Teslin Tlingit Heritage Center

Wednesday June 16, 2010: Part One

Good Morning :D

I woke up nice and early Wednesday, mostly because the sun was up and shinning. Hard to ignore its brightness. I grabbed my bag and a couple of Toonies (Canadian two dollar coins) and headed to the camp shower. Took a shower and on the way back felt like I was in high school again during one of the summer camps I attended. It was nice. I decided that since I had a free stay in the campground that I would go ahead and have my first hot breakfast, in a couple of days, at their restaurant. Their menu was pretty simple. So I got, eggs, potatoes, bacon, and coffee; the basic breakfast. Their breakfast was a good size and their bacon slices were huge! I left the campground feeling rested and full. Headed back up north to the Tlingit Heritage Center.

Tlingit Heritage Center

After a five minute drive back up the AK Highway I arrived at the Tlingit Heritage Center. Their outside a beauty to see. The center sits on the shore of the Teslin Lake. A beautiful view indeed. As you park your car you have a plain view to the 5 totem poles that welcome you to the center. The totem poles represent the five clans that are part of this Tlingit group and who were present at the opening of the center. The five clans are the beaver, the raven, the fox (I am not sure about this one), the frog, and the eagle.

The Heritage Center itself is a pretty big building with a great center section in which dances and performances go on. There is a DVD to watch about their opening, little history of the center, and the Tlingit people. Then in a nook off to the left side, is where the center’s exhibition exists.

The Exhibition

The exhibition includes a lot of information, for the size it is. It starts with an explanation of the Tlingit’s movement inland into the Yukon via a short recording. One of the things I did enjoy was the recordings that each section of the exhibition had. Each one had a short recording explaining what you were looking at or giving extra information. It was nice because it was done by one of the Tlingit members and their accent makes it even more interesting.

The center then moves on to explaining their trade, history of masks, clothes, hunting, and canoes. I spent a good hour just reading and listening to their culture and history. The museum also has a small gift shop, but very nice. A lot of beautiful gifts, but a little on the expensive side. Although their prices are fair considering their merchandise. It was just expansive for me due to the fact I was traveling. I really enjoyed the Tlingit Heritage Center and was happy I made a stop there. It was around 11am when I was back on the road.

A step back:

Haines Junction and Kluane Lake

I was going through my pictures and realized I forgot to add the pictures for Haines Junction and Kluane Lake. Both these locations were before Whitehorse. So take a look back at that blog to look at the pics. :D

Beaver's Creek to Dawson's Peak

On the highway

The next day I left Beaver’s Creek around 9 a.m. and I basically decided that that would be my new time to depart each morning, although it hasn’t quite worked like that. I packed up everything again and got on the Alaska Highway. I was on it and I would be on that highway for a very long time.

This was Carlitos' biggest kill, a butterfly.

Bumpy Road

One of the most annoying parts of the Alaska Highway. Actually let me rephrase that. The only annoying part of the Alaska Highway was the very massive dips on the road. Now they don’t last for the whole highway, but they are a big part of the first few hours in the Yukon. They are not these minor dips, no! They are huge, and constant. By the middle of the day my tummy was literally feeling sick. I was sick to my stomach, I actually felt nauseous. I thought it was because I hadn’t eaten, so I ate, only making it worse. Anyways, the worse dips were at the beginning of the Yukon AK Highway; after a few hours they began to get better and by the end of the day they were almost gone. I don’t know if you can really see one of them on the picture above, but that was as small as they got. Later on, a day later, the dips became hills, but those didn’t last long at all. It was just for a short time *Sigh* Oh well, part of the deal.

I grew to hate this sign

Pickhandle Lake

I would say that perhaps an hour into my trip I stopped at this rest area because I had to use the restroom and found myself in front of a beautiful lake, Pickhandle Lake. The beauty of Yukon is that any rest area could really be a beautiful stop that you just want to stay at for the rest of the day. This was one of them. I mean just beautiful. I do not know if it was because it was so early and the sun was shinning perfectly on it or what, but it was great. I stayed there for probably 15 minutes. I would of stayed longer, but more and more people were stopping and enjoying the lake. There was a couple with an RV and they were just having their coffee inside watching onto the lake, I was so envious. Honestly, in order to really take your time and enjoy the Alaska Highway you have to be in one of those RVs or those full blown buses. There is just no way around it. Grudgingly I left Pickhandle Lake and made my way to Whitehorse.

This buddy was totally interesting. I stalked him for a few minutes before he finally settled and let me take his picture.

Uhm so yeah, this is the only way to really travel the AK Highway. First time I was envious not to be on a bus for a long trip.

Kluane Lake and Haines Junction

On my way to Whitehorse I came across Kluane Lake which was an enormous and beautiful lake. The sun was up high and it just sparkled across the lake. This was one of the stops I wish I would of actually gotten off and taken time to take more pictures, but at this moment I was still thinking I was going to be spending my nights in motels. My mentality was still set on driving the most miles I could in a day. I regret not thinking about camping earlier. Nonetheless, I had a resplendent sight for about 30 minutes. I couldn’t of asked for a better drive.

A few minutes later I stopped at Haines Junction to take a couple of pictures of buildings. The town was very small. I stopped at the Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church because the priest in charge of this building used materials around him that the military had left behind to build this church. It is quite and interesting piece of architecture. I liked it a lot.

Whitehorse

There wasn’t really anything I found or liked about Whitehorse. I honestly don’t have much of a memory of it. So yeah.

Dawson’s Peak

Where I did want to stop was at Teslin because they have a Tlingit Native Heritage Center there that I wanted to stop and visit. Well I arrived at Teslin a little too late for that, so I knew I would have to spend the night there. I stopped at this RV park and motel. They only had one room left and it was $200 for the night. I of course wasn’t about to pay that. So, I got back on the road and thought about whether I should be staying in my car instead.

As I thought about that over in my head I decided to drive to Dawson’s Peak Cabins and Campground. Well I got there and asked for their prices on the cabins, $75.00, a little more in my area, but still couldn’t believe I was going to be spending so much money each night. I asked about their campgrounds and he said it was only $15.00. He gave me those two options and told me to go have a drive around the campground and cabins and come back telling him what I wanted. Well I couldn’t imagine sleeping in my car so when I came back I told him I would take the cabin. He was setting things up and then realized that the cabin was booked. He tried helping by phoning another motel, but it was a smoking room at $90.00. I declined and said I would stay in my car.

He felt bad about it that he gave me the spot for free. They were all very friendly people there. I got set up. I moved all my backseat belongings to the front and covered my back seat with blankets and my pillow. I took a walk around to their lake and it was just beautiful of course. I couldn’t believe people were paying $90.00 for a room in some highway, when you could just camp out in the beauty that was the Yukon. From that night I decided I would camp in my car. I slept the night there, waking up a couple of times, but mostly from getting used to it. As my eyes fell asleep to the surrounding trees, my second day came to an end.

I sat on a little dock they created and began my blog here. I couldn't believe I was just sitting there kicking back with a most beautiful sight in front of me. I went back to my car when something under me began rocking the dock. That was too much natury for me.

Tok to Alaska/Canada Border

Tok

I left Tok, a little bit tired, but moved on. I got back on the Alaska Hwy, until I made a stop in area that was full of weeds, yes weeds. The yellow flowery looking weeds. The whole area was full of them making the sight just priceless. All I wanted to do is lay on it and look up at the sky. Alaska enjoyed some weeds and sun though.

Tetlin

I made a stop in Tetlin at the National Widlife Refuge, unfortunately it was closed. I think I got there around 6pm. Yet, just by the look of the outside of the building I knew it was a good place to visit. I stopped and took a couple of pictures from their deck. The center provides hiking tours, classes for students, trails that have been set up with information, and of course the center itself. It looked like an awesome place to stop and rest from driving, too bad I was too late. So I got back on the road.

AK-Canadian Border

Well I made it to the Canadian Border in just one day. I was pretty excited about that. I actually passed the Alaska Border first and noticed that it was empty so I thought it wouldn’t be too bad in Canada and it wasn’t. I got there, was all ready and prepared for all their requirements: passport, insurance, Canadian insurance I.D., car registration, the whole lot. Of course when I get there all he asks for is my passport and asks me about my destination and what I used to do in Alaska. Five seconds later I was in Canada eh!

Beaver’s Creek, Yukon

By the time I had crossed the Canadian border it was already pretty late. I made my first stop of the night at Beaver’s Creek. I decided to stay at the Windmark hotel/motel, whatevers. There are only 4 accommodations in Beaver’s Creek and they all had about the same prices. I pay the $93.00 for my room and get into my room. To my great surprise those $93 dollars only got my a twin bed room, with a very small bathroom, and one outlet. That is all folks. It was so freaking small. My campsites have been bigger than that room. I began thinking of how much this whole trip was going to cost me if I stayed at hotels/motels the whole way. So I knew I would have to think of something else, but for the moment all I wanted to do was eat, watch some DVDs, and sleep. I slept, while the AK Highway waited for my return, the end of day ONE.

Reason

I have just published the post for my first day on my trip from Anchorage, Alaska to Southern California and thought I should post a small post on why I am taking this trip.

Alaska

I was in Alaska for almost four years. I moved up there because there was a great opportunity to teach Spanish in the Spanish Immersion program. So right after my teaching credentials I moved up with a few belongings and my car.

Four Years Later

I have enjoyed working in Anchorage and living in Alaska. It has been a great opportunity and have learned a lot not only from the community, but from my students as well. I am ready to move on though. I love traveling and I have lived long enough in Anchorage.

Next Step

I am leaving Alaska to go to California to basically place all my belongings either in my mom's garage or a storage place. I am going to be teaching in South Korea this coming up school year. I will be teaching English in South Korea, for at least a year.

Road Trip

Therefore I decided to go ahead and get on the road and travel through Alaska, Canada, and the USA. So, I am passing through Canada and visiting her national parks, along with passing through the USA and stopping at cool places there too. I hope to see a lot and enjoy the lovely summer.

Anchorage to Tok

Leaving Anchorage

Well to get started I left Anchorage behind schedule, instead of my 7am departure I was exiting the city about 9am. I made my way to the Glenn Highway after making a quick stop at Kinko’s to print out my schedule. Let’s just say that I was excited to get on the road. As I looked ahead I still didn’t comprehend the length of this trip, I think today is the first time I am realizing how long this trip will be.

My missed stop

So, on my schedule, the first stop was Eklutna Lake and since I was already running late I decided to skip it. I regret that now (will explain that later). So, a little sad frown as I passed the lake, but got over it in about 30 seconds. I pressed on to my next stop, that I was definitely making, Matanuska Glacier.

Matanuska Glacier

I made my stop at the Matanuska Glacier rest area. From there I was able to see the Glacier and its greatness. I wished I was there in the winter to see how much bigger it got, but oh well I was there. I was expecting to find touring guides and such, but realized that was a few more stops ahead. I decided that I would just go ahead and take the little 1 mile hike the rest area provided instead. I grabbed Alaska and headed up the hill. (I really need to start taking pictures of maps and information bulletins because I forget all names.) The hike was just a loop around this hill that got you a little closer to view the glacier plus it gave interesting information as you walked through it.

I will have to admit that as I was going through the loop, all by myself (besides Alaska), I was a bit worried that a bear or something was going to pop out of nowhere and eat me or at least kill me. So the whole time I was wishing I would of taken one of those bear classes Anchorage provided so I would know what to do in case I encountered a bear. *Laughs* Also, I kept remembering how I read in a newspaper article that bears usually never attack groups of people, but usually people who are alone. Anyways half way through the loop I got over it. Mostly because I came around the loop and realized that it was contained and no way a bear could get in.

Took some pictures of the glacier and was disappointed that my camera sucked, later realizing it was my brightness setting that was too high. Anyways the pictures from Matanuska came out okay, but in no way show its beauty. I took the pictures and made my way back up, steep climb up. Breathless I reached the beginning of the loop and headed over to my car.

Matanuska Glacier was definitely worth the stop and the little hike was a nice break from driving. I made my way back on the Glenn Hwy towards Tok.

To Tok

I arrived at Glenallen and moved on from the Glenn Hwy to the Richardson Hwy. That was a short drive before getting on to the Gakona Junction which led me to the Tok Junction. Finally, I arrived at Tok. I thought about staying there for the night, but their hotel/motel price were so much higher than Beaver Creek. I decided to move on. I gassed up and merged onto the Alaska Highway. The beginning of the 1,314 mile journey to Dawson’s Creek, gosh what a long drive.

Coming up, the AK/Canada Border, Beaver Creek, and more.

Sunny Santa Ana

Santa Ana, CA

The Location

Santa Ana is located in sunny Southern California about two hours south of Los Angeles and two hours north of San Diego. Most people hear the acronym O.C. and think immediately of the rich teenage T.V. show yet that was not the O.C. I lived in.

The People

Santa Ana’s majority is made up of Latinos. The majority of the Latinos are Mexicans/Mexican Americans, but you can find people from all over Latin American in Santa Ana.

The City

Santa Ana is a suburban city, although it is becoming more of an urban city with every day that passes. It is set-up to accommodate the Latinos of the city. There isn’t a lack of taco restaurants, corn stands, stores filled with latino products, Pollo Loco; anything and everything one would need or desire.

In Progress

The funny thing about the place you are born and raised is that you never look at it like a place to explore or learn about. I certainly never looked at my city with that perspective. Therefore, as I move across the world and go back home to visit, I will explore my own hometown and expose its uniqueness and culture.