ON TO THE AL-CAN

Day 46 – 2015-06-05

Another driving day today.  223 (6,625).  We continued north on BC 97, stopping in Prince George, BC for groceries.  Then on toward Chetwynd and Dawson Creek.  We saw our first bears along the way.  Another milestone for the trip.  Also a milestone, we got our first crack in the windshield today.  We knew it would happen sooner or later.  If it grows, I’ll see about getting it epoxied in Dawson Creek, otherwise, it will just make the trip with us.

 A little before we got to Chetwynd, I ran out of steam and Bettie found Pine Le Moray Provincial Park as an option for an overnighter.  We pulled in to the steep gravel park road (4WD not required, but very helpful) and found an almost empty campground that ran along a ridge just above Heart Lake.  Here are a few shots of the place. 

This is as far off the grid as we have been – and the location is exceptional.  We only wish we had enough time to drop the kayaks so we could explore. 

And just because we are boondocking doesn’t mean we are “roughing it”.  Dinner tonight was filet mignon and Bench 1775 Malbec. OH YEAH!

Day 47 – 2015-06-06

Our first stop today was Chetwynd, BC, home of the International Chain Saw Woodcarvers Competition.  Don’t poopoo this until you have seen the exceptional artistry of these guys.  One of them created my dream girl.

Yeti Mama - If not for the "baggage",who knows..........?

Today we reached Dawson Creek, the beginning of the Al-Can Highway.  This highway began life as a remarkable feat in WWII.  The Japanese actually bombed Alaska (who knew?), so the USA and Canada launched a joint effort to provide for a transportation corridor through Canada to Alaska as a means of protection for both countries.  Here are a few interesting facts about its construction.

·         Started in the Spring of 1942

·         Completed 8 months and 12 days later

·         1,523 miles

·         133 bridges

·         27,000 US and Canadian troops and civilians required to build it

·         Low temperature during construction, minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit

·         Opened to the public in 1948

We took pictures at Mile “0” and at the “Beginning of the Al-Can”.  Who would think this road had two beginnings, but who am I to argue?  In any case, here you go.

Dawson Creek is not a pretty city.  Mostly industrial looking with a hint of catering to tourists. We stayed at the “Mile 0” municipal campground tonight.  While I was cooking our chicken, I was approached by a homeless woman who came to use the free showers.  Her first question was “do you have a wife”?  I’m not sure of her intentions, but whatever they were, I was relieved to say to “yes”.  She left me alone after I told her we did not have enough food for a dinner guest. Needless to say, we are anxious to return to the boonies.  After only 47 days on the road, tomorrow we begin the Al-Can. 118 (6,743)