Travels with Tim and Joan: DAWSON'S CREEK BC (Mile 0)

Wed, 5/22/2013.

Here we are at the famous Mile 0 monument in Dawson's Creek, British Columbia (another province of Canada).

Mile 0 is the beginning of the historic "Alaska Highway." Eighty percent of the Alaska Highway is in Canada, which is why some still call it by its nickname "the Alcan." So, we're not in Alaska yet!

Touring the town, we find a bakery and enjoy homemade chicken curry/cucumber on a roll and carrot/ginger soup. Tim's search for a tire and rim is over! Locals point out Grandpa's Bikes...and there you are, he finds the one to fit his bike.

The Alaska Highway House has exhibits and a movie explaining the story of the Alaska Highway. It begins when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii 12/7/41, thus WWII. A road, troops and equipment were needed to prevent the Japanese from invading the North American mainland. Crews started in Dawson's Creek, BC, + Whitehorse, Yukon, + Big Delta, Alaska, working towards each other. With 33,000 US Army soldiers, civilians and engineers, construction began 3/8/42 and was completed just 8 months later, 10/25/42. Road and weather conditions were horrific through 1,500+ miles of mountains and wilderness. It was a monumental achievement! The Japanese threat subsided. Alaska achieved statehood in 1959.

It's about 1,488 miles from Dawson's Creek, BC, to Fairbanks, Alaska. Froggie wonders if we will make it to Alaska before he has to be sent back to Virginia before the end of the school year.

What kind of journey is ahead of us on the Alaska Highway? Time to find out!!

Milepost 0 -

Milepost 17 - Historic Kiskatinaw River Bridge , the only original timber bridge built along the Alaska Highway that is still in use today.

Milepost 47 - Fort St. John, field headquarters for US Army troops and civilian engineers working on 1942 construction. Temperature is warming up and so is the scenery. Multicolor trees standing tall in the snow.

Milepost 162 - Sikanni River Campground & RV Park. Riverside camping and natural beauty all around! It's peaceful and a campfire sets the tone. On the menu tonight is shrimp in lemon/herb sauce with whole wheat pasta + fresh brocolli.

Thursday, 5/23/2013. Jumping between a pile of reference books and maps, our travel bible for the North Country is the MILEPOST which contains mile-by-mile highway logs, info on camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, road conditions, etc.
When we leave at 9:30am it's 40 degrees, cloudy, and snow is still on the ground. Good pavement, long stretches of highway. The Northern Rockies begin to appear as well as wildlife!

Milepost 300 - Spend quality time at the Ft. Nelson Heritage Museum and admire the pioneer artifacts, highway construction displays, vintage autos...a collection of amazing old stuff. Tim recognizes a chain saw he has at home!

Leaving Ft. Nelson, the highway veers to the west and winds through the northern Canadian Rockies for the next 200 miles. More wildlife along the way!

Milepost 375 - Tetsa River. The noted world-famous cinnamon buns are here. And they are..by far..the best ever had!

Milepost 422 - At 5pm we settle at Toad River Lodge and a lakeside spot. An enjoyable place to explore! Didn't find any toads. Found families of beavers, working together to build their homes. Just a beautiful place.