Generosity & The People of the Yukon

Tuesday night we were taking Jackie for a walk around the campgrounds and ran into another couple that was also in the midst of exercising their dog.  We let the dogs run around and play… the more they ran the less we had to walk.  The conversation turned, as it often does up here, what brings you up to the Yukon?  The majority of people up here (we are often find ourselves staying in RV campgrounds… they have showers) are retirees in their RV’s, so we kind of stand out.   I explained the ride and reasons behind it.  Turns out that Jayson’s mother had tried to commit suicide years back.  So as Rose and Azure threw the Frisbee for the dogs, Jayson and I had a few beers and talked.  I am sure that during our conversation it didn’t occur to him that it could end up on this blog for everyone to read.  So I won’t elaborate on what we discussed. 

I have learned something on this ride, through talking with so many different people.  Despite the fact that it was right in front of me I never though of mental illness as being unique.  But it truly is.  If you take two individuals with depression or schizophrenia or addictions, each case would be unique, each person would experience their illness in a totally distinctive way.  That same thing can be said for those who have been touch by friends, or family members with mental illnesses two family members may view their Bi-polar relative in two totally different ways.  In the same way that two friends may view the loss of a mutual friend very differently.  I don’t really know what I am getting at with this other than I find it interesting.

Rolling hills were on the menu yesterday and a serious head wind for the first three and a half hours.  I didn’t have a choice, wind or no wind after an unplanned rest day I had to ride and try to cover some ground.  Nothing worth noting, I am starting to get tired of this constant head wind though. 

I made it to Johnson’s Crossing last night, thirty miles short of Teslin where I had originally intended to stop.  Battling that head wind for so long had really taken a toll on my legs and knowing that I am headed into the northern Canadian Rockies I didn’t want to totally fry them.  Its funny how things work out though.  While registering for our campsite, the conversation turned, as it often does up here, what brings you to the Yukon?  Azure explained what we were doing, as I was drooling over the fresh pastries in the display case.  Turns out Johnson Crossing is a campground/restaurant/bakery/gas station/future mental health rehabilitation facility.  Leslie, one of the new owners, explained their vision.  Her partner used to work in the mental health field and they decided to buy this place and use it as a facility to help rehabilitate individuals with mental health/addiction issues.  Using the facility to help teach them life skills for their eventual return to the city.   She said that the majority of their clients would come to them after being released from jail.  They are currently trying to navigate the government red tape, while at the same time keep the place running at full speed (this is the peak season for any business up here).  As Leslie said, “we really had to jump right in and hit the ground running” in order to keep the business viable. She hopes to have more time this winter to dot the i’s and cross the t’s for all of the government approvals that they need.  Kind of like us, she says that they have a vision and they intend to stick to it.  I wish you, the best of luck.  I don’t really think they will need it though, their bakery was awesome!!!!!  We had some of their “world famous cinnamon buns” and I would say that’s a pretty accurate description.  In addition to giving us a free campsite for the night she also gave us the cinnamon buns and a bag full of turn-overs.  That was after she offered to supply us with food and ice.  It isn’t every day that you meet such a genuine and generous person.  If you are ever in this part of the world Johnson’s Crossing is a stop that should be on your list.

Today’s ride didn’t exactly go as planned.  The hills are getting bigger and bigger, I’ll be back in the mountains tomorrow.  I had wanted to ride to the base of the mountains today but fell short after Azure and I spent a bit longer than expected in Teslin.  Some interesting people and museums held our attention for a few hours.  I want to get to bed early so that I can get up an out first thing so I stopped riding early in the evening.  I didn’t cover as much ground as I wanted, in fact today’s ride was so easy that it could be considered a rest day.  At least I should be well rested to tackle the mountains and the continental divide in the morning.

Yesterday’s stats

81.16 miles

14.9mph average speed

34.1mph max speed

5:24:32 ride time

Today’s ride

40.27 miles

14.4mph average speed

32.5mph max speed

2:46:50 ride time

Comments

[Pat & Barbara Shuck]

Ride hard, ride safe, change your sheets ! !