RVing

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Why I Like Working in an RV Park

My manager’s husband asked me today why I so obviously enjoy this type of work. This is what I replied:

I did a diploma with a focus on outdoor recreation and campground management, so working in an RV park is definitely ‘in my field.’ Why did I pick this field? Well:

1) I enjoy the outdoors and camping;

2) I like the social aspect of meeting people from all over;

3) Duties are varied and fast paced, making for days that fly by without being monotonous;

3) The work is both mental and physical, offering a variety of challenges.

Camp hosting is not my favourite way to work in this field, but in this particular location it works. I like to live near work, but not AT work! My first job in this field, I lived about 10 minutes from work and that worked out perfectly. Here, I am at least allowed a life outside of work, so living on site is not a problem.

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The Ridge Road Heritage Trail

Last night’s hike took us to just a few km from Dawson to the Ridge Road Heritage Trail. This trail used to be the first government-built wagon road in the Yukon. It was built in 1899 as a major supply route to the mines on Dominion and Sulphur creeks, not far from Bonanza Creek.

Quoting from the brochure:

Roadhouses, stores and freighting companies operated successfully along the route despite spring glaciers and a steep descent to the placer mines. Gold miners along Bonanza Creek ridiculed Commissioner William Ogilvie for supporting the project and lobbied for a more convenient route. After good roads were completed up Bonanza and Hunker creeks, the Ridge Road was abandoned in 1902.

This trail takes approximately two days to hike end to end and there are campgrounds within a day’s hike of each trailhead. We only got to about 3km UP the Jackson Gulch trailhead before the mosquitoes had us running back to the van for cover!

Jackson Gulch trailhead

Jackson Gulch trailhead

I never tire of the sky up here. About 7:30PM.

I never tire of the sky up here. About 7:30PM.

grouse

grouse

grouse

grouse

abandoned equipment

abandoned equipment

Some would find this land 'monotonous' but it never fails to take my breath away.

Some would find this land ‘monotonous’ but it never fails to take my breath away.

About 8PM

About 8PM

grouse

grouse

spot mama and baby grouse!

spot mama and baby grouse!

about 9PM

about 9PM

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A Taste of Quebec!!!

real, honest to goodness POUTINE!!!

real, honest to goodness POUTINE!!!

6,000km and 10 months from Quebec, I’ve once again found authentic poutine, at Dawson City’s Triple J Hotel‘s restaurant. Sweet, properly cooked French fries; thick brown gravy; salty curds that squeak satisfactorily under tooth… heaven (and a heart attack) on a plate!

Just need to find some decent falafel, pad thai, and injara with lentils and Dawson will be confirmed as being the perfect place for me. I’m such a glutton. 😀

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The Paddlewheel Graveyard

The reason I crossed the Yukon last week was to visit Dawson’s paddlewheel graveyard, where the great old ships of yesteryear were beached and left to die once their usefulness ended. The end of the steamboat era marked the end of an age for the Yukon, as the road network became larger and more reliable. The proverbial nail in the coffin were low-lying bridges under which these ships could not pass. It’s sad to know that this was the insurmountable obstacle for ships that made it through the Five Finger Rapids. Access to the graveyards is from a trail that starts at the Yukon River Territorial Campground; most easily found with a local guide.

trailhead from site 50something :)

trailhead from site 50something 🙂

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Crossing the Yukon

Last week, I crossed the Yukon on the Dawson ferry for the first time. The ferry runs 24/7 during the summer except for a 2 hour shut down for maintenance in the wee hours of Wednesday morning. During freeze-up in the fall and break-up in the spring, residents are trapped on their side of the river for about a full month. During winter, the ice is thick enough to drive on and there is an ice bridge. Crossing on the ferry is free and the boat can accommodate very big vehicles, including RVs. The ferry is small and wait times for RVs can be long since locals have priority.

waiting to get on (I crossed over on foot)

waiting to get on (I crossed over on foot)

heading across the Yukon

heading across the Yukon

Dawson is getting to be pretty small :)

Dawson is getting to be pretty small 🙂

the ferry

the ferry

The beginning (and the end) of the Top of the World highway

The beginning (and the end) of the Top of the World highway