Our travel adventure started on Sunday, while crossing the Canadian Border in British Columbia. Of course, we were stopped and asked the typical questions by the Canadian Border Patrol. Russell answered them all honestly, including "Do you have any weapons?" which we did. Russell had a pistol for our protection, since we don't always know where we are parking Coco at night. (He has his CCW.) Well, unfortunately, that was the WRONG answer. We got turned around at the border and had to "dispose" of the weapon -- either surrender it, mail it somewhere, or sell it... It was Memorial Day Weekend. We had no intention of surrendering it. Nothing was open to be able to mail it. So we sold it at a pawn shop for a mere $180 and a 4 hour delay to get to our destination on Day 1. UGH!
The first few days driving through British Columbia were gorgeous! Some of the best views and scenery I have ever seen in North America. It was so green and there was SO MUCH wildlife that we saw. We lost count of how many animals, but we saw everything from fox to black bears and from moose to bald eagles.
In British Columbia, the legal drinking age is 19, so Miss Sarah got to purchase legally for the first time. (She turns 21 in September, so she has to wait a bit back home, but at least I can say I bought her the first legal beer she has had... although she wasn't impressed by the taste! LOL!!!)
When we hit the Yukon, we stayed over night in a town called Watson Lake. Cute little town on the cross road of the Alaskan/Trans Canada Highway. There, they had what was called a sign forest. Folks from around the world posted signs from their home towns. Here were a few of my favorites. Recognize any of them?
The drive through the Yukon was less scenic. Still beautiful, but more "brown", less "green" and more tundra and rocks, less wildlife to be seen and the trees became smaller in both height and diameter.
You knew you were farther up north by the roads we traveled. Most of the AlCan Highway is paved. There were a few short spots that were gravel, and many that were under construction, but what got to us the most were the frost heaves (dips in the road caused by the incessant freezing and thawing of the ground under the paved road) that you couldn't see until you were on them. They caused the entire RV to bounce uncontrollably in every which direction imaginable. Think Mister Toad's Wild Ride, only WORSE!!!
At one point we stopped for a quick break from all the motion. Russell got out to check the straps on the car and make sure they were still secure... They weren't. They were gone! ALL OF THEM! Chances are that they snapped from all the bouncing the car was doing on the road. There was nothing but the parking break keeping the car attached to the trailer. Luckily, we had an extra pair of straps in the car, although they were not rated for holding down a car, but they did get us to the next destination where we could purchase more.
We made it safely to Wasilla last Saturday, where we have been visiting with my family and seeing the sights for the past week. Again, an exciting yet long adventure and another Bucket List item checked off.
If this trip is on your list, take it! Don't wait! It is an amazing journey and worth the time.
Until next time, and more unbelievable adventures,
Roberta
The Traveling Crafter (still in Alaska)
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