Off to the Yukon in Canada

Wild horses at Takhini Lodge

I took the local train (MARTA) to the domestic airport and then the shuttle to the international airport. I was not an American citizen but travel to Canada with your permanent resident (PR) card and passport is permitted. I got my Starbucks fix for breakfast (it’s a travel writer thing!) and waited for my first time experiencing flying with Air Canada. Foursquare check-ins (and these are usually awesome!) got me some samples from Kiehls! And after loitering around looking like the queen of travel writing, I remembered I had to exchange currency to Canadian Dollars (CAD) from American Dollars (USD)!! Two currency exchange places in Terminal F had no CAD on them (my luck!) so I had to go to Terminal E and get it accomplished there, before rushing back to the gate. If you have traveled through Atlanta airport, you will understand what a feat that was. 

Next thing I know, I am boarding the flight and the bag that they allowed me to carry-on at the security now did not fit on Air Canada cabin overhead bin or under the seat. And this is my traveler carry-on bag for all travel! Great – so that needed to be a curbside check-in. The good part was the snack selection on the flight was neat so I loaded up for the day long journey. Hey, who knows when the next meal will be, right?

Reached Toronto Pearson airport to find out that my flight to Vancouver had been cancelled. I was originally rerouted on Air Canada to a later flight to Vancouver, with a layover (yay!) and then next day flight to Whitehorse, which was my final destination. However, airport staff worked their magic soon enough to ensure that did not happen ☺ and got me a later night flight on Air North to Whitehorse. 

The not so enjoyable portion of this journey to destination was I had to again check in my bag and find iyt at carousel. Then find Air North for tickets. Again told bag okay for cabin but had to check it in. But Air North itself was a great flight. Full of musicians heading for the Dawson City Music Festival tour which was a large part of the trip for me. Great food –unlimited beverages, snack plus deli treat that too with veggie option, then hot choco cookie and then mint as well, great service, nice crew on all flights. Jean Marc from the Takhini Lodge where I was going to be staying at was at the airport to pick me up even though it was close to midnight. Was still kinda daylight outside even at that hour. Saw a wolf along the way just happily crossing the street. His wife Christiane was there to receive me at the lodge despite the uncivilized hour of arrival.The lodge is a great place to stay at just that it is in the middle of nowhere. In the morning I realized it had wide green expanses on both sides, certainly off the beaten track. Fields with wild horses running round were visible from all directions. My room that night was very cosy, and they even had internet access. After a day of travel, that tub there and the comfy bed had me sleeping like a baby!

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