Canada is a huge country, the second largest in the world after Russia. It stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. There are a lot of interesting facts about this, the largest country in North America: Winnie the Pooh was inspired by a bear from here, a few of the country’s national parks are larger than some countries, it is home to 10% of the world’s forests, license plates in the Northwest Territories are shaped like bears, and, well, too many more to list. Yes, these facts are fascinating, but I discovered some of my own thought-provoking trivia:
Of Greatest Importance
There are no snakes in the Yukon Territory. Hiking is fear-free!
A bonus: there are no ticks either!
Rock Flour
I’m a bread maker. My go to loaf is whole wheat, but I’ve made sourdough, rye, white and pumpernickel. I’ve tried my hand at foccacia, baguettes, ciabatta, brioche and even flatbread. I’ve even made a few bricks. When the bread dries out you can use it as a door stop. You’ll thank me one day for this tip.
What I know about flour is that each one has a different purpose. Bread flour: high protein, good gluten structure. Pastry and cake flour, ok obvious. All purpose flour, that’s self-explanatory. You get my finely ground drift.
When I came across the term rock flour, also known as glacier flour, my curiosity was piqued. Here’s what it is. Glacial erosion grinds down rock into fine-grained, silt-sized particles. The pulverized rock particles absorb and scatter sunlight in a way that I don’t really understand, but what I saw was water with a striking blue-green color.
So grist mills and glaciers have a lot in common. Both grind something into a fine powder. One for food, the other, well, it was, certainly, food for my soul.
Inukshuks
The word means “in the likeness of a human.” These wonderful figures, made of stone, are distinctly Canadian. Built by the Inuit, they are found all over the Canadian Arctic. Similar to a cairn, they were used as markers for navigation, travelers and sacred places. Beautiful and unique, they are characteristic icons of Inuit culture.
I bought one in Tukoyaktuk, NWT made by an artist with stones from the Arctic Circle. It just might help me find my way back.
Sourdough Finisher
I have the following on good authority, from Kristen at the Visitor Center in Dawson City, NWT: During the Gold Rush that brought thousands of “stampeders” to the territory, many did not have enough food to really thrive,. Some made a sourdough starter — flour, water, yeast, which is live in the air — which they kept under their arm during the winter to keep it warm. If the miner made it through the winter he was dubbed a “sourdough.”
I’m going to suggest to my brother, who makes an amazing sourdough bread, that this process might make it even better!
Flower Power
As an avid gardener, I pay attention to all things plants, especially flowers. As we drove through British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and Northwest Territories I noticed hanging baskets, pots, window boxes and gardens full of flowers.
I was told it’s a way to acknowledge the end of winter and celebrate springtime. A tribute to the reawakening of the earth, post winter freeze and the explosion of lushness that happens.
This custom is all about joy … and the lightheartedness that comes with planting flowers for the sheer delight they bring.
The People —
1) Annie - our intrepid hike guide at Tombstone Territorial Park.
2) Sherene and Brian - full of information at the Northwest Territories Visitor Center
3) Jay - ferried us across the Yukon River in Dawson City with no hiccups
4) Depute Chief Taylor - what a tour of the Dawson City Fire Fighters Museum
5) Nick Virgil - USFS Information Officer - an encyclopedia of “best spots” in Alaska
6) Tim and Ashley - the best sourdough pancakes at Sourdough Campground in Tok, AK
7) Kristen - just a delight, at the Dawson City Visitor Information Centre
