Cernek.org Blog

As we leave Watson Lake, which has been very dry, the road once again climbs with snow-capped mountains in the distance. It is June 17.

The rainfall as we ascend would seem to improve. Everything is becoming lush and green again. The dust is no longer an issue.

The Continental Divide winds its way around the mountains in this part of the world, separating the watershed. The Rancheria River flows east, never seeing the Pacific. The Milepost has advised us to watch for the Little Rancheria caribou herd. We are watching, but we are not seeing.

Rancheria Falls is a wonderful spot to take a break. It offers a large parking area — a must — and a good gravel and boardwalk trail through the boreal forest to the picturesque falls. How could one think of driving past this spot!

This forest is very, very different. The pine trees have limbs that are very short compared to what we would normally see in the Lower 48.

These purple flowers are all along the path. The color is so rich.

Aha! So this is what a “boreal” forest is all about. Boreal means “north.” I guess I should have known that with the Aurora Borealis — as opposed to the Australis Borealis. Words are fun!

So now we can thoroughly enjoy the boreal forest, knowing full well what we are seeing. The landscape offers plenty of beautiful rugged rock sticking out amongst the trees.

The walk out to the falls is about ten minutes.

Well worth the effort I would say. This place is pretty awe inspiring.

A slightly different angle on the flow.

Does Ed look like he is dressed to be the “banana” in the elementary school play or is he part of the “Fruit of the Loom” gang? You decide.

The Rancheria River actually divides around this island and forms a second falls a bit further down the boardwalk.

This is mesmerizing to watch. It would be better if we could supply the sound. There are also birds singing in the trees. Yeah, retirement is not overrated!

It is pretty obvious that this river can carry a lot more water than it is right now. That riverbank has been carved out by some rampaging floodwater from the looks of it.

Everywhere we look is another photo op — and we are only putting a fraction on the web site.

This is another possibility for framing. I’m thinking with a museum quality frame this could easily sell of $2,400 in Scottsdale.

Good things happen when we can let forest fires burn. That was the way it was supposed to be before we moved into the forests and set up housekeeping.

In two more kilometers all rivers will flow into the Pacific one way or another.

Just outside of Teslin, Yukon Territory, is a wonderful viewing point complete with interpretive panels explaining the sex life of a salmon. 500 eggs is a lot of eggs!

This panel was interesting to see where the salmon are at what time of the year. We are going to be watching for them and hopefully dining on a few — only from sustainable sources!

The Nisutlin Bay Bridge on the entry into Teslin is the longest water span on the Alaska Highway, 1,917 feet. In 1942 a 2,326-foot trestle bridge was built across Nisutlin Bay. The pilings were drilled 100 feet into the glacial till. The bridge deteriorated quickly. In 1946 a truck carrying a Caterpillar tractor broke through the deck and went into the water. This incident closed the road for two weeks. In 1956 a new bridge was built with concrete deck and piers. The steel grid deck we see today was replaced in 1971.

The truck pulling the fifth-wheel trailer gives a good reference point for the size of this bridge.

We didn’t stop at the Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre. The one thing of interest would have been the five totems — Wolf, Eagle, Frog, Beaver, and Raven. We are finding there still isn’t time for everything.

Time to continue on our way to Whitehorse across the bridge and on down the road.

Whitehorse is a major stop. We will spend some time there to rest and restock. Life is very good in the North Country.