Bev’s Diary, June 10: Sunrise 4:31a, Sunset 11:28p (Whitehorse YT). Left at 6:30a and stopped to camp at 4:30p. Too long a day but enjoyable scenery along the way. Saw foxes and porcupines. Marsh Lake Campground
Bev’s Diary, June 11: Out of cell coverage so no sunrise/sunset times. We stopped by 2:30 pm at Boya Lake Provincial Park going down the Cassiar Highway. Narrow pavement, spectacular scenery. Good view of the lake from our site.
Bev’s Diary, June 12: Sunrise 4:34a, Sunset 10.46p (Dease Lake, BC.). Up early again and on the road by 6:30a. Yummy pie for breakfast, and second breakfast at Dease Lake. Beautiful highway views. Overnight at Bell 2 Lodge. Wonderful room and food.
Fish Story!
The Cassiar Highway is smooth, beautiful and narrow. There are a few places where you see a sign “Trucks Check Brakes Here.” This sign is always followed by a long steep hill. In one case, this slope ended with an abrupt left turn across a narrow bridge and then a long slope up the other side. “No Stopping” signs along the entire distance. As we made the left turn, we looked right and saw 18-wheels in the air, at the bottom of the ravine. All seemed quiet and the “No Stopping” signs were ominous so we continued on, watching for someone to report to.
A little further on, we encountered a construction zone, so we enquired of the flag person. She advised: “Oh, that happened a few days ago. I understand that the driver has been released from hospital, so he’s OK. My home community and the Bible Camp just down the road are sure happy, though.”
“The truck was hauling a load of frozen salmon from Alaska to Vancouver. After the insurance adjusters came out, the owner drove up and down the highway offering free salmon! to anyone with a freezer.”
That evening we were eating at the upscale restaurant at Bell 2 Lodge. Since it was the off-season, the restaurant owner was also filling the role as our server. As usual, I ordered salmon (that’s my go-to menu item when I am travelling the Pacific Ocean watershed.) When the waitress brought my order, I decided to tell the story of the freezer truck. I picked up a look in her eye and I said “… we are eating some of the salmon aren’t we?” She confirmed. and we are delighted to be a direct part of the story!
Bev’s Diary, June 13: Sunrise 4:59a, Sunset 10.10p (Terrace BC). Quite a drive today. We took a side trip to Stewart BC/Hyder AK. Down through the coastal mountains — glacier and waterfalls. Three days to do the Cassiar Drive. Terrace BC for the night.
Salmon Glacier: this glacier still covered this valley during our lifetime.
Stewart BC/Hyder AK
Gitanyow, BC
Skeena River
Bev’s Diary, June 14: Sunrise 4:51a, Sunset 10:07p (Smithers BC). Drove to Prince Rupert this AM for a seafood lunch. Misty and rainy but we had a good harbour view. Spending the night in Smithers BC. East Indian Tandoori for supper.
Bev’s Diary, June 15: Sunrise 4:44a, Sunset 9:38p (Quesnel). Beautiful sunny day as we wind our way along the highway home. Stopped for the night in Quesnel BC, nice city.
Bev’s Diary, June 16: Sunrise 4:46a, Sunset 9:10p (Vernon BC). Drive seemed long today, but there was more traffic and quite a bit hotter. In Vernon, visiting with Todd & Debbie Oliver, staying at the Days Inn.
Bev’s Diary, June 17: Sunrise 4:46a, Sunset 9:10p (Vernon BC). Spent the morning at the laundromat and then off to Todd and Debbie’s for lunch and supper. Great to connect with them again. Fathers’ Day.
Bev’s Diary, June 18: Sunrise 5:21a, Sunset 9:54p (Calgary AB). Over the Rogers Pass, the Kicking Horse Pass and on into Calgary for the night. Cooler day so managed with no air conditioning in the van.
Bev’s Diary, June 19: Sunrise 5:06a, Sunset 9:25p (Shaunavon SK). Great travel day on uncrowded highways as compared to yesterday. Great visit the afternoon with Mom and fun supper at Harvest Eatery with Blair & Heather.
Bev’s Diary, June 20: Sunrise 4:48a, Sunset 9:06p (Weyburn SK). Off to Weyburn to visit with Aunt Isabelle and take Aunt Margaret out for supper. I still miss Mom B. when we go to Weyburn.
Bev’s Diary, June 21: Sunrise 5:14a, Sunset 9:42p (Grand Beach MB). First day of summer and quite hot. We arrived home by 5 pm. 12780 km traveled in 31 days on our grand Alaskan/Arctic Ocean/ Yukon/Northwest Territories/BC Adventure. GREAT TO BE HOME!
Thus ends the fourth, of five segments of our 2018 trip to Alaska and the Arctic Ocean.
Part 1: Home to Tok
Park 2: Tok to Tuk
Part 3: Dawson City
Part 4: Tuk to Home