Mile Zero

This is the Dawson Creek Alaskan Highway Visitor Center. It used to be an inspection station for vehicles entering the highway. Back in the day, you had to show that you had at least two spare tires, and auxiliary fuel tanks to handle the great distances between gas stations - 400 miles plus on some stretches. Several of you pointed out the liquor store in the background. Canada runs on beer, eh?
6/5/24

Mile Zero RV Park

Since I now have my charging issues settled, I don't need electrical hook up anymore. This allows me to use tent camping sites that don't have water or power. This saves me money - but also opens up some of the coolest sites to Gravytrain. Tomorrow morning we roll...

Mile Zero RV Park

Traditionally, many of those headed out on the highway spend the night before at this park. 

Here We Go

The only wildlife I saw today was a buffalo grazing by the side of the highway.
6/6/24

Buckinghorse River Provincial Campground, British Columbia

First day on the highway was pretty uneventful. I drove about 200 miles to this lovely little campground.

Buckinghorse River Provincial Campground, British Columbia

This was the view from my campsite.

Buckinghorse River Provincial Campground, British Columbia

We both got a good night's sleep - never a problem for her highness...

Alaska Highway

Lotsa action today. Small buffalo herd (20 ish) crossed in front of me...
6/7/24

Alaska Highway

...while the big guy watched traffic.

Alaska Highway

I spotted four grizzlies and a black bear today. This guy was standing about ten yards off the road with his back to traffic...

Alaska Highway

...then Augie barked, and he strolled off. "Get off my road!" said Augie. "Grouchy bitch," said Griz.

Laird River Hot Springs Provincial Park

We rolled into this place about noon. They have 75 campsites, and we got the last one.
6/8/24

Laird River Hot Springs Provincial Park

Our site was right up against the bear deterring electric fence, which gave off a very "Stalag 13" feel. 

Laird River Hot Springs Provincial Park

Didn't keep me from boiling my old bones tho. The temp ranged from a very toasty 110 at the mouth of the spring, cooling as it moved down stream. I parked in what I figured was about 105.

The Yukon!

I have loved the idea of the Yukon since I read Jack London's novels as a kid. And now I'm here.

The Yukon!

Augie and I stopped at a scenic overlook...

The Yukon!

,,,then saw this and moved on,

The Contennental Divide RV Park

Just a wide spot in the road really, but a pretty extensive RV park, with about 50 spots with power and water.
6/9/24

The Contennental Divide RV Park

We snagged a nice spot back in the woods, and after unsuccessfully trying to trailblaze through impenetrable forrest to get to a raging river about 30 yards behind us, we gave up and settled in for an evening of DVDs. This is "The Sands of Iwo Jima," starring The Duke.

Whitehorse, Yukon

By Alaska Highway standards, this is a big city - I mean they gots a Walmart and TWO McDonalds! This is the mighty Yukon River being squeezed through the shear walls of Miles Canyon. The current is unbelievably strong here - and can be up to 25 meters deep.
6/10/24

Whitehorse, Yukon

It's laundry time, so I stayed at the Pioneer RV Park. It was a fairly forgettable place - as demonstrated by the fact that I forgot to take even one photo there... this is the city's float plane port, which was right down the road.

Final Push North

Took off this morning from Whitehorse with these impressive mountains becoming more and more imposing on my right. Then the nice lady on the GPS told me to hang a right, and I was nosing right into them.

Final Push North

For my last night on the Highway, I'm headed to the Congdon Creek Provincial Park on the shores of yet another huge lake, Lake Kluane. As I was rounding the southern edge, preparing to drive up the western side I noticed the smoke on the horizon. Turns out, it was wind driving down one of the high mountain rivers that feed this lake in early spring. Mostly a dry creek now, the wind picks up the sand and blows it out onto the lake. The park service has a full time job sweeping the highway to keep it open.

Congdon Creek Provential Campground, Yukon

Had a great spot back in the trees, but the beach was just a short walk away...

Congdon Creek Provential Campground, Yukon

...and provided me with this great shot. You can still see the dust on the horizon (40 miles away) at the beginning of the video.

Yikes! Goodbye for Now, Canada. 

This breaks down to about $8.40 a gallon. I could have made it to the Alaska, where the price was "only" 4.17, but it was going to be close, so I gulped, and ponyed up the big bucks. Even though it was Canadian money it was still $125 US bucks... and it stung.