Dawson Creek to Fort Nelson BC - we are off!

July 14, 2012

Sunrise 4:37 AM     Sunset 9:36 PM

Hi: 82.4F    Low: 53.6F

This is a great day, as we leave Dawson Creek and begin our journey north on the Alaska Highway.

We are traveling in our usual NorCal pod of four rigs, with the addition of a New Jersey couple named David and Judy.   Our scheme is to be on the road by 7:45 AM to beat any congestion from our caravan mates, most of whom we calculate are leaving at 8 AM and later.

The traffic is the heaviest we have seen, at least for the first 60 miles.  The road is average, one lane each way and a shoulder that will accommodate at least half a vehicle, and in places the entire rig.  We pass through several large, bustling towns, some with factory-built housing for workers.  We hear most of these workers are in the gas exploration business.

Amazingly curved boards.

Larry technique.

About 20 miles out we take a side trip to cross a vintage part of the road consisting of a curving wooden bridge over a dramatic and beautiful gorge.  We are by ourselves and undisturbed, although a cluster of Airstreams arrives as we are ready to move on.

At Mile 40 five large transport trucks approach at high speed and a rock shower hits.  We are OK but Larry lets out a shout, as a rock hits his windshield below the mirror, pulverizing a golfball-sized section and radiating cracks out maybe 8-10 inches.  He has taken the first hit on the Alaska Highway, although Barry took a windshield hit between Prince George and Dawson Creek.  We have just begun our journey.   Larry comments over the CB that he no longer has to worry about his windshield being hit.  (For you engineers out there, he drives a GMC with one of those plastic rock/bug guards extending a few inches above the leading edge of his hood.  It was unblemished.)

Soon after, Mike spots a couple bears, but they are gone by the time we pass.  As a consolation prize, though, I think I see an eagle a few miles later.

We stop at a place called Shepard’s Inn for a late-morning snack, barely finding room with all the other Airstreams, and share a huge cinnamon bun.  We pass, reluctantly, on the 10-inch-diameter package of two chocolate chip cookies.  David comments that when you pay your tab you get a free Lipitor.

We leave the inn, nourished and encouraged, but the pods become intermixed (yes, 38 Airstreams is a lot).  A gentleman we currently know only as our postman has a blowout, and Larry pulls over to help.  Later we learn tread from the tire has torn loose the plumbing from his holding tanks and broken his fresh water lines in several places.  Not good.  But we decide this could have happened anywhere.

Work camps along the highway.

We continue and soon Mike, in the lead, lets out another shout – he has spotted moose!  This time we get there in time to see a mother and a youngster in a small pond.

This is becoming quite an experience and we are no longer having to share the road with so many people, but the trucks are intimidating.  It is now many miles between signs of any habitation, and even that is usually just a gas station and small convenience store, or work camp.  Forests of thin trees, many dead or dying from beetle damage, border the road.  Signs identifying energy companies mark frequent dirt cutoffs.

The road continues to be pretty good, although there are patches of loose gravel and hits from passing trucks will be a concern for the entire trip.  In areas there are frost heaves, where the road may briefly dip ten inches or so, but so far all have been posted with signs.

Marcia and Jane review the caravan profiles.

We arrive in Fort Nelson and park quickly, barely making the deadline for a 30 cent per liter discount on fuel at a local card-lock fuel station.  The next morning David and Judy discover a windshield hit, also radiating cracks.  Three of our five vehicles now need new windshields, but hopefully not until home.