To Whitehorse, not once, not twice, but thrice

Writing Life: 24

Flying in to Whitehorse in 2013 for my first visit.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I’ve been very fortunate in my writing life. This week’s post is another reminder that writing novels has been—for me—a passport to opportunities and experiences I’d otherwise never have had. Among those are three separate visits to Whitehorse, Yukon.

Visit #1 (2013)

My first visit to Whitehorse was in June of 2013 when I was invited to speak at a Yukon Government conference with the imposing title Creativity and Public Policy: Emerging Trends and Tools. I figured I was one of the “tools” flown in to speak about creativity and how it shaped my writing life. And Whitehorse was amazing. The Yukon River flows next to the town and is beautiful. Walk 100 metres or so out of town in almost any direction, and you’re in unspoiled wilderness. My hotel room was equipped with blackout curtains as the sun barely dips below the horizon in June giving us daylight for very nearly 24 hours. My talk seemed to go well and I was able to explore the town a bit afterwards. I found Whitehorse to be a very welcoming place with lots of restaurants and shops, including a Starbucks. I may not have mentioned it before, but Starbucks hot chocolate is one of my vices.

That evening, I gave a talk and reading at the beautiful Whitehorse Public Library in a meeting room with a wall of windows overlooking the Yukon River.

The curving exterior gives way to a bright, light-filled interior with great views.

Two days later, I did a book signing at the famous Mac’s Fireweed Books on the main shopping street in Whitehorse. It was a memorable trip and first encounter with Whitehorse.

Mac’s Fireweed Books in downtown Whitehorse.

Visit #2 (2016)

My second visit to Whitehorse came in January—yes, January—2016, for the Northern Lights Writers’ Conference. My friend and the editor of my first six novels, the incomparable Douglas Gibson, was also invited where he was promoting his wonderful second book, Across Canada by Story. Did I mention this all happened in January, when the sun barely crawled above the horizon for what seemed like a very short time? Oh, and it was very cold.

I arrived in the evening after a very long travel day. Not long after I landed in Whitehorse and checked into my hotel, I was exhausted and went to bed. My plan was to wake up early and spend some time writing in the Starbucks about two blocks from my hotel—you know, my hot chocolate addiction. Before I hit the horizontal and turned out the light, I checked my iPhone and confirmed that it recognized I was no longer in Toronto, but in the far northwest corner of Canada. I woke up around 6:00 a.m. feeling good and ready to start my day. I bundled up and headed out into the darkness—the sun was not due to make a fleeting appearance until sometime after 10:00 a.m. I immediately noted that the streets were virtually deserted. I made it to the Starbucks but was surprised to find it wasn’t yet open even though it was 6:30 in the morning. Or was it? I looked around and couldn’t see a single living soul in downtown Whitehorse. That’s when I came upon a public clock at one of the major intersections. It told me it was, in fact, 3:30 and not 6:30. My iPhone had changed my location to Whitehorse, but for some reason had not updated my clock to the local timezone. I crawled back to my hotel and into bed until it actually was 6:30 before returning to Starbucks to write. A rookie mistake.

(Clockwise from top left) A display in the window of Mac’s Fireweed Books promoting the conference. Whitehorse’s main drag in January. The clock that informed me I as wandering the streets of Whitehorse at 3:30 a.m.

The conference in general, and our sessions in particular, seemed to go very well, and Doug and I had a great time. Coincidently, CBC’s Hometown Hockey broadcast that Saturday night was live from Whitehorse. I had the chance to spend some time with Hockey Night in Canada host, Ron MacLean, who kindly reported enjoying my first novel. That was kind of cool.

Visit #3 (2018)

My third visit was as a speaker at the annual conference of the Hansard Association of Canada—the professionals who record our legislative/parliamentary proceedings in the federal and provincial governments. It was August 2018, so, like my first visit five years earlier, the sun seldom set and when it did, it was not for long. I started bright and early the morning of my talk by walking a block or so from the hotel to the CBC Radio studio for an interview on the morning show. I was still on Toronto time so I was wide awake. I’ve always found it it helpful to be awake during radio interviews.

Before my talk at the Hansard conference, I was interviewed on the CBC Radio morning show. Of course, that called for a blurry selfie where I look weird.

My talk to the Hansard conference was well-received. I had a free evening while in Whitehorse, and was able to give another book talk back at the public library where I’d first spoken back in 2013.

While in Whitehorse for the Hansard conference, I gave another book talk at the library. It was also nice to see this sculpture of the great writer, Jack London who arrived in Whitehorse at the tender age of 21 in 1897.

I joined the Hansard conference delegates for a tour of the surrounding region one day, had an amazing time, and learned a lot.

A view of the stunning Emerald Lake.

Scenic train from Carcross, Yukon, to Fraser, B.C. We then met the tour bus for the run back to Whitehorse. Such incredible landscapes.

Local wildlife caught on camera from the safety of our tour bus.

I’d go back to Whitehorse in a heartbeat. It’s a fantastic town to visit with a rich and vibrant cultural life. It continues to amaze me that writing a few books can lead to such adventures. Looking forward to more as the shadow of the pandemic recedes.

To take us out, here’s a great folk song from my youth by the underrated Canadian singer/songwriter, Valdy..

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