 |
GLACIER DOG |
||||
 Haines Junction sculpture depicts wildlife, gold miner, mountains and glaciers. © David Muenker |
"No, but my grandpa told me all about it. He worked up there in the Yukon pulling dog sleds during the gold rush."
"I can't wait to see the glaciers!" Sonya woofed.
"They're all part of the biggest non-polar icefield in the world," the husky continued.
"Non-polar?"
"That means it's not at the North Pole or South Pole. It's so big that it covers parts of both Alaska and western Canada."
"I wish I could pronounce the name of the World Heritage Site," Sonya sighed. "It's a mouthful."
"That's because it combines the names of the parks that protect it," the husky chuckled. "The more you say it, the easier it gets — Kluane / Wrangells-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenhini-Alsek. See?"
A few weeks later, Sonya arrived in Haines Junction, a town on the edge of Kluane National Park in Canada's Yukon Territory. She went to the park visitor center to get information.
A huge topographical map of the World Heritage Site sat on a large table in the middle of the room. It showed all the mountains, rivers, lakes, forests and glaciers.
 Lakes and mountain ranges beautify the park. © David Muenker |
"What's the best way to see the glaciers?" Sonya asked a park ranger. "By dog sled?"
"Not these days. If you have a week, you can hike to them," she answered.
Sonya's head drooped. "I only have three days."
"Then the best thing to do is to take a helicopter ride. The views are incredible."
"That's what I'll do!" Sonya jumped up and down with excitement.
At the helicopter hangar, she waited eagerly for her flight while the pilot completed a phone conversation.
"Sorry," the pilot said after he hung up the phone. "We can't go today. A forest fire broke out and they need me to fly over the area and report where the fire is spreading."
"Can I go with you?"
The pilot shook his head no. "That's against the rules. You wouldn't see the glaciers there anyhow."
"When will you be back?"
"Tomorrow. Maybe the next day," the pilot shouted as he dashed to the helicopter.
Sonya felt sad for the animals in the forest — and also for herself. What if she came all this way and didn't get to see the glaciers? No point sulking. It was a beautiful summer day. A short hike might be nice.
She started up a trail near the visitor center. The path climbed up through a thick forest of evergreen trees. The view of the town got smaller and smaller. After the trail turned, all she could see was trees.
"Pretty trees, but it would be more fun if I saw some birds or animals," Sonya muttered. She trekked past more and more trees.
 Sonya goes nose to nose with a grizzly bear cub. © Ravay Snow 2006 |
"That's an unusual scent." With her nose to the ground, she followed the smell. "H-m-m. I wonder what it is?"
All of the sudden, a big shadow covered the ground in front of her. When Sonya looked up, her eyes popped wide open. A big grizzly bear stared straight at her.
Sonya started to tremble. She heard about grizzly bears at the visitor center. They have huge paws with long claws and a hump on their shoulders. Although they eat lots of plants and berries, they also eat deer and other animals. They are very strong. Adult bears can weigh 800 pounds and stand six feet tall.
"Who are you?" Sonya stuttered.
"Gabbie. Did you come to play?"
"Sure…" Sonya stalled, not knowing whether to stay or run for her life.
"I'm one year old!" the bear boasted.
Sonya let out a deep sigh of relief. Gabbie was just a cuddly cub who wanted to play.
"Where's your mom?" Sonya asked.
"Picking berries on the other side of the meadow. She'll be back anytime now."
Sonya gulped. She didn't want to be around when the mother grizzly arrived. She might eat Sonya for dinner!
"Let's play a game!" Gabbie begged.
"OK, I'll race you to the edge of the forest."
They lined up side by side.
"Ready, set, go!"
Gabbie loped across the meadow, but Sonya burst across the grass like a rocket. When she reached the edge of the forest, she kept on going. She ran and ran until she reached town.
Safe but exhausted, she curled up under a tree in the town park. "Today a grizzly. Tomorrow a glacier," she mumbled as she drifted off to sleep.
To be continued…
In the next issue, Sonya hopes to fly over the glaciers in a helicopter..
Note: This story is fiction based on fact.
Go to Sonya's Picks for links to websites about the sights and wildlife of this World Heritage Site.
Test your understanding of words used in this story with the Word Match game.
Story | Sign Up for Newsletter | Puzzles & Games | Contests & Activities Letters to Sonya | Sonya's Picks | More Stories | What are WHS? | Sonya's Team For Parents | Site Map | Home |
Photographs ©2005-2008 David Muenker. Text ©2005-2008 Rose Muenker. Illustrations ©2005-2008 Ravay Snow Any use without express written permission is illegal and punishable by law. All rights reserved. Site designed and developed by Josh Bergman. |
