Heading East

Well, after more than three weeks in Alaska, we are heading east. We split from Rose and Al last Sunday. They will go a different route. We really pushed ourselves the last three days and drove more miles than we normally do as we wanted to get below the Alcan Highway. The highway was such an experience and so glad we did it. Its historical significance is so powerful as it was built originally as an army road in 1942 the result of great cooperation between the United States and Canada. It was necessary for our defense during World War II. Many people lost their lives building it and the remnants of the equipment used are still strewn along the highway. The monument shown here was created for the soldiers who died in the Charlie Lake tragedy. Their makeshift boat was overturned during high waves and a storm. We stopped also at the Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park. We had never experienced mineral hot springs before and it was wonderful. Very few people there. Men building the highway found it and it was a soothing respite in their harsh environment. We saw much wildlife on the trip down, including buffalo, elk, stone sheep, and a black bear. We also stopped in Watson Lake and placed our sign among the thousands that are there. I spent a short time creating it from supplies purchased at Walmart. Also, you might notice that I had a photo op with Sarah...that one is for Andrew. Last Sunday we were in Fairbanks and we flew on a small plane to Anaktuvuk Pass north of the Arctic Circle. We saw the Alaskan Pipeline wind its way north. The little community there consists of about 300 people, many of native descent. We are at the present moment in Whitecourt, Alberta and hope to be back in the states by Monday.