We Reach the Beginning of the Alaska Highway

5/28/2016, Saturday Start: Todyah Provincial Park, BC, CN End: Pink Mountain, BC, Alaska Highway mile 143.

We started out at 6:00 a.m. this morning so we could get into Dawson Creek in time to visit the Farmer’s Market.  It isn’t getting dark until about 9:30 pm and it is light again by 5:00 a.m.  We’ve got shades and curtains on every window which helps with the temperature and provides a nice dark night (mosquitoes not withstanding). 

We stopped in Chetwyn, known for its carved wood statues, and filled up on gas ($200 Canadian dollars at 1.15 per liter) and then treats at Tim Horton’s, the Canadian Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts (you can see it in the background). 

Chetwyn, BC, Canada with Tim Horton's in the background

Dawson Creek was a bigger town then when we were expecting, about 11,000 people with all the amenities.  We stocked up on fresh meat and produce, took the obligatory pictures at the Mile “0” signposts marking the beginning of the Alaska Highway.  We’ve come 2500 miles in 14 days and it is another 1500 to Fairbanks!

Mile "0" of the Alaska Highway

The farmer’s market was lame and since we’d arrived so early, we headed out toward Fort Nelson.  On the other side of Fort St John, the rain turned into snow.  By Mile 125 we were in a steady blowing snow storm.  We made it to Pink Mountain RV Park.  They had no pull through spaces but parked us on a side road as it was too dangerous to continue on.  We’re snug in the RV with views of a winter wonderland at the end of May.  More fun!

Snow in May

The Great Mosquito Slayer

5/27/2016 Friday Start: Whistler Campground, Jasper, AB, CN  End: Todyah Provincial Park, Hwy 97 N, BC, CN

We traveled a few hundred miles north on a day that started out rainy and later broke into sunshine and high fluffy clouds.  We made one stop today at The Ancient Forest.  It was not listed in any guides (we have a mountain of maps and brochures) but the visitor’s center at Mount Robson told us it was a must see and we agree.  It is a stand of 1,000+ year old cedar trees that survive in a unique wetland ecosystem of an inland rain forest far from their usual habitat on a coast.  There’s a easy boardwalk into the forest where other trails split off to explore deep into the woods. 

giant cedar tree

Looking up into a circle of cedar trees

Afterward we pulled over for lunch at a rest stop and then moseyed down the road looking for a campground for the night.  We ended up about 200 miles short of Dawson Creek at the Todyah Provincial Park on a serene lake surrounded by towering pines… inhabited by mosquitoes!

Todyah Provincial Park lake

Mike hates mosquitoes.  Really, really hates them, which will be a challenge as we reach Alaska where they are known to be plentiful.  This was obviously going to be an opportunity for practicing maneuvers necessary to eliminate them.

Immediately upon parking he began the assault against the foolish few that dared invade the RV when he opened the door to get out.  He quickly dispatched with the initial front (“take that, you buggers!) He then strategically darkened the interior except for the bathroom where they would enter and he would follow.  From behind the closed door I would hear “gotcha” and “die you sucker” as he reeked his vengeance on the nasty insects.  Never has an invading force been so convincingly defeated.  (Note the insect repellent on the hood of the truck).  

Mosquito Attack Vehicle (MAV)

Until next time....

Speechless

5/26/2016 Thursday Start: Bow Riverside Campground, Cochrane, AB, CN  End: Whistler Campground, Jasper, AB, CN

To quote Mike, today we “drove through some of the most gorgeous scenery we’ve ever seen” on Highway 1 to Banff National Park and then Highway 93, the Ice Fields Parkway, through Jasper National Park.  I’m getting the Go Pro figured out and got some unbelievable video…now I just need to figure out how to edit it!  We started out with the truck total mileage at 135,000 miles, a nice even number; we've gone over 3,000 miles so far and still a ways to go to Alaska!

The road to Banff was a couple hours.  We drove up to the Fairmount Hotel that sits on Lake Louise.  The lake was a dazzling blue green, surrounded by purple mountains capped in white.  It took my breath away.

Bonnie at Lake Louise

Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta, Canada

Glacier at the Ice Fields 

 

Looking down on Ice Fields Parkway

Whistler Campground, Jasper, Alberta, Canada

From Banff we took the Ice Fields Parkway to Jasper.  Stunning views the entire way.  We almost stopped for the night to camp at the glacier in the ice fields but decided to go on to Jasper.  And here we are for the night, in a pole pine tree forest.  Good night!