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 amusement. But instead I got wide-open eyes and mouths asking me: “You did this?” they asked me. “You drank this human-cocktail?” I did my best to explain the history behind …
Just a week or so ago the newly published Atlas Obscura, subtitled, “An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders,” arrived on my desk sporting an enthusiastic recommendation from fantasy and comic book writer, Neil Gaiman. That’s not true any more, there have been at least half a dozen substitute toes since that time. One was …
The Sourtoe celebrated as a “Hidden Wonder” of the World Read More »
There was fog hugging the ground at La Guardia Airport. Flights had been cancelled all day. My companions and I sat in Ottawa, checking the board and watching our fl ight get delayed. We sipped Pinot Grigio. We ate nachos. Finally, finally, we boarded our plane. Two of us were supposed to be in New …
By Roger Rondeau I would take Yukon Jack with me on this trip to Europe because Yukon Jack knows everybody and he would be the ‘ best bang for my buck’. You have to first understand that I flew over the “big salt” with Yukon Jack once before; as the go between him and another amigo with …
Condor Contest Roger Rondeau – On My Way to Frankfurt Read More »
The Sourtoe Cocktail gets a mixed reception in the world abroad. Thousands of people have touched their lips to Captain Dick Stevenson’s inventive libation and have swallowed the notion that it is part of Dawson’s quaint charm. A few have gone further and swallowed the toe itself, and that’s exactly what happened recently. The news …
Yukon legend Dick Stevenson earned his status honestly, which, according to Captain Dick’s Au’toe’biography: One Toe of a Tale, is a rarity for the captain of the Yukon Lou and the creator of the SourToe Cocktail. The “au’toe’biography” answers frequently asked questions such as this one: What is the history of the wooden-hulled barge commissioned …
American liquor connoisseurs have Canada to thank for keeping their palates wet during Prohibition, as it was Canadians who made sure they didn’t go thirsty. In fact, in its heyday Canadian-based Seagrams was the largest distiller in the world. It’s no wonder than that Canadians are always near, if not at, the top when it …
I’m in Dawson City, Yukon. It is 10:30 pm on a Sunday night and I find myself walking the icy boardwalks as a few brave and hearty ravens fly overhead. I am with a handful of Dawsonites who call this place 500-plus kilometres north of Whitehorse home year ’round. We are headed to a local …
There are strange things done in the land of the midnight sun. Captain Dick ended up with a toe when someone froze it off at 40 below. So he made a famous brew that you’re not suppose to chew. Dick’s recipe included a toe nail when he made the sour toe cocktail. The human toe …
