Dawson is pretty much where the actual gold was found that started the gold rush. The city survived the boom, and the bust, and somewhere along the way, someone with a clue decided to try to keep the city historically intact. Today, many of the original buildings from the early 1900s are still standing and in use. I really liked Dawson City… it didn’t have that tourist trap feeling to it. Coming into town, the fist thing you see are huge hills of tailings from all the gold mining and dredging. Oh, and a sign welcoming you to town.
The group of 4 rigs all caught up here, and we stayed at the Gold Rush campground right in the middle of the city. This proved to be a good call, as just about the entire town was in easy walking distance.
As we were checking in, a really cool older RV pulled in, with motorcycles on the front and back. I had to grab a couple of pix. Check out the kayaks, bicycles and surfboards! These guys are ready for anything!
Dawson immediately hits you with a feeling of history… the streets are unpaved, and buildings from the 1900s are everywhere. Check out the gallery below for some examples.
There is also a functioning paddle wheeler (reproduction) and a real actual sternwheeler that used to call at Dawson in the early 1900s set up as a museum… the SS Keno.
Steam powered, wood fired, she was a cargo ship, but also had some passenger cabins and other accommodations onboard. I helped myself to a self guided tour, and covered the boat top to bottom, stem to stern. Also showing on board was a really neat movie made in the 50s when the ship was sailed on the river to Dawson under her own power to be set up as a museum piece. Too Cool! If you like neat old steam powered things, scope out the gallery below. Hover over the pictures for a description…. I think… if it works…
If you get up into the hills around the city, you can get some great shots of the scenery, and the city itself….
This is the downtown area from across the river, and a pic of the RV park where we are staying.
I took the bike up into the hills where there are many active gold mining operations. The ride was about 60 miles, but the view from the summit was outstanding. On the way back down, I got into some really muddy gravel roads. No mishaps, other than some mud on the bike and me.
We did a lot of other things… A walking tour with a costumed guide that got us into some of the old buildings, numerous trips to local restaurants, and a little bar hopping.
What a great experience! Glad I came to Dawson City!
The older RV is pretty awesome! What are the racks on the outside of it? Looks like some tubes and pegs?
ReplyDeleteThose are a bunch of fishing pole holders on the side! They are geared up for whatever!
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