We continuted from Fort Nelson To Dawson Creek and with the arrival to Dawson Creek which is known as 'mile 0' on the Alaska Highway we concluded that we had driven pretty much all of the Canadian part of the Alaska Highway from Haines Junction to Dawson Creek. The Alaska highway was built in 1942-43 during the WWII by the U.S. Army and completed in just eight months.

After leaving Dawson Creek we entered into Alberta. The first towns to drive through were Grand Prarie, Beaverlodge(!) and then Grande Cache were we camped for two nights.

In Beaverlodge we were greeted by a giant beaver statue.

Of course, Robert had to climb up on the statue to get a picture with him and the beaver...

When he got down again we realized that apparently the town of Beaverlodge were not encouraging climbing the beaver as we noticed a sign that pointed out that climbing the beaver could be dangerous and lead to injury. Two things come to mind: 1. Beaver jokes... don't climb the beaver! hahaha! 2. If there is a sign saying something is 'forbidden'; Robert will do it.

In Grande Cache we decided to set up camp and were surprised to find a really nice municipal camp ground. We spent two nights here and for the first time experienced camping in weather below freezing. The town is on a high altitude so during night the temperature dipped into a couple of degrees in the negative territory (Celsius). A little chilly, but after putting on a touque, socks, long sleeved shirt and and extra fleece blanket, even Victoria was warm!

To keep us warm in the afternoon and evening we kept a camp fire going. Victoria had a go at chopping wood for the first time and managed quite well to chop the logs without chopping her legs off!

Robert took the opportunity for some grooming. With kitchen scissors and the side mirrors to the car, he took to the task of trimming away some of that hair. Victoria assisted and these are the 'before' and 'after' photos....

We explored the surroundings of Grande Cache a little bit by taking a trip out to the Sulphur gates which is where two big rivers merge; Smoky River and Sulphur River. The landscape is beautiful and a geologist's dream with different types of rocks in a beautiful setting.

Our first night in Grande Cache we had just arrived when the family in the camp spot closest to us came over and invited us to their camp fire. Very friendly and perhaps even a little bit surprising! Nice people in Alberta!
The next night, a lone motorbiker pulled up to the camp site when dark was setting in and since he looked cold and probably didn't have an axe to chop wood for a fire, Robert went over and invited Marc. Marc was a super nice guy who was on his way home to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories from a two month long trip down south through the U.S and back. Since Marc is an experienced outdoor person and (obviously) avid motorbiker, Robert and Marc connected and had a good chat about motorcycles, hunting and stuff. It is really amazing how many nice people you can meet if you just reach out a little!

Back on the road the next day we entered the Jasper National Park. We first drove to Jasper where we spent the night at a really nice hotel. We were getting a little 'lazy' but truth to be told, most campgrounds are closed for the season and as we now were in a national park you can't really pitch a tent just anywhere.

We saw some mountain sheep.

Dinner in Jasper was consumed at the local Korean restaurant. The very friendly staff tried to force Robert to use a fork as they doubted that he would be capable of using chop sticks. Robert insisted (and presvered) that he was fine eating with chop sticks but the Korean lady was hard to convince. Victoria ordered a traditional dish but needed help preparing it. The Korean lady looked questioningly at Victoria and then showed her how to mix the veggies with the rice. Then she went back to the rest of the staff and the conversation probably went something like this "strange Korean girl sitting over there. Can't pronounce the food she ordered correctly and doesn't know how to mix the rice with the veggies!!!" Victoria eventually explained she was born in Korea but grew up in Europe which was met by a long sentance in Korean and more confusion as Victoria looked like a big question mark.

The next morning we drove into Banff national park and made two stops: one at the Athabasca falls and one at the Columbia icefields.

As we were going higher and higher, we reached an altitude of over 2,000 meter. It got chillly and by the time we got out of the car to look at the glacier it was again below freezing and with some snow flurries.

We hiked up to the end of the glacier which is a rapidly receeding glacier that reached about a mile further down the hill just less than a century ago. Little markers along the hillside showed the reach of the glacier at different years.
Once at the edge of the glacier there were a billion different signs warning for the danger of stepping out of the designated trail. Of course that made Robert want to take a closer look.

Back in the car we now headed for Lake Louise and then on to Banff.

written by  Victoria & Robert on September 30, 2009 from Banff, Canada
from the travel blog: the Canadian Arctic
Send a Compliment

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Welcome back! thought we had lost you but the adventure continues and still with the most marvellous pictures, even though the cheescake ones are well "cheesy" But the haircut looks good, well done Victoria.
Dad is recovering and may be home tomorrow.

Fay

written by  Fay Ryan on October 1, 2009

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You soon will have the same problem as we "which weekday is it and which date?" We have our newspaper to look at. Victoria, perhaps you can earn you living as a hairdresser?
Love
Gunnar & Maud

written by  Maud Naess on October 1, 2009

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A couple of lines disappeared. It's so nice to read your Story and see all beautiful and nice pictures.
Take care
Hugs
Mamma

written by  Maud Naess on October 1, 2009

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Really enjoying following your travels. Only one complaint......is it quite necessary to show so much flesh Robert?!!

love sis

written by  karen on October 4, 2009

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Oi uncle robert why are you climbing on the Beaver statue from MAX

written by  MAX AYENSU AFFUL on October 4, 2009

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Hello,

Here to defend myself again!!!

What is wrong with getting naked, when you have the body of a Greek God!!!

The Beaver climb Max becuase....."It is there !!!!!".

Robert

written by  Victoria & Robert on October 4, 2009

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