The Alaska Highway

It rained very hard all night.  It felt good snuggled down in a deep pile of blankets listening to it beat on the roof.  We awoke to still more rain and fog.  When I went to put our doormat away, I found a large group of earthworms had taken up residence there during the night.  They were promptly evicted.  Darlie thought I should put some in some coffee grounds in case I wanted to go fishing somewhere.  Try explaining that to US Customs when we enter Alaska.  Oh, That's just our worm farm.

Visibility was only a few feet at times as we made our way through the mountains on Rt 40.  I have found Canadian roads to be very good and well marked.  I also like the fact they make frequent use of guardrails.  Something not found very often in the lower Rockies in the States.

Not a great photo but you get the idea.

This whole area is moose habitat.  We tried to keep an eye out for them as they cross the road frequently in this area.  Hitting a moose would put an end to our trip.  We saw a dead cow and a young bull moose along the road but no live ones showed themselves.

Gas prices in Alberta are the lowest in Canada.  We have been  paying $112.9 to $121.9.  That translates to approximately $4.29 to $4.63 in Canadian dollars per US gallon.  With the exchange rate it will be a bit more in US dollars.

In British Columbia we have paid $125.9 to $131.9.  That translates to approximately $4.78 to $5.01 Canadian per US gallon.  We are told we will be paying as high as 150.9 per litter further up the road.  That translates to $5.78 Canadian per US gallon.  We Americans complain too much about fuel costs.  Our prices are bargains to Canadians.  Their economy seems to be buzzing along just fine even with the higher gas prices.  I think we are fed too much poop from Washington.

When we got to Dawson Creek, BC today, we wanted to stop at the marker for the beginning of the Alaskan Highway for a photo op.  A nice young lady jumped out of her car and came over to volunteer to take our photo for us.  She has been living in Alaska for sometime and is now moving back to the lower 48.  She had several kids in the car.  We sensed she had some marital problems which were her reason for leaving Alaska.  She was headed back to family.  We will remember her and her family in our prayers tonight.

Now only another 1500 miles or so and we will be in Alaska

While visiting with her she gave us a road report.  She said the road is horrible up around Haines Junction towards Delta Junction in Alaska.  She said we would have to go very slowly with the motor home.  There are big holes and mud everywhere.

Learning to live with mud is part of the experience in driving to Alaska.  It rains a lot up here this time of year.  Someone told us to pack all our old towels, blankets and bedspreads for the trip.  They would come in handy to cover everything when we got into the muddy areas.  This has proven to be very good advice.  We have everything covered with old towels and sheets to catch as much of the goo as possible.  We have towels on the floor over the carpets.  They are easily changed daily and washed with the laundry later.  Buddy is getting used to having her feet wiped before she comes in.  At first she didn't like it much but she has learned it is going to be the routine.

We are camped in Fort St John at a Rotary Club campground on Lake Charles.  It is a very neat well kept campground.   But for those who are interested, there is a Walmart in about every town of any size all along the way.  It is just like back home.

It stays light up here nearly all night.  We are getting close to the longest day of the year.  I will have to take a photo at 3:00 AM to show you how light it is.  Darlie puts blankets over the windows so she can sleep.