Dawson Creek, BC - Day 7 of AlCan Road Trip

We spent the early hours resting, making contact with our realtor, emailing Mom and the elder Gherkins. 

We then went out to explore Dawson Creek.  We went to the Northern Alberta Train park and the Dawson Creek Visitor Centre. We stopped to take a few iconic photos. 

The very spot where the Alaska Hwy began - Mile 0

 A sculpture of a surveyor on the Hwy

Here it is! So glad we are DRIVING this time and didn't take the ferry. 

Alex, Nolan, Stacia, Me

Taking it easy in Dawson Creek 

At the visitor's center we were given GOOD maps of the Alaska Hwy. Detailed spots for camping, gas and diesel and size of cities. Our milepost map gives us the big picture and we don't have time to READ the milepost as we drive. 😜 We also picked up a self-guided  Historic Walking Tour map of Dawson Creek. This was a lot of fun to do.....we enjoyed the walk, a bit of history, and found lunch too. I had poutine, tried to avoid the cheese, and took some pills.  There are quite a few murals to be seen in town, here are some of our favorites.

Would love to see Mary K's art co-op do a mural like this

This was COOL. It was my favorite, I think the others were impressed too. The fronts of the building are current businesses. The BACKS of the businesses are decorated as to what they WERE....

Our next adventure was at the Alaska Highway Building. Here we watched a one hour PBS movie about the building of the Highway and toured  displays.  I'm glad we did, we all have a better idea of why, how and where the highway was built, and the impact it had on the economies and development of both this area and Alaska.  Here are a few quotes from the exhibits....

From the original military order....sounds simple

We don't stand a chance if the HORSES didn't make it....looking for natural solutions. 

This holds true today too! 

Staff took our picture at the  "mile post"

Nolan, Michael, Stacia, Me, Alex

Michael spent the early evening till present - it's 10 p.m.- working on the brakes on Uchi and the trailer. I'm quite sure I don't understand the problem or the solution. I'm mostly praying, encouraging, and reminding we can take our own pace if we need to stay for repairs.

The kids enjoyed screen time this afternoon. I did laundry - almost caught up - and finished a Michael Connelly book.

I'm glad we took the day to rest in Dawson Creek.

On to Dawson Creek - Day 6 AlCan Road Trip

We continued winding our way through mountains, hills, meadows, farm land, wildflowers, waterfalls.....it's spectacular.  The Canadian Rockies are amazing. 

The kids first moose - also saw deer and eagle

We stopped for lunch along the road.  Nolan and I feasted rice bowls. The rest had their standbys. 😊The lunchtime scenery couldn't be beat.

 The kids stayed inside Uchi. They were worried by mosquitoes. On second thought, they may have been wise. 😲 Someone really needs to make a mosquito emoji.

Must practice with the selfie stick from JaRissa. 

 Chetwynd seems to be the Chainsaw Art Capital of  North America. They had just finished their annual Chainsaw Art Competition. 

We arrived in Dawson Creek, set up Uchi at the Northern Lights RV park, drove into town for dinner, tried to find an auto part at Wal-Mart, came home to do more laundry and play Farkle. It's  not near as fun without Mom, Dad and Lorri. 🎲🎲🎲

We have internet for "basic" things - no streaming or they'll shut us off (Netflix, Face Time, Skype etc).  We are working to get house things done while here. We'll spend an extra night and play tourist tomorrow and we'll REST.

An oddity we're noting. RV parks are much cheaper per night than in the States - however - one has to pay a "loonie"  (dollar coin?) for 3 min shower! We're showering in Uchi as we aren't charged extra for electricity or water at our site.

BEAUTIFUL BRITISH COLUMBIA - Day 5 of AlCan Road Trip

I wake up early. This is a beautiful spot to wake up early in. I appreciated not having the temptation to jump on social media or send out a few tweets. I'm enjoying some aspects of being "disconnected." 

While Stacia and I checked the Alaska Graffiti, the guys completed their check lists. 

Unique technique, Alex

I can't get over the beauty of British Columbia. Lakes, ponds, mountains, forests, meadows.....

We stopped at Walmart in William's Lake to buy a Canadian pre-paid phone and to answer a couple of emails. Yes, it's nice to be disconnected - BUT - challenging in the middle of making an offer on a home. 😵

Note how Nimo insures none of "those" drivers park in front of Uchi

 Alex has my camera and my perch in Uchi. I found it fun to note he is drawn to barns, like his mom. Not bad through the windshield....I think we need to find an online photo class for he and I to take.

We stopped at Northland RV Park outside of Prince George. We were told we didn't have much bandwidth, but we're getting things done.  We went into town and found a drive in  - it IS Sunday night after all.

I am  about to call it a night. Consecutive driving days wear me out. The others are playing a round or two of Farkle.

CROSSED THE BORDER - Day 4 of our AlCan Road Trip

Today is an exciting day! We are REALLY moving to ALASKA!😁 We got up early and crossed the border at Sumas/Abottsford crossing. It's open 24 hours a day, and we'd heard it took less time here than other crossings. 

Crossing the border!!!!!😂🙌💓😁

We got to the border as the guards were changing shifts. Michael pulled up and they asked for Yuuki's rabies certificate, their passports, and an inventory. They queried him about guns and ammo (which we'd shipped to Alaska).  Then they decided, rather than searching (Thank you JESUS - we'd heard nasty stories about RV searches), they'd have me verify Michael's info. I, of course, did not know this. 

I pulled forward as he went through. They asked if I was traveling with the previous vehicle. No sense denying this as we have matching Alaska graffiti. I confirmed I was. They asked me a lot of questions about HIM....barely looked at OUR passports and didn't ask for our inventory list. 

"Does he have any alcohol, ammo, drugs or tobacco in the trailer or RV?" 

"No. We're not a fun group at all."

She didn't crack a smile.  😔

"How long will he be in the country?" 

"We aren't sure - no more than 10 days is a safe bet." 

Still no smile. I was working hard for this smile. 😐

"Does he have a gun in the trailer or RV?" 

The words began to slip out of my mouth, when I realized some folks don't take sarcasm well....and I stopped myself JUST IN TIME from saying, "No, but I have 20 bazookas in the Jeep." 😀😏😁

The lines were growing as we drove across the border....and the line coming into America was quite long. It was a Saturday morning. 

Rearview Mirror 

Well, yes, I DID make a video - though I was informed I am not supposed to do such. My reasoning is  they would have signs posted if they didn't want me to video. 

I tossed the phone as it was my turn to answer questions.

We went through some beautiful country today! 

I turned the wheel over to Nolan - 3 hours is about as long as I can look at the back of Uchi before my eyes start shutting. I was settling in for a snooze, when I realized...if the airbag goes off I'm going to have my legs wrapped around my head.....Nimo is NOT an air ride as Uchi is....I miss the soft couches and legroom....but the scenery and discussions with Nolan make up for any discomfort. I will note,  when Uchi glides over a bump in the road, we take air! 😨

Nolan is a great traveling partner!

 BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS British Columbia

Yuuki approves of me driving in Nimo. She gets to ride on the dash! 

 My man delivered! We pulled into a campground on the shores of Kokanee Bay at Kokanee Bay Motel and Campground. 

We saw two eagles flying over the bay....one with a fish in it's talons. 

We drove up to the Hungry Bear Diner (we are getting per diem after all).  I did a load of laundry.  There was no internet to be had ANYWHERE in town. We've decided to stop at a Walmart tomorrow (surely we'll find one), and buy a Canadian pre-paid cell phone which will allow calls to and from America and a new set of walkie talkies.  Izaak gave us some, but we're having trouble hearing each other clearly with them. We've changed batteries several times. As we have no cell phones - we NEED a way to be in contact....flashing lights isn't working well.😉😏😕