Posts By Laure Paul

08/01/22 – 08/03/22

We are off to Whitehorse, YT today. The travel will be 266 miles. A tour bus took us on a tour of Whitehorse and a fish ladder. Then we met up to tour the SS Klondike.

So the tour of the town was Zzzzzzzzz! The fish ladder was only interesting because it’s the longest wooden fish ladder in the world. And I am always interested in how mankind tries to fix what they messed up. The first salmon of the season arrived just before we got there so there was lots of excitement among the staff. Especially because it was a wild salmon instead of hatchery raised. They can tell that it was wild because the ones from the hatchery have one of their fins notched. They look very plain jane when arriving at the fish ladder.

the salmon are big suckers, this is what they look like just before they spawn

The same evening we went out to a Mexican restaurant and had a great time

Pineapple Margarita (delicious)

The next day we went for a tour of MukTuk Sled Dog Kennels. Can’t go for a ride this time of year because it’s too hot for the dogs. He had 110 dogs in his yard. Although they are well tended to I was sadden to see them all on short chains. I had no idea that most of them are mixed breeds. He also had several rescue dogs. The owner said the dogs get a lot of attention from tour groups. They are put in exercise pens twice a day and also get brushed every other day. His presentation on the sport of dog sledding was interesting. As he said several times if you don’t take care of your dogs you won’t be racing. I was surprised how often before, during and after a race the dogs had to be checked by a vet. We were then served a very nice lunch.

dogs, dogs
and more dogs
puppies to love
he has an eagle that comes for a free meal several times a day.

07/31/22

Happy Birthday Alan! Traveled 189 miles today to Watson, YT. As you can see by the sign we have reached the Yukon. Made Alan hold his birthday sign.

We made it to the sign post forest and left our sign. There are over 100,000 signs left by travelers. It is a tradition started way back when

We left our Where in the World is Big Al sign and wrote on it “we traveled and carried in our hearts those that could not come”. Then signed and dated it
there are rows
upon rows of signs

07/30/22

Today we travelled towards Liard Hot Springs. Was only 189 miles. I actually put on a bathing suit and soaked in the very hot springs. Somebody took pictures but I don’t know who. The roads were smoother today making for an easier ride today. Alan has a nasty head cold. Hopefully it doesn’t get much worse. He is looking like he got run over by a truck.

all of us enjoying the hot springs
there was an electric fence around the park. Alan wanted me to touch it – wonder why

this bison was wallowing at the front of our campsite
he got closer
and closer!

07/29/22

Today was a travel day to Fort Nelson BC. 284 miles. BUMPY road today, We thought we were on the high seas. It was slow going. We have been traveling the last several days with 3 other rigs. Nice group of people. Every one is eager to enjoy and share the experience.

canola oil fields

Did you know that you cannot farm mustard in Canada because mustard seeds can cross contaminate with canola seeds? Just an FYI

07/27/22 – 07/28/22

We are headed to Dawson Creek, BC today. Total of 285 miles to travel. There was a presentation from the visitor’s center about the Alaska highway being built. Interesting. When you realize the conditions all I can say is better man/woman than me. That was followed by a nice chicken dinner with all the group. As you can see by the pictures we have arrived at mile 0 to the Alaska Highway.

this is the fake mile zero

this is the photo opp mile zero
this is the actual mile zero in the middle of town square

guess they wanted to be sure everyone gets a picture

making friends

the bear behind our camper last night

07/25/26 – 07/26/22

The drive to our new spot was 227 miles. We are in Jasper, AB. Alan and I can now say we have been on a glacier. A unique experience. The Columbia Ice Fields are what you see on tv all the time when they talk about the glaciers receding. Stopped at the Athabaskan Falls on the way. Really did not appreciate how beautiful Canada is and what is has to offer

being silly
our guides
definitely look like tourists
very crowded on glacier
we thought this lonely gosling was going to go over the falls!!! sooo tiny.
couldn’t upload the video

sound on
our group

07/22/22 – 07/23/22 – 07/24/22

Drove 226 miles today. We are at a national park. We will be here 3 days. Arrived and simply enjoyed the evening. There were gophers at the end of our site. Too cute. Went on a tour bus and stopped at Lake Louise, Takakkaw Falls (got so close my shirt and hair were damp) a “natural” bridge, the Emerald Lake. Had a lovely lunch at the Lake Louise Ski Lodge. Next day took a small side tour. It was only “ok”. We definitely did not enjoy the public transportation in Banff. The town of Banff was soooooo crowded. The height of tourist season. $6.00 for a very small cup of ice cream after waiting in line for 20 minutes.

oops
view from our site
just across from us while eating dinner
where we are NOT staying!
Lake Louise
it’s like a movie set
Takakkaw Falls
pretending we know each other
Emerald Lake
then it poured for an hour
we took a little side tour
and saw our first ram
Alan looking like he owns it!

07/20/22 – 07/21/22

The 20th was our first official day of traveling together. We did 226 miles ending up in Fairmont, BC. where there are hot springs. We have been warned that once we get to Alaska these types of campgrounds will no longer exist. We are nestled in a valley of mountains that are breathtaking. Food for the soul. I took pictures but then deleted them because pictures do not do the mountains justice. In the distance you can see the snow caps. Alan and I actually took a hike today with several of our new friends. I don’t think I’ve hiked in more than 20 years! Going to buy walking sticks in the next town so we can look the part. Alan and I were the only ones without them. It has been an easy two days just visiting and getting to know the members of our group.

comparing tire thumpers

On travel days Charlie comes around and thumps everyone’s tires for soundness.

07/18/22-07/19/22

Errands, maintenance and paperwork the last two days. Got the fog light fixed on the truck to the tune of $600.00. Ouch. But they had to take the whole nose off to do. Called 18 groomers. Earliest appointment available for Layla was September! Alan fixed the two drawers that the bottoms fell out of. I washed the RV. Just took off the first layer of dust. The last of our fellow travelers arrived. They were delayed due to mechanical troubles. We can relate. Had our first official event. A drivers meeting followed by a delicious dinner at a hotel in Coeur d’Alene. Quite the upscale place. Reminded us of Vegas actually. Walked the floating boardwalk out to the attached marina. It is the longest floating dock in the world. All the boat slips have individual canopies. Can’t imagine what dock space costs here. Just saying. Saw a beautiful 25 foot mahogany Chris Craft boat. It has obviously been lovingly cared for. Tomorrow is our first travel day as a group. Will be in Canada 🍁 tomorrow night.

on the boardwalk

07/17/22

More errands today. Went to Cabela’s today, Then off to Campers World. Did grocery shopping at Walmart, then Safeway. Picked up shish kabobs for supper with a nice fresh salad. Very tasty. Did some cooking for the freezer. Then went to another meet and greet. The group is getting bigger. I think there are 4 more people coming. That’s all for today.