The Great Alaska Highway!! - Part 2

After a night Ft. Nelson we headed North towards the Yukon.  The day started out beautiful but we soon meet up with one of the many wildfires in British Columbia.  Luckily it was not so bad that the shut the road but it was an ominous ride through the smoke with the helicopters overhead.

VroomVroom!!

Helicopter returning with more water.

We were advised to check out the Liard River Hot Springs on our route. After a long day on the road you don't have to twist our arms much to convince us to take a hot bath.

A boardwalk leads you through the marsh where you can still see the impression of the animals that slept just the night before.

Follow me...

Ahhhh,  so refreshing.

If you make it out this way be sure to take the time to dip in the Liard hot springs and check out the lodge for a juicy bison burger!!

To be continued...

The Great Alaska Highway!! - Part 1 (The Beginning)

Ahh, we finally feel like we are heading to Alaska. It's that way!

Beavers are hard to negotiate with, as everyone knows. Matthew manage to befriend this gentle giant.

The Alaska Highway, also known as AL-CAN, begins in Dawson Creek, British Columbia and ends in Delta Junction, Alaska.  It was built during World War II for the purpose of moving troops to Alaska.

So here is where we begin our Alaska Highway Adventure!  There are lots of motorcyclist either returning or heading out.  There are few signs of civilization along the way so careful planning is a must. We're prepared with warm gear, rain gear and extra gas.

Mile marker 0 of the Alaska Highway.

The mile marker is conveniently placed in the center of a main intersection to symbolize the danger of taking this highway (sarcasm implied.)

And we're off!!

There is a small museum at the intersection that is worth stopping to check out. The history of the construction of the highway is grim. The lions share of the labor fell on the African American troops of the Army cor of Engineers. Read more here.

"Boulders, swamp and mud. Looks like hell ahead"

Moose!

Little or no traffic and nice roads so far.

One of 2 times the gas can was needed. 

There are a few small towns along the way and a handful of gas stations. Our first hop is Dawson Creek to Ft. Nelson. We had to use our reserve but that is why we brought it.




There are large sections of the Highway under construction on the Canada side. They were not as quick as the Americans to pave the road either.  In fact, there are still parts that are yet to be paved but as Matthew said "The amazing views make up for the crappy roads"

Following a pilot truck through the construction zone.

Oh, a wildlife!  Run away!

Matthew hates these grated bridges as they tend to grab the front tire.

That guy is being a drama queen!

We had the road to ourselves for the most part and occasionally passed another motorbike rider or RV.  We did see more wildlife than usual.  They seem to like the roadside grass better.

Small family of very skittish goats.

This mom and baby tried to outrun us.

Bison?

Bison!

 Yeah, I know this is just some sort of animatronic hullabaloo but it sure looks like a real bear. A for effort Canada.

To be continued...

Canada is Smoking Hot!

Leaving Vulcan was very ...flat.  Fields of wheat as far as we could see and very windy. 

We stayed in Calgary,Alberta for a few days to regroup and we just so happened to be there during Stampede Week. Stampede is a week long rodeo party that takes over the entire city, it was somewhat surreal to see cowboy boots and hats, hear country music everywhere and see rodeo promos on every building and sign. We began to wonder when exactly Texas had invaded Canada. The only thing that would compare would be how Mardis Gras takes over New Orleans.  

We left Calgary and drove through Banff National Park. There was an eerie haze over the mountains and the faint smell of smoke,  It turns out Canada was on fire!  Which did make for some great photos. 

 
Below is a Land bridge for the animals to cross traffic safely.  There is more traffic in this park due to the Trans Canada Highway passing right through it. As there are not a lot of road choices in Canada anyway, but this one  happens to cut through an amazing part of the Rockies.

Wildlife Land Bridge

Banff has several glaciers and icefields.  We were awe struck by the beauty.

How's my hair?

Yay, glaciers!

Yet again we were warned of wildlife  but saw very little with the exception of the Caribou.  They take the signage here very literally.

 Our ride through Banff was impressive.  The roads are smooth and fun and there are jaw dropping views around every turn.

The sun was setting as we left the park and headed to Hinton to call it a day.

And now we leave you with a picture of naked white people.  Canada is... amusing.

I'm still not sure what they are advertising.