Day One on the ALCAN

Oh joy, what an exciting day!!  Momma had read about the old wooden trestle bridge known as Kisktatinaw Bridge that was about 20 miles from Dawson Creek.  When they stopped into the Visitor's Center, the gal said, "Why not just depart with your rig and drive over it.  It's only about 10 miles out of your way."  So the day trip was changed to a 'reroute of trip' experience.  

As we were gearing up for departure, we began talking with some guys who had driven out to the view the bridge the day before...a day trip.   "You plan to drive over the bridge with your rig?", they exclaimed.  "Sure!  It was suggested by the gal at the Visitor's Center."  His parting words were, "I wouldn't do it and they can say anything but....to each his own."

Now part of his concern may have been because we veered off the current Alaskan Highway to the Old Alaskan Highway.  We had been zipping along at 100 k/m or 62 mph and then.....we turned onto the OLD Alaskan Highway.  The sign said 30 k/m but just look at our speedometer.  We were driving at a third that speed.

Yep, this road lived up to all the 'horror' stories we had heard about the highway....complete with bumps and dips and slow down or be killed.  We didn't have far to travel until we approached our goal....the famous bridge that took as long to build as it did to construct the whole Alaskan Highway....just over 8 months.  And when you think that all that creosote coated wood was joined together by back breaking labor.  Amazing!!  Impressive!!  

We crossed first and Momma hopped out to quick snap a shot of  Uncle Robin and Aunt Janice just coming off the bridge.  It really isn't obvious in the photos, but not only is the bridge curved, but it has a slope to it as well.  What a marvel of craftmanship!!

A few more km down the road and we were back to the current Alaskan Highway zipping along once again.

And then.......another fantastic experience....our first moose sighting of the trip.  Momma wanted Dad to brake so we could savor the moment but with an 18 wheeled tanker nipping at our tail, Dad opted for the safe plan and kept motoring with promises of future sighting to come.

Luckily Momma had quick reflexes and caught the moose as we flew by.  Just a little guy enjoying his breakfast meal along the roadway.

We were heading for Fort St. John.  Just a short 80 mile pull today.  We decided the haul to Fort Nelson was a bit too far for one day. So we broke it up.

When we arrived at the Rotary RV Park, we were greeted by the campground staff/hosts who informed us that they still had some flooding going on so our pull thru sights were now back-in sites.  The RV park is located on Charlie Lake and the water level had climbed so high it put the club house underwater earlier in the month, but the water was receding and everything looked well maintained. Our sites were dry but the road behind us was still covered in water.  The ducks loved it...  

Looking forward to Day Two on the ALCAN....

Hickory
.....on the road again