Post 3

 

I will add the pictures later, internet here in Watson Lake is too slow to add pictures!!

Bridge

 

June 24, Buckinghorse CG to Fort Nelson, Summit CG

 

Last night rained so hard, Larry had a hick of a time BBQ steaks. We broiled ours in our oven.

Along the road almost to Fort Nelson, several bears along the road, and a pair of Sandhill Cranes. Then a dear and a bobcat crossed the road.

Arrived at Fort Nelson visitor center, which had an aquatic center next door. Kids and Virg swam and I did engineering work sense I had email at the visitor’s center. Then we all crossed the road to the Museum. Wonderful old cars, buildings and just stuff.

 

Museum

 

Stopped to have cinnamon rolls at Tetsa River Services & Campground. So good!

 

                                                                                                Cinnamon Buns

 

June 25 Summit CG to Laird Hot Springs

 

Bright sunny day for the whole day. Rained during the night. Surprised on how many clouds and rain storms we have had. Before we left camp someone spotted a Moose going up the side of the hill above the campground. First moose we have seen, and a female.

 

                                                                                                Moose

 

 Saw a porcupine crossing the highway right after we broke camp this morning. Then down the road was beautiful Muncho Lake.

Got gas there and it was $1.69 a litter, about $6.30 a gallon ($102 for about 16 gallons, and going only 157 miles!) Long distances between large towns so you get stuck with higher prices. We paid $1.39 a litter in Watson Lake.

Three Cariboo quite away from the highway in the rock wash. Then Stone Sheep on highway just past there. Road construction with a follow me car, which included a Bison bull rolling in the dirt beside the highway. We also saw a herd of Bison moms and babies grazing along the ditch line.

Arrived at Laird Springs around 12:30 fourth in line to check in. Fortunately there were sites available and we got close together. Popular site, so we were concerned we’d get a spot.

Virg, Larry, Lilly and Evan went to the hot springs around 3pm, we did the same after dinner. Pretty boardwalk out the changing rooms and two pools. Very hot water.

Been sleeping well, but every time I wake up it is still like dusk light outside. Never seen the dark or stars yet!

 

 

June 26 Laird Hot Springs

 

Cloudy again today. Virg and Larry suggest a short drive to some waterfalls. Very pretty waterfalls, about 1.5 off the road. Sighted a male Buffalo along the road grazing.

 

 

June 27 Laird Hots Springs to Watson Lake

2nd Post June 17 to 19

Post 2

 

June 17, Baniff

 

Woke up at 5:30 to elk in the campground. Molly dog woke us up! A baby one with spots was eating charcoal out of the fire pit. Mom was grazing. A few minutes later, 3 more ran up to eat!

Went down town and went to the first Canadian national park—Cave & Basin Hot Springs. Went into a small cave to see the hot springs. And toured the historical building.  That evening we left after dinner and drove the Bow Valley parkway hoping to see animals. Saw only one elk at the end of the parkway.

 June 18, Baniff

 Tried to go to Johnson Canyon waterfalls, could not even find a place to park. Scratched that idea and went to Cranmore to visitors center and used their wi fi and then toured the country side there. Only saw one long horned sheep along the road. No other wildlife!

 June 19, Baniff to Jasper, Alberta

 Got up early and left at 7 am to try and see wildlife. But it was raining hard and nothing around until finally we found three goats along the highway. Great Iceparkway visitor center with video and view of o

ne glacier. Really has shrunk sense Jerry & I were there about 20 years ago! Great waterfall at a turnout along the way. Now camped at Whistlers Campground near Jasper.

Went into town to get propane and gasoline after parking, and had a piece of pie in town. Gasoline was the usual 116.9 ($1.169) per litter, about $4.50/gallon, but propane was $2 per liter! Cost Jerry $48 for his large 7 gallon container.  Pie was $15 for two pieces, and 1 cup of tea!

 But back at the campground Evan & Lilly spotted 3 elk. So cool.

June 20^th

 

Spent the day around Jasper. Took 93A up to a Glacier and saw snow cascading off the Glacier.  Stoped at some beautiful falls. Then the Lutes went to find hot springs and Jerry and I went to find a boat ride. All boat tours were booked up and there was construction going to the hot springs. Did see wonderful canyon and a moma bear and two cubs.

 

 

June 21th, Jasper to Grande Praire

 

Drive was rainy and not that exiting. Did stay at a campground at a Trumpter Swan presere, but no swans. Did see these guys crossing the highway at Hinton just out of Jasper.

 

June 22^nd, Grande Praire to Dawson Creek

 

Stopped at a really new and nice Dinasour facility just outside Grande Praire at Wemberly, Alberta. Then proceeded to the city park & campground at Ponce Coupe  (about 8 miles out of Dawson Creek). It was closed, and as we looked back at it as we crossed the bridge , you could see lots of damage done by the river. Last week this area got 1 meter ( 39 inches) of rainfall in one day! The road from Prince George to Dawson Creek still has a closure on it.

 

 Arrived at Dawson Creek at noon, and got  a camping spot at the Mile O campground. 

We then took Mile O photos (beginning of ALCAN Hwy) and toured museums. Watched a hour long movie at the Alaska Highway House about the Alaska Highway (ALCAN). Very interesting..

So I washed my hair and did the dinner dishes. As I was washing the last one up the pump quit. Don’t know what’s up with that, so Jerry will check it out in the morning. May need a new pump.

 

June 23^rd,  Dawson Creek to Buckinghorse Creek wayside provinsional park

 

Got right over to an RV store, after Jerry verified the switch on the pump was bad. Expensive pump, over $200 by the time taxes were added. Drove out to see the Bison Ranch, only saw two bison. Then back to the campground and Jerry put the new pump in. And off we were again, for our first leg of the Alaska Highway. Day pretty uneventful, rained off and on. Had lunch at an A & W in Fort Saint John. Cost $25 for Jerry and I for lunch!

When we finally got to camp, it looked like better weather so Larry got out the barbeque. That started a huge downpour of rain again!

 

 

Alaska or Bust

June 13^th,  Monday---- 12:30pm Virgina and Larry plus two arrive at Robinson Lake, Idaho to meet us for the great adventure. We had arrived the day before. We were introduced to Lilly (granddaughter) and Evan (grandnephew). Rough beginning as immediately upon pulling into the campground to back into his site, Larry ran over a concrete post (about 12 inches high). Blew out one trailer tire and put the other one against it on the other side. Missed the first post or rubbed against it. So now there were two posts to try and get around and over. Camp host came over and the guys got it back over the post and past the other post. Then the guys changed the tire. Tire okay but bent rim. On the way to Idaho they broke their bathroom sink. Toothpaste fell out of the medicine cupboard and knocked a hole in it. Who would have thought that could happen?

June 14^thTuesday--- 7:30am Robinson Lk to Radium Springs Left Robinson Lake, Idaho early. Just a few miles from the border, crossed with no problems.  Planned on exchanging money at the Duty Free store on the Canadian side but they would only exchange $300! We need to stop in Cranbrook, BC so we got gasoline, and I walked down   the bank. They would only exchange $800, so I sent Jerry down also. Found a cellular place “Rogers”. But they could not put a chip in my phones. So I tried Walmart who sent me to the 7 Eleven store. They sold me a phone, minutes and a Sim card. None of which would work. After about 45 minutes they refund all but the taxes and I went back to the original “Rogers Cellular”. Bought a phone from a brand new employee, took forever. But he was nice and made sure it worked before I left the store. 3 hours in that town! Made it to Radium Springs at about 4 pm, but we switched into Mountain Time so we lost an hour. Barely got to the visitors center for this park in time. No one to collect money at the campground, but plenty of sites to choose from.

Everyone tired so we went out for dinner and drove around the area. Lots to do here tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

June 15^th Weds--- Up late, great to sleep in, cool morning temperature wise. Paid our camping fee, evidently the collection booth people only work until 12noon at the beginning of the season. Traveled looking at various hiking trails along 93 in Kootenay National Park. One spot, Olive lake was really pretty. Had to watch where you walked, bear scat everywhere. We then came back to swim at Radium Hot Springs pool. Jerry and I lasted about 30 minutes in the 102 degree water!

 

 

June 16^th Thurs.—Radium Springs, BC to Banif, Alberta   

Started the day out with the radio news channel and reporting of heavy rain in northern British Columbia. The Dawson Creek bridge had washed out and the main highway was closed south of there between  there and Prince George. Checked with the Visitors Center after we checked out of our campground. They found the highway internet site showing the flooding south of Dawson Creek. When that water goes down there should be a work around to the other side of Dawson Creek. Otherwise we will need to go around Dawson Creek in Alberta and come out north of Dawson Creek. We’ll see.