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Published: July 25th 2013
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The trafic circle in Dawson Creek. When we got to Northern Lights RV Park we were greeted by our Tail Gunner and his wife Phil and Karon. They put group stickers on the front and back of the RV and our number is 21 alphabetical in the group. We also have a sticker on our car. It helps us identify each other on the road. The Wagon Master Duane and Marlene came over and gave us a packet of information, our trip log, Alaska Highway Milepost, name tags, pins, a hat for Pat and a bag for me. We started meeting everyone in our group and met Jim and Connie and their dog Spot from Indianapolis. Jim and Pat had been communicating on line for about 6 months. Jim figured out they were on the same tour from a question Pat had asked on the RV forum he scoured daily before retirement. It was great to finally meet them. We had a group get together that night and introduced ourselves to each other.
Day One: July 17
We toured Dawson Creek and listened to the story of the building of the Alaska Highway at the Alaska Highway House. It was amazing to hear the story
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Tour sticker on the RV and 21. of the building of the highway especially from the perspective of the men who built it. It was commissioned by President Roosevelt in 1942 to defend the northern territory from the Japanese. Before this time it had been mainly inhabited by miners and trappers and supplies were delivered by boat. The Army was given one year to finish it, it was completed in October of 1942. The conditions had been horrendous and they had to cut the trees as they went the temperatures were brutal. As we drive it we shake our heads in wonder on how they did it.
After the video we went with another couple we had met to the Kiskatinaw Bridge the site of one of the bridges the Army had built.That afternoon we took a group picture at one of the Mile 0 signs and walked over with Leisel to get one at the official sign. There was a group dinner that night and our first travel briefing for the next day.
Day Two: July 18
Dawson Creek BC to Fort Nelson, BC 284 Miles
We left at 8:10 about middle of the pack. I'm armed with my trip log the
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Pat's shoe got caught in the slide and came out the other side. lol list of each land mark, road hazard, pull out, and where the best cinnamon rolls are on the road. It is so thorough and helpful it even lists how many rigs can fit at each place. I also use The Milepost "Since 1949, the bible of North Country travel". It also lists every stop and the stories of each place and its history. Those and the map and I am busy the whole time we drive. Oh yeah and the camera. It is quite awesome to behold such wonders of nature.
We arrived in Fort Nelson at around 3 at the Triple G Hideaway Campground hooked up and went over to the Fort Nelson Heritage Museum. Started by a man named Marl Brown we were amazed by his collection of cars and replica of a trappers cabin and old home. We also had a presentation at the Visitors Center.
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Mary Murphy
non-member comment
I read your posts and realize the true vicarious thrill of it all. Thank you!