Monday, October 1, 2001

Hello from Dease Lake, British Columbia!

Start time: 0900

Start odometer: 15353

Weather: Beautiful morning, 37 F.

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Highlights:

It was a beautiful morning with a bright blue sky, only a few clouds, and a temperature of 37 degrees F. It would remain mostly clear until after lunch, when clouds began gathering. I drove through a few sprinkles this afternoon, but otherwise, it was a dry day. By the way, the temperature did get up the 50 degrees this afternoon.
I drove east and south along the Alaska Highway, getting a few miles behind me. I was also leaving the Yukon Territory, after initially arriving here on August 22. I hope to return here again someday soon.
One of several times I will be entering B. C., since the Alaska Highway meanders in and out of B. C. and the Y. T. several times.
As I drive down the road, I notice the mountaintops I saw on the way up are no longer green, but covered with a fresh blanket of snow. It makes for a pretty scene, but gives notice of the coming winter! -
Another sign of the changing seasons was the drop in traffic. The Highway gets pretty barren along some of the stretches, and there is much less camper and RV traffic.
Before heading down the Stewart-Cassiar Highway, I drove to Watson Lake for one more look at the town, and especially, the Signpost Forest. I originally visited it on the way up on August 22. And although there were clouds in the area, it was still a nice day to walk around town.
The story behind the Signpost Forest -
From my current home state -
From a town near my previous home town of Fremont, Ca. -
People become a bit creative when choosing their sign. -
Notice the Oprah sign in the upper left! -
This one is for my friends Nell and Dave, who live just outside of Redding. -
For my friend from CAK, Tom... - Who works in
The signs go on forever and ever! -
After stopping at the post office, I returned to the Alaska Highway, this time towards the west, for twelve miles. This took me to the junction of Y. T. 37, the Stewart-Cassiar Highway. This road is a north-south route through British Columbia, and provides a western route to Watson Lake, Whitehorse, and Alaska. It also allows access to guide and charter services to the Mount Edziza Provincial Park. Mount Edziza is a dormant volcano, and the park is one of the largest in Canada. Trees are logged in the area, and gold is also mined. In the Jade City region, jade deposits are mined east of the road, and there are huge jade boulders that tourists can watch artisans cut. The Princess Jade Mine is one of the largest jade claims in the world! (From the Milepost)
Soon after turning onto the Stewart-Cassiar, you enter B. C. - This may not be the final time I enter B. C., if I take the trip to Hyder Alaska tomorrow!
The first part of the southbound Cassiar journey is lined with trees, so the views are in front and behind you. But after a fifty or seventy miles, the views begin to expand, and you see some spectacular mountains, as well as the fall colors that are just past peak in this location.
A large map posted at a rest area -
A sign describing some of the gold mining activity. -
Views from the road. -
While the majority of the Stewart Cassiar is chip-sealed, at least 160 miles are gravel, and mud! - But great views keep appearing!
I decided to stop at Dease Lake, and will get some rest tonight. Tomorrow, I plan on continuing my drive down the Stewart-Cassiar, and will take a side trip to Stewart, British Columbia, and as mentioned before, Hyder, Alaska. The drive is said to be interesting, as it passes near glaciers. Also, when I was in Fairbanks, a local mentioned that Hyder might best represent the town of Cicely (from Northern Exposure,) in respects to its access and size, though not where it was filmed. I will look for "The Brick"!
Thanks for stopping by. If a day is missing, please be patient with me, as it probably means I did not have internet access for that day or string of days.

Routes traveled today: YT 1 - YT 37 - BC 37

Hotel: Northway Motor Inn -

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