invitation. “Within two hours of
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Mindfulness is a Traveler’s Best Friend
We go traveling so we can have new experiences. So we can see new places, experience new tastes and be exposed to new smells and
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Laughter Is The Same In All Languages
Temperatures were in the mid-30s while we were in Munich. Many of the people spoke English, but many others did not. Neither Joanne nor I
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A Walk in the Park
Whenever I travel to cities I seek out green space for the familiarity of trees and the relative quiet. While Day 1 in Delhi was
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The Camp Knife
Too often, I have seen people wearing knives that are really too big to take on any task except chopping down trees. These are often
Head in the Clouds
The motto on the Montana licence plate is Big Sky Country. I went to Montana before I knew the true meaning of ‘big sky’ —
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On Backpacks
Since people come in different lengths, so do packs. Most quality packs have frame adjustments to lengthen and shorten the unit. Some have no adjustments, but that’s fine if it fits you at the length it is. Don’t buy it simply because the price is right.
The Mystery Man
As we age do we revert to the simpler pleasures of youth? Perhaps all the way to the diaper? The symmetry of the baseball diamond
Bonding in the Ballpark
This past summer I had the unique opportunity to meet former New York Times columnist Richard Kinzer in Leon, Nicaragua. During my time there I
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“Domingo! Domingo!” Baseball in Nicaragua
In his classic account of Sandinista era Nicaragua, Blood of Brothers, Richard Kinzer notes, “With the sole exception of Roman Catholicism, no institution is as
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Hiking the West Coast Trail
Gruelling. Gruelling is the word used to describe the West Coast Trail in the official online guidebook. The trail is a 75-kilometre backpacking trek, situated
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The Encounter
The following story was my submission for the 1994 Yukon Young Authors’ Conference. There, I got to work with acclaimed Canadian playwright Guillermo Verdeccia, who
The Aishihik Rock Slide
For three consecutive Sundays, my husband and I have been going to a place we both fell in love with. He found it when hunting
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Adventures in Tombstone Territorial Park
Tombstone Territorial Park, and the highway that leads to it, evoke the images of the Yukon we love so much: vivid colours, vast, open land,
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The Call of Fastnacht
I am not a homesick person, but I can hear the Black Forest calling me home during Fastnacht, which means carnival. For many people in
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SOS
My phone rang at 2:27 pm. Janessa was on the other end: “What’s going on dad?” “What are you talking about?” I said. It turns
How Does Your Burl Grow?
Deep in the woods, mysterious trees grow. They have a deformity that makes them more valuable. No, the dark arts are not at work, but
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Street Level Cuisine in the City that Never Sleeps
When I arrived in New York City on December 19 and found my room in the apartment I was subletting, I dropped my bags and
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Thoughts and feelings of a young woman hitchhiking 10,000 km across Canada and the USA
I have been called many things. Crazy. Stupid. Brave. Adventurous. Trusting. But I‘d just like to be called human. Every human is special, and among
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The Social Traveller
Want to be a part of a reality show that you can influence? Just hop onto Bjorn Troch’s website, The Social Traveler, and you can
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Knives For the Hunt
Generally speaking, a hunter should have two knives — one for camp chores, such as cutting rope, whittling a wiener stick, or cutting up vegetables.
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Traveling with Janet
I pulled out the flat, round, ceramic piece, which looked like a patterned cookie, and held it in my hand. Under glorious sun, I surveyed
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The Sopranos, the Camino de Santiago, and How the World Hangs Together
Last night I watched episode 1 of the Sopranos, the mafia-family television series that became hugely popular at the turn of the century . It
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Firewood: Then and Now
Firewood was a least-loved childhood chore, everything to do with firewood, but especially the process of getting it from the forest into the woodshed. The
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Spellbound at Kelsall Lake, B.C.
It always seems that for other people things happen quite easily. They have an idea and voila — there it is. I don’t know; maybe
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Beginner’s Mind
My lack of birding skills used to be a secret shame. When it did come out, it was with an embarrassed acknowledgment that despite a
Parking Lot Living
My first friend in Whitehorse is an older man I meet in the automotive section of Canadian Tire the day I arrive. He helps me
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What’s in a Name?
In approximately 100,000 years since we began to speak, we’ve classified and described plants. Carl Linnaeus devised a system of naming using two Latin names
Can I Come Along Again?
Germany is green and clean — there’s not much garbage, and there are recycling bins everywhere. The people are friendly. Being on a train is
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Use and Care of Axes
On a recent visit to a friend’s place I noticed that his axe handle had a 10 to 15 centimetre warp, and the head was
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Parking Lot Cowboys: off the grid in Whitehorse
rri Johnny Paladin says, “Have you ever been to Montana? Why is the sky so big there?” He’s trying to explain the allure of the
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One Autobahn, Many Stops
If you win the Take Me To Frankfurt contest, here are some suggestions for what you should do in Germany. Fly to Frankfurt and take
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Delicate, but Determined
How does a plant know when it’s time to break the surface, to move from its protected subterranean world and reach skyward? If it gets
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What’s Up With Nature Around Whitehorse
As a new season approaches, have you ever asked yourself, “I wonder what’s up with the natural world, at this moment, where I live?” My
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Bison Hunt: intro of the herd 1/5
1998 was the first bison hunting season. They did nothing to avoid hunters. Later they became wary so hunting them became more challenging.
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The Beauty of Decay
I live along the Alaska Highway and when I step out of my house I am in the wilderness. Though I normally live in the
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Nothing But Nostalgia
I lived in the beautiful mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland from 1987 to 2002 and have returned six times since — the need to “come home”
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Las Vegas, Here We Come
Runners are fascinating. Non-runners question their sanity for participating in a seemingly monotonous, exhausting sport, but talk to a runner and their passion comes through
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Mystery Solved
Last year, on a hike up Vanier Mountain nearby Kusawa Lake, my friend spotted a black and white mountain across the lake. The north side
Hidden Treasure in a Plastic Container: Geochaching in the Yukon, and around the world
“Okay, it should be near… here… six metres… four metres…” Shane Griffiths says, reading from a display on his iPhone. What we’re looking for, I’m
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At Home, In a Pub, In Berlin
Neighbourhood pubs are a European invention. A place where neighbours meet, after work for a glass of suds, in the early evening for a game
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The Most Scrumptious Pastry on the Planet
Our love affair with the most scrumptious pastry on the planet began in an unlikely place – Old Crow. One dark night, during the tenth
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Poland: More than just beautiful women.
My neck still hurts from visiting Poland, but it’s my stomach that really aches to go back… I visited Poland in 2011 to attend the
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Sleeping Babies
The babies sat in the driveway, tarped over, covered in snow half-melted in the April sun. I brushed them off, to let the sun begin
Tudo Bem: It’s All Good
There is this Portuguese pastry I would kill or die for, whichever comes first: pastel de nata. The sound of it alone makes me want
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Making an Interpretive Hike on Sima
The skiing at Mount Sima was fantastic on the last weekend it was open this winter, but besides the excellent snow conditions and weather, the
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Keeping it Simple on Long Trips
I think I have seven versions of “Motorcycle Trip Gear List” on my computer. Every time we go on a trip there are three more
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Cardio à la ‘Just About Anything’
Cher Yukon, Comment ca va? In the world of the self-employed, contract artist, one learns how to say, “Yes, I can do that!” to just
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Enjoying the Hyper-Local
The restaurant might have had a name; I certainly didn’t notice it as we were walking down an ancient cobblestone street in Piacenza, a small
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Looking for Ludwig
In September 2008 I visited Scotland with Casey Lee McLaughlin. I was almost killed on the slopes of Ben Nevis and I nearly went to
Looking for Ludwig Read More »
Dispatch from Down Under
Dear Yukoners, Warm greetings from Adelaide, Australia! Bloody hot greetings more like it. Your very own Yukon Gold Comics (Jenny Hamilton, George Maratos, Stephen McGovern,
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Yukon Trail Building, Animal Tracking
All winter I worked on a trail going due south from the house. My initial goal was to reach a little hilltop in the middle
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Desperate Northern Riders
How far am I willing to go to ride? Pretty far, apparently. This past winter, my favourite riding buddy and I travelled by truck and
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Sharing the Yukon With Seven Sled Dogs
BY CAROLIN FISCHER Being an exchange student in the Yukon is fantastic! When I arrived in August 2008, I had read lots about the Territory
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The Other Two Wheels
You should always start planning the next adventure before the current one is complete. Even better, before the current one even gets started. I have
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The Yukon’s ‘Happy Ditches’
I am convinced that the Yukon has really happy ditches. I’ve always believed that places absorb the emotional energy of the human beings who have
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Hypothermia in Mexico
Picture desert backcountry … There are cacti and scrub brush and even a couple of cowboys herding reluctant stray cattle along a sandy road. Each
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Guatemala’s greatest asset is its people
Guatemala has so many great elements to it, but the highlight of our trip (if you’ve read my other stories you may notice a common
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Adventures on Mt. Kelvin
As I sit here looking out of my window at Mount Kelvin, a white peak above the treed hills, I dream of summer hikes past
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The ‘Twisties’
Most of me loves the twisties. There is a small part of me that is disappointed with the fact that I don’t always do them
Understanding the value of a road
How many memories are created by a simple family vacation … Depending on how you look in the rear-view mirror, the road behind can seem
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You Say Goodbye, I say Hello
This Christmas I had the great fortune of visiting Guatemala. I really enjoyed answering the question, “Why did you decide to come to Guatemala?” which
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Baja – the Road to Gonzaga
What happened to the road? It was the second challenge of our trip. The first was the sand of the central mountains. This second one
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Road Trip of Envy
It is really annoying being on a road trip, not on a motorcycle. I am on a multipurpose trip; however, none of those purposes are
Cycle Oregon; A Cycling Tour for the Rest of Us
I like cycling. Each year when the Tour de France comes on television, I watch in awe and imagine what it would be like to
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Realization of a Dream
Over 30 years ago, in a moment of impulsive insanity, my partner and his best friend walked off into the Vizcaino Desert in Baja, California.
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Another Coldest Night Ever
Our plans had changed of necessity, dictated by the weather. The light rain was turning into a torrent. We stopped at a nondescript roadside café
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Belgian Street-Meat Heaven
Mitraillette: it’s the world’s most perfect food. Without a description of its component parts you may mistake this culinary art form for a simple hot-dog
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Surviving the Culture Clash
Five months ago I left on an international exchange to Mozambique. Out of all the continents, Africa was the last one to strike off my
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Pelican Alarm Clock
The daybreak cacophony of squawks and splashes sounded like it was inches away from our tent. We had just spent our first night on the
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Food = Culture?
If food defines a culture, I shudder to think about the people defined by Guerrero Negro’s demon street food from hell. We’d pulled into town
Out and Away: The Camping is the Food!
No recipes here. Too little space, too many ideas and I don’t think I have ever cooked the same thing twice
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Alone on the Road
Neil Pert, in his book Ghost Rider, said that for “the ‘armchair traveller’, it’s only the vicarious, pristine experiences they want to share … not
Attack of the Gargantuan Tumbleweeds
It was a bit like being in a B movie. We were on our way north from Baja, California and had just broken free from
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But Can We Get There from Here?
“Okay, sure. You’ll be flying into Fua’amotu International Airport.” “We’re actually interested in the direct flight from LA to Tonga.” “Yes, it only flies direct
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Revelation in Joshua Tree
Once I decided that not to ride was just plain wrong, I had to decide what kind of motorcycle to get. Not even knowing how
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How Do You Snorkel Backwards?
Neiafu, ‘Uta Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga The first swimmer sprang from a standing position at the back of the boat into the warm, calm waters
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The low of coming home
I don’t like to admit it, but I hate the feeling I get coming back home after a long motorcycle trip. There is so much
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Yachties for a Day on the Ratbag
Neiafu, ‘Uta Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga “Do pigs eat egg shells?” This was answered by a shake of the head. “No. They are too crunchy.”
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Along the Jo-Jo Lake Trail
The history of the Jo-Jo Lake trail goes a long way back, as the people of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations can tell you.
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Not Quite Alone in the Desert
The highest peaks of the Animas mountains in the east are already colouring light pink. As the road dips slightly through an arroyo, there are
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Wandering in Mendenhall Meadows
The meadows lie like pearls on a string along the winding, muddy Mendenhall River. I live only three kilometres from the river as the crow
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Intrepid Traveller: Janet Goes Walking – Part 2
This was it. After walking almost 800 kilometres in 31 days, I was about to arrive at what I thought would be my final destination:
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Intrepid Traveller: Janet Goes Walking – Part 1
It started with the Wife of Bath. I was about 17 years old when I first read Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. I felt a strong kinship
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Klondike Korner: Just Watchin’ the River Flow
“But this ol’ river keeps on rollin’, though No matter what gets in the way and which way the wind does blow, And as long
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Elfin Creek Magic
This morning I heard the grouse drumming. All these signs of spring! This drumming is the mating call of the male grouse. He produces it
Finding Middle Ground on Middle
With all the snow now melting, it brings back memories of spring hiking, which is soon to start. The southern-exposed hillsides are starting to clear,
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Intrepid Traveller: The Love Meter
I was cleaning out my dresser drawers the other day and stumbled upon my old silver charm bracelet, a Christmas present from my mom when
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First Skate of the Season is Wild Heaven
This year the skating started for me on October 22 after I woke up to -22 C. The morning before, the yard was full of
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Passion for the Planet
Passion and excitement practically explode over the phone as I speak with Veronica Huggard. Huggard is one of five young people chosen to represent Yukon
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My Mountain
I have this mountain in my backyard. Our elevation at home, somewhere along the Alaska Highway, is almost 2,500 feet. The top of my mountain
Street Side Chai Affair
Each morning I make my way to the nearest tea stall and start my day with a street side chai. It’s 8 am, and I’m
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Snake for Supper
Creosote bush as far as the eye can see. We are driving out of Animas in the far south-west corner of New Mexico. Only small
Search for the Perfect Tree
I admit I will take the fullest, bushiest tree out there, like hunting for trophy. I know a friend—bless her heart—who just takes the little
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Miss Manners Goes Skiing
Cross country skiing can be conducted at breakneck speed or at a social pace. As with most social activities, there is etiquette involved.
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Squash Mountain
I Iive about a 15-minute drive from Stony Creek. Stony is well known for the best drinking water ever and, of course, for the raspberries
Intrepid Traveller: The Power of Shoes
My love of patent leather shoes started pretty early on. I remember at the age of 11 going into the local shoe shop with my
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Into the Colour Palette
Asia is scattered with solid orange and red as monks are around every corner—making an already brilliantly vibrant country even brighter. (Their robes reflect colours
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In Search of Pink
Last year I found out that a certain pink flower was not the one I always thought it was. My first encounter with a pink
Return to Spirit Canyon
What I love about writing for What’s Up Yukon is that it encourages me to do a little research about the things I write about.
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Wind’s Abaft the Beam: Pt. 3
Sailing terms irk me. Wind’s abaft the beam? What’s wrong with “the wind’s from behind”? Coming about, prepare to gybe, helm’s alee? How about, “The
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Orpheus Mountain
We have been enjoying an endless, beautiful fall this year. A few Fridays ago, still having lots of things on my To Do list, I
A Road Less Travelled
As you drive toward Kluane Lake an inconspicuous dirt road marked as “The Arctic Institute of North America” leads off to the right. If you
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Takhini Salt Flats
Hiking into the Takhini Salt Flats used to mean parking on the narrow shoulder of the Alaska Highway. Now, thanks to road improvements around the
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Desert to Oasis to Desert
We stayed four nights in Bahia de Tortugas. We’d ridden across the Viscaino Desert to the very tip of the Viscaino Peninsula, and now it
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Wind’s Abaft the Beam, Pt.1
Impetuous. Reckless. Hasty. That’s how my partner John and I ended up in Victoria, British Columbia in early June last year, purchasing a sailboat when
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Snowshoeing Along the Beach
A beautiful day in February – the sun was shining, and a south wind blowing. In February, the sun gains considerable strength and on days
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Glorious 40 Below
Sunday we woke up to -40. Minus forty is the same in Fahrenheit and Celsius. To me that means everybody understands: no matter which system
Meandering Along the Mendenhall
In most places the river is around 20 feet wide, making it a perfect thoroughfare, even for dog sleds and snow machines, although there are
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Wind’s Abaft the Beam: Pt. 2
Currents, tides, winds. It is a lot for me to keep track of while trying to remember how to hoist a mainsail (loosen the mainsheet,
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Moto Psycho
Rivers of motos (motorcycles, scooters, all types of motorized transportation) are everywhere in Vietnam and Cambodia. Ladies often ride sidesaddle, and laws of physics do
A Day on Mount Vanier
Of all the mountains around the Mendenhall subdivision, I had never made it to the most prominent, Mount Vanier. I can’t see it from my
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A Day in the World’s Best Job
I’ve heard it said that park rangers have the best job in the world. Maybe it’s true. After all, how many people get to work
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Intrepid Traveller: Island of Dreams
I admit to approaching the Island of Capri with some trepidation. I had heard how overrun it was going to be with wealthy tourists who
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It is Wilderness Out There
At 7:40, I set off on foot through the woods towards the highway. At 8:00, Mary Whitley picked me up. She had already plucked another
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Intrepid Traveller: La Dolce Vita Along the Amalfi Coast
Driving Italy’s Amalfi Coast had long been on my ‘bucket list’, when my teenage son needed some down time, I left him in our hotel.
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Mambo Tanzania: Pt. 3
I made it! I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro! I’m sure I cost a few of the resort staff some betting money by doing it. When I
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Mambo Tanzania: Pt. 2
Mambo! Poa! Last week I explained Mambo. Poa is the proper response. Described to me as: Mambo = What’s Up? Poa = It’s cool. At
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Climbing and Being Climbed
There are little leaps and big leaps, little walks and big walks. I like the idea of “keep on walking”, day after day, farther away.
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Mambo Tanzania: Pt. 1
Editor’s Note: What’s Up Yukon co-publisher Mark Beese recently embarked on the adventure of a lifetime—an assault on Tanzania’s fabled Mount Kilimanjaro. This is the
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Beauty of the Bogs
Bogs have stagnant water and swamps have some drainage. And then there are fens and marshes. A fen is a peatland, but so is a
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Mud, Sand & Scaups
In early April, I started running every morning. I felt that I was losing stamina on my hikes, and needed to do something about it.
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Intrepid Traveller: Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
t was the wise Dr. Seuss who wrote, “Oh, the things you can find if you don’t stay behind!” And what finds there are to
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Orpheus Mountain It’s Here to Stay
October, the month of change from no snow to snow, has just passed by. In the southern Yukon the year is nicely divided into two
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A Moment in Time
A wise person in my life recently told me, “In order to get to that place or circumstance where you want to be in your
Manifesting an Adventure
Anybody ever read the book The Secret? If you have, you know it is about manifesting your best life ever. I spent the last hour
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No Haggling At This Garage Sale
Cher Yukon, Comment ca va? Today’s story from the borough of Verdun is about our amazing “dresser find”. I will preface by saying, “Yukoners, you
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Music Festivals the Australian Way
BY JANELLE HARDY Scritch, scritch, scritch, went the sand as people walked through it. Sunbathers, surfers, boogeyboarders, wedding parties, everyone was on the beach basking
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Nina Reed’s Excellent Adventure
After seven months in the surf and sun, Nina Reed, 18, was ready to come back to the sludge and muck of the Yukon’s April.
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Yukoner is an Explorer in the Far South
“What have I done? Can I handle this?” Devon McDiarmid had just stepped off the plane in Antarctica and, although it was for the fifth
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