Okaaaaay. I admit it...i've royally sucked at updating this thing lately! So here's my attempt to make up for it...a blog post dedicated to to the EPIC activities you can take part in this June while you're here to visit, or if you live here and just never go and do this kind of stuff...So here we go:
One thing Yukoners know how to do better than anyone else is how to take advantage of our amazingly long summer days! After those long winter months, as soon as the sun comes out again, this place starts buzzing with activity and it's not uncommon for people to be burnt out by end of July because they've been going non-stop since April...BUT there are many who know the fine balance of work and play, and we've decided to feature them right here in our blog...
We've compiled a list of some of our amazing friends and family who are experts in a wide range of activities that'll keep you busy on the non-wedding days of your trip. They know how to plan the most epic of days, or how to relax the hardest, so pick and choose as you will, and be prepared to never want to go home. (seriously...it happened to Gary about 8 years ago now...)
*Please note most of the people i'm listing below know they're being offered up as 'guides', but some don't. For those of you reading this thinking "Whoa i didn't know i was signed up for that!" I say to you...surprise! And thank you kindly....
OK so let's start with the adventurous side...seeing as how Gary and I officially met at the bottom of an ice tower, it seems only fitting to start here....
First, let me introduce you to Mr. Ryan Agar, one of Gary's groomsmen, and one of the main perpetrators of setting us up in the first place...
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| Ryan at the infamous Black Dress Party |
During the first two months of knowing these boys, they had me dangling upside down from an ice tower flailing ice axes, threw me off the side of a cliff the very first time i agreed to rock climb, and had me tenting in a snow storm sans sleeping bag to 'teach me a lesson' of never forgetting my gear....Romantic isn't it? They sure know how to treat a lady...
Anyways, Ryan has so graciously agreed to be your Climbing/Rapelling and coffee drinking guide.
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| Did I mention Ryan and Carrie have a climbing wall in their basement? |
Or, you can also do what I often do, which is go for a few climbs, then spend the rest of the afternoon laying on a crash pad in the sun drinking coffee or beer, while the rest of the crew climb themselves to death! (I've mastered the relaxation part of adventure over the years, trust me!)
Now, Ryan's partner in crime is Ms. Carrie McClelland. Carrie will probably be along for the climbing trip, but after that, she'll go home, put up some dry-wall, fix the fence, volunteer for a few organizations, go to a skating practice and then be up the next day to take you paddling! In other words, this girl cannot be stopped, and she's your key to paddling trips in the Yukon! Seeing as how she's participated in the Yukon River Quest, a gruelling paddling race-715km or 444 miles from Whitehorse to Dawson City, she's a fantastic person to feel safe on a river with.
As you can see in the photo below, she makes her paddling partners feel very comfortable (that's my 'canoeing with Carrie' position). You'll also note her 'birding stance'...she used to work as a Wild life viewing technician, (now is the biologist), and can tell you all the different species of animals you see as you're drifting down the river....
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| Another hard day on the water... |
OH and I forgot...she literally has a degree in Camping. Ask her about it-she loves it when people do that....
Now Ryan and Carrie know how to relax with the best of them, but Mr. Charles Stewart on the other hand, needs some lessons in that....
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| A rare moment when Charles was captured standing still... |
Charles, another one of Gary's groomsmen, cannot be seen inside his house during any part of the summer months. If he's not mountain biking, climbing, hiking, paddling, or camping, he's sleeping. There are no other options. Charles is an instructor at Yukon College and teaches the Outdoor pursuits program so he's literally certified to teach you all there is to know about Yukon outdoor activities. And of course, Charles also has a partner in crime-Jen Eakins. I'd like to say Jen knows how to relax more than Charles but her version of relaxing is working on her Masters, or planning their next great adventure...so, I guess i'd be lying. But their ambition and thirst for knowledge, is exactly what makes going on adventures with them so amazing-you always feel safe (between the two of them i think they're certified in every outdoor sport possible, or at least have intro experience in it), and you're guaranteed to have a great time. We've been climbing, kayaking, back country skiing and camping with them and it's always some of our favourite trips we've had.
These two have been a huge part of our lives here-Gary lived with them his first summer up here and has been trying to keep up to their energy levels ever since. (although we now have given up, because it's humanly impossible). They've agreed to be the mountain biking/hiking tour guides (cause let's face it, they'll be out doing it anyway!) so if you'd like to try either, they're the ones you've got to get a hold of!
Charles also has a lead on a place to rent mountain bikes, so no need to bring one with you... We have world class trails here, so for sure try to get out if you like biking!
And you can't talk about adventure without talking about the infamous Christopher Gishler. Gish and his lovely wife Ellen are owners of Equinox-an outdoor adventure/learning company that does Ziplining, rock climbing, team leadership, kids camps, etc. and was the place of Gary's first job in the Yukon! He worked there his first summer here, and has been great friends with Gish and the fam (all 7 of them) ever since! Located out at the Takhini Hotsprings (a natural hot springs located a 20 min drive from downtown), you can head out to do some zip lining and climbing, and then pop in for a relaxing soak in the springs! Check out his site at: http://www.equinoxyukon.com/ for details on pricing!
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| The Gish... |
Ok...now for those of you thinking "I want nothing to do with any of that"...well, first off at least check out the views you can see while doing it....
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| Now that's a good view.... |
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| This is pretty ok too... |
Buuuut if that still doesn't convince you, don't fret...we have a few other more relaxing and colourful options for you too:
1. Do you love wine? Well, you're in for a treat, because we just so happen to have a group of connoisseurs that not only know their wine, but always look fantastic while consuming it. It's my book club! That's right-ladies who love to read, drink wine, and eat cheese. What more could you ask for? We'll hopefully be hosting a meeting the week of the wedding you may be able to get a special invite to...
2. Love live music? Enjoy a good art show? There are two ladies in town who will always know what's going on...Ms. Fiona Solon and Tara McCarthy (also our MC), are the ones to ask about what's going down the week of the wedding. Also members of wine (and by wine i mean 'book') club, they will be able to give you tips on where to go and who to see.
You can also check out the Arts Centre site at: http://yukonartscentre.com/
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| The first night Fi and I met each other...as you can see, we got along swimingly... |
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| T and I over a glass of sweet sweet Yukon Brewing... |
3. Enjoy a good story? All true of course? Talk to my grandpa-He's been living in the yukon for over 60 years. He's travelled all over the small communities during his work for Northwestel and owns a ranch about an hour out of town we used to spend all summer at, riding horses, building forts and playing in dirt like kids should! I wouldn't be the person I am today without that experience, and he'll be more than happy to tell you stories all about it. Bears, horses, wolves, hunting-he's got stories on all of them! In fact, you should ask him about the time the "wind was so bad, there were whitecaps on the peanut butter!"...that's one of my favourites...
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| My Grandpa and Grandma out at our old cabin. |
4. Looking for a GoldRush Tour? This one might not be the kind you had in mind originally, but it's guaranteed to leave YOU with some stories to tell...Head on down to the GR, our favourite local bar, where you're guaranteed to Find Ben Mahoney. Just yell out his name as you walk in-someone will point you in his direction. Sit down at his table, and drink it in...the man's a legend. Also a great spot to check out some local blues.
5. If you like to run or jog, we have some amazing trails right around town that you can hit up...And you can always call my running inspirations, Jada Kwok and Loralee Martin, for info too! Every year we participate in the Klondike International Road Relay-a running relay race that goes from Skagway Alaska to Whitehorse! We've spent many a hours meeting up to go for runs, doing laps up and down the "black street stairs" and encouraging each other to keep on running, even when we'd rather sit down and eat some of Loralee's amazing baking...
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| Jada and I at the finish of the Dome Race in Dawson City...Note I DO NOT recommend this one-it's straight uphill the entire way...(it's also in July) |
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| Loralee and I last year at the finish of the 1/2 Trail Marathon |
For a walk/run that's easy and right down town, i'd try out the Millennium Trail...It's a 4km paved walking/running/biking trail along the Yukon River that starts at the SSKlondike and winds through the trees, looping back around to the boat. Don't miss the eagle's nest situated along the path in a tall tree along Robert Service Highway (aka South access). If you can't see it, just ask someone. Everyone knows where it is.
AND finally, if you want to wander around sans guide, here are a few more options for you that I stole directly from Jada's wedding site give or take a few! (We love to share...)
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