Blog #22 - 11 Days to Vancouver, BC

It is hard to believe our time in Alaska has come to an end. Just one more overnight outside of Tok and we will begin our journey through the Yukon and British Columbia on our way to Vancouver. From Valdez to Vancouver will be 2,112 miles in eleven days. Leaving is bittersweet. We have had multitudes of adventure, glorious scenery, wild life, new friendships, and memories to hold close to our hearts of this most beautiful state. However, there have been difficulties to overcome such as torturous mosquitos, nearby forest fires, many rainy days, floods, treacherous road conditions, and unfortunately Steve being ill from Covid so far away from home. We do hope to visit again - although driving may take second seat to flying in!

**Lakeview Campground Teslin Nature Preserve - Our final night in Alaska was beautiful.**

Welcome back to the Yukon! We spent three nights in Whitehorse (two overnights at a Canadian Superstore parking lot and one at an official campground) catching up on laundry, showers, and library time.

We celebrated our last night in the Yukon with the cheapest Canadian wine we could find. Our regular cheapest American wine was $40! The glasses were hand blown by a young Yukon artist, Tyson Isted, that we met on the road.

**Posted in the outhouse at our final Yukon campground, Caribou RV Park in Whitehorse. LOL!!**

I have made a 'few’ previous complaints in my Blogs about the Alaskan Canadian Highway between Destruction Bay, Yukon and Tok, AK. Well the road was the same on our reverse trip. I have driven it twice now, enough for my lifetime, and felt the need to write my own amateurish poem about this experience as we finish the Alaskan Canadian Highway. None the less - worth every moment of the drive to see Alaska!!

“Ode to the Shitty Road to Tok” - Christina

A warning to traveling folk - This shitty road to Tok is NO JOKE!

Starting your drive from Destruction Bay - It’s the worst of the AlCan Highway.

East to West, West to east - This portion of road is a beast.

Potholes endless and so big - You could possibly damage your precious rig.

Endless frost heaves on the road - Continuously bounced our precious Scamp load.

Sections of dusty loose gravel - Will make your tested nerves unravel.

Passing vehicles won’t slow down - Rocks hitting the windshield making you frown.

Slamming your car brakes - And cursing what the F@*#! sake.

At times the road may be straight and smooth - But only briefly so don’t be fooled.

Not for the faint of heart - Pay attention and drive smart.

The road conditions can get dreary - And you certainly will get weary.

Your skills will be tested - So be cautious not bested,

By this shitty road to Tok.

After leaving the Yukon the next leg off this journey took us down the Stewart-Cassiar Highway 37 through British Columbia. This road was a breath of fresh air; primarily in good condition, low traffic, and picturesque. Via the Cassiar we; stopped at Jade City, stayed overnight at Boya Lake Provincial Park, camped at Meziadin Lake Provincial Park, and visited Stewart and Hyder.

**Although the Cassiar goes through British Columbia, 37A breaks off to Stewart, BC and Hyder, AK.**

**Boya Lake Provincial Park - BC, Canada - We saw a Loon, no picture though!!**

**Boya Lake Provincial Park - BC, Canada - Boya Lake lies within the traditional territory of the Kaska Dene First Nation who still hunt and trap in the area.**

**Jade mines are located in the area. We saw impressive jade sculptures inside the shop, just a bit out of our price range!**

While camping at Meziadin Lake we took a day trip to Stewart which is located in British Columbia and then continued on to Hyder which is actually in Alaska. Along the 37A route (this is the only road to Hyder and it ends there) we saw Bear Glacier, stopped for internet and coffee in Stewart, visited the Fish Creek Wildlife Observation site, drove up a perilous mountain road to see Salmon Glacier, and dined on fresh Halibut fish and chips.

**Bear Glacier - The glacier was part of the closing scene in the film "Insomnia" with Al Pacino.**

**Stewart, BC - Covid devastated the small towns of Stewart, BC and Hyder, AK. Many of the businesses are still shut down.**

**The only road to enter Hyder, AK is through Stewart, BC. With the border closed during Covid Hyder was basically shut out and isolated for almost two years.**

**Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site is located in the Salmon River valley near Hyder. Brown (grizzly) and black bears can be observed fishing for chum and pink salmon. We did see bears!**

Salmon Glacier - Located outside of Hyder - is 16 miles up the worst mountain road I have driven on in my life, full of humongous potholes slowing the car down to one mile an hour, fallen trees on the road from continuous rock slides, and rocks in the road. There were a few times I wanted to turn back, but we persevered and the top of the road provided the most stunning glacier views. Was it worth the drive? We made it back down so I believe it was!

Our next layover was spent in Prince George - staying in a Walmart parking lot for 4 nights, working at the local library, and eating at Denny’s (we are now eligible for the senior meals there, LOL). After Prince George we drove the final 10 hours to Vancouver - stopping for a few amazing photos along the way and wine tasting at a pretty vineyard. Next Blog = Vancouver. Love to you and thanks for following along with us!