Things you should know about the Yukon:

Sam McGee, of the Robert Service poem, ain't from Tennessee; he has actually from Peterborough, Ontario, knew Service from the bank in Dawson where he worked, and Service liked the sound of his name so he got permission to use it in a poem.

If its so cold that your car's block heater cord plug freezes off, you can replace the plug at Canadian Tire, for only $6.95.

Many many good coffee shops, including Baked (try the cinnamon pull-apart) and the Chocolate Claim.

In 1897 gold was found on Rabbit Creek, up by Dawson. The next year 100 000 people came through, mostly hiking up and over the Chilkoot Pass, down by boat to Whitehorse (watch out for those rapids) and then by steamer to Dawson.

By around 1900 there were 100 000 here. In 1920 only 5000, and now the Yukon population is up to 34 000.

The record low temperature for Whitehorse was -52.2 C, -62 C in Mayo, but the average winter temperature is more like - 20 C.

After a winter here you're a Sourdough. Before that you're a Chekako.

Go to the artist's co-op on Industrial Rd., and if its still there, but the Raven painting by Nicole Bauberger for me.

Two local coffee roasters: Bean North and midnight Sun

Get a Growler of porter from Yukon Brewing Co.

The light. Intense. Enhancing all.

Bring a scarf and some Sorels. Its mighty cold.

There is so much going on! Hockey Day in Canada last week. An opera yesterday. Live theatre. Workshops on everything from making sourdough to hunting moose. The Frostbite Music Festival this week, and so much more. Folks are so friendly too. Its so easy to strike up conversations with complete strangers, and likely you have at least a few friends or experiences in common.

Once you get up here, the Yukon gets under your skin. I think I need to come back for longer.