Unassuming and modest in appearance and demeanor, Latondress carves unique works of art from various wood products, displayed and available for sale at this Alaska Highway gift shop, located in the southern part of the Yukon Territory.

He carved a wooden three-dimensional scene of the nursery rhyme, Old Mother Hubbard who lived in a shoe, complete with laces, a curving boot tongue and carved, painted wood children.

Displayed in a glass case in Nugget City's dining room is a musical jewelry box with horses carved on the front and side sections that appear to be made of ivory, but the figures are actually carved from light-colored birch wood.

A light-weight but strong-looking wood link chain, adorned by a medallion with a laughing wolf also hand carved by Latondress, is used to block off an extra dining area in the facility's restaurant.

And the door to the Northern Beaver Post gift shop displays a beautifully carved eagle, wings aloft, clutching a salmon in his talons.

Latondress completes his wood carving artwork in between his winter caretaking duties and mechanical work at Nugget City, a collection of guest facilities located along the Alaska Highway, about 20 miles northwest of Watson Lake.

“His artwork helps make us different from everyone else,” said Linda Goodwin, who, with her husband, Scott, owns and operates Nugget City.

Latondress has a small percentage stake in the business, she said, and provides a valuable service to through travelers on the Alaska Highway by staying at the facility in winter to provide emergency assistance.

Since acquiring the facility in 1994, the Goodwins have worked to improve Nugget City, expanding the fuel station to 24-hour availability, adding several buildings and small log guest cabins, some even offering Jacuzzi suites.

Linda's father, a retired gold miner from Mayo, is working on the adjoining property to expand the Baby Nugget RV Park. “Every dollar we've earned, we've spent on the property,” Linda Goodwin said.

Their niche of the travel market is attracting visitors who are seeking higher-end quality lodging and service, she said.

“It's definitely a quality issue,” Goodwin said. “We're at an age where we can afford the better things and want to treat ourselves to the finer things, not skimping on travel.”

Providing clean accommodations with quality furnishing and good service are key for attracting repeat business, as well as drawing in new visitors, she said.

For owners of a remote operation like Nugget City, sometimes that means late night outings, such as driving sick guests to a hospital several hours away during the middle of the night. That's nothing unusual for Goodwin who, at one time in her life, worked as a truck driver.