CAVEMAN BILL

POST # 199

 CAVEMAN BILL

I first met Caveman Bill back in September of the year 2000, a few days after I had arrived here in Dawson to live. Being new to town, I thought that a good way to meet some of the locals was to go for a drink at one of the bars.  The Midnight Sun Hotel was only a couple of blocks away, and that is where I met Caveman.  Actually I met his friend Russell first, and it was Russell who introduced me to "my friend who lives in a cave."   As mentioned, that was way back in 2000, and yet today was the very first time that I actually visited his cave.

I spent about an hour and a half there, sipping on a cup of tea, and just exchanging stories from the past, as well as catching up on recent news.  Caveman told me that this coming May 4th will be the 20th anniversary of him living in the cave.  He's lived here since he was 32.  Originally from Ontario, he was hanging out in Vancouver in 1996, and happened to run into an old friend who had recently returned from Dawson, and told Bill about this cave across the river from town.  Before long he was heading north, and he has been the sole occupant of the cave ever since then.  There is actually a smaller cave in the hill as well, and that is were he used to keep chickens, although when I was there today, it didn't look occupied.

Caveman is an interesting, talented, and intelligent soul, and he comes across as a very happy man as well.  He quit drinking about 12 years ago, and it seems to agree with him.  When we first met,  he was a bit of a crazy guy. 

The front wall of the cave is wood, and a few years ago, there was a fire which destroyed the wall.  The locals did a fundraiser for Caveman, so that he could re-build.  That shows two things; the type of community that Dawson is, and the respect that Caveman has around town.  He's one of the good guys.

He does odd jobs to earn a few dollars, however he keeps his expenses low, so work isn't the focus of his life.  He showed me some of the woodwork that he does, which is quite superb.  He seems to be content.

I was glad that I made the effort to finally check out his cave, and I think he appreciated the visit as well.  If my mom were alive today, (this would have been her 100th birthday), she would have been happy to meet someone like Caveman Bill, and I think he would have felt the same way about meeting her.

Walking on the ice of the Yukon River towards Caveman Bill's cave which is located near the first rock outcrop on the right.  His dog Trouper is coming out to greet me.

A view looking across river to Dawson, from outside the front door of the cave.

Caveman Bill and Trouper

 Inside the cave with Bill.

Happy Trails,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

PS.  Happy Birthday Troy