The Alaska Highway: British Columbia

Northern Lights RV Park in Dawson Creek, BC, was a somewhat crowded, gravel parking lot with a great view overlooking the town. At the official beginning of the Alaska Highway, it's RVing residents radiated an excitement and comradery of folks sharing a great adventure. Some folks were returning from Alaska, while most were just heading in. It was great fun to share stories and plans. One man and his 91 year old father were just returning from their first great Alaska quest. We stayed for two nights, enjoying the excitement and wondering if we would continue to run into some of our new friends along the way.

On Day 11, July 1st, we drove 156 miles on the Alaska highway to Sikanni Chief, BC. Sikanni River Campground was muddy after lots of rain and the electrical hookup made our microwave clock run slow (It was our first of many experiences with a campground that generated it's own electricity on-site), but the river was pretty.

Day 12, July 2nd, took us another 122 miles, to Fort Nelson, BC, where we had our first "chip" in the RV windshield checked by glass experts. They felt the chip was self contained and that the typical filler fix might only make it worse. Our neighbors in the Bluebell Hotel and RV Park (another muddy parking lot, but with no beautiful river this time) also had a worse crack in their window. Little did we know that we would run into Jenny and John from California again and again along the way.

Day 13, July 3rd, and 121 more miles brought us to Toad River, BC and, "The Poplars", finally, a charming, rustic, quiet campground surrounded by beautiful mountains and trees. Oh, and did I mention it's little cafe with home made cinnamon pecan rolls "to die for"? It all felt so good, we decided to stay two nights, after all, it's not just the destination, it's the fling!