North to Alaska: Day 08

Welcome! Day8 (Aug 16) of North to Alaska

Quote. “When traveling with someone, take large doses of patience and tolerance with your morning coffee.”
Helen Hayes

It is too bad for Cassie, I don’t like coffee.

This morning at 8:15, give or take a few time zones, we are 1/10 into our Alaska trip, that is if we make the entire 10 weeks. I talked with three of my grandkids last night and they have a pool going as to when I will put Cassie on a plane and send her home. I assured them that was not going to happen. We are in this together for the long haul, the very long haul.

We made Fort Nelson around 3 PM today after leaving this morning at 8:55. It was a short traveling day, the road was good although two lanes which provided some slowdowns when behind heavy trucks and/or large motor homes. After Fort St. John, about 50 miles from Dawson Creek the traffic was very light. I read somewhere that during the first 50 miles we would see more people than during the rest of the trip until we reached Fairbanks. Right now I would agree.

Just outside of Dawson Creek we viewed the bridge built in 1948. It is now on a section called Old Alaska Highway as a new bridge was built cutting off a few miles of the highway. The bridge is called the Kiskatinaw Bridge. It is still in operation not just on the main road. It is made of wood and was the first curved bridge built in Canada. As of 8/13 it is closed for some repairs and should reopen later in August.

Later as we were descending into the Peace River Valley we noticed a cloud below us over the river. The cloud stretched as far as I could see in either direction. As we reached the bridge high over the water we drove into and then out of the cloud. An awesome sight to see in person.

About 12:30 we stopped for lunch at one of the few places to stop between Fort St. John and Fort Nelson. We were still about 100 miles from Fort Nelson. The placed was called Buckinghorse River Lodge. It was one building with a convenience store, gas pumps, and cafe. While it did not look like much, the food was very good. I had a cheese burger and fries while Cassie had the special, pulled pork sandwich with clam chowder. They bake their own bread and hand mold their burgers and hand cut and pan fry the fries. Reminded me of how my mom made burger and fried. I could image the big black skillet full of grease. May not be good for you but it was sure good. Cassie said the pulled pork and clam chowder, while not really going together were both very good.

As we were entering Fort Nelson we crossed the Muskwa River which is the lowest place on the Alaska Highway. It is 1000 feet above sea level. I did take a picture of the bridge, it is just a bridge nothing special except it being the lowest place on the Alaska Highway.

Tomorrow on to Watson Lake in the Yukon Territory. As we travel thru mountains we should see some wonderful sights.