The Knitting Narwhal: Dawson City

Dawson City was the home of the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898. Like Skagway, it is full of history and it draws loads of tourists every summer. Unlike Skagway, it hasn't prescribed to a colorful, sort of movie-set version of the rugged Gold Rush. Dawson still has dirt streets and most of its buildings are dilapidated and mysterious. But, I am sure there have been some restoration attempts on the historic buildings.

As evidenced by the side of this building-notice the two layers of fake brick siding?

I appreciated the understanding of the hard ships that many faced during the Gold Rush. There was a little window museum at an old mortuary that show-cased supplies of turn of the century morticians. I was fascinated.

The death business was huge in the far north during the Klondike Gold Rush.

I was also delighted at some needlework supplies of the time. These were made of bone. I would love a little velvet case just like this one.

The masonic lodge. I don't know if this building was there in 1898, but it stood shining and huge in the wee town. This picture was taken around 10pm.

A trip to Dawson City would not be complete without attending the old time dance hall show.

The can-can dancers were i n c r e d i b l e. I was stunned at how flexible they were, and obviously well trained. I was a little embarrassed, because I could not dance nearly that well when I was in the Days of 98 Show. I was comforted to discover that the perfect dancers couldn't sing. They were strictly dancers.

"Gertie" (the supposed "madam" of the show) was the only female singer. And she was dang good. I was proud of her for belting out song after song, and not being a wimpy dance hall girl like some supposed dance hall starlets (yes, Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge-I'm talking to YOU).