Dawson Creek, BC

June 4^th we continued north on our quest to reach Dawson Creek. It’s still in the 80’s and causing warnings of local flooding because the warm weather is causing record snow melts. We checked with our camping neighbors, who are from B.C. and they said the roads are high enough off the rivers so it won’t be a problem for us.

The well-paved highway traveled through rolling grasslands with intermittent forests of birch and evergreens. There are many signs posted to watch out for deer and moose. We have seen several deer and saw our first moose crossing the road in front of us.

We elected to spend the night in Prince George, a city with a population of 80,000, so as to do some shopping. We hit the local visitor’s center and they directed us to all the stores we wanted to shop at. We must say that everyone has been extremely friendly.

We were happy to visit their Costco store and stock up on meats and fruits. (Just like home.) We actually ran into our “camping neighbors” from our last camp stop a 180 miles to the south. What a small world it is.

We elected to stay at Hartway RV Park north of town. Great WiFi connection, TV hookup (CNN, local and Seattle stations) and full hookups. We enjoyed our favorite Costco lamb chops with Arnie’s wonderful Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. We’re caught up on the news, the refrig is loaded with food, and we’re fat and sassy and cleaned up.

The temperature has cooled off and we are getting a few sprinkles-much better sleeping.

Tues., June 5 (Laddy’s birthday) we continued on #97 North to Dawson Creek, BC (the start of the Alaska Highway). Our drive carried us up and over the continental divide and Pine Pass. We had snow on the side of the road. (We learned later that they might have closed the pass because of snow. Good thing we left early.). We saw extensive flooding from the rivers along side of the road. In several places, the water was almost at road level.

Most of the road was smooth and well paved but we did encounter some frost heaves (raised areas in the road) where we had to slow down. It was a beautiful drive through forested areas with many warnings about deer and moose. We had our second moose encounter as it crossed the road. We have our cameras and binoculars always ready. (Thanks for the suggestion-Bob and Di F and Art and Barbara B.)

We took a lay day in Dawson Creek to do laundry, shop, and outfit the rig with a bug screen. We had to take our picture at the beginning of the Alaska Highway. It has been 2100 miles from LA and is 1600 miles more to Fairbanks!