Category: RV Parks

Day 31: We Finally Got Here!

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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 made it!
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: Sign Post Forest in Watson Lake, Yukon Territory

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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.

Day 27: First day on the Alaska Highway

Posted in British Columbia, RV Parks, RVingTagged , ,

Day 27: Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Triple G Hideaway site 87, Ft. Nelson, BC. 290 miles traveled.

I read this book as we go along to warn Henry of steep grades and to see what is up ahead
I read this book as we go along to warn Henry of steep grades and to see what is up ahead

Our journey on the Alaska Highway has finally begun! The Milepost is a must have book when you are making a driving trip to Alaska. It warns of steep grades, shows where places of interest are located, and tells where to look for wildlife! It also has the campground phone numbers which makes it useful to call ahead when we have cell service. We haven’t had cell service since we left Dawson Creek.

We drove along looking for moose and bears all day. No luck today.

The only bad part of the drive was a couple of areas with 10% grades. The worst one was a downhill grade on a winding part of the road as we approached the town of Taylor. I could look down into a gorge as we drove.

We passed by several oil fields
More beautiful views along the Alaska Highway
Along the Alaska Highway
Triple G Hideaway Site 87 Ft Nelson, BC

We arrived at the campground about 3:00, got fuel and spent the afternoon watching the RV’s arrive.

One of the most fun things about RVing is meeting people in the campgrounds. Everyone we met was going to Alaska. We were parked between a couple returning to their home in Anchorage from Seattle and a family with two boys who have been traveling the country since February, 2012. We also ran into some people from Savannah we met in Dawson Creek. So far on our journey we have met people from Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, California, and various other states.

Day 26: Mile Zero of the Alaska Highway

Posted in British Columbia, Historic Sites, RV Parks, Tourist AttractionsTagged , , 1 Comment

Day 26: Monday, June 10, 2013. Northern Lights RV Park, Site 3, Dawson Creek, BC. 240 miles traveled.

Our destination for the day was to reach Mile Zero of the Alaska Highway. As we drove along the highway we searched for wildlife, especially moose. There were no wildlife sightings, but we continued to have spectacular views.

Beautiful views on the highway from Prince George to Dawson Creek
When you see one of these signs warning of a frost heave, be prepared for a bump
Snow melt cascading down one of the mountains
Our campsite in Dawson Creek

After arriving at the RV park, we drove downtown to see the beginning of the Alaska Highway which begins in Dawson Creek, BC and ends in Fairbanks, Alaska. The highway construction by the US Army Corps of engineers began in March of 1942 and was completed in November, 1942. The purpose of the road was defense and resupply of the Alaskan air fields.

We met a local woman in one of the shops in Dawson Creek who asked us if we were going to Alaska. When we replied yes, she told us “Those soldiers built the highway. God Bless Em.”

Mile Zero of the Alaska Highway! in Dawson Creek, BC
Mile Zero of the Alaska Highway! in Dawson Creek, BC
Historic Mile Zero Marker in downtown Dawson Creek, BC
Historic Mile Zero Marker in downtown Dawson Creek, BC

There are two signs marking Mile Zero. The most famous is the  arch at Mile Zero. The other is in downtown Dawson Creek.

 

Day 24: Bears in British Columbia

Posted in British Columbia, RV Parks, WildlifeTagged , , , ,

Day 24 and 25: Saturday, June 8, 2013 and Sunday, June 9, 2013. Jasper, Alberta to Prince George, British Columbia. Northland RV Park, Site 15 1/2. 247 miles traveled.

Our trip to Prince George, BC started out with a bear sighting about 10 miles after entering BC. We were driving through a provincial park when we saw cars pulled over. The bear was grazing the grass along the highway. There was another bear a little farther down the highway.

The highway wound along the Fraser River for a while. The river is advertised as the World’s greatest Salmon river. Later in the day we saw another bear.

Leaving Alberta behind, we entered British Columbia early in the day
Soon after entering British Columbia we were in Mount Robson Park and saw this bear beside the road
Another bear in British Columbia
Our campsite at Northland RV Park in Prince George, BC
Mr PG in Prince George, BC
Enjoying the campfire
Henry is doing a good job with the campfire
The woods behind our site were carpeted with these ferns

Our supplies were getting low and the laundry was getting out of hand so we decided to stop for two nights. Next stop, Dawson Creek, BC and the start of the Alaska Highway!

Check out our updated map at Our Route