A Study in Red and White

Flowers are my passion and everywhere I travel I'm searching out subjects to photograph.  Sometimes the light isn't as perfect as I'd like but when it's your only chance, you've got to go for it.  These red nasturtiums nicely framed the white flowers and I knew it'd be a while before I'd be back to Skagway, Alaska, so I did the best I could.

"Study in Red and White"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Skagway Junk

Being an old mining town, Skagway, Alaska retains a lot of it's historic character. It was the starting point during the gold rush to the Yukon Trail. Miners were required by the Canadian government to bring 2,000 lbs. of supplies over White Pass before they would permit them to cross the border. That's one ton to be carried by sled, man or any other method. It was a narrow trail and took the would-be-miners many trips to get all their gear to the top. I'm sure glad they had a train for me to take to the summit.

"Skagway Junk" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Yukon Spirit

While in Skagway, Alaska several years ago, I was taken with the colorful bunting and flags flying above the station for the White Pass-Yukon Railway. This was the starting point for the big Yukon gold rush. The White Pass was steep, narrow and treacherous and the Canadian Mounties required anyone going to the gold fields over the pass to have 2,000 lbs. of food and other gear to sustain them once they made it over the top. This was a tough trip before the railroad was built and was usually carried or drug up the narrow pass, normally taking several trips to get everything to the top. Since today is Veterans Day, I thought the red, white and blue was appropriate.

"Yukon Spirit" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Pot Bellied Planter

I love flowers and thought this was a creative use of something meant for the junk pile. This lovely beauty is in the garden of the Skagway Inn in Alaska. They have raised flower and vegetable beds that produce a wonderful a bounty of color and veggies. Stop by the next time you're in Skagway, they're on the main drag.

"Pot Bellied Planter" © Kathy Dunham 2008