On "The Highway"
Trip Start
Jan 17, 2006
1
29
30
Trip End
Ongoing
Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Well, as I write this I am at Llard Hot Springs, 478 miles along the Alaskan Highway.
I got an early start this morning because I heard that snow was headed my way and I wanted to get along before it set in. I woke up in the parking lot I slept in (in the back of my truck of course... I am not totally homeless) to find about three inches of fresh snow blanketing the ground. I dragged myself from the warmth of my down sleeping bag to face the day. I was driving 10 minutes later shoving powdered donuts in my mouth with my right hand while steering through a different sort of powder with my left.
I reached Dawson Creek when it was still dark so you are all being spared the requisite "Mile 0" photo. The going was good and despite being coated by a layer of packed snow/ice, the road was in great shape and I moved along quickly. By 2pm I was in Fort Nelson (mile 283). Because the weather was good, road was solid, and I still had some daylight I opted to head further north. I wanted to get through the coldest section of the southern part of the highway today if possible.
About an hour outside of Fort Nelson it started snowing. Light at first, then heavier and heavier. I gave up on the idea of getting anywhere near Watson Lake (mile 613). Then it got dark. I spent the next several hours inches from my windshield, steering around herds of caribou and listening to Barack Obama (thanks Ashley) tell me about his hopes for America, all the while learning how amazing four wheel drive really is. My truck and I officially bonded during that period and I arrived here at Llard Hot Springs relieved to be able to stop. I just ate a traditional greasy "Highway Burger" at a spot here. Am hoping to spend one last night in my truck. I think the next few days will be too cold to do that safely with the gear I have. Clear and cold weather is headed this way which probably means les snow but colder weather. Am really hoping for the northern lights to welcome me home.
Not sure when I will be able to upload this. Hopefully soon. Until then I am sending you all messages of my safety and love telepathically!
-Pete
P.S. I should also mention that in addition to seeing my first moose in over a year ( I saw several), I also saw the caribou I mentioned, buffalo, and my first ever live in the wild lynx. Very exciting and the trip isn't even over yet!
