More Sheep and We Return to the US of A

The sun peaked through and shone on one of the mountains just visible between the tall pines this morning. This would be a great campsite to stay a week and just relax. We used our new Thermacell on the mosquitoes but they really weren’t too bad. I think we have moved south of those pests. Will count my bug bites and confirm later.

Here’s a shot of Bob helping an older man up to the glacier. He might not have needed help had he worn real shoes.

The drive into Radium Hot Springs follows the river downstream until we drove between a narrow cut groove in the mountain and emerged on the other side. The hot springs was on our ‘maybe visit’ list and since we ended up on the west side of the Canadian Rockies we were able to head south through this little town. We took advantage again of the hot springs and decided that a ‘hot springs’ tour across the continent would be pretty fun. This hot springs was set up more like a public pool with warm water and it was not as hot as I expected. We decided we liked the more natural setting of Liard better.

The town of Radium is known for its resident Dall Sheep herd so we were really looking forward to seeing the sheep wander through town. I was disappointed to read at the visitor center the sheep only hung out in Radium during fall and winter so we decided to head onward without searching them out. However, before leaving town, Bob discovered a do-it-yourself carwash and had decided earlier that the radiator screen thing was plugged with bugs, so we stopped there first. Good thing, too, because just as we pulled out we discovered the whole herd of sheep just sitting in the shade waiting for us. Another great photo op scored!

Just sitting there waiting for us.

We drove down into a green valley following another river further south and eventually found ourselves back at the US border at a tiny crossing in Montana. The border agent didn’t ask once about our guns. Ha ha…

Field of something yellow in Montana.

We are near our next stop of Glacier National Park. The darn GPS stopped working completely today. I guess I won’t be selling it to anyone except maybe for scrap metal. Do we need to buy a new one tomorrow or can we get by with our maps?

I’ll let you know how lost we get.

Milepost Zero of the Al-Can

Oh, before I begin: Mr. Haney was on Green Acres. A popular 60’s show, which of course, I am far too young to remember.

A cute young caribou just nibbling alongside the road.

Today we drove through some of the loneliest country yet. Yeah, I know I thought we’d already seen lonely. This stretch of the drive did have logging roads leading off every so often but that was about it. No scenic vistas. No picnic tables. No rest stops. Yes, that’s what I said. The picture below was the only restroom we saw until almost in Dawson Creek itself. Yes, it is a real outhouse. Funny, we thought we were driving into civilization.

So we made it to milepost zero of the Alaska-Canada Highway. We took our pictures and then talked to the friendly tourist office workers who reminded us we were heading into the National Parks of Jasper and Banff on Canada Day. They did a few checks and discovered, what they feared, that there were no campsites available and few rooms due to the holiday.

We made it!

Note to self: Check foreign country holidays before leaving on vacation…

Our decision was made for us. We needed to get closer to Jasper because an early arrival might make it easier to see both parks and who knew where we’d end up. It was possible we’d end up sleeping in the truck. Rats and double rats.

The good thing was we found a nice RV center in Grand Prairie a few more hours down the road and were able to wash clothes.

I will make you a rhubarb cobbler if you know the secret of why this picture is important to me!

Tomorrow we visit Alberta’s National Parks.

The Middle of Nowhere

…or as They Call it: Fort Nelson

One of the stretches of gravel road we encountered. Fortunately, they have been few and far between.

When we talked to people about our trip they all said one thing: Be sure to stop at Liard Hot Springs. Today was our day. It was a pretty rainy morning but we pressed on until reaching the hot springs. They are part of a Provincial Park and the family day pass was only $10. The hot springs are about a quarter mile from the parking but we walked along a beautiful boardwalk to reach them. The springs form a giant pool with the water much hotter the further ‘up river’ you go. They were so beautiful and so relaxing. Based on the large parking lot and the signs for overflow parking we imagine they often are packed but on this day we only shared the area with fewer than twenty others. What a relaxing break from our drive. It was just as everyone had said. We had hoped to spend the night here but the rain and the many hours left of daylight prodded us on.

Liard Hot Springs. A true gem in the wilderness.

From Liard to Fort Nelson we drove across the Canadian Rockies. The road was so windy and often narrow that I had to wonder if we had accidentally taken a side road. But what beauty. Our pictures can’t do it all justice.

Just another beautiful lake in the Canadian Rockies.

We ran into a small herd of stone sheep who were trying to get over the guard rail and across the road. My heart was in my throat when Bob fell while trying to get the perfect picture. I could just see him sliding all the way down that stony cliff. I told him his life wasn’t worth a picture, even if it was a cute little baby. He laughed and said I had 100 feet of rope that I could use to rescue him… typical man.

Thinking they are like the sheep, Bob and Rebecca try for the close photo op.

Was it worth it?

The hotel we are staying is run by a guy who Bob says reminds him of Mr. Haney (extra points if you know who he is…) But this guy had his fingers in every pot and was always there making sure he got his money for everything.

Before leaving we were told to always keep the tank full and get gas whenever we saw a pump. This station, the only one we had seen in 50 miles, is one reason people often travel with 5 gallon cans of gas.

This is why some people carry extra fuel on the AlCan.

Tomorrow we will drive the last stretch of the Alaska-Canada Highway. We don’t know if we will stay in Dawson Creek or continue on…it depends on the weather, the day, etc., etc.