Twas the night before our adventure....

July 10th, 2013

We are packed and ready to roll.   We will have a good nights sleep and then head up the Alaska Highway. 

We begin our journey in picturesque Toad River that is nestled in a valley of the Northern Rocky Mountains.  This little village is home to a maintenance camp for the Alaska Highway, a Lodge and Campground with its world famous hat collections (8000+ and counting!)  Besides the highway workers, most people are employed in the tourist industry.  There is also Poplar's Motel and Campground with it's lovely cabins and lots of room for campers.  The area is famous for its wildlife and many guiding outfitters take hunters from all over the world to find bear, moose, elk, Stone Mountain Sheep, and Caribou.  Of note, is the Folding Mountain Outfitters and B&B which sits just past the Racing River Bridge and before you reach the village of Toad River.  Another place to be sure to visit is the Stone Mountain's Safaris B&B and Guiding Outfitters.  Look for the turn-off from the highway about 5 km past Toad River.  The views from both of these places along with the great hospitality is worth the visit.

The Alaska Highway's Mile 0 is at Dawson Creek.  Sue took her students on a field trip there this past June and the students had a wonderful time.  Some highlights are the Alaska Highway House, Pioneer Village, the Railway Museum and the Art Gallery in an old elevator.  A few interesting side trips include the W.A.C Bennett and Peace Canyon Dams both with tours and museums that will interest adults and children alike.  Be sure to make time for Tumbler Ridge Dinosaur Museum and if staying a while take the hike on the Dinosaur Trackway or enjoy one of the hikes to the beautiful Waterfalls in the area.

As you travel up the Alaska Highway you will reach the Taylor Bridge which spans the Mighty Peace River and the major industrial hub of the Peace Area, Fort St. John.   A four hours drive through lots of forests and hills takes you to Fort Nelson.  Where the town sits now, is the fifth location since its founding in 1805!  A not to miss attraction is the Fort Nelson Museum with its eclectic collection and bewhiskered curator Marl Brown.  The town also has a Rotary Water Park, new recreation centre, a theatre and wonderful library. 

We are traveling with the Milepost that is a travel planner that has been published since 1949.  This publication gives a wealth of information in its Mile-by-Mile Highway Logs of the Alaska Highway and other major routes in Alaska, Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Alberta the Northwest Territory.  The publication is also available on-line (http://milepost.com/) and as an app for your smartphone or ipad! Check out their facebook page too! Milepost on Facebook.

So, off to bed so we can be fresh for our adventure!  Hope you will join us on our virtual tour!