Day 16 - Pardon me boy is that the Chattanooga choo choo

Today is our second rest day and one that I have been looking forward to.  Those of you that know me, know that I have passions for a few things, and one such passion is for old trains.  Today, I indulged that passion by taking a ride on the White Pass and Yukon narrow gauge rail road.

I booked reservations long before the trip and the only option was a bus to the train, ride the train, hang out in Skagway Alaska, and bus back.  What I didn't realize is that this whole bus, ride, hang, ride is part of a very elaborate ploy to march legions of Cruise ship patrons through a similar routine.  I (we) were just incremental revenue on this scheme.

No worries, once I figured that out, I did not let it bother me, and I reveled in the fact that I was a generation younger than most of the folks around.

Both Mike and Joe had decided to join me, though knowing even less about what was in store than I did.

We started with an early morning walk to the train station in Whitehorse.  I should have known what I was getting into when I saw this sign about 3 blocks from the station:

What the hell are foldable flipflops and do I need them in the Yukon?

If the first two words were swapped, it would make sense.  Now I will never know what I am missing.

A few blocks later we round the corner and see the train station in Whitehorse.

Oh boy, I a getting excited now.

We pick up our tickets, and while we are waiting for the bus, we discover that of the four other people in the waiting room, two of them are from the same town Joe is from and the women swims with Joes daughter.  Gee, Canada is a small place.

We catch the bus and the first stop is the town of Carcross, which used to be called Carabou Crossing, however, a missonary asked to change the name because too many of his recruits were going to the wrong Carabou Crossing.  This town has a long history in the region, but is now just a place to house a couple of gift shops to get the cruise dollar.  The train is there and there is still a fair amount of old railroad archeology which is enough for me.

Gee Mom, I can I take him home? Can I? Can I?

The WP&Y has 20 desiel electric and 3 steam engines.  The 110 mile road was built in under 2 years starting in 1898 as a way to transport Klondike gold rush stampeders and equipment inland, and gold and silver oar out bound through Skagway.  The Army used it to supply the Alcan construction and it finally closed down in the 1980's.  In the 90's it was resurrected as a tourist attraction and has thrived since.  The railroad is considered one of the most significant civil engineering feats of all time (don't worry, I will spare you the details.  You all should know how to use Google).

In Carcross, due to the increase in human traffic on a daily basis, they have instituted a strict set of ordinances to keep everything in line.

I would hate to be the parking enforcement officer in this town.

Finally, after Carcross collects enough money from the bus crowds, they shuttle us on to meet the train in Fraser.  All Aboard!  The train leaves right on schedule and we take a 27 miles journey from about 3500 ft. elevation down to sea level.  The train hugs the cliffs all the way down.

Hang on, and not too many people on the right side of the cars.

We come around another cliff hanger and we get a nice view down the valley to Skagway

I can see for miles and I think I can see the cruise ships.

The trip took just under 2 hours and I have over 100 pictures.  I won't bore you with them, but if you are interested let me know I will be glad to show you.

When we arrived in Skagway we had to sit on the train until the US Customs agent came on board and checked everyone's passports.

Then the released us to the deserted streets of Skagway - I am in Alaska!

The deserted streets of Skagway shows the notorious Red Onion, Brothel to the miners.

We tried to get into the RO for lunch, however the wait was too long so we went a block over and off the beaten path to a new place our tour bus driver recommended call The Station.  It was very good.  I had fish and chips and Ice Tea.

The Station is located right next to one of the more popular hotels in Skagway:

Yes, that is the name and the sign in the window said "First one up gets a free breakfast"  Such pressure.

After lunch we did the only thing bike riding non-cruising tourists could do in this town, we found and visited the local bike shop where Mike and I treated ourselves to Alaska cycling jerseys.  You all should get a gander at them soon.

After our 1 hr 55 minute window was up, we boarded the bus and headed back.  The sun came out and we got some spectacular views on the way back.

Things brighten up when the sun is out.

The bus stopped at Carcross again to give us all one more chance to part with our sheckles.

We went out for Pasta tonight at a really great restaurant.  I actually believe I may be gaining weight this trip.  Tomorrow is our first century and takes us back into the wilderness.


I was tourist mode today and it was grand.  I scored a jersey, a rail road hat, book, and broadhead for my collection.


So all of this reminds me of an old joke.  Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were between filming movies and went to their summer ranch in the Sierras to write some new songs.  The first night they were there, Roy left his new fancy cowboy boots on the porch and during the night a mountain lion had come and torn them apart.  Roy was understandably upset and told Dale that he was gonna "Get that damn lion".  Next day he gets his rifle, hops on Trigger and takes off.  About dinner time, Dale is sitting on the porch and see's Roy riding up with a dead mountain lion drapped over the back of his saddle.  Without saying hi, she jumped up and broke into song:  "Pardon me Roy, is that the cat the chewed your new shoes?? ya - ya".

Tale of the tape

I don't think I look touristy, do I?