What is it about the Yukon…or is it the north in general that draws me? I was born and lived in Northern Ontario until I was in grade three, not very long and yet something clicked over in my brain then. Although I have lived in Southern Canada since then I have yearned for the north. The first thing I told Fred, once I realized that we might have a life together was, “I have to live in the north…I don’t care where but the north.” He said…no problem, fine and then real life set in. I have carried this love for the north ever since. People are going to Costa Rica and Cuba. I want to go to Baffin Island. They dream of Hawaii and I want to go to the North West Territories. Having some of my children in the Yukon makes me feel lucky because although I don.t see my grand baby often enough, I get to come here quite a bit.
Crossing the BC Yukon border set my heart pounding but some of you will remember that I had much the same experience at many stops along the way in BC. Karen will remember me saying, “When I grow up I want to….” (Are you still keeping track Karen?) Today I saw a beautiful film about the Yukon at the Whitehorse Info Centre. I think it was called “As the Crow Flies.” It was a highly idealized and sentimental look at Yukon life. I bought into it completely. When it was done, I was ready to move in, throw my whole life over and become a territorialite. Within the text, freedom was a theme. Freedom to be who you are, freedom to be in nature. Freedom to make a difference.
It is true, here and probably in many northern communities you see the results of the work you have done. You are not a cog in a wheel. Nature is a 10 minute walk from anywhere in town. Is that possible in communities of a million. Can you manage to avoid becoming just a number? I think so and yet, it is harder to see a path to being who you are.
In my search for quick cash for gas I was offered a job here today. A good job, one that would make use of my skills and talents. I could move in an instant. I am not as torn as you might think. I will continue to find Canada and keep looking for my heart (a fickle thing that is always looking for a place that my not exist)…but I will not be surprised to find that “I is who I is and if I ain’t who I is than who is I?” (thanks Kathyrn)
I have internet here but….no time to get to it. I will keep trying to post as I look for a route that won’t damage my faithful Vincent.
I don’t know Vicki. I’m a southern girl myself as you know. Any place that threatens to make me cold, I’m not in favour of. However, your photos are so spectacular, they are making me appreciate the great north of our beautiful country.
Glad to hear you made it safely to Whitehorse
Love Tina
🙂 I feel that way about any place that threatens to make me HOT.
Maybe it is just the distance away from the so called ‘centre’ that gives people the opportunity to be more who they are??? Maybe it is the grizzlies…I haven’t seen one yet though except stuffed in the McBride Museum yesterday.
Hey Vicki
In the 7 or 8 short years you lived in the north the cold definitely seeped into your veins and is still streaming through them. I think it must be one of the things that makes you such an adventurer and such an interesting woman.
I too am so glad to hear you are back in Whitehorse…now why is that? It must be the sedentary part of all of us out here reading, knowing that you are some where familiar and safe. That is weird when I write it down because I never think of you as being unsafe while you are driving through this massive country. I think it is the feeling that I get ever time I leave home for any length of time and then return home…I always think and usually say out loud, oh it’s so nice to be home. I guess that’s why you are out discovering the whole damn country and I’m at home reading your blogs and looking at the pictures and loving it all…from home.
Good luck with your new job and making lots of good money to continue on.
Janice
I’m counting, Vicki. There are so many spectacular places in Canada where one could settle and live for awhile or longer. Choosing is the difficult part. Good luck! Karen
I think probably the best place to settle is where your friends are and when I get to my computer…I get such a smile. Thanks to all of you….
And Janice…we all travel in our own way and I think you sound like you are just about there. It will be good to find your “home” too.