Canada-Dawson Creek and Chetwynd

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Connected with friends Ross and Linda Johnson, Mike McWilliams and Jack Hoskyn in Dawson Creek, BC after driving the short distance from Grande Prairie. Spent the first evening catching up on their sightseeing and ours and comparing notes. Yesterday, we went to the "Mile 0" start of the Alcan Highway for photo ops and sauntered around town. Watched a movie about the building of the Alaska Highway and the hardships endured to get it done in time to help secure Canada and the USA during WWI.

Today, a side trip to Chetwynd, home of the International Chainsaw Carving Championship, held the 2nd week-end each June. Sure wish we could have watched the actual carving of these logs. There are 12 teams consisting of a lead carver and an assistant from all over the world. Total carving time for each Western Red Cedar log (3'-4' in diameter and 7'-8' tall) is 35 hours. The town of Chetwynd had 112 carvings around town. Thankfully, I am not posting a picture of every carving, but they were amazing.

Tomorrow, we start on the highway......... sans scooter!!! Oh, I think I forgot to mention that we left the scooter in Calgary with Scott. Seems we figured out that the RV is better to take sightseeing than the scooter (it had only been off the trailer once in 1900 miles) Who's laughing?

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Photos

Mile 0 Marker
Start of the Alcan Highway

Our Caravan
The Johnson's Papa Bear RV flanked by Mama Bear and Baby Bear

Ross and Linda
It's always 5:00 somewhere!

Jack
Jack and Mike are growing beards to become mountain men.

Linda and Jim
Don't all Texans have jalapenos at Happy Hour?

Sunset
This photo was taken at 10:30 pm - dusk. As we move west, we will be in the land of the midnight sun.

Mile 0 Marker
This is one of the original Mile 0 markers that has been moved downtown.

Downtown Murals
Linda found a moose!

Downtown Murals
Ross meets another Ford dealer.

Downtown Murals
The painters were very talented.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The nice guys were posing with everyone who stopped.