Our Excellent Adventures » YT

The real world, or is it

Keith — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:27:08 +0000

It is hard to get back into the swing of things here at home. After 32 days of no TV, no news, limited cell phone coverage and limited Internet, I am still kind of wondering around – what should I do now? Do I have to mow the lawn? Take the trash out?

I had a couple of things I didn’t want to forget before our next trip.

Order the current Mile Post – this tells you every thing you need or want to know – even tells you about the extraordinary views you can’t see because of rain.
Extra fuel – with the low fuel light coming on twice (even though there is a large reserve) next time I want a little insurance.
More room for “nit-naks” – we started with everything fitting in place and as we acquired more “stuff” and gifts (even three rocks), it got a little tight.

The last two can be handled with a hitch mounted carrier of some sort. Of course, it would have to come off for the ferry and store inside. Under 19′ you save quite a bit. (They did not measure us by the way so there may be a little fudge room.)

Also shorter runs between camps. We did this some – one day we only moved 65 miles, fishing along the way – but not enough. There needs to be time for some hiking and exploring (even in the rain) as pretty soon you are craving exercise.

We did stay away from Anchorage and spent 1 day in Fairbanks. The tourist stuff is ok but the real deal is the “bush.” You can find a re-created “gold town” in the lower 48 but you can’t find a Caribou herd crossing the Tundra.

Home again, home again, jiggety jig, day 32

Keith — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:24:04 +0000

	What a trip! We traveled 6,167 miles, 1,040 miles by boat and 5,127 miles (including over 600 miles of dirt road) in our Sportsmobile Sprinter (“the Bus”). Traveling as far north as 67°14’55″(Coldfoot, Alaska), we used 270 gallons of diesel for an average 19 mpg.
	We saw sunshine and blue skies for about 12 days and had many days of rain, some freezing slush and a brief period of snow. Temperatures ranged from the mid 70′s to 39° F. – mostly in the 40°-60° range.
	We dry camped 20 nights at highway turn-outs, National or State Parks (US) Provisional Parks (YT, Canada), or Government Parks (BC, Canada).We were gone for 32 days and could have used at least another 14 days for southern Alaska, more fishing, and going further north in Alaska or the Yukon.We’ll save all that for next time! Yaaahoooooo!

Our last camp, day 31

Keith — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:21:09 +0000

	We headed toward Eugene to have lunch with a good friend and to meet some new friends. Eugene is a pretty city and it was here we first noticed it was getting warm.
	Tonight we camped at the Valley of the Rogue State Park. We had camped here 32 days ago on the first leg of the journey. This time it was full of 3-day weekend campers and all were having a good time.
	A bit melancholy, we stayed up for a while talking about the trip and the cats waiting at home.

Back in the US, day 30

Keith — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:19:30 +0000

	We put some miles on today. Crossing the border took about an hour do to lines. Just before you go over you can change all your Canadian money for US. Customs were easy the entire trip.
	After crossing into the US we drove through Bellingham and past Exit 250 where just a short time ago (it seemed) we had turned to find the ferry. A light rain was falling – deju view all over again.
	We had planned to stop in Seattle at Pike’s Place, a section of town with lots of shops and fresh fish and vegetables plus about anything else you can think of to buy. Picked up 5 pounds each of King, Coho, xxx salmon all packed for a 48 hour dash home.
	Heading south and looking for the first campground or park we could find, we saw a sign for The Wildrose Campground. It as quite a ways off the highway so when we got there we stayed (wet) even though it was a bit eclectic, kind of anti-Stepford.

Fraser Canyon, day 29

Keith — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:17:24 +0000

	We were lucky to travel through the Fraser Canyon area today. We even got snowed on! There are seven tunnels on the route through the canyon. The Gold Dust trail goes through this difficult canyon, of which was said by Simon Fraser (the first white man to descend the river), “This is a place where no human being should venture.”
	In the “Hell’s Gate” portion, current is very swift and waters can rise as much as 100′. You can visit the lower portion by tram.
	We stayed at the Wild Rose Campground (wet) near Hope, BC and had minestrone for dinner.BTW, there were both a Hope and a Clinton, BC.

Prince George, day 28

Keith — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:24:27 +0000

	We arrived in Prince George, BC about 9:30am. Here we having the oil changed on the Sprinter and that gives us a few hours to explore.
	We quickly found out the locals (like in many towns) don’t know much about their town from a tourist prospective. We went to the mall as suggested – hmmm, just like home. We travelled downtown for lunch and I was happy to find a Guiness.
	After walking back to the dealership, Debbie went to the Prince George Park. This is a great park on the river on the west side of town. She visited the comunity museum, saw photos of The Hudson Bay Company’s plan for Prince George and other exhibits.
	We escaped the clutches of the dealership and modern commerce and by 4pm were once again on our way south.Tonight we stayed at the 10 Mile Lake Provential Park. Lots of spaces but no one around.

Totem poles and salmon, day 27

Keith — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:22:42 +0000

	Today we headed towards Hazleton. Actually, there are 2 (maybe 3) Hazleton’s – the new and the old. We stopped short of Hazleton to look at some totem poles and were greeted by a friendly cat.The first thing we saw in Hazleton was a glass shop so we stopped to have the windshield fixed. Cost $44 Canadian.
	Hazleton has many totem poles and near Hazleton you will pass through Moricetown. Here the local First People or Aborigines as some call themselves, fish the Skeena river for salmon using nets. Not really fishing – more like catching. Over 5 million salmon run up the Skeena each year.
	The day we watched, they were catching, tagging and releasing. As far as I know, there is no limit to what the First People can catch.Tonight we camped at Dave’s RV and finally got showers!

Bear Glacier, day 26

Keith — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:59:53 +0000

	We pulled out about 7:45am heading south on the Cassiar Highway. We snapped a photo at Gnat Pass Summit, 4,072 feet and Mt. Edziza (9,000 ft. volcano).
	The Cassiar Highway is a beautiful way south, some gravel and a pretty narrow road especially on the northern end. Some traffic but tall mountains, lakes and lots to see. We passed 4 black bears along the way.
	At Meziadin Junction we turned toward Steward to see the Bear Glacier which at one time touched the highway. The blue ice of the exposed end and the water pouring from was incredible.
	We turned back to camp at The Meziadin Lake Provincial Park (dry) where we had a site 10 feet from the lake. We had a nice fire and cocktails. We watched a beaver taking home fast food and we had chili bean burgers.
	We also learned 3.84 liters make a gallon (from one Debbie’s many cookbooks) so now I can figure out some mileage.

		Debbie’s report on the Bear Glacier.

Through Whitehorse, day 25

Keith — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:58:08 +0000

	We got an early start (7:40am) heading south. As we started there was a beautiful string of Canadian Geese, lighted up by the sunrise, heading south. Just after that 2 young elk crossed in front of us. We crossed the Continental Divide, just as we did in Yellowstone the year before.
	We pulled of the road at Lake Lebarge to visit Moms Bakery (owned by Tracy Harris, a former director of the Yukon Quest and a great baker.) We had coffee, looked at some of her pictures, including Mary Shields (see the Fairbanks). She has a local fox she feeds an egg a day to keep him away from her chickens (we had seen him on the way in. We purchased a giant cinnamon roll, sourdough bread and some halibut chowder and were on our way.
	We stopped in Whitehorse for window repair and to refuel. Window repairs are not done on Saturdays and diesel . . . ah, that is the question. We had seen pumps with no markings, pumps with a “low sulphur” sticker and pumps with “Ultra” written next to the low sulphur sticker. I can’t really say good fuel was available after Chicken until Prince George.
	We camped at The Cottonwood River rest area (dry) with a mountain and river view. Leftovers for dinner, a Scrabble game and to bed.
	Our open house video for the grand kids, nieces and nephews.

South towards Whitehorse, day 24

Keith — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:56:36 +0000

	Around noon, we bid farewell to the “Coast Guard” and headed southbound towards Whitehorse. We stopped to do a quick car wash that took just the first coat of mud off. The floor of the carwash was covered in mud. There was no soap setting just water under pressure.
	Next we stopped at Gravel Lake, an important bird migration spot. After being so careful for 500 miles a rock finally found it’s way to our windshield. I was a little upset (those who know me, know what this means).
	We also visited the Five Fingers Rapids Recreation Site and later learned about a layer of volcanic white ash (possible from St. Elias) that covered the southern Yukon Territory. You can see this layer clearer at cuts in the road about 1 foot below the surface.
	We stopped at Pelly Crossing, which is on route of the Yukon Quest and one of the many sites owned by the First Nation. It was here that Debbie lost her idealistic view of the indian way of life. Sadly the government dole system has taken it’s toll on some of the First People as it has on many Indians.
	Time to camp (dry) at Twin Lakes Government Campground.