Mush Mush! By Carol Heppenstall

The makings of a perfect vacation: beautiful weather; exciting programs; great food and yes great company! Such was the case on our recent voyage to Whitehorse for the Yukon Quest.

 

Debbie and Fred Last did an excellent job as resource hosts, particularly opening their beautiful ranch - Windy Ridge - for our final dinner a la bar b qued char!

 

Highlights included Sam McGee's cabin, searching through the archives for gold diggers and Pierre Burton's relatives.  The day at Frank Turner's (22 time winner of the Quest) Muk Tuk Kennels where after brief instruction our four teams raced to the Yukon River and mushed for three hours! It was exhilarating to say the least and kudos goes to Mary Hunter, long time Adventure Canada traveller, who had her own team! The mushers' banquet included great food and the stories of
all 22 Quest teams. The race is 1000 miles in length and there were high and low moments for everyone. My favorite part was the awarding of steaks to the winning dogs who loved being on stage with their leader, Hans Gatt. And did I mention alpaca hobnobbing?

 

The Yukon is a magnificent place to visit and I for one want to return perhaps to capture the fall colour or another Yukon Quest. Sandra introduced us to Haiku poetry and we all wrote feverously all week. Here is the winner:

Waiting for the glow

In the dark and cold we pace

Finally, its here.   

By Mike Holloway



Check out my blog for a taste of the Yukon!



PS thanks for a fabulous Birthday party folks!



Carol is guiding two other intimate departures to the Arctic this summer:

Silent Messengers