The Yukon

The most interesting baggage claim display

The opportunity came up this summer for me to join my in-laws and SIL Kyra on a trip to visit Aunt Missy in Whitehorse, Canada. Waaaaaay up in the Yukon. A trip to somewhere I've never been, complete with days of organizing and decluttering and the hope of seeing a moose; how could I miss out?? Passport ready, jacket packed (even in July) and it was off to Whitehorse via Vancouver. 

We visited Aunt Missy's apartment and were able to all stay in apartments of our own on the first floor. The place is really nice, with coffee and snacks available all day, an in-house restaurant available for meals, activities, events and excursions available if you're interested. We met the unofficial Normandy doorman, Keith, a resident who was friendly and knowledgeable in everyone's affairs, but not much of a photographer. 

The area is beautiful. Mountains and rivers everywhere, some retained a hint of snow in the shaded valleys or tip top peaks. The water shone every shade of blue and green and somehow the sky seemed bigger and more complex. It's the kind of landscape that reminds a person how small we really are. 

We visited Aunt Missy's cabin, a remote place where she lived, mostly alone, for decades. Without running water, heat or indoor plumbing, but with the luxury of lakefront beach property, a quiet that is rarely found and neighbors that become family. It is not a life I can imagine for myself, but I can't deny the beauty and solace that it could bring. Unfortunately, we brought the wrong key and spent a few moments of panic after over an hour's drive to get there. Fortunately, there's a low crime rate, and the kitchen window was left unlocked so I was able to crawl in and unlock the door from the inside.  

Carcross, YT

We stopped at another small town, Carcross, on the way, and were surprised to see that it was some kind of a tour stop busting at the seams with people! This tiny spot on a map was poppin' with tourists! We got in just before the rush, took some photos, ate lunch, shopped around the moose and bear-themed trinkets and continued on our way. 

Helpful. Accurate.

I was surprised by the number of good restaurants available in little Whitehorse. We tried most of them, but returned several times to Big Bear Eatery and Taphouse. A self-described "steam-punk meets tropical vacation", this place offered good food, great service and a strong strange vibe. I think we ate here three separate times. It was first recommended by Emma and Molly, two of the nicest people you could meet. They have been Missy's kids, grandkids, friends and advocates since they were born. They helped us navigate the town and many of the resources necessary to ensure Missy's best interests are kept complete. They recommended Big Bear because we were still able to catch their great Happy Hour that begins at THREE OCLOCK. My kinda place. That and this emergency sign that is the first thing you see when you enter. 

The glass studio in town

Street art celebrating First Nations culture

The sunset from my apartment window. This was 11:15pm

Our final excursion was to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. We saw all kinds of incredible animals in this preservation and rehabilitation center; fox, lynx, caribou, bison, muskox, mountain goats and MOOSE! There were also arctic ground squirrels EVERYWHERE. I thought they were prairie dogs, and they were a blast to watch, but arctic ground squirrels are a different breed and living in abundance at the Preserve. 

A windy waterway walk with Missy's lifelong friend Gail

I had an exciting trip home with an unexpected overnight in Vancouver and stop through Los Angeles. Thankfully Timmys had me covered in the morning before my eventual flight back home. What a place, what a trip, there were some luggage fails and itinerary surprises, but it was a really good time with really great people. Now, I'll put away that jacket until February.