Cross Country Trip Day 1 - Juneau to Whitehorse

Day 1 (June 24): Juneau, Alaska, to Whitehorse, Yukon

We got off to an early start this morning, waking up at 3:30 to get the kids ready and last minute cramming of everything into the car.  After picking up Daisy from the Dwyer’s, we set off for the first and probably easiest leg of the journey, a 15 mile trip to the AMHS (Alaska Marine Highway System) Auke Bay Ferry Terminal.  The adventure started a little earlier than we expected, though, while Greg was walking Daisy near the road, he witnessed a hit & run car accident right in front of him at the ferry entrance.

Last Picture of the Mendenhall Glacier from the Brotherhood Bridge Trail (Juneau).

The ferry “Malaspina” was an easy 4-plus hour trip where we arrived in Haines ready to check a few landmarks off the summer to-do list: the Fireweed Restaurant for lunch, the Haines Brewery to pick up a few growlers of beer, and a stop at the Hammer Museum just because.  Unfortunately, lunch at the Fireweed didn’t happen as it was closed on Sundays.  The trip to the Haines Brewery was just as disappointing, as it too was closed.  The hammer museum, like the rest of Haines it seemed, was closed.  (Mental note: next time we plan our Alaska to Virginia summer trip, we’ll visit Haines on a weekday!)

After regrouping with an impromptu trip to the local playground, we reshuffled our plans and set out on the Haines Highway.  After a brief stop at the 33-Mile Roadhouse, (best burgers in SE Alaska they claim, I must say they backed it up!), we meandered through the Chilkat Mountains en route Haines Junction, where we stopped for a quick ice cream snack and a chance for D-Dog to walk around a little, and then back on the road for the final stretch.  We did get the first glimpse of wildlife on the way, 3 black bears and a duck leading her ducklings across the highway.  Hopefully, the first of many to come.

Black bear munching on a dandelion off the Haines Highway

After 240 or so miles on the road, we stopped at Muktuk Adventures, a ranch for training sled dogs with a few cabins scattered around the property.  Muktuk was a late addition to our travel plans after hearing the feedback from the Clarke’s who had passed through Whitehorse just three weeks ago.  Daisy was a bit out of her comfort zone when we arrived, as she was greeted by dozens of VERY excited dogs very anxious to get to meet the outsider, but she handled it very well even considering all the excitement.  We get settled in a small cabin with no plumbing or electricity (reminding us of our camping times back in Juneau), and a healthy supply of hungry mosquitoes.  (An extra bonus, an outhouse without the novelty of a front door.)

“Riley Roost” Cabin at the Muktuk Adventure Lodge, Whitehorse, Yukon.

Ash & Alex went around the various “stables” (100+ dogs) to say hi and meet all the dogs who were all VERY excited to get some attention.  After about an hour spent wandering around the kennels, we decided it was time to call it a day.  After such an early start, we were all exhausted.  However, even though it was approaching 10pm, it was still pretty bright outside.

All things considered, we were very happy we changed our reservations and added Muktuk to our trip.  The dogs were a huge hit, and we didn’t even notice the lack of electricity, as the sun was still shining when we went to sleep and there to greet us early in the morning when we woke up.

Ashleigh making one of dozens of new friends at the Muktuk kennels.

Alex hanging out with one of the other Muktuk sled dogs.

We celebrated the successful first day with a bottle of room temperature champagne, not the ideal serving conditions, but appropriate considering our accommodations…champagne served in pint glasses was also a first for both of us.

Day 1 complete: time to celebrate!!!

Next stop: Watson Lake, Yukon

Wildlife seen today:
3 black bears (incl. 1 cinnamon bear w/ her cub),
1 duck & 6-8 ducklings crossing the road.
7 swans
Countless sea lions on the ferry.
5-6 whales (too far to identify type)