Kluane National Park

Sorry for the hiatus. We've been on the road camping and hiking with no internet this past week. So first, since our last post at Haines Junction, we stopped at a campground and day use recreational area called Kathleen Lake in Kluane National Park. Definitely a highlight, folks. These northern Canadian Rocky Mountains were quite a site. We were sure to carry our bear spray and holler for bears on this beautiful, 5-hour day hike. 

Good introductory hike for our flatlander legs!

Andrew cooking dinner on the beach of Kathleen Lake post-hike.

We spent two nights at Kathleen Lake campground and were just so blown away by the whole park - simple, pristine, very well cared for. Is this what all of Canada is like? (An assumption on par with assuming the US is like Alaska, I imagine.)

From the lake, we followed the Alcan southeast to Whitehorse - the capital city of the Yukon Territory (and start of the Yukon Quest sled dog race). It was so nice to stay in a hostel for a night after several cold nights camping in the truck. We splurged on a sushi dinner and fresh baked bread from a local cafe. With a population around 25,000 Whitehorse seemed like a good size city with all the amenities we prefer - herbalist shop, natural foods store, numerous organic bakeries and cafes, used book store, delicious international cuisine.  And, of course, beautiful scenery and the isolation of the north! Plus we enjoyed a few short films as part of a french language film festival. Random.

Having showered up, we hit the road again the next day with one thing on our minds - Liard Hot Springs. We made it there in a couple of days and thoroughly enjoyed some long soaks in these natural springs. Unlike our previous camping experiences, this campground was inhabited with many people as this happened to be Canada's Thanksgiving weekend. Go figure. Ha! Just when I thought we would set up shop here for a week! Unfortunately, we didn't take any photos but suffice to say that if you ever make this drive, for goodness sake - STOP and take a dip! 

Oh and funny story, I melted my bathing suit in a silly attempt at drying it over our damp-wood fire. Turns out, the wood was dry enough to melt the old two piece. Maybe it's time for a onesie... but until then you can bet I'll be in my skivvies! 

British Columbia here we come! Onward.