Yukon Quest

  It's winter in the Yukon. It seems to be snowing all the time, but so lightly you can barely see it. Everything is lined with a thin dusting and the feathery flakes blow through the streets like the dust in an old western movie. It is also cold. I'm not seen outside without my red Canada mittens and a tuque. It feels like Christmas should be around the corner, not Halloween and Rememberance Day. I'm looking forward to the day when there is enough white stuff layered to go for a ski and start exploring the Yukon hinterland.
  Another sign that winter has set in is the anticipation of the Yukon Quest. The Yukon Quest is a 1000 mile international dog sled race from Whitehorse to Fairbanks, AK which takes place in February each year. The even years it begins in Fairbanks and the odd years it begins in Whitehorse. It gets its name from the "highway of the north", the Yukon River, which made up the historical winter land routes travelled by prospectors, adventurers, and mail and supply carriers. The residents of Whitehorse are excited to experience the start of the 30th Yukon Quest on February 2nd. Due to his role as sports reporter, Marcel will be logging the ten day journey and stopping in at each of the check points to update the public on the race. On Friday night we attended a 30th Birthday party for the Yukon Quest. There were some games, including a race to "scoop" the "poop" the fastest, face-painting (your favourite husky), and a long underwear pajama dance! Dawson Dolly, the woman with the biggest nuggets in the Klondike, even made an appearance!
  Marcel wrote an article about the event and his meeting with Hugh Neff that can be found at this link:

 http://www.whitehorsestar.com/archive/story/neff-eyes-repeat-victory-as-quest-celebrations-begin/


Here are some pictures he took:

Hugh Neff and Dawson Dolly

Marcel's brother Trev attended the party! (JK)