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Feb 14, 2016

Summer Journey- Canada Crossing part 1

Summer Journey
Canadian Crossing
Part 1

June 19, 2015
Our traveling adventure has taken through California, Oregon and Washington, 1961 miles from home to be near the Canadian border. It will be about 9 days of roaming in Canada in our home on wheels to reach the Alaskan border.
We had planned on two target places as a must see while in Canada…Salmon Glacier that’s outside of Steward, Canada and Telegraph Creek near Dease Lake on Canadian Hwy 37.

It was a rainy night at Sumas RV Park; the morning brought us scattered clouds with a blue-sky background.

Approaching the Canadian border (Day1), it when somewhat smooth with several questions being asked of us and having to go inside the office for a second check.

Leaving behind us the Canadian customs office and finding our way towards the Transcanadiene Highway 1
Surrounded by thousands of acres of farmland on either side of the highway we swiftly traveled down the road. Shortly after going through Chilliwack, Trans Canada highway starts a slow climb towards the Lillooet Mountain Range.

Transcanadiene 1 made a little change of direction by going through the Township of Hope. One of the self-reminders I had to do…its kilometers, not mile per hour. I found myself driving a wee bit too fast several times.



The climb into the mountains was a lot more noticeable with the sight of the Fraser River below and the railroad train running beside the highway.


A few more miles down the highway, we pulled off the road into a turn out just before a bridge that crossed over the Fraser River.



There are a number of tunnels, boring their way through the mountains and many small communities along this highway.


As quickly as we were in the mountains, our path took us plunging down to along the river where the rocky geology was more exposed.

A change in highway to Canada 97 (Cariboo Hwy) came after Cache Creek and our first sighting of wildlife, Julie got off a couple of photos of deer along the roadway as we motored on by.

Our first day was a long one and as we pulled into the visitor center in Williams Lake, it was closed for the day. We stayed the night right there, undistributed and it poured rain upon us most of the night.
Day2 June 20, 2015 Williams Lake to Smithers

Leaving the Williams Lake visitor center early AM, it is a gorgeous day.

Started seeing many TCs going to and from on the highway, seem to be a lot of same scenery of small towns and a lot of greenery along the road. Before long, a pit stop was necessary at McLeese Lake rest stop.

Here I was able to talk with a local constable and received some good advice traveling on Canadian roads.


About 10:00am we came into Quesnel Visitor Center and Museum, we stayed a bit to look around. The museum had a small fee to look around; there are some nice items in it.


Continuing on Canada 97 towards Prince George rain once again started to pour down on us.

Through several towns, we saw iconic roadside menorials along highway 97.

In Prince George, we re-fueled at Super Saver Dave and another fellow TCer had also pulled in for fuel. Our tanks took 41.6 gal of diesel at 3.68/gal.(US), make our mpg at this time 11.14 mpg since our last fuel stop.


Upon leaving Prince George, a unique signage for a golfing range was seen.

This is we’re changing to Canada Highway 16, also known as the Yellowhead Highway and more wildlife to be spotted along the highway.


Mother Nature had been pouring rain on us off and on all day so far, but the day was still a gorgeous one.

Many eye-appealing sights would present themselves before our end of the day in Smithers, Canada.



Our overnight place would be alongside the Safeway Market in Smithers, Canada.


Tomorrow we’ll be motoring on to Steward, Canada.
Thanks to everyone for following along.
Previous posted "Summer Journey" LINK for those who missed it.

Interview with Truck Camper Adventure
  • nice, looking forward to traveling 'vicariously' with All Y'all..... fun..

    thanks..

    Just curious, what "Trip Planner" were/are you using to plan it MS Trip Planner streets? thanks...
  • fpoole wrote:
    nice, looking forward to traveling 'vicariously' with All Y'all..... fun..

    thanks..

    Just curious, what "Trip Planner" were/are you using to plan it MS Trip Planner streets? thanks...


    I use a old copy of (2010) microsoft street and trips software, it's still a simple program to use for routing and also look on Google Earth for satellite views of the intended route.
  • Thanks for the posting I really enjoyed it.
    This year we are hitting the maritimes, next year western Canada.
  • Great first part of your trip report and photos, It brings back memories of my 1992 Alaska Trip. I spend the night in Smithers, but it was on the way back to California. Thank you very much for posting.

    Bob in Calif.
  • Nice report, and great pictures! If you're still planning on taking Hwy 37 (the Cassiar Hwy), once you reach the north end, you'll be just north of Watson Lake (sign post forest) and I recommend that you back-track just a little south on the ALCAN and make a stop at Liard Hot Springs....it's one of the best hot springs that I've ever been to! There are actually two different springs there and the upper one is supposedly much hotter than the lower one that we enjoyed.....watch out for bears there, and enjoy your trip!
  • Very nice trip report and photos on the first part of your journey. I can't wait to see more of your trip reports on this trip to Alaska.
  • Moose10 wrote:
    Nice report, and great pictures! If you're still planning on taking Hwy 37 (the Cassiar Hwy), once you reach the north end, you'll be just north of Watson Lake (sign post forest) and I recommend that you back-track just a little south on the ALCAN and make a stop at Liard Hot Springs....it's one of the best hot springs that I've ever been to! There are actually two different springs there and the upper one is supposedly much hotter than the lower one that we enjoyed.....watch out for bears there, and enjoy your trip!


    We stopped in Watson Lake on the way back from Alaska, we left Alaska taking the Top of the World road.There will be many more posting plus I'm working a some "just along the road" videos to with my Summer Journey postings.

    Mosquitos really liked me up there.
  • Alex, keep 'em coming. Jeanie and I will be in B.C. this June.
    jefe