Birthday Day Drive

Over the years I have learned how to have great birthday celebrations. Well I just figured out a new way, exploring the back roads. Doc suggested he take Phyl and I out the North Canol road to look for a potential fishing spot for him. He had not been along this road (very remote) for years and knew there was a lake named Orchay. The North Canol road connects Ross River to Normal Wells NWT. Phyl tells me she remembers my Uncle Weldon telling her about his travels up this road in the 70's for his prospecting days. At this point the road such as it is only extends to the NWT border (243 k's) then apparently becomes a hiking trail...I cannot in my wildest dreams imagine someone hiking that far...at least another 250 k's with nothing inbetween.....a few abandoned cabins like this one.....
I have been looking for an abandoned log cabin with a lot of character and a patch of fireweed in front of it...I found it....only.....the fireweed was not blooming yet....So I have to go back...
I can stand in a field like this in front of a story and my imagination just
runs away with me...How many years ago was the tarp put on the roof to attempt to protect it from the elements? How many more years will it survive? Someone owns it and does not want visitors. (hence the chains)







/
Who lived here? How could anyone survive a Yukon winter here..? You cannot travel through this countryside without thinking of and respecting the settlers....and the hardships they endured...I can imagine this cabin or home would be a luxury, a necessity, after all it had all the plumbing required. But look at this photo, Is this a sense of humour, or is this how he felt when he left his home standing alone in the wilderness. (note the upside down horseshoe)













This was someone's life story and its gone. The Yukon is full of stories of hardships endured, survival, tears and happiness and that lure brings them back to this beautiful country. Every where you turn there is a story.
The second cabin tucked in behind was a sod roof no tarp necessary to preserve this gem.
I will be back cabin to take more photos with
the fireweed and let everyone write their own story.








As usual the trip was just as interesting. We disturbed a bear on the road in and then again on the road out. He was waddling down the centre of the road until he saw us and then tried to disappear in the trees, just waiting for these tourists to get outta town.