Each day of this road trip is beautiful. From most memories I have of road trips as a kid, all I can remember is being impatient, fitting with my sister about how had more room on the sides of my brothers car seat, and every 10 minutes asking my parents the dreaded question of "are we there yet?". However, as most things go, road trips change a bit as you get older (and I'd like to think myself as wiser, but that's debatable..). This road trip was created and planned (or lack there of) with adventure and excitement in mind. And so far after 5 days on the road have been just that. After chasing the Northern Lights, we've made out way to Liard Hot Springs in Canada. I'm not sure whether it's Yukon or B.C because the AlCan weaves in and out of both.
In the last two days, we've experienced a lot and I feel myself settling into the traveling more and more, letting go of worries. Two night ago, we crossed the Alaska boarder into yukon territory, Canada, saw a bear cross the road, and found a spot to camp. It was pretty flippin cold as we set up camp and after my rainy camping experience on guide trip with exit glacier guides, I felt like I needed to toughen up and stick this one out (even though I really didn't want to!). We had plenty of blankets and stuff in the car so we made our tent snug as could be inside with blankets, down jackets and a big down comforter. Also, I tried to recreate a tarp structure I had watched my exit glacier friends put together a week earlier. It turned out not as impressive, but would do the job to keep our tent dry as possible. We made it through the night and when we woke, we were greeted by snow! Brrrr! We packed up as quick as we could and got in the car & were on our way to Whitehorse!
Our campsite we woke up to...
We arrived in Whitehorse and had an earlier dinner and a resturaunt in a hotel (recommended by the people we bought salmon from on the side of the road). We ate our meals and I wondered how much it would be to stay there for the night (we planned on getting a place to crash because our camp gear was wet from the snow). Turned out, it was only $100/night or $120/ night for a room with a jacuzzi! So the choice was obvious! We ran upstairs and we in disbelief how nice the hotel was! We felt like a king and queen! The room was complete with king size bed, fire place, couch and chairs, big tv, bath robes, and of course the jacuzzi! We lounged, soaked, let our camp gear dry out, and relaxed the rest of the day and night! We woke up late, made tea and coffee and checked out from the beautiful place. I was so grateful for the warm dry and cozzy place to stay!
After leaving paradise, it was onward to the longest stretch of the journey. It is 23ish hours of driving from Whitehorse to Jasper. We covered about 7ish hours the first day. We made a stop in Watson Lake when a peculiar park caught my eye. It was made out of old license plates and street signs. It was really neat to stroll around looking at the different places seeing places we knew and ones we've never been to! After strolling and having lunch it was back in the road to our stop for the night Liard Hot Springs!
Street sign alley (i just gave it that name) ;)
David found his home town! Sierra Vista, AZ
Wandering around
We continued on the AlCan and saw a big warning sign for buffalo on the highway. Sure enough we saw lots! We even saw baby buffalo! It was so neat, these things are huge!
One of the pictures that we tried to take! Buffalo butt!
By Liard River, fall is is full swing up here and it's beautiful!
We made it to Liard Hot Springs, got a camp ground and took a nice relaxing soak in the hot springs! I was relieved that the temperatures here are not as cold! So snow shouldnt be an issue! :)
Time for bed! Long day of driving ahead!
Lots of love!
Jillian
It's so beautiful up there right now! Awesome adventure so far :)
ReplyDeleteRubye! It is amazing! When do we get a new post from you & get to hear all about Tenesse?! :) love you!
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