I began my journey from North Pole
Alaska to Omaha Nebraska on 05SEP2012. Obviously for any move,
especially a cross continent move, preparation began months in
advance (really about July 2011...). However, that day was when I
had everything prepped and loaded into my 2001 Jeep Cherokee ready to
hit the road.
My route was planned to take me from
North Pole Alaska all the way to Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory of
Canada on Day 1. Beyond that I was flexible. I knew that the line I
had drawn along the various highways would require some modifications
as the atlas I was using wasn't that greatly detailed on where each
highway would lead, especially once I was off the Alaska Highway and
started taking the Cassier, Caribou, and Yellowhead Highways in
Canada. I had driven along the Alaska Highway in 2004 when I first
came to Alaska and had some idea of what to expect, especially east
of Tok and south all the way across the border until Destruction Bay;
narrow, bumpy, and dangerous two lane roads!
What I didn't expect fully was the
scenery in eastern Alaska along the ALCAN highway enroute through and
beyond Tok. In 2004 when I first drove into Alaska it was smokey
with less than ¼ mile visibility due to some massive forest fires in
the area (1,000,000 acres burned); driving out in 2012 I has well
over 20 miles of visibility and the mountains were gorgeous. What a
way to leave with a grand finale of scenery.
I ended Day 1 in the capital of the
Yukon Territory, Whitehorse. I rolled in at about 2 AM and spent
until about 3:30 trying to find a hotel room that allowed for my pet
as well as having vacancy! Lesson was learned, but didn't really
sink in, to find a room earlier in the travel day...
Day 2 began after 9 AM with a walk
around the block to get the dog ready for the days drive. My goal
was to be out of the Yukon Territory by noon... A goal somewhat
achieved, however the trip toward Watson Lake and the junction where
the Cassier Highway meets the Alaska Highway dips into British
Columbia and back into Yukon... Technically I achieved the goal of
leaving the Yukon before noon, if you don't count the curve back into
the Yukon... Around 2 PM I cut south on the Cassier Highway and
entered the Province of British Columbia for the remainder of my
journey through Canada. The first section of road from the junction
all the way to the village of Dease Lake was devoid of any
centerlines or shoulder, and left me with the impression that I found
the wrong road until I almost was run off the road by the first few
semi trucks heading Northbound! After Dease Lake the road improved
considerably. Should you find yourself on this road, plan for the
worst section of it to be this portion. Further south, after going
to Bell 2 (no kidding, thats the village name...) I saw more black
bear than I could count after the dusk. Yes, more black bear than I
could count. Should you need to take a break outside of any form of
civilization... Remember, the bear safety rules “If its black
fight back” if attacked. Outside of Kitseguecla is the Junction
with the Yellowhead Highway, I ended Day 2 at about 1 AM in New
Hazleton.
By Day 3 I was bound and determined to
end in the United States! Easier said than done sadly... I followed
the Yellowhead Highway into Prince George where I picked up the
Cariboo Highway South all the way into Vancouver BC where I crossed
the border. Just outside of Vancouver is where I found the only
equivalent to the American Interstate in Canada... I ended Day 3 at
about 2 AM in Lynden WA.
Once back stateside everything got
easier with our Interstate system. Nothing terribly exciting beyond
finally being able to go to a decent gun store again, and visiting
with some friends along the way in Idaho and Wyoming. Honestly,
those visits made the trip more fun for me, and made lodging and food
arrangements so much easier for a couple nights! It was great to get
civilized food for a couple meals!
1 comment:
Glad you have made it safe and sound.
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