Alaska - a trip to remember

[nan]

remember something we have here
first Brown Bear

[okie]

Hmmmm. Nan , you are not talking about those bears that used to be kept in those below-ground cages in Bern , are you

[nan]

Hmmmm. Nan , you are not talking about those bears that used to be kept in those below-ground cages in Bern , are you

NO...
and these cages no longer exist... what a shame
now there is a park along the river... but still a fenced park

no, I think to the snow, ice, mountains

and we have 1,2... maybe 3 wild Bears (coming from Italia)... but hunters kill them

[Mel]

Nice to 'meet' Mr and Mrs okie

Looks like a marvellous trip! Already some nice wildlife and the landscape is really beautiful.

[Lisbeth]

The bisons must be quite impressive

[pooky]

Wow galloping along there okie

Awesome scenery, but it certainly looks very chilly still

Nice to see some wild life too

Really enjoying this

[okie]

Yukon Territory

I do not know what the difference in Canada is between a Province , and a Territory . Maybe something political . Anyway , Yukon is a Territory , and covering an area of around 480 000 square kilometres , that is about 40 % of the area of South Africa , yet , the Yukon’s population numbers less than 40 000 people . Certainly not many people around , and if you are really yearning for peace and quiet ( and away from your neighbours ) , then this is the place to be .

The first “ major “ town you get to after crossing into Yukon Territory , is Watson lake ( population about 700 ) , and basically just a widish place in the Alaska Highway . The place has its claim for fame for two things , namely ( 1 ) the northern lights centre , and (2 ) The Signpost Forest .
The northern lights centre give daily shows , in season of course , of the nightsky , and specifically scenes including the Aurora Borealis . Its really something special and worthwhile to see !
Probably more wellknown , is the Signpost Forest . During the building of the Alaska Highway in 1942 , a soldier felt very homesick , and put up a signpost of his hometown , showing name , distance etc . And ever since that time , travellers have been putting up signposts with their hometown details on it . According to Wikipedia , at last count in 2011 , their were more than 76 000 signposts . Just have a look at this :



Signs wherever you look . Hundreds , thousands of signs .








Of course , we just had to put up a sign too , to show where we come from , but not out of homesickness . More a case of “ been there , done that “ , you know ?




And , looked and searched , but did not see one single sign from South Africa . Obviously not a very popular tourist attraction for Saffies


I just could not resist also taking a pic of this sign on a local guy’s bakkie





The next day , we continued our trip to Whitehorse , the largest city in Yukon . Not a very big place as you can imagine .

[Lisbeth]

The signpost forest is something ..................... ( Good looking SO )

[Duke]

Thanks okie

So if I ever get there must take a ZA sign with me.

[Flutterby]

Really interesting!!