We follow the Alaska Highway from Rancheria Falls to Teslin, Yukon
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| Scenic Alaska Highway
There were times that we drove for hours on quiet highways
with little traffic and nothing but grand views to enjoy. We would take a break every couple of hours then
stop for lunch, often on a pull out that offered a mountain view. This was a nice warm summer day that was
fairly light in smoke from area fires during this busy fire season.
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| Rancheria Falls |
We made a mid-morning stop at the Rancheria Falls Recreation
Site, walking along a boardwalk through the boreal or Northern forest, which
lies just south of the tree line across Canada.
It takes at least three times longer for a forest to reach maturity in
the North so the black and white spruce seen in this area are almost 100 years
old but not yet fully mature.
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| Fishing in the river |
We made a lunch stop at a big open space at the side of the
road next to this pretty spot on the river.
We didn’t get to have any fresh fish for lunch but the effort was made
and enjoyed. As a BC resident, we had checked
the fishing regulations. A visitor’s
Yukon fishing license is required and can be purchased at Visitor Centers.
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| Nisutlin Bay |
We overlooked Taslin Lake as we approached Taslin for a fuel
stop and crossed this bridge over Nisutlin Bay.
The delta is a National Wildlife Area, which is designated by the
federal government and used to protect important habitat for wildlife.
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| Wildlife monument |
The community of Teslin is not large but offers several
opportunities to see history at museums and heritage centers. The Yukon Motel Lakeshore Resort displays
these fairly realistic animals out front but those in the Wildlife Gallery were
very real.
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| Wildlife Gallery |
These incredible animals were on display behind glass in the
Wildlife Gallery with settings that included painted and real props. I do appreciate the calibre of taxidermy this
would involve and can enjoy the beauty of these animals from afar.
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| George Johnston Museum |
George Johnston was a fascinating man who with a brownie box
camera photographed the life of his Tlingit people and left his collection for
us all to see in this museum named after him.
He was a self- taught photographer and developed his photos in a rustic
dark room in a cabin. His photography is
displayed in the museum that also has a large collection of Tlingit artifacts. A great place to visit.
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| Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre |
Just a few kilometres north of town is the Teslin Tlingit
Heritage Centre. These five traditional
Clan poles were carved by local artists and depict the clans of the Teslin Tlingit
Council. While we were there, we enjoyed
learning the method used for tanning moose hides from one of the teachers who
are passing their skills down to the younger generations. It is wonderful to see that these old
traditions will not be forgotten.
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| Teslin Lake |
Our evening hours were spent walking the sunny beaches of
Teslin Lake, right below our campground. We watched the small waves of this
large lake while the setting sun slowly ends our day at the little town of
Teslin that offers a whole lot of wonderful Native culture. A great way to end a great day.
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