Day 39: Sunday, June 23, 2013. Whitehorse, Yukon to Dawson City, Yukon. Gold Rush RV Park, Site 69. 332 Miles traveled on the Alaska Highway and Klondike Highway.
Today was a really long driving day for us. We traveled about 12 miles on the Alaska Highway and turned north onto the Klondike Highway for the rest of the trip. The highway ran along the Yukon River for part of the day. During the gold rush steam ships traveled up the Yukon River to Dawson City where gold had been discovered.
Crossing the Yukon River
Five Finger Rapids on the Yukon River.
The Yukon River
At one of the overlooks, we saw the most unusual bus we had ever seen. This orange bus was as long and tall in the front as a normal bus but the back half was like a triple decker bus with rows of windows with curtains. We guessed that the windows were some kind of bedroom. When we checked into the RV park the bus had checked in right before us. The lady at the campground told us it was a tour bus from Germany with 27 sleeping cubes. There were 14 passengers in the bus this trip. When they were set up at their campsite the passengers sat at table under a big awning at a table while dinner was prepared. After dinner, they all disappeared. I’m guessing they went to one of the shows in Dawson City. I was hoping to take a picture of it in the morning but they were gone when I went outside.
Day 38: Saturday, June 22, 2013. Haines, Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Pioneer RV Park, Site 55. 244 miles traveled.
Blondie and I took one last walk around Haines before we got ready to leave.
Fishing Nets in Haines
Buttercups
Our last view from the campground in Haines
After one last look at our beautiful view and saying goodby to our friends in Haines, we continued on our journey to see the rest of Alaska. There were no eagles to be seen as we passed through the Eagle Preserve beside the Haines Highway.
What a view along the Haines Highway
Along the Haines Highway to Haines Junction
We went through Canadian Customs and entered British Columbia. When we spotted a black bear in a field of dandelions, Henry pulled over to the side of the road and backed up so I could get a few pictures. That was no easy feat towing our trailer!
We finally saw a bear!
Black Bear beside the road in British Columbia
From British Columbia we entered the Yukon and spent the night in Whitehorse. There was another Titanium in the park just a few spaces from us. We rarely see other Titaniums and try to meet the owners when we can. The owners of this one were from Ontario on their way to Alaska.
Day 34: June 18, 2013. Skagway, Alaska to Haines, Alaska on the ferry Walaspina. Oceanside RV Park, Site 13, Haines. About 335 miles by land, 15 miles and one hour by ferry.
Four new cruise ships arrived in the harbor while we were sleeping. The boardwalks were filled with shoppers from the ships early in the morning. We made a couple of last minute purchases before hitching up the fifth wheel to drive about two blocks to the ferry terminal. Our quiet little row of campers suddenly became busy as about 4 huge motor homes pulled in just as we were getting ready to leave. With cruise ship passengers walking through the parking lot and a train across the road stopping traffic it took us about 30 minutes to go two blocks to get in line for the ferry.
Our rig was measured – 46 feet from the front of the truck to the rear of the fifth wheel – we paid for the tickets, and had a couple of hours before boarding. We had hoped to grab a quick lunch in town but lines were out the doors everywhere so we just fixed lunch and ate at the ferry dock. Our rig was parked right next to Ted and Ruthy, a couple from Michigan and Arizona we met back in Prince George, BC. We saw their rig in Watson Lake and they saw ours in Liard Hotsprings.
When it was time to board the vehicles on the ferry a crew member directed traffic pointing to each vehicle when it was their turn to board. We sat and watched the motor homes and other trailers board until only cars were left. When they started moving quickly to the ferry we knew we would be the last ones on.
We rode the Walaspina ferry to Haines
We were the last ones to enter the ferry
Cars and RV’s are lined up inside the ferry
Henry on deck of the Walaspina
Several helicopters flew past the ship
Leaving the Skagway dock
Blondie had to stay in the truck while we went up to the passenger decks for our one hour journey through the inside passage to Haines. We stayed outside most of the trip to see the scenery and went inside to the nice comfortable lounge when we started getting cold.
Helicopter tours flew by
Amazing views from the ferry
Approaching Haines
Arriving at the Haines ferry dock
We traveled on the Alaska Ferry System from Skagway to Haines.
Our campground was just a few minutes drive from the ferry dock. Our friends Ted and Ruthy are just a few sites down from us. An eagle flew by to welcome us and perched on the rocks in the harbor. Our next door neighbors said they saw whales earlier. We knew we were going to like it here.
Driving into Haines, Alaska
We watched the ferry from our campground as it was leaving Haines
Day 31: Saturday, June 15, 2013. Watson Lake, Yukon to Skagway, Alaska. Pullen Creek RV Park Site 45 overlooking the Skagway Harbor and surrounded by mountains. 320 miles traveled.
I was talking to a fellow traveler at the RV park in Watson Lake before we left there this morning and I commented that this was our 31st day on the road and we still weren’t in Alaska! Our plan for the day was to continue on the Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon and enter Alaska northwest of there in several days.
It was another beautiful drive on the Alaska Highway with some nice places to stop along the way.
We crossed the Continental Divide
These purple wildflowers were growing all along the highway
Yukon wildflowers
We crossed the Nitsutlin Bay Bridge to the town of Teslin on the other side
These carvings at the Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre represent the Wolf, Eagle, Frog, Beaver and Raven clans
We stopped for lunch at a rest stop. While I was fixing lunch Henry walked over to read an interpretive sign. On the sign was a large map of the area. As we were eating he commented that we weren’t very far from Skagway. We talked about it for a few minutes and he was just as anxious to get to Alaska as I was. We had to make a decision as the turnoff to go to Skagway was in about six miles. I entered Skagway into the GPS and it was 59 miles to Whitehorse and about 102 miles to Skagway. It was a no brainer. We were going to Skagway.
We left the Alaska Highway and off we went. We were about halfway to Skagway when I realized it was Saturday of Father’s Day weekend. What if all the rv parks were full? There was no cell service and no way to find out until we got there. I read ahead in the Milepost and saw in red letters warning of an 11 mile descent with 11% grade going into Skagway. I told Henry “There’s something coming up you’re not going to like.” There was no turning back.
The drive on the Klondike Highway was spectacular. Snow covered mountains, deep blue ice covered lakes. There were even two bears along the highway. We couldn’t stop to look at anything.
I kept checking my phone for cell service. We had to get AT&T when we got to Skagway, didn’t we?
Finally, we stopped for pictures at the Welcome to Alaska sign! We were really here!
We finally made it!
We cleared customs with no problem and headed straight for the Pullen Creek RV Park hoping for one of the waterfront sites on the harbor. We asked for 2 nights, maybe 3. He said no problem, go pick one and come back and tell me where you are. After setting up, we were happy to just sit outside and enjoy the view.
An old mine on the way to Skagway
On the South Klondike Highway on the way to Skagway
There is still ice on the lake
Over 70 degrees and there is still snow
Back in the U.S.A.!!!!!
Our campsite is in the parking lot at the Skagway Harbor
View from our campsite
Henry says I looked like I was going to cry when I saw AT&T with full bars and 3G come up on my phone. We called our kids and enjoyed the rest of the night.
Day 30: Friday, June 14, 2013. Liard Hotsprings, BC to Watson Lake, Yukon Territory. Downtown RV Park Site 2. 190 miles traveled.
Watson Lake, Yukon Territory is the site of the Sign Post Forest. The forest was started by an American soldier who was working on the Alaska Highway in 1942. He erected a sign pointing to his hometown of Danville, Illinois. Today, it is filled with signs, now including ours.
Welcome to the Yukon Territory
The Sign Post Forest in Watson Lake, Yukon
Signpost Forest in Watson Lake, Yukon
Signpost Forest in Watson Lake, Yukon
Other Bulldogs have been here!
Sign Post Forest
Our friends, John and Sherry, erected this yellow sign a few years ago
More Georgia Bulldogs
Next to our sign in the signpost forest in Watson Lake, Yukon
We experienced sticker shock at the liquor store in Watson Lake when we paid $13 for a six pack of Canadian beer. The grocery store prices were sky high, too. But, even so, we enjoyed our visit.
After all our planning and traveling we feel like we are ready for anything.
Henry is loaded for bear with his dirty truck, trusty guard dog and $13 six pack of Canadian beer. Note to Lenoard: Bud Light is the same price.
Wandering Dawgs 