TUGs

CPY - Canadian Pacific DC-3 - Weather Vane

This past Monday, July 6th, CPY was taken down from her stand in front of the Whitehorse Airport, which is now officially called Eric Nielsen International Airport.  The parking lot for passengers is being expanded and so CPY is on the move. 

Our CPY was the last DC-3 to be flying through Yukon skies.  It is now a gigantic weather vane that adjusts her position with the slightest breath of air.

A comrade on the board of our Yukon Transportation Museum told me that it was originally posted to this home on the same time that a wanna-be assassin tried to take the life of then U.S. President Ronald Regan in 1981.  "Hm" I thought to myself after being given this little bit of trivia. Remembering that attempt on Ronald Regan's life wasn't so interesting to me but the year was.  I have a hard time believing that the plane has been gracing us with her assistance on this pedestal since 1981?!

Two cranes, a welder, and a hot torch amongst a few folk all worked to bring her and the two swallow's nests with babes, gently down to earth.  It was very exciting to watch.  Even in her after-life she is as graceful as ever.

Members of the YTM Board are taking this opportunity to give CPY a wash and small structural tune-up.  During her weather vane exististence she has somehow managed to acquire a few little holes in the rear wing flaps.  Although these apparatus look to be made of silver metal, they actually are constructed of very light but durable fabric.  It is our thought that perhaps a raven or two were doing a wing inspection of their own at some point.

Our CPY is scheduled to be back up in her new location in front of the Yukon Transportation Museum within the coming week. 

A Local Institution Closes for Now: Trails North Car and Truck Stop

Trails North Car & Truck Stop has been an institution on the Alaska Highway for more than 40 years. The place is as real as you can find it these days. 

Meals in the restaurant made from scratch, the best breakfasts all day long in town, the burgers can't be beat... full service gas station, small and spotless motel rooms... oh and a thriving cold beer, ciders and wine store with confectionary... Did I mention the community that transcends any boundary?  Professional truck drivers, lawyers, travelers, construction workers, 86 year old semi-retired mechanics, 20 year olds out on a date, bureaucrats, canoers, hikers, people who come together for a coffee and a game of lottery... this place housed it all.

On June 30th this special place closed the doors, at least temporarily.  After trying to sell, the owners of this thriving, small, family business had to look after what they have come to realize beats out the financial bottom line: their health. 

Being in business-for-self all their lives, having cellular 'work hard and endless' in their DNA, age and illness have found the front row at the show. Bravely Mom and Dad stuck to the family decision made several weeks ago. The line in the sand stood as the boundary:  June 30th was to be the day of transition - either the business sold or the doors closed.  It was hard to follow through with knowing how many people this decisions affects: people who work at Trails, people who supply it with groceries and fue, and the people who bring it to life each day: the long-time loyal patrons.

Unfortunately for now, regulars will have to find another place to visit daily to fuel their social, petroleum, culinary, or sleeping needs. 

The highlight though is that it is for sale. Several staff stayed on to look after some details. Since closing the inventory (food, alcohol, alcohol) has been returned or sold.  The physical space has undergone a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.  It is always very clean, but it is REALLY spic and span and is ready to go again once the new owners are located. 

Here are some brief pics taken in the hour after closing.  Things that might not be captured again that are pretty simple, but for example the big yellow creamer bowl that holds cream overnight is part of old routine that will be missed. 

I will take some more pictures in the coming days that provide a better description of the 'friend' and post them.

Montreal

A few weeks ago I spent time in Montreal.  The juxtapositions of old and new, English and French were striking to me. 

   

 

  

  

   

 

In Remembrance

 

In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Bombay Peggy's in Dawson City in October

A visit to Dawson would not be complete if a stop was not made to Bombay Peggy's.  It is currently an Inn and Pub, although during the gold rush of the late 1800's it was a brothel.  The restoration has been beautifully done, the artwork inside is incredible, and the ambiance is lovely.  Check out their website at Bombay Peggy's.

The signage photographs were taken back when I was there in February with some friends.  We stayed in a gorgous room (every room is unique and incredible) above the pub.  The martini photographs were taken two nights ago. 

 

 

 

R.Frost

To the Thawing Wind
by: Robert Frost

Come with rain, O loud Southwester!
Bring the singer, bring the nester;
Give the buried flower a dream;
Make the settled snow-bank steam;
Find the brown beneath the white;
But whate'er you do to-night,
Bathe my window, make it flow,
Melt it as the ice will go;
Melt the glass and leave the sticks
Like a hermit's crucifix;
Burst into my narrow stall;
Swing the picture on the wall;
Run the rattling pages o'er;
Scatter poems on the floor;
Turn the poet out of door.

From "A Boy's Will", 1913

Nostalgia

I am so far behind in my posts!  This week I am going to do my best for some catch-up.  For heaven's sake, today again I am referring back to my Vancouver trip, on which I departed exactly 1 month ago! 

Amy Karol's ragdoll sewing project [DO check out her So Very Inspirational Blog Angry Chicken] was inspiration enough for me to visit my old room at my parents house when flying through to Vancouver.  I found my own childhood Raggedy Ann doll sitting in the rocking chair that my grandpa built for me.  Beside the rocking chair is the small child-size table and chairs.  These are the items of my childhood that I remember fondly.  As I grew up that table evolved with me and eventually became my bedside stand. 

I can't help but smile when I picked up Ann.  She has been beautifully broken in over time.  Her clothes and hair are So Worn!  All the love she was given and gave literally began to wear the edges of the fabric.  Her hair... looks like my morning hair! ha. 

My Mom's doll from her childhood was also visiting Ann and other guests... This doll is one of the only items of my Mom's childhood that has survived.  When my Mom moved out of her Grandmother's house where she was raised, her things were put into storage in the basement.  Sadly the basement flooded shortly after my Mom moved out, destroying all the photographs and other precious memories. 

Also in my room is the wicker rocking cradle that was important in those early years.  My Aunt, who has always been a crafty woman, sewed me up the mattress, pillow, matching flannel sheet, along with the two quilts.  It has been quite a long time since I have given them any attention.  Now I think I appreciate them more than ever.  They're beautiful!

Also nestled away in the corner visiting Ann and Mom's Doll was Holly Hobby and her two little friends.  Although they survived and remain over the years, they do not show nearly the 'love-wear' that Ann does.  Still, they were special. I remember having a small Holly Hobby porcelain tea set that I played with often.