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. 

Yukon Quest

The night of February 14th I had the pleasure of volunteering for the Yukon Quest.  I drove out to Braeburn, an hour or so north of Whitehorse, at around 9:30 p.m.  After making a quick stop at my cabin along the way, I arrived at the check-point just before 11:00. 

The sky was crystal clear with the stars twinkling bright.  It was minus 31 celcius with not a breath of wind. 

When I arrived the first few teams had already arrived.  Actually the first team was in at around 9:00 p.m. when I had figured they would begin arriving about two hours later.  The trip from Whitehorse was fast since the trails was packed and cold. 

Although I volunteered for the Quest two years ago in Dawson City, this was a different experience. This time I was kept very active outside.  I helped check teams in as they crossed the check point finish line, helped guide the dogs to their resting spot, gathering the prearranged food into a sled and taking it promptly to the respective musher, and best of all, updating the standings board in the Lodge and calling the same results to Fairbanks for the web update.  I was kept busy and warm and involved.  It was a great experience.

The pictures here were all taken near the end of my shift at 10:30 a.m. just as the sun was coming up. Anything that my camera would have taken throughout the night would have been disruptive to the teams with a blinding flash, and I wouldn't have captured anything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It Has Been A While... Again. Indeed.

There are signs around my space, which indicate where my head is at.  Examples inlclude the state of my office, the state of my home/cabin, and now I see, the state of my blog - I'll spare you and myself any life like images here.

Family challenges have been my focus for quite some time... and time stops for no one.  This collection of minutes, hours, days, months is now moving into years... Illness just doesn't go on a holiday. 

There are only so many hours in every day, and I have kept none aside for house keeping, none for office beautifuication, and none for posting.  There has been little in the way of art, art appeciation, or just time out.

Tonight I sit in my disasterous cabin, which I was thinking tonight, after shoveling my way into the drive-way, that using tornado for a description just doesn't describe things accurately.  Rather, I would say it appears that a strong wind has blown through the place piling stuff here and there.  It is amazing how a small place can be tidy one minute and appauling the next. 

And then I remember that it is just the way it is right now and that I need to give myself a break. The decision to live in town (ackkkk) to decrease the stress of travel time amongst other 'time' related factors, means that... my Laberge home is more of a cabin... my Dawson home sits cold, still, and a work in progress... and time keeps moving as it will.

After logging on to my link of any social world for me these days:Facebook tonight, and clicking on John Steins link... I was reunited with my thirst for my art, my blog, and I guess, my life.

A little re-evaluation and balancing is in order.  

Horwoods

White Pass & Yukon Route Train Station

 

 

Murdoch's Gem Shop

Yukon Theatre