Dawson, Y.T. March 27 th , 1927

My Dear Mother Ryder:

I know that you will excuse me writing to you on the typewriter, but, unless I make too many mistakes, it will have the advantage of being legible at any rate. I feel that I ought to write to you if only to explain in some detail a little about our intended move to Ross River , and to correct some of your possible wrong ideas about the place. In the first place, I think you are all aware that I have already spent a couple of years up there – from 1922-1924 so it will be like going back home to me. I know the whole country and everyone in it – and I think Mary does too by this time as we have talked enough about it during the last few months .I want you to know that place is something like Fort Yukon – an Indian settlement principally, although there are not so many whites at Ross. It is not nearly so far North though as Dawson even, so the climate, if anything will be proportionately milder – although I must admit a mere matter of, say, 200 miles up here does not make any appreciable difference. Regarding our supplies, we are both expecting to make a trip into Whitehorse by boat before we leave for Ross and shall order a good supply of stores from there: you need have no worries about that part of the business, as there is a store there anyway if we should run short of anything, which is extremely improbable, as I know within a very little what to order as I have done it several times before this and have never run out of anything important. In addition to this, we are now getting together a large order for a Mail House which will be back to us before we leave: we have ordered an almost inconceivably large variety of small things – things, that, were we to repeat to you, would cause you to smile. Oh No, you need have no worry whatever regarding our supplies: WE SHALL HAVE ENOUGH .

We shall also take with us a small outfit of drugs as well, in case we should need anything along whose lines. We are also taking the piano and a bunch of music as well as a goodly supply of reading material, as well, of course, as my photographic apparatus: so you see that we shall certainly not lack for things to do . In fact, my own experience at these places – which is by no means small, is that I usually find too much to do . We shall have a dog team and boat for getting around the country with, both during the winter and summer, and I know that we shall be happy, as we are both looking forward to the trip with so much enthusiasm and eagerness.

Regarding getting up there: we shall take the boat – an honest-to-goodness river steamer – at Whitehorse and shall not get off again until we reach our future home at Ross, which will take perhaps about five or six days: so you see you need have no worries on that score. We shall have regular meals, proper cabin accommodation and company on

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