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British Colombia, Canada
Crossing the border was much easier than we expected. We used a less traveled
crossing and were the second car in line. Since we have been to Vancouver twice
we headed straight from the Trans-Canada Highway, which took us east until we
turned north on Hwy 97. Hwy 97 passes through
Dawson Creek which is where the Alcan Hwy. Begins.
The highways in British Colombia are as good as in the U.S. The Alaska Highway was built in an 8-month period in 1942 out
of necessity. It was in the plans, but Canada was dragging its feet about the
expense. World War II changed all that when the Japanese occupied two of the
Aleutian Islands off Alaska. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and 11,000 soldiers
went to work. The highway opened to the public in 1946.
They say the mosquitoes are big in Alaska! During the construction of the
highway a story about two mosquitoes went.. One mosquito said to the other,
“Should we eat him here or drag him outside?” The other replied, “ We better not
take him outside, because the big ones will get him.”
Along the way we enjoyed a couple of good hits (these are events that we happen
to stumble upon). Passing through Clinton, BC we saw that everyone was lining up
for a parade, so we stopped and joined the party. Crimson enjoyed it, too. He
was the big hit before the parade. It was cool, so we dressed him in his blue
jean jacket. What a cutie.
A down-home, small-town-parade it was and these are sometimes the most fun.
After the event the town lined up for a tasty “beef on a bun” sandwich and
coffee for only $5 Canadian (about 3 bucks). Later in the day the annual rodeo
was held. It had been drizzling all day and the field was very muddy, and so
were the cowboys and animals. The town’s people were talking about the big ball
dance last night, which we missed. We love local culture like this. It gives you
the feeling that you are visiting another time zone.
Another good hit was at Quesnel, BC. We spent two nights there. On Sunday we
went to an Anglican Church service, the only church around. It is very much like
a Catholic Church. Afterwards we were invited to a potluck lunch with some great
company. They told us about Barkerville, a Historic Gold Mining town about 60
miles uphill, where they dress in period costume and act like it is 1867. We
went and enjoyed being among the first customers of the season. They had two
feet of snow recently and the old town looked like 150 years ago, a great
experience. It was picturesque and very well preserved. The “cast of players”
was excellent, informative and entertaining.
Another hit…. along the way to Barkerville we saw a Black Bear, a Moose, a
Grizzly with three cubs and a Deer. Seeing animals in the wild, unlike seeing
them in the zoo, is like living in another era. You just don’t get that
experience much anymore and it will get less and less as man uses the earth.
There is nothing like the wilds of nature to show how magnificent God is.
Another natural wonder along the way is Liard Hot Springs Park. We put
on our swimsuits and jumped in 100+ degree water that will cure all aches, sore
muscles and bones. However, when we got out we were welcomed by 40-degree air
temperature. Quite a shock to the body, but the warm water was still relaxing
after driving all day. All this was free too.
More pictures on the
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