Day thirteen. All is well. Still headed north.
Today began in Watson Lake, Yukon. It was cooler than yesterday, and it was cloudy. The clouds lingered north to where I stopped, in Whitehorse, Yukon, but, there was no rain, and the clouds only served to keep to keep the temperatures lower and made the countryside less photographic because of the heavy dark shadows. I was able to capture a few presentable shots.
The top photo is of a restaurant and service station called Bee Jays. It was the recommended place for dining in Watson Lake. I looked at it late yesterday and skipped the evening meal, but I took a go at it for breakfast, and survived...so far.
Photo number two is the approach down the mountain to Tessin, which is a service area, with camping facilities (lots of those along the way), gas, and in this instance a motel and restaurant (photo number three). This is 163 miles north of where I started, and the next service area is at my destination (Whitehorse, Yukon, pop. 23,276). Lunch was a Buffalo burger. Why not? I have eaten buffalo before, and generally prefer the taste of buffalo to beef. But, the burger today did not taste like what I remembered.
Whitehorse is the capital of Yukon.
I keep forgetting to share information about the use of U.S. money in Canada. I was going to do this the right way (my view), which is go to the bank and exchange $400.00 U.S. Dollars for Canada Dollars. I checked the exchange rate on line ($1 U.S. = $1.04 Canadian). That's good. The process sounded simple. So, while in Minot I stopped at a local Wells Fargo bank where I was told I had to go to the main downtown bank. Okay. I go to the downtown, and I am directed to the only person in the bank who can do this, or so I was told. After waiting patiently for her to complete a lengthy transaction of some sort (It did not appear to be a currency exchange.) I began the process. She requested a copy of my driver's license, a separate form of identification, and then my social security number. Then I was told that since I do not have an account at the bank there is a counter fee and an service fee ($15.00 total). She should have told me this from the beginning and we would have both saved time. And she had already put my information in her computer. I hate that. This was wasted effort. I understand that every business has to make money, but this did not set well with me. I remained calm. I understand that businesses have to make money. I did not get upset. I just said, "No, they will take my U.S. money in Canada." She responded, "Are you sure?" I just smiled....as I was leaving.
My experience with U.S. money in Canada is that merchants accept U.S. dollars without question, and for the most part consider U. S. dollars and Canadian dollars interchangeable, although they always give you change in Canadian money. The exchange rate has fluctuated slightly in the last several years, but not dramatically. But, of course I lose $.04 per each $1.00 spent. So where possible I use a debit card, and that way I get the correct exchange rate. By the way, using the exchange rate above, I would have received $415.60 Canadian for $415 U.S (which includes the "fees"). I understand that businesses have to make money.
The highway north of my departure today was better today than what I traveled yesterday. It was still rough, but better. Today there was no more lose gravel. Watson Lake appears to be the center of remoteness. One hundred miles north or south of that point and there are more (only a few) service areas and camp grounds....There are a lot of camp grounds for the folks driving or pulling campers.
Oh, and I did not see the woman struggling with the loose gravel, from yesterday. I am sure she made it. I still can't get over that she has been riding since May.
Another good day.
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