Paul Rath is a freelance writer who loves the outdoors, lives on the Haines Highway, where the mountains are many and the people are few.
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Paul Rath
Issue: 2017-07-05, PHOTO: Paul Rath
Fireweed Jelly
The beautiful and striking fireweed plant, with it's spray of magenta flowers is the iconic symbol of the north. Chosen as the Yukon's official floral symbol in 1957, fireweed represents not only the natural beauty of the territory, but also the... Read more
Issue: 2016-12-21, PHOTO: by Paul Rath
Crockpot Christmas Crack
This delicious mélange of peanuts, chocolate, and almond bark has become a family favourite. We found it on Facebook, and it looked so delicious, we wanted to try it, and had great results. It is a great blend of sweet and salty, chocolate and... Read more
Issue: 2016-12-21, PHOTO: Paul Rath
How to Write a Memorable Christmas Letter
The Christmas and New Year’s letter was a tradition in England that predated the first Christmas card in 1843, according to www.Smithsonian.com. With the expansion of the British postal system, Sir Henry Cole, who had many friends and... Read more
Issue: 2016-12-07, PHOTO: Paul Rath
A Gang of Elk, An Obstinacy of Bison
In our exploration of colourful collective nouns used to describe groups of animals, we have learned that many of these terms have come to us from the Late Middle Ages, more than 500 years ago. Some of these quaint words were collected in the Book... Read more
Issue: 2016-11-16, PHOTO: by Paul Rath
Collective Nouns for Birds Near and Far
In my last article, we learned that many collective nouns originated in the Late Middle Ages, and were recorded in The Book of Saint Albans. Collective nouns are the words used to describe groups of things. We refer to a flight of stairs without... Read more
Issue: 2016-11-02, PHOTO: by Paul Rath
Collective Nouns For Animal Groups- Near and Far
Swans, hummingbirds and penguins, for example, have more than wings and feathers in common. They each have a collective noun, too. Here is a rudimentary grammar lesson: nouns are the names of people, places or things: toddler, island or bird... Read more
Issue: 2016-10-19
The Importance of Numbers in Our Lives
As humans we are obsessed with counting things. We keep track of the numbers in our lives. We are always keeping score, measuring, recording and counting. For some of us the first thing we do in the morning is check how our body mass relates to... Read more
Issue: 2016-10-06, PHOTO: by Paul Rath
Ptarmigan: Nothing but facts
The Ptarmigan is the territorial bird of the Yukon. Ed. Note: The distinction of being known as the Yukon's territorial bird goes to the raven, which, Canada Post recently announced, is to be featured on a stamp. Ravens are more widespread than... Read more
Issue: 2016-09-29, PHOTO: Liz Barker, Camera- Sony Alpha6000
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 is a good time to reflect on how effective the opportunities for family-related memory-making were over the past... Read more
Issue: 2016-09-22, PHOTO: Paul Rath
Coho
September is harvest time. Berries are juicy and ripe for picking; root crops need to be dug and stored. The shortening days are a clear indicator that it is nearly time to put the garden to bed. September also marks the return of the coho and... Read more
Issue: 2016-09-08, PHOTO: by Paul Rath
How-to Remember Five Species of Salmon
Remembering the five species of Pacific salmon is as easy as counting the fingers on your hand. Start with your thumb, which rhymes with chum. Chum, which is also called “dog salmon” is very good smoked. The late fall chum run is one of the... Read more
Issue: 2016-07-07, PHOTO: Paul Rath
A Family Tradition
When the hooligan are running, the rivers and harbour In Haines, Alaska host a fiesta of wildlife that congregate to feed on this little fish that First Nations prize for its high fat content. Sea gulls, eagles, sea lions and even whales feast on... Read more
Issue: 2016-06-16, PHOTO: Paul Rath
Tlingit Treasure
On Saturday May 14th, under sunny skies, hundreds of spectators celebrated the Grand Opening of the Jilkaat Kwaan Cultural Heritage Centre and Bald Eagle Preserve Visitor Centre, amidst some of the most spectacular scenery in Alaska. The cultural... Read more
Issue: 2016-06-02, PHOTO: wikimediacommons.com
The Little Fish With Many Names
Someone once said, "Give a man a fish, and you will teach a man where to get free fish.” If you try to give a fish to a local – in places where salmon are plentiful – many will ask what kind, before accepting. Apparently to some, sockeye is the... Read more
What's Up Yukon May 12, 2016 Issue
A Bird in the Hand is Messy
I don’t like crows. I never have, and probably never will. I can spend hours watching eagles soar and glide on the thermals. I love blue herons, in flight or standing in solitude along the shoreline. Ravens are mysterious and interesting. Loons, well Read more
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Catch A Cutthroat
This is an awkward time of year for fishing. Each day, as the amount of daylight lengthens, we grow impatient to be back outside, with fishing rod in hand. As the warmth of the sun returns, and the snow begins to disappear, a growing mistrust for Read more
Issue: 2016-04-28, PHOTO: Paul Rath
Art Nights in Alaska
Haines is said to have more artists per capita than any town in Southeast Alaska. On Friday April 1st, the creative spirit of Haines was clearly demonstrated as artists, artisans, craftsmen and members of the public gathered for the unveiling of... Read more
Issue: 2016-04-28, PHOTO: kozzi.com
Skills from the Past
Volunteers who have an interest in historic preservation and want to learn new skills are invited to register for the upcoming three day workshop in Haines, Alaska. Volunteers who have an interest in historic preservation and want to learn new... Read more