So, you might have noticed some posts about me moving. Since I am absolutely terrible at keeping up a text or email conversation, I figured I would sit down and write out the whole story here (or as much as I can remember from the whirlwind).
The Background
About 8 years ago now, my sister and her husband took an opportunity to move from Ontario up to Whitehorse, Yukon. I was reluctant to visit at first (Isn’t it like freezing cold up there all the time?!), but finally made the trip up for Christmas in 2017.
Ever since that first trip, I was obsessed with the idea of living in Whitehorse. A town in the mountains with delicious beer, good coffee, and did I mention the MOUNTAINS? I traveled up the following two summers, the first on my own to experience the mountain biking I had been told was top notch, and the second to share the mountain views, hikes, and bike trails with my partner Ciara.
After we returned to Ontario, Ciara and I started talking half-seriously about moving up here “one-day.” Then COVID hit – as we started spending more and more time together, we had the opportunity to have some serious life chats and actually seriously talk about moving up to Whitehorse in the next couple of years.
The Opportunity
Once we had set our sights on moving within the next two years. We started seriously keeping an eye on the job postings. We told ourselves that it was to make sure we had the qualifications we might need to get a job we would want up here. What we didn’t know was that a perfect opportunity would present itself, and I would actually take the leap and apply.
An application, a Zoom interview, and a few weeks later I would find myself receiving an offer I couldn’t say no to. And they wanted me to start the first week of August, lots of time! (Oh wait… what about quarantining?)
The 18 Days
So stick with me here… I got the offer July 1st. Given the fact that we would need to quarantine for two weeks upon entering the territory, the latest we could possibly leave was July 19th.
The specifics of the 18 days are still pretty blurry for me, but here is what I remember.
July 1st: I get the job offer over the phone while on vacation at the family cottage. Ciara and I say one last goodbye to Haliburton before driving home and excitedly planning the move while we drove.
July 2nd: we both quit our jobs, contacted the Yukon government to see whether we were even allowed in the territory or not, and gave our landlord notice that we needed to break our lease. (No picture for this one… just imagine a lot of awkward video meetings).
July 3rd – July 16th: A whirlwind of final hangouts with those we could safely see, last bike rides on our local trails, packing our apartment, selling everything we didn’t need, and everything else I can’t remember.
July 17th: We moved everything out with the help of family. And said good-bye to our first apartment.
July 18th: One last family barbeque with both of our families.
July 19th: Early morning drive to the airport with our luggage and four bikes (yes… four. I did let two of my bikes go during the packing/selling phase, I promise).
The Actual Day
Ciara and I rolled in to a luckily empty airport with all of our stuff. A quick stop off at oversize baggage and we were off to security.
Everyone was more than respectful of those around them in the airports, wearing their masks and giving as much space as possible. Both of our flights were nearly full, but everyone followed the guidelines of masks and sanitizer (helped by the mandatory “care” package from the airline that included a mask, pair of gloves, mini sanitizer bottle, and two wipes).
After a total of 8 hours in the air, and a 3.5 hour layover we arrived in Whitehorse, unsure of exactly what the situation to get into the territory would be. But, with a few easy forms and a chat with one of the officials our quarantine plan was approved.
Quarantine!
We’re lucky enough to have some amazing friends living in Whitehorse that have made this all possible. They set up a little apartment for us in their basement, deliver groceries, and helped us navigate this brand new town.
Since arriving in their basement, we’ve been sticking to ourselves, getting out for walks in the neighbourhood, apartment and vehicle hunting, and Ciara has begun the job hunt. We actually just secured a lease on a new apartment too! So the list is slowly growing a little bit smaller.
The future?
What’s next for us? Hopefully a lot of adventures when the weather is good, and a lot of planning more adventures when the weather is bad.
It won’t necessarily be an easy road getting used to a completely new town and territory, but Ciara and I are so excited to get to know our new home. Stick around as we share some of our thoughts and adventures up here in Canada’s North.
Gone to the Yukon 
Sounds like a great opportunity!!! Enjoy the adventures and say hi to Sarah, Jamie and the kiddos for us! Best, the Kerr’s!
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