Alaska Highway-Up to Fort Nelson, BC

 

Friday, June 2, 2017

• The campsite we are staying at is on a side of a hill and the road is gravel with a black mud surface. The Land Wanderer bogged down in a couple of place and even spun the tires.  It thundered and rain all night.  Did not get much sleep.  We were concerned about getting out in the morning.
• At 6am, took the Tacoma and drove the road out, it was muddy but OK.  Good enough to drive the RV out plus it was downhill all the way out.  We packed up and slowly drove out with no problems.  We parked on asphalt close to the dump station and spent a couple of hours getting ourselves ready for the road trip.
• Got on the highway 43 West, 4 lane to Grand Prairie
• Weather, clearing skies as we got out of Edmonton and temps in the upper 60’s.
• Stopped in Whitecourt for some diesel.  Gas pumps confusing, put 8 liters (2 gallons) of gasoline into our diesel tank before I realize the error.  The gasoline hose was colored green like the diesel hose in the states. Filled the rest of the tank with the yellow hose, diesel ($1.069/l). Bought some additive to add diesel lubricant to the tank.  Had no issues, probably help clean the injectors??.  Our diesel tank holds 100 gallons.
• Topped off the diesel tank ($0.98/l) in Falher AB to help dilute gasoline
• Arrived at my sisters in Eaglesham AB at 2:30p

 

Monday June 5, 2017

• Woke up to 48F weather and clear skies.
• Sunrise 5:19am, Sunset 10:46pm (mountain time)
• Said our good byes to my sister and family at 8am
• Drove 100 miles to Dawson Creek BC
• Time changed from Mountain to Pacific when we crossed from Alberta into British Columbia
• Parked at the Dawson Creek Visitor Center parking lot. Mile Zero of the Alaskan Highway
• Got the latest “Campground and Gas Station Guide” for the highway. List all the current gas/diesel stations and open campgrounds.
• We were given lots of information, the lady spent good amount of time talking to us, asking us questions and telling us about thing of interest to us.  Very good Visitors Center.
• Used the Visitor Center hotspot to catch up on emails.
• Weather-warmed up to 80F with clear skies
• Filled the Tacoma with gas ($1.099/l)
• Started the drive north at mile marker zero at 2pm
• Mile Marker 21, turned onto the old Alaskan Highway and visited the old curved wooden Kiskatinaw River Bridge.
• The old highway loops back on to the current highway. Easy side trip.
• Spent the night in Fort St. John. Boondocked at Walmart with ~20 other RV’s.

 

Tuesday June 6, 2017

• We had a nice quiet night boondocking at Fort St. John Walmart.
• Went to Tim Horton across the road for a donut and coffee
• Pulled out about 8am
• Still had 3/4 tank of diesel ($1.099/l) but filled up anyway before leaving town.
• Weather: sunny with occasional clouds, morning 63F, afternoon 74F.
• Road Condition: Good, no potholes, but at places bumpy road due to repair work. Otherwise, a nice 234 mile drive.
• Animal sightings: 3 black bears on the road. They quickly got off the road as soon as we were insight.
• Visited the Fort Nelson Visitor Center and the Heritage Museum.
• Spending the night at Triple G Hideaway Campground in Fort Nelson. ($43 CAD)