Dawson City, YT Day 1

 Aug. 1, 2012   Dawson City, Day 1

We woke up to a beautiful day on Wednesday, so we wanted to do as much sightseeing as we could while the weather held.  We started by taking the ferry back to West Dawson to take some pictures that we couldn't get in the rain yesterday.  The ferry ride was a lot simpler and more fun in the Jeep than in the RV!

 We drove a little ways back up the Top of the World Highway, then on the way back we turned off at the Top of the World Golf Course (pictures for you Dave).  We found a great view of the river and Dawson City on the way there.  We were amused at the golf course by the driving range which had a net held in place by 2 pieces of old dredge equipment!  The highlight of this trip was seeing a red fox on the roadside!

Dawson City & the Yukon River

Top of the World Golf Club driving range

Red fox beside the road. 

Hiking to the sternwheeler graveyard

Before leaving the west side of the river, we checked out the government campground and hiked a little way down the river to see the sternwheeler graveyard.  When the roads finally connected Dawson City and Whitehorse, the river boats were no longer needed so 10 of them were just beached and left to deteriorate on the shore of the river.

Old sternwheeler

As we waited to board the ferry back to Dawson City, we saw an animal control truck coming off the ferry with a bear in a cage behind it.  We had been warned against doing much hiking because the berries are in and the bears are plentiful.

There's a bear in that cage.

The Klondike Contest Moderator

Back in Dawson City we attended the Klondike Contest at the Palace Grand, an old theater from the Gold Rush days.  The show was very well done and well acted and amusing--a very enjoyable time.





After dinner, we headed for Diamond Tooth Gertie's Casino and Dance Hall.  Steve and I had our usual bad luck at the slots, but Steve, Gary, and Jim were all given lots of attention from Gertie's dancers.  It was lots of fun.

Diamond Tooth Gertie's

Who are these folks?

Gertie's girls

Jim's stage debut.

Gertie loves a bald guy.  

Gertie loves Steve too!

Steve, Gary, Gertie, and the girls.  

 I had heard about the Sourtoe Cocktail that was served at the bar at the City Hotel, and my curiosity got the best of me.  This cocktail is a shot of honey whiskey into which a  human toe that has (supposedly) been preserved is placed.  If you drink the shot with the toe in it, you get a certificate.  Those of you who know me well know that I HAD to do it.  It was gross, and the whiskey burned all the way down, but I got my certificate!  The toe is black and is cleaned with vinegar between drinks.  There is only one toe and I had to wait in line to have it in my drink.  What is wrong with me????  LOL

My shot and the TOE

Getting ready to drink

I did it!