Downtown
by PA2AKgirl
Downtown Whitehorse is perfect. It's what I wish Anchorage looked like. It's easy to walk, you feel safe on the streets at night, plenty of places to window shop, it's clean and you automatically get the sense you belong. While I may devote tips to some places individually, let me see if I can give you a general sense of the downtown area. On the far end you have the river creating a boundary and in the distance ultimately creating another boundary are mountains. However, you're not going to walk all of that...what you should walk are the 20 blocks (very small blocks, I promise) to the river and then the 8 or 9 blocks that cross them. It's flat here and actually, from the Visitors Center on, you can get a very good overview of the city. From galleries to restaurants and cafes; from natural beauty set with flowers and trees to the water it has plenty for you to do. In the early morning you get the sense you're in a larger city with people rushing to their place of employment.
But then you see they have allotted enough time to say hello and chat with people on the way and you know Whitehorse is perhaps, the perfect place to live in subarctic.
Can you tell I love this place? Whitehorse is my fondest memory of Whitehorse. Rereading my tip above I realize I seem a little sappy and there should be music playing while I'm professing my love to this city. But I can't help it. It's everything Bobby and I were searching for in Anchorage. It just happens to be in a different time zone in a different country pretty far away from where we live...
Old Log Church
by jamiesno
At Third Avenue and Elliott Street you will find the Old Log Church. Another one of Whitehorse's unique buildings.
Architectural History
It is a log building with an L-shaped plan and a gable roof. The interior consists of stick frame trusses and the roof is covered with cedar shingles.
In 1916, a vestry joining the church was rebuilt and enlarged. The baptistry, porchway and cloakroom were added in 1944 and a belfry was constructed in 1945. A new concrete foundation was a 1964 addition which was followed by interior renovations in 1982.
Cultural History
The first church services in Whitehorse were held in a tent structure in 1900 with the rector and his wife living in an adjacent 12' x 14' tent structure The log church was built by October 1900. During the winter of 1900 the forward portion, now containing the chancel and sanctuary, was partitioned and used by the missionary and his wife as their living quarters until the completion of the rectory in 1901. In 1953, the church was named the Cathedral Church of the Diocese, thus making it the first log cathedral.
The bell tower was originally separate from the church, but in 1910, the tower fell over in a storm and the bell was cracked. Although a new bell was placed atop the church, it was not enclosed until 1945.
Throughout the century, various renovations were made to the church. It was in use until 1960, when it was restored and turned into a church museum.
The building was designated a Territorial Historic Site in 1978.
Midnight Sun Coffee
by PA2AKgirl
This coffee is very good! They say they can't think of a better place to make coffee than in a community where people are cold and need something warm. Whatever the reason, it works. We had some of this when we were in a cafe and I'll probably end up ordering from their online store as well. There's many varieties from dark roasts to flavored (sugarless) to decaf. What more can I say about coffee? The word alone is enough to make me want it;-) If you're in Whitehorse and like coffee, try it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.:D
On their website, there is a sad story about the fire they had last year, but you can still get the coffee in town or online and they're setting up a new permanent location
Oddity - Exhibit C
by jamiesno
On my trip to Haines Junction we did get to see some odd sites, so I included them under local customs and tips. I have no explanations, I am sorry but they were enjoyable to come across!
Out of respect this shouldn't be considered an oddity I guess but this is a native cemetary and the houses apparently provide a home for the person's soul! Interesting....
Packing List
by Kindra
Be prepared. Weather is volatile and the Territory is very small in population. Outside of Whitehorse you will find a decent grocery story in Dawson and Haines Junction- that is it! Bring necessary items as this is not real modern Canada but backcountry Canada and if the product you need is available, it will be quite expensive. Bring good walking shoes and sweaters and rain-proof jackets for cooler nights and rainy days. Also bring short and t-shirts as a hot summer day can actually get fairly hot. The main thing to take is anything related to insects! Dawson City and Whitehorse are sprayed and receive few insects but all other areas are heavily infested with mosquitos, flies and biker bugs. You need not worry about disease, but theses things are very big and they suck!!! Bring strong strong insect repellant and the best you can find for insect bites- you are gonna get them. For deep wood hiking etc. a hat with a net etc will be a life saver. For extended stays, mosquito nets are essential! Bring everything you need! Film is quite expensive in the bush!
SS Klondike at Rotary Peace Park, Whitehorse
perfect label:)
Afternoon nap on the Yukon river
Rescuing powerboat grounded on sand bar
