Lazing at Muncho Lake and progressing on the Al-Can

Today we passed many milestones--2,500 since we left home, to be exact! Around noon we crossed the 60th North latitude, 23.5 degrees from home with 6.5 to go to reach the Arctic Circle. Then, around afternoon teatime we entered Yukon soon after seeing our first grizzly and caribou on the trip!

Before reaching Watson Lake, we spent four days at turquoise green Mucho Lake, surrounded by the Northern Canadian Rockies. Although the lake was just 56 degrees F. we dipped our toes in and enjoyed the chance--thanks to generous-hearted neighbors from Grand Prairie, to paddle around a little in their kayaks. Shared stories and campfire time and took more photos than would ever fit into a blog. Did I mention that we had to pump our water?

Enjoy the view!

On we roll! From Charlie Lake, so delightful that we spent four days there among the poplars and quaking (in Canada--trembling) aspens. After Fort St. John, the road took on what I call the "real feel" of what we imagined the Alaska Highway to be like--rolling grades lined with mixed conifer and deciduous forests, here a bear, there a moose, over there a coyote and way up there an eagle! The animal on the road sign seems to be a horse, but we've not seen one of those yet!

On the horizon loom the Northern Rockies, coming closer every day. Camped alongside the Sikanni River last night and saw sunrise around 4 am.

Really making progress now! Black bears along the roadside--well, we glimpsed two, no photos, though--a visit to Hudson's Hope, setting of the memoir "Mrs. Mike" and the Bennett Dam that created Lake Williston, huge and productive.

We posed for photos in Dawson Creek, the Mile Zero point of the Alaska Highway, then found the wooded secluded campsite at Charlie Lake in Fort St. John, some fifty miles along the Alaska Highway.

So, we are actually On The Way. Driving south to Hudson's Hope beats all superlatives for magnificent rural scenery and at a viewpoint we met the most friendly people--hey to Gary and Earla from Oklahoma.

Details and photos next post.

Canada 97 North to Dawson Creek from Prince George

Heading north presents all kinds of decisions! From Prince George, we faced this sign. To Dawson Creek, we decided. Good choice, since we have now seen two bears along the way. The first was just sitting a short distance off the road side, watching the traffic go by like some highway patrol with radar control. Ray saw the next bear which disappeared before I caught a glimpse.

In Prince George, we visited the Railway and Farm Museum where Ray could grown nostalgic about the old Rumley tractor, comparing the more modern aspects of the one pictured below.

Glorious views of the west side of the Canadian Rockies opened vista after vista through the raindrops on the windshield. How lucky can we get--waterfalls and the Rockies all the way up to Chetwynd today, with Dawson Creek and Mile Zero of the Alaska Highway awaiting tomorrow!

Today we passed the 100 Mile House as we drove by low lakes and meadows rather similar to the high parks of Colorado.It is a dark and stormy night...drove through Lytton, named for the true author thereof, although tonight is getting rather dark and stormy here in Quesnel, BC.

Coming north from Hope, we drove through the spectacular canyon of the Fraser River, stopping for many a photo and an overview from Hell's Gate.

The turbulence there make me wonder in awe of rafters who pass by there, although we didn't see any while we watched.

Odd sights included the longest cross-country skis and a picturesque church.

Between Boston Bar and Lytton, we corssed the 50 degree latitude line yesterday. Northward, ho!

We raided the Trader Joe's in Everett, WA as though no other provisions would be forthcoming for weeks. On a whim, we visited the 5th Wheel Place RV Center and enjoyed viewing some newer models of our trusty FunFinder, but we're too snug to consider switching--thanks for your time, Judd! In sunshine we crossed the 49th parallel and entered British Columbia on the way to Wild Rose Campground in Hope. Switched miles for kilometers and dollar bills for loonies and twosies and celebrated with meat pies and Nanaimo bars. (Don't intend to support one gas station over any other, but this brief philosophy of the road caught our eye along I-5 in Washington.)

Two days ago: Today we got up close to Mount St. Helen’s and learned lots about vulcanism and the power of volcanoes and the differences between lava from volcanoes in Hawaii ( compare to honey) with the lava from Mt. St. Helen’s (think peanut butter, but very chunky with 300’ size peanut chunks). Dodged rain drops all day in this green and ferny Northwest, and took refuge at 19-Mile House on Washington 504 where we ate divine fruit cobblers, the best ever. The rest of the meal was outstanding, too, and the service was as friendly as our own family. Worth a stop, or a drive to Toutle, when you’re in the area! Good thing I resisted applying for the job advertised in an Oregon paper for a rigging slinger with thinning experience. Never having achieved any experience at thinning, I passed it up.