Trip Recap

 

We safely completed our trip on Wednesday (Aug. 10, 2016) and had a wonderful time.  After leaving Chetwynd, BC we basically made a beeline for AZ.  Most of the route was in areas that we had been several times before so there was no strong desire to explore.  The overnight stops we made along the way were in Prince George, BC; Merritt, BC; Pasco, WA; Glenn Ferry, ID; Beaver, UT; and Happy Jack, AZ.  Most of the trip was uneventful except for the last three days with very high winds which was not fun.

 

Trip Stats:

Miles Driven:  5844

Lowest gas price: $1.81/gal (Chandler, AZ)

Highest gas price:  $4.73/gal (Ft Nelson, BC)

Highest observed gas price:  $6.02/gal (Tetsa River Lodge, BC)

Average miles/gal:  9.55

Trailer tires replaced:  2

Nights in RV parks:  9

Nights in State/Province parks:  11

Nights Boondocking:  3

 

Just north of the border is the Okanagan area which is famous for their fruit.  Peaches, apricots, plums, and some berries were ready.  The peaches were only $12 for a large box.  We so wanted to get a big box but we were afraid they would take them away at the border.

 

We settled for gorging on some peaches along the side of the road before the border. So good!

 

Just about to make it back into the USA.  Crossing was relatively painless with the usual questions and inspecting the trailer for forbidden fruits

 

Day 20 -- Aug. 6, 2016, 386 miles

 

Day 21 -- Aug. 7, 2016, 369 miles

 

Day 22 -- Aug. 8, 2016, 476 miles

 

Day 23 -- Aug. 9, 2016, 370 miles

 

Day 24 -- Aug. 10, 2016, 143 miles

Chainsaw Carving

 

After leaving the Alcan at Fort St. John we visited the small northern BC town of Chetwynd which hosts the International Chainsaw Carving Championship each year.  The three day event that is held each June draws chainsaw carvers from all over the world.  Once the carvings are completed they are placed all around town on many street corners.  The carvings are very detailed and it's hard to imagine that they are done with a chainsaw.

 

 

Day 18 – Aug. 4, 2016, 299 miles

 

Day 19 – Aug. 5, 2016, 357 miles

Awesome Kayaking!

 

We have spend the past few days driving the Alcan and enjoying some of the picturesque lakes along the way.  The Alcan is one of the most interesting and exciting roads we have ever found.  For almost all of it’s 1500 miles it passes through low mountains and valleys with some of the most awesome views anywhere.  You never know what will be around the next curve… it could be a bear, bison, moose, stone sheep, or a caribou.  The environment is so clean that the sky is a deep blue with white puffy clouds contrasted against the green trees.  It’s also nice that there is relatively little traffic so most of the times you can stop anywhere and enjoy the view. 

We spend several days at Summit Lake and at Muncho Lake, which are about half way between Fort Nelson BC and Watson Lake, Yukon.  In both cases, we were very fortunate to get outstanding campsites right along the bank where we could launch our kayaks.  Muncho Lake was especially nice as it has a very blue-green color, due to copper oxide leaching into the water.  The lake was very smooth and the reflections from the clouds and mountains make it especially beautiful.

Tomorrow we are heading to Chetwynd, BC which is famous for its chainsaw carvings.

 

Not too bad a view from our campsite

 

Not sure if we were kayaking on the lake …or in the clouds …or in the mountains… they all kind of blend together

 

Lots of Stone Sheep around Stone Lake

 

Mom better teach baby not to play in the road

 

 

Yes… this is the life!

 

Adding a few rocks to the inukshuk that was at our campsite

 

We loaned our kayaks to a couple from Germany.  They had a great time on the lake!

 

Yup that is $1.59 per liter which is $6.02 per gallon…. Not too bad considering it was about $2 higher two years ago.  This was at a lodge along the Alcan… smart RV’ers carry extra cans of gas so you can make it to the next town!

 

Day 14 – July 31, 2016, 98 miles

 

Day 15 – Aug. 1, 2016, 65 miles

 

Day 17 – Aug. 3, 2016, 373 miles