I spoke with two people today who really made me shake my head at just how little research some people do before making a journey. I like to get a feel for where I’m going and an idea of what there might be to see and do, but wait until I arrive to get the full lowdown on attractions. Some people apparently get in their car and say “I think I’ll go to Dawson City today!” and here they are. That tends to work out quite well in more populated areas, but if you’re heading to a remote place, a modicum of research is necessary, methinks.

The first person asked me where the Canadian Tire is and how late it’s open. When I replied that Dawson’s only chain store is a Home Hardware and that shops close early, he was appalled. “It’s only 7 and I don’t have a cable for my tv! What am I going to do tonight?!” I suggested going to Gerties in as neutral a tone as I could. He took my suggestion, but made sure to add “I don’t know how you can live like this.”

Then there was the person who called to get information on Dawson, specifically to confirm that we have more than a half dozen motels, hotels, and inns. “I thought Dawson was just this little blip on the map that you zip through en route to Alaska” she said (and I’m quoting her word for word). I replied that Dawson is the town with the most to see and do on the Yukon-Alaska circuit (a fact that I’ve read in  several locations) and that people rarely plan long enough for it. “Do y’all have restaurants?!” Yes, there are an inordinate number of restaurants in Dawson. “Museums?!” Yes. There’s the Dawson City museum as well as a score of other sites to visit (I’ll be starting my grand tour on Friday!).

There is easily enough to do in Dawson to spend a week and be busy every day with a couple of activities. A week isn’t long enough to try every restaurant or do every attraction if you only do one a day. Dawson even has stores, and the ones that cater to tourists also carry things locals would want to pay for.

I’m not sure what I expected from Dawson other than it be itself. I knew that its location at the end of the Klondike Highway would mean limited services, but I suspected that there would be a good amount of entertainment.  I got here with an open mind and an eagerness to try life in a semi-remote community. Some things have amazed me, but generally I take things in stride. I’m learning to live on Dawson time, which includes going out for ice cream and a walk along the dike at 9PM with a friend instead of hitting the mall and keeping my meal plans flexible to accommodate the treasure hunt that is grocery shopping here. How do I live here? Quite happily.