Day 45- Dawson City

 July 26

While I was getting my tattoo Bee told me about the Moosehide Festival.  It's a 4 day festival hosted every two years by the Trondek people celebrating Han culture and traditions.

It was a no brainer that this is what we were going to do today.  Once we got up and moving we packed lunch and water as it was suggested to bring your own food as it is limited at the Trondek grounds.  

First I had to stop in town at the visitors center to get our sticker for Dawson City.  Then we had to find lotion for my tattoo.  Since we were in town we walked the downtown area looking at all the shops.  They kept the store fronts very period.  Even the sidewalks were built from boards.  

After we dropped everything off at the truck and ate our lunch.  Then we went to the river front.  The only way to the village was a quick boat ride down the river.  It was a bit of a wait, maybe a half hour or so.  

It was pretty hot and humid so the girls were in a bit of a mood.  When we got there, many activity's were going on.  Beading, learning native songs on the fiddle, making beaded earrings.  I unfortunately could not get the girls to do any of it.  They had an artist fair and kids area.

The first bit of entertainment was moose calling.  We got there just as they were wrapping up the male calls.  They then began the cow matting calls.  I guess it does not matter where you go, if it's a festival or fair there will be some kind of animal calling contest. 

Luckily the performances were about to start cause the heat was really making the girls cranky.  Did not help that they stayed up until I got back from getting my tattoo done so no one got to bed before 1am.

There were three different tribes that performed native songs and dances.  There was also traditional hoop dancer. Unfortunately her outfits and hoops were lost by the airline so the best she could do was give us a description of her dances and a short demonstration.  She did mention that just before she came on stage the airline called and had found her stuff and it would be delivered in time for tomorrow.  We were all a bit disappointed we couldn't come to see her full performance.

At 6 was the feast.  It is tradition that the host feeds their guests. I was surprised that the girls all ate well.

After dinner we had to head back,  I had promised the girls ice cream so we stopped at an ice cream shop in town.  

After ice cream we took a drive up to the Midnight Doom.  It's a look out high above the city.  Unfortunately it was hazy due to all the forest fires in the region so the view was not as spectacular as if it was a clear day.

On the way up and back down the Dome Road there was a fox just hanging out on the side of the road.  It would run off when a car passed but after a minute or two it would come back.

Back at the trailer the girls took showers while I changed out the tire with the spare.  I decided to run the spare,  I could have had it patched but I have road hazard and while I could get reimbursed that would be a pain.  I have a plug kit, but I didn't want to run a plug if I don't have to.  If I have any more issues I can plug it later.