Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
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The two RV Gypsies continued their travels
through the Yukon towards the Alaska border
page 2 of 2
July 6, 2016

Pickhandle Lake sign

history bookThe Pickhandle Lakes area – known as Chetthel Chi, “Stone Axe Handle Lake” in Southern Tutchone -- is a diverse complex of small lakes, pothole lakes, marshes and bogs. It is located within the Shakwak Trench, which is an important flyway for migratory birds traveling to and from Central Yukon and Alaska.

The HPA lies between the Donjek and White Rivers and is adjacent to the Alaska Highway. It measures 51 km in area. The north-eastern edge of the HPA is easily accessible from the highway.

The Pickhandle Lakes area is one of western North America’s most important flyways or bird migration corridors leading from South America, the Gulf of Mexico, the US Midwest, the west coast of the US and Canada into central Yukon and Alaska. The Koidern River supplies nutrients to the shallow ponds and lakes of the HPA, nourishing the plants and aquatic life which in turn attracts the migrating waterfowl for example these ponds are some of the primary nesting areas of for the trumpeter swan.

Other wildlife species that are plentiful in the HPA include moose, beaver, otter, mink, muskrats and raptors. First Nations people come here to fish species such as whitefish, arctic grayling, northern pike, and suckers and to harvest sheep, moose, caribou, beavers and muskrat. This area is also abundant in wild berries and edible plants.

In the past, the Tlingit Chilkat people travelled hundreds of kilometers from the coast to trade fish oils here for furs from the Han, Southern and Northern Tutchone and Copper people. Chetthel Chi was and still is rich in copper, which was traditionally used to make ornaments and tools. Copper was also used as currency by both First Nations.

Pickhandle Lakes Pickhandle Lakes
Pickhandle Lakes Pickhandle Lakes
sign about travelling traders location map
Pickhandle Lakes
Pickhandle Lakes Pickhandle Lakes
Pickhandle Lakes Pickhandle Lakes
the toad of the two RV Gypsies in 2016

Beaver Creek is a community in Yukon, Canada. Located at historical mile 1202 of the Alaska Highway, close to the Alcan - Beaver Creek Border Crossing, it is Canada's westernmost community. The community's main employers are a Canada Border Services Agency port, the White River First Nation and a number of tourist lodges.

It is the home of the White River First Nation. The First Nation is made up of Upper Tanana speaking people whose traditional territory extends from the Donjek River into neighboring Alaska, and Athabaskan Northern Tutchone speaking people whose traditional territories included the lower Stewart River and the area south of the Yukon River on the White and Donjek River drainages.

In addition to the Alaska Highway, the community is served by the Beaver Creek Airport.

The CBSA station is the furthest from the border crossing of any Canadian customs station, 17.8 miles, and at least up to the 1990s, some individuals lived in the "no man's land" in between the border and customs. Prior to 1983, the customs station was located in the middle of the community, with the resulting confusion: individuals driving past without stopping, and locals with a new vehicle not being recognized as they drove by.

Beaver Creek sign
history booksign about Beaaver Creek
sign about the Yukon Territory
sign about White Pass

Statues that signify Yukon's past; gold panning, lumberjacks, sheep herding, and First Nations People.

Statues Statues
Statues

As discussed with the tow truck driver before leaving Whitehorse, it was agreed that the two RV Gypsies would wait in this area for the tow truck and the the two RV Gypsies' RV to catch up with them. But after an hour's wait, Lee Duquette called the tow truck driver and was told to continue on to Fairbanks because they were delayed way back at Haines Junction.

So the two RV Gypsies continued on and eventually reached the Yukon/Alaska border.

info - Yukon-Alaska border
look below

bullet Once again, the two RV Gypsies got their RV towed over 600 miles from Whitehorse, Yukon to Fairbanks, Alaska at a cost of $10,300. They drove ahead in their car. For the full breakdown experience from June 17 - August 9th, read the full mess RV breakdowns - towing repair places - a must read for RVers especially so they know what repair places to avoid. Plus they will enjoy their RV trip because this did not happen to them.