Author: Rae

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Dawson Creek to Just Shy of Fort Nelson

Wednesday wasn’t a very memorable driving day. I set off in snow and very cold conditions that were not conducive to stopping. I had hoped to take the ‘old’ Alaska highway to the curved wooden bridge over the Kiskatinaw River, but the turn off was onto a muddy road. I was worried about getting stuck and decided this would be a stop for the return journey.

Similar story at Charlie Lake where the entrance to the memorial was closed. It was at Charlie Lake that twelve soldiers were killed in a sudden squall. They had attempted to cross the lake with an overloaded pontoon filmed with supplies for the building of the Alaska highway. Five men were heroically saved by a local trapper.

Charlie Lake

Charlie Lake

I gassed up in Fort St John and then stopped at ‘Suicide Hill’ a very steep section of road on the original Alaska Highway that was prefaced with a sign that said Prepare to meet thy maker!

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I stopped for the night at a turnout about 30km shy of Fort Nelson. I did about 400km, none of which were particularly inspiring. In this stretch of the Alaska Highway, services are still quite close together and the land is very open. I’ve felt more isolated en route to the Ottawa airport!

overnight at a turnoff about 30km from Fort Nelson

overnight at a turnoff about 30km from Fort Nelson

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E-Z Foldz Step Stool

A name like E-Z Foldz does not really inspire confidence, does it? Well, I bought one of these stools at the RV show in January and have now had it long enough to be able to proclaim that ownership of one is a must for all RVers!

This step stool is just that, a step. It gets you about 9″ off the ground. It’s the perfect height for getting into the back of your upper cabinets, washing the windows, adjusting your kayak on the roof of the car, adding a step at the entrance if you’re parked over a low spot, or as a seat for digging through an exterior compartment. It folds up flat, is very sturdy, takes up no room at all, and comes in a variety of colours (mine is green 🙂 ).

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A Book Rec for Those Who Think I’m Nuts

If you can find a copy of Ian and Sally Wilson’s Gold Rush: Reliving The Klondike Adventure In Canada’s North you will be able to quickly ascertain that I am a perfectly rational person.

I read this book straight through. It was funny, though provoking, informative, and incredibly entertaining.

The authors decided, on a whim, to try to relive the Klondike era. They spent a few months gathering the info necessary to set off for the Yukon via the Stikine Trail on horseback, with pack horses in tow, even though they had never ridden before. Their year led them over the Chilkoot Pass, down the Yukon River in a homemade barge, through the dead of winter in an isolated cabin, camping in forty below weather, and finally making contact with a modern-day miner living life 1890’s style.

The more I got into this incredible tale, the harder it became to scrape my jaw off the floor in amazement at what Ian and Sally Wilson did during their adventure.

Like me, the authors are people not afraid of doing something radical and not entirely well thought out, of setting off into the wilderness in search of their dreams, and of treating life like it’s meant to be one great big adventure after another. And, like me, a good attitude ensured a positive outcome.

I’ve got to find myself a husband like Ian. 😀

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A Threat Made Reality

snow

It’s minus two here in Dawson Creek and supposed to snow through to Thursday, but it is supposed to be warmer tomorrow. The forecast in Fort St John is slightly better, but none of the RV parks are open. I’ve therefore decided to stay one more night in Dawson Creek, overnight in Fort St John tomorrow, and then take advantage of the two days of clear weather we’re supposed to get to find someplace cheap to hunker down for a bit if needed.

The Alaska Highway Adventure has begun.

(I still need to go out at some point today; I’m out of coffee!)

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First Enjoyable Bike Ride

It’s a long weekend here in British Columbia, so I suspected that Canadian Tire would have a major sale on outdoorsy stuff. I therefore waited to purchase my missing kayak and bicycle accessories.

The Canadian Tire in Dawson Creek didn’t have everything I wanted in stock, but I was very happy with what they did have, being able to finish kitting out my bike at rock bottom prices. As for the kayak, I scored a life vest at a great price, but I’m still up the creek without a paddle! I’ll try the one in Fort St John tomorrow and if that doesn’t pan out (ooh, nice pun considering the road I’m on!) there’s always the one in Whitehorse where I could have the paddle I want brought in for me.

For the bike, what I needed most was a good pump. The few times I’d been out, the riding wasn’t enjoyable because of underinflated tires. I had a pump, but it was crap! This time, I got a really good pump, with a pressure gauge, for 60% off. The other item I got is very self-indulgent: a silicon seat cover!

I got home and decided to try out my bike on the Dawson Trail. Getting it out of the trunk was easier than I’d expected and getting the front wheel back on only took moments. The reverse was equally easy. Now that I know this, I won’t hesitate to take the bike out on those nights when I’m urban dry camping and want to explore.

The tires pumped and the gears lubricated, I set off for a short ride that turned out to be very enjoyable! What a difference properly inflated tires make! I am absolutely in love with this bicycle. It handles like a mountain bike but is lightweight like a racing model; the best of both worlds! I had no problem navigating gravel and potholes.

Here are some more pictures of the Dawson Trail:

Rotary Lake; Dawson Creek's manmade lake and popular swimming hole

Rotary Lake; Dawson Creek’s manmade lake and popular swimming hole

This charred area still has a very strong burn smell

This charred area still has a very strong burn smell

This sort of sky is apparently very common in Dawson Creek; the weather changes quickly and for short periods.

This sort of sky is apparently very common in Dawson Creek; the weather changes quickly and for short periods.