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 TerritoryThe Sign Post Forest in Watson Lake, YukonSignpost Forest in Watson Lake, YukonSignpost Forest in Watson Lake, YukonOther Bulldogs have been here!Sign Post ForestOur friends, John and Sherry, erected this yellow sign a few years agoMore Georgia BulldogsNext 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 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 CreekWhen you see one of these signs warning of a frost heave, be prepared for a bumpSnow melt cascading down one of the mountainsOur 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
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 13: May 28, 2013. Peter D’s RV Park, Sheridan, Wyoming
We took care of a few housekeeping things before going sightseeing in downtown Sheridan. Henry climbed up on the roof of the RV to check on the hail damage. There was a hole in the living room vent cover which he patched with duct tape. You can fix anything with either duct tape or WD40, right?
Once that chore was completed we hit Main Street in Sheridan for a little shopping. We browsed a few shops with everything from shoes to western wear. One shop displayed spurs, cowboy hats, saddles, and cowboy boots of every color and style.
A stop at Safeway for a few supplies and we were back at the campground. Later in the day we returned to town to do a little sightseeing at the historic Sheridan Inn. The Inn is now closed so we could only explore outside and peek in the windows. Buffalo Bill Cody made the inn his home whenever he was in Sheridan and was part owner from 1894 to 1902. The inn is located across the street from the train station.
One of many sculptures on Main Street.Sheridan, WyomingThe Sheridan InnWe saw a couple of painted ponies in town. At the Sheridan InnBeautiful Sculpture in front of the Sheridan InnBuffalo Bill Cody stayed here when he was in CodyThe Sheridan Inn was built in 1892Train on Display in Sheridan, WY
Day 9: Friday, May 24, 2013. Coralville Lake, Iowa to Welcome, Minnesota with a couple of side trips. Welcome Campground, Site 10. 278 miles traveled.
Who says road trips have to be boring? We like to stop when there is something fun to see along our route. Sometimes we will even go out of our way to see something interesting. Today was one of those days.
We went out of our way to Austin, Minnesota to visit the Spam Museum. We learned everything there is to know about Spam! As soon as you take the Austin Exit I-90 you start to see Hormel processing plants. Signs direct you to the museum which is located right in the middle of downtown. We parked the RV on the street in front of the museum and took a tour and then had a Spam Burger for lunch at the diner outside.
You can find out everything you want to know about Spam here!We drove out of our way to visit the Spam Museum in Austin, MNIn front of the Spam MuseumSpamburger, anyone? Those are all cans of Spam!Parked at the Spam Museum
After about an hour in Austin we were back on our way west on I-90. We stopped again in Blue Earth, Minnesota to visit the 55 foot tall Green Giant Statue.
Green Giant Statue in Blue Earth, MNHenry is just a little bit taller than the bootsBeth and Blondie with the Green Giant
The rain started after we returned to the interstate. We set up the camper in the rain in Welcome, Minnesota. We heard the rain on the roof most of the night and got ready to go in a drizzle.
If you like to see unusual and fun places as you travel, Roadside America is a great resource. You can also purchase a copy of the book to carry with you in your vehicle.
Day 8: Thursday, May 23, 2013. Coralville Lake Dam Complex Corps of Engineers Park in Iowa City, Iowa, Lindner Point Campground, Site L2. 181 miles traveled.
After 2 days of hard driving we decided to take a break and stop around lunch time at a Corps of Engineers park on Coralville Lake in Iowa City, IA. The drive from Illinois took us across the mighty Mississippi River into Iowa. The first exit in Iowa is for Le Claire, the home of Antique Archaeology from “American Pickers”. We didn’t want to try to find it with the trailer behind us so we continued on to the World’s Largest Truckstop, the Iowa 80 in Walcott, IA. We bought diesel and wandered around the huge souvenir shop and food court. There is parking for 800 trucks with additional spaces for cars and RV’s. In addition to the shopping and food there are showers, a barber shop, a dentist, chiropractor, a movie theater, and even a self-serve dog wash!
This sign is on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River. Le Claire is the location of Antique Archaeology on “American Pickers”The MIghty Mississippi separating Illinois and IowaAt the Iowa 80 truckstopThe World’s Largest Truck StopIowa 80 – The World’s Largest Truckstop in Walcott, IowaA few of the trucks at the World’s Largest Truckstop. There is parking for 800 trucks.
After getting set up at our site, we took a drive to check out the dam and lake.
Lindner Point, Coralville Lake, Site L2, Iowa City, IAView out the back window at Coralville Lake, IowaCanada Geese at Coralville DamHenry at the Coralville DamWater flows into the Iowa RiverFossils from the Devonian Fossil Gorge
We took a walk on the Woodpecker Trail near our campsite after dinner.
Along the Woodpecker Trail near our campsiteThis interesting structure on the Woodpecker Trail was created by University of Iowa studentsCreated by University of Iowa studentsView of Coralville Lake from Woodpecker TrailWildflowers on Woodpecker TrailMore Wildflowers on Woodpecker Trail
We found that there is more to Iowa than just corn fields! Ready now to continue our adventure!
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