We’ve come full circle. Or maybe we have done a reverse circle. I am going to call what we have done a spiral. Dunno. But here we are again, back at the place where we camped on our first horse trek, in 2011. Mr. Siggi, Raudi, and Rainbow were our travelling companions.

It was our first night of real camping. We put up an electric fence/corral. We didn’t highline or tie the horses to the trailer, as we do now. We camped on the lake, adjacent to the old Bayshore Lodge. A fellow named Jonathon was the cook in Burwash Landing. Pete had a burger, said it was the best one he ever had.

Alys sharing her oatmeal with Siggi back in 2011

I think Jonathon was attempting to make a go at reopening the lodge with his partner, who we did not meet. The lodge was then rundown. But then, as now, there was an incredible view of Kluane Lake and distant mountains. I then fed the horses oatmeal, off a spoon. This then became a part of our camping with horses routine.

We camped here this time by accident, not design. We got going late because it was raining, so we were reluctant to leave the shelter. Pete continued to putter so we didn’t get going until noon. Grr, grr, grr. But our tent and other gear were dry by the time we left.

We stopped at Burwash Landing, to check out the history museum that wasn’t a history museum. It was a naturalist museum, complete with dioramas containing stuffed mammals and birds. There was even a polar bear. The exhibit was well thought out, but the sight of all those trophy animals with their glass eyes made me feel uneasy. A photographic exhibit would have provided the same information, for sure. I asked the interpreter where the animals came from and she said she was new to the job, so she didn’t know.

We continued on to the next trailhead just north of Burwash Landing. We rode eight miles total along an overgrown road, the terrain was mixed and was comprised of bog, grass, and then, finally, a gravel road. We came to a ranch, which explained why the road was there. There were horses in a field. We turned around at this point. I thought, the love of Raudi’s life could be out there.

It was overcast and cool, good for the horses. I didn’t bring enough warm gear for this trip. What, I wondered, was I thinking when I was packing? So at the ride’s end we were parked at the edge of an overgrown meadow. It was then time to decide whether or not to stay put. Pete was leaning towards camping, and I was leaning towards heading out. We spent considerable time weighing the pros and cons of both. My main con was that the bugs were horrific.

We finally set out, Pete grumbling because he was hungry. We deliberated some about staying at the Congdon Creek campground. It’s the one in which campers with tents stay inside an electric fence, bears being a problem. We figured highlining would not work – we didn’t want to impose on other campers, so we kept going. We passed the Bayshore Lodge, then turned around at the Kluane Lake Visitor’s Center, and drove back to the lodge.

The lodge, now run down almost to point of no repair, was our best option. I wished I had the time and money to purchase it and find others to assist in caretaking and running it. We could be co-owners. I could spend two months here each year, kayaking and sitting in the refurbished hot tub.

This place has fallen upon hard times. Those who worked on, and ran this place, they must have had stories. Yes, perchance to dream because anything is possible.

Next: 161. 6/13/24: Day #8, Rode the Silver City Trail