Tales of '98

Soapy Smith may be long gone and the Klondike Gold Rush long over, but Skagway is entrenched in a little known, but incredibly fascinating, history. I'll admit that gold rushes aren't exactly the most exciting historical events from the outside. But on closer inspection, one will find the fascinating stories of individual hardship, tragedy and yes, even success, paved in blood, sweat, tears, booze and debauchery, with a sprinkle of gold dust for good measure. It's this sheer rough, jagged determination and the extreme tests of the human condition imposed on all who dared follow their dreams where the beauty of these events lie. Their journeys offer valuable and relevant lessons for us today, to follow our hearts and dreams through valleys of death to reach the goals we seek.

Many prospectors were average joes like you and I, looking for adventure and/or riches, and their stories scream loudly for those willing to listen. Not to mention, many gold rushes have had long-lasting effects, such as the founding and growth of towns and major cities in Northern and Western North America.

It's this aspect I want to focus on when giving these tours. Most people don't want to hear how awesome a gold dredge is in mathematical terms, but instead, its contributions to the development of the Yukon and Southeastern Alaska. How it works. Stories hidden in its rusted interior. The financial and bureaucratic struggle to bring it to Skagway from the Yukon.

Of course, I get to dress up like a sourdough from the late 19th century. I have yet to really flesh out an idea for a character, but I think I'm gonna shoot for a young prospector who has recently arrived and is just getting his hands dirty in the fields. Maybe throw in a bit of naivety and youthful spunk to really get the crowd energized. I'm thinking no beard or facial hair. I will stay away from fire.

My personal Tale of '98 began where the journey ended. In Whitehorse, I met some fellow travelers, some of whom planned on heading to Skagway the same day I was. In our two-car caravan, we cruised the Klondike Highway southbound to the Alaskan border. This presented both some of the best scenery of the trip and some of the most treacherous driving conditions. Have the sun shine on the road and reflect its blinding rays off of the snow-engulfed mountains, combining it with cloud cover shrouding the peaks in blowing snow. The winds raced down the slopes, picking up freshly fallen powder and dragging it into across the two-lane historical highway into our vehicles. We had a mere taste of what the prospectors dealt with over a century ago.

But after my new friends filled out some paperwork for the U.S. customs, we were on our way, down the final miles into Skagway. We parked at one of the docks, where I proceeded to head back to the dredge to meet my new co-workers for the first time (I will introduce them in my next blog post). Back to the docks, a bitterly cold and windy stroll through serene desolation. Only a few stores were open, even fewer people on the streets. We must have been one of the first bands of tourists to arrive for the season.

They returned to Whitehorse, I have settled into my little cabin on site, and tomorrow, we begin rocking it out by helping get things in order for the season. Next week, actual training begins, and until then, self-study.

Let my Tales of '98 begin!!!!

Let the Games Begin

Skagway is here, and the journey up may have come to an end, but the games are just beginning.

I'm about to move into my quarters for the next six months on site of our dredge. It's a tiny little personal cabin with public quarters and facilities just outside.

I've met many of my superiors, including the owner, and there's no doubt I'm gonna have a blast these next six months.

As of now, not much as happened. I've been helping my co-workers move into their summer offices, strolled around town and on nearby trails and have tasted.

Unfortunately, I don't have much time, so I'll save the rest for another blog. Internet isn't included in the price of room and board like I originally thought, so it maybe a few days before I'm back on. That will bode well I think, though. Until next time!

Land of the Midnight Sun

Although my visit to the Yukon will be short, I'll attempt to make the best of my time here. After all, this is the focal point of the era of history I will be presenting as a Tour Guide in Skagway. It is here where the Klondike Gold Rush erupted with promises of fame and fortune, and like the others before it, disappointed the vast majority who tried their luck. And yet some decided that journeying to the mines was indeed to arduous and profited from helping their fellow prospectors with a variety of services. And through it all, the Yukon was separated into its own territory from the Northwest Territories; its economy began to develop and flourish.

I just now made an attempt to see if the aurora borealis was dancing in the midnight sky, but to no avail. I do hope to see it at least once while during my stay in this part of the world.

UPDATE: Right after posting this, myself and some fellow travelers noticed the northern lights begin to appear and went out to a nearby viewpoint to get a better look and snap photos. It was pretty awesome, and I look forward to seeing more.

I also must say to get a room yesterday in Ft. Nelson for half price and not even need my credit card as collateral was an accomplishment. It was a Super 8, albeit a four-story one, but still, I decided to assume it would be like its American counterparts: simple, cheap and to-the-point. This one was in another league, yet, by simply mentioning my upcoming gig in Alaska when asked and also mentioning I made the assumption this Super 8 was like its American counterparts, the discount rolled in and I had myself a nice sexy room. Oh yeah, and it snowed. It was awesome.

Can Mexican food be good in places outside of Mexico, Texas and the American Southwest? How about in Whitehorse? Check out Sanchez Catina and taste for yourself. As a Texan who loves his Mexican food, I give it a frozen but ecstatic two thumbs up.

The Land of the Midnight Sun....I will be seeing plenty of those here in a few months.

The first part of this journey ends tomorrow when I roll into Skagway, and things will really start cooking. There is no place like home, but it's good to get away for a while.

Oh Canada!

While my journey into Canada began on a somber note, it's quickly shifted to a much more positive one. I did purchase a new camera, a conglomeration of the two lost, featuring the convenience of size of my Nikon with the features of my Powershot (see the Vancouver and later pics on my facebook). Even better, my full day in Vancouver wound up featuring beautiful, albeit ball-shrinking cold, weather. So instead of museum hopping, I went with my original plan and cruised Stanley Park and its seawall, followed by a stroll through Gaston and Chinatown, ending with a visit to Sun Yat-sen Classic Chinese Garden. Obviously, there's so much more to see, which is why I may very well return on my way back from Alaska.

Situating myself in downtown Vancouver, I stayed at the Samesun Hostel on Granville St. A nice backpacker retreat near all of the backpacker goodies, Samesun features interesting decor and atmosphere in the form of small, wood floor rooms with doors painted various national flags. Also, various wall hangings of ideas on getting off the tourist trail, cheap sights to see and food to eat, and of course, the best restaurants in town.

I recommend Twin Parrots, a bar and grill which has a dynamite Jamaican burger, and dougiedog, a small hole-in-the-wall hot dog joint featuring the best hot dogs I've had to date outside of Chicago. I tried their Super Mario dog (bursting with cheesy power which I did quite literally later on), featuring a jalapeno and cheese dog with ketchup, mushrooms and an extra smashing of cheese.

Oh yes, and Samesun's own restaurant, The Beaver, wasn't too bad itself. You can kick back, use their wi-fi while cussing out facebook for not uploading your photos, chat with other guests or simply watch ESPN or a Canuks game. While it's respectable to cheer for the Canuks, it's pretty funny to cheer for the opposition.

I also had a bum growl at me outside a 7-11 because I ignored him.

And the grand prize: The astonishing scenic views driving north out of Vancouver through Whistler. Large, ferocious mountains with trees precariously hanging to its sides and glacial lakes reflecting the scene for all to see. Through this, a small provincial highway wound its way through passes and mountain-sides with areas of missing guardrails, slush, snow pack and even one-lane bridges. It alone was a drive of a lifetime, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect.

I still have several more days in Canada before crossing back into Alaska.

See ya'll on the Alaskan Highway!

Left Your Heart in San Francisco? I Left My Cameras in Seattle.

More like left them on the roof of my car and drove off, throwing them off of my car and nevermore to be in my possession. Oh lapse of paying attention, how I hate thee so so dearly.

I've been welcomed to Vancouver with rain, wind and 40-degree temperatures, the one combination of weather I sorely hate. My hostel room has no working heat, but I'm sure my waters are nice and frosty. Tomorrow, the forecast is a 75% chance of fail with the possibility of me buying a new, small camera (another bigger one will come later, of course).

But these are the realities, the third dimension, of traveling and life, and despite the little fails, it's still a deep passion of mine. And I can tell Vancouver is, shall was say, a very happening place. It's too bad I may not be able to see it at its very best, but seeing it at only 50% is still a treat. I just wish I had an umbrella to be my companion.

And the Twin Parrots in Vancouver has my recommendation. Damn good Jamaican burger with fries and delicious bacon-wrapped scallops due to tummy good.

Sand, Snow and Skyscrapers

With the U.S. leg of the journey winding down, I am simply amazed at the sheer beauty, both natural and man-made, that I've seen thus far. Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever though states like Arizona and Utah were as beautiful as they are. Powerful, towering mountains over desert landscapes and high prairies, protecting them. The I-84 corkscrew descending from Oregon's Blue Mountains onto the high prairies below. The elegant and encompassing beauty both natural and man-made that makes up Seattle.

And with quaint and relaxing towns like Yakima and bustling beauty of major cities like Seattle to throw into the pot, there begs the assumption that I've entered the paradise element to our great nation. The biting chill of the wind, the snow driving down over Snoqualmie Pass, the dust devils of the Arizona desert, the brilliant gold streaks of the Southwest mountains, the towering skyscrapers of Seattle...for me, it is an augmentation of home.

And as my halibut fish and chips settle down for the evening inside my stomach and my mind marinates on the views of above from the Space Needle and down from below along the Seattle waterfront, I prepare for tomorrow's border crossing. Vancouver will be waiting, and I hope it welcomes me for the next two days.

New pictures on facebook if you haven't already seen them.

It Span Me Right Around, Baby Right Around

Despite nearly hitting a dumbass dear and subsequently attempting to dodge it at 70 mph causing me to run off the highway and violently make two complete 360 degree turns, winding up facing the wrong way, the first day went very well. No damage to my car, my stuff or me.

It's always a treat when a destination surprises you with beauty you assumed it didn't had. Who would've thought the desert would have such sights to behold? Obviously, there were those lagging moments that drug along for the ride, but this isn't your West Texas drive.

Southwestern New Mexico, in all of its desolate nature, harbors the most surprising of these treats. Heading west out of Lordsburg and over a ridge I see the interstate flowing into the distance, with rugged mountains painted with gold and yellow flowers with such balanced beauty. A train rolls along side the interstate, transcending a stereotypical desert landscape out of the wild west into a romanticized story of desert edginess with spring fragrance. It was a scene so perfect...yet due to the dangers of pulling off to the side of a major interstate, I wasn't able to photograph any of this.

And Arizona itself has harbored a few surprises of its own, with its contrasting landscapes of barren, burnt mountains, so jagged and rough because it's the only way to survive the climate. The Texas Canyon area, between Willcox and Benson, happened to have a rest stop featuring breathtaking scenery. Too bad the haze hid the distant mountains, but nevertheless was worth the twenty or so minutes I spent taking photos and simply soaking it in one pore at a time.

I could have made it Phoenix, but who can pass up a $50/night deal, especially when there's no guarantee Phoenix would have anything remotely that cheap? Sure, I missed an opportunity to go to Alice Cooperstown, but hey, it's reason alone to return. And Tucson isn't a bad place to stop. It has a small town charm with a mid-sized city attitude. It features a business complex made of bright colored adobe, as if Santa Fe decided to drop acid. It features a presidio now used for government complexes, but was once the sight of a Mormon stopover along their march into what used to be Mexican territory during the Mexican-American War, with a nice memorial statue to commemorate their contributions to the war as well as a homage to all Tucsonians (if that's what the locals refer to themselves as).

And who can forget the food? If you're ever stopping over in Tucson on a Saturday night, hit up Cushing Street Bar and Restaurant. Although pricey, it has wonderful food and live jazz music every Saturday night. Their Cajun meatloaf with Ancho Maple glaze was fantastic, as was their hummus.

I just posted a few pics on facebook and more should trickle in as the journey continues. Until next time!

Bags Are Packed, I'm Ready to Go

In 7 hours I will be on the interstate beginning an epic journey to Skagway. Crossing the desert with searing serenity, the Rockies with the potential of snow and adventure and into the Pacific Northwest's dreary yet relaxed environment. Vancouver beckons, British Columbia welcomes and along the rural Alaska Highway, I will enter the Land of the Midnight Sun before my final destination.

Throughout this next chapter in my life, I will update more frequently, and will strive to add in more excitement and creativity. I also hope to expand my horizons, enjoy every moment of my new job and to strive to become a become the person I know I can be.

Oh yes, and there will be food. Lots of delicious food, aiming to dine at as many local joints as possible to taste a piece of each destination. And with Skagway, a small town with a big story, there's plenty of northern lights to illuminate a mysterious frontier which seduces many travelers to become infatuated with its charm, a piece of America the Beautiful unlike anything else within its borders.

I'm fortunate enough to have been given this opportunity, and I hope to use it as a spring board for an exciting career in tour management.

See ya'll on the road!