Canada Eh?
Exploring the world is like exploring your soul; you never know what you will find, but you know that it will always be something unimaginable. There are many remarkable things to discover around the world, but most do not come close to the breathtaking icy wonders that lie within the arctic landscape of Canada.
Driving to Whitehorse, Canada from Skagway, Alaska was an unforgettable experience. As the car continued down the road, the landscape would change around each turn; there was something new to see. Whitehorse is the capital, and only city in the Yukon territory. It is located off of the Alaskan Highway in the wide valley of the Yukon River. The name is derived from the city’s majestic White Horse rapids, which resemble the mane of a white horse. Being surrounded by mountains, the landscape is isolated from the loud noises of the city and makes for a very peaceful and picturesque trip through the country.
Often referred to as “The Wilderness City,” Whitehorse makes for very exciting adventures and is sure to take your breath away with its beauty. The actual community of Whitehorse is relatively small with an area of 3,277 square miles and a population of about 26,000 residents; about 70% of the population of the Yukon. However, this city is the largest in northern Canada. Over 700 kilometers of trails lie within the community for biking, hiking, and cross country skiing. Through the city, the Yukon River flows and is great for canoeing, kayaking and fishing.
Down the winding mountain roads, there were more things to do and more memories to make. The beautiful Emerald Lake hid deep within the tundra biome of Whitehorse, Canada. Being almost neon green, this gorgeous natural wonder caught my eye instantly. At the bottom of the lake’s shallow waters, there is a high concentration of marl (a mixture of clay and calcium carbonate). The light that reflects off of these minerals gives the Emerald Lake its notable and intense color of green.
The snowy, mountainous terrain of this icy wilderness had more sights to see, other than natural beauty. The quiet, peaceful mountain air far away from the city makes for the perfect wildlife habitat. Wildlife is quite abundant in the mountains. Animals that live in the Yukon include mountain goats, caribou, elk, lynx, cougars, arctic foxes, beavers, bison, and a variety of bear species. Bears are all throughout the mountain trails and are a symbol of the Canadian wilderness. I personally spotted three different bears along the journey, one black bear and two grizzly bears. The black bear was climbing up a tree and just hanging out, while the grizzly bear was being productive and finding some food. One grizzly bear, however, had unfortunately been ran over by a car, but concern over reduced bear population has prompted increased protection over the species.
With all of its amazing mountainous terrain and wildlife, Canada is an extraordinary place. I have been to Canada three times, and this was by far the most memorable visit of all. I will never forget walking into the supermarket just to see if it was different than in America or when I saw a grizzly bear on the side of the road and I stuck my head out of the window and took a close-up picture as we were only 10 feet from the bear and my mom was screaming the entire time for me to stick my head back in the car. One more thing that I will always remember is hearing about the poor people on the train tour that got stuck in the mountains. The train had a brake malfunction and another train had to come pick them up. Luckily the train didn’t crash and nobody was injured. We almost went on that tour, but decided to rent a car instead at the last minute. What a miracle! The whole entire trip was unforgettable and something that I wouldn’t trade for anything. 
Pictures may open eyes, but being in the presence of something unique will opens minds. There is just something about being able to feel the crisp air around your face and letting the smell of pine trees overwhelm you that makes me want to go travel around the world and never come home.
