May 15, 16, and 17--Dawson Creek, BC on Highway to Alaska

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Sunday May 15. Not with it today as I didn’t record anything in my notebook. No temp, no mileage, nada.

I guess we had been moving to this “jumping off point” for so long that the process of recording the journey just shut down as soon as we reached Dawson Creek.

In the morning, talking with other Trekers parked at Wal-Mart, we found out that someone had been by to inform the group of a local rodeo that was at the fairgrounds behind the Wal-Mart at 10:30. Valerie and I and the couple from New York decided to check it out.

The first building we went into was holding a barrel racing completion. We watched 3 young ladies race—one horse and rider were excellent. It looked like things got started before the 10:30 time, as they then announced that we would proceed to the arena in back for the rough stock part of the completion. We asked some men that were standing nearby what rough stock meant and they explained it was what the bull and bronco riding was called and then went on to explain that the kids we were watching were in junior high, and that the high schoolers would compete in the afternoon.

We moved Rosie II down a very dusty road and settled into the empty red painted peeling bleachers. After a long wait, we watched a young boy try and throw a calf that outweighed him big time. He couldn’t get the calf to co-operate in the time allowed. Next came a couple of bull riders and a couple of bronc riders. In each event, one kid did an excellent job and one kid didn’t stay on for the 8 seconds. When that seemed to be it, we picked ourselves up and headed out. The people in this region obviously take rodeoing very seriously---like the south and its football.

Decided we had shopped enough at Wal-marts, and this store we spent the night at wasn’t a super-Wally, so headed for a near-by Safeway store. That was a shocker---price wise. Chicken meat in all forms was very expensive--$6. per pound for bone-less skin-less. We have been buying that at about $1.99 per pound. They only carried Campell’s brand soups and they were $1.49 a can. We got a little produce and decided to shop at another grocery store. Found one called “no frills” and did a bit more shopping, but prices still very high except for cokes. Valerie was able to buy them at the same price she gets them at home.

Drove to the RV Park named Northern Lights, where everyone was to meet. We were one of the last few to check in, so the park was filled with almost 20 Road Trek rigs of various shapes, sizes and ages. We had lunch and settled in for naps. Still haven’t shaken these colds and are mighty tired of them. About 5:30, I wandered out and went over to talk to people. I found out that the meeting that had been scheduled for 10 Monday morning, was now going to take place at 6:00---which was in about 15 minutes from when I got the message. Went back to Rosie and woke Valerie up and we dashed to meet everyone.

Well, after an interesting presentation by a woman from the Chamber of Commerce about the history of Dawson Creek, we listened to talk and more talk. Also took some group pictures. Almost no one had had dinner and we didn’t break up until 8:30. Valerie had cut out early and had dinner ready when I got in. Ate and called it a night.

May 16th, 2011 Northern Lights RV Park

Met everyone downtown at 10:30 to take a group picture at the milepost 0 marker. Also took a picture of just the two of us by the marker. We both had decided that we needed to check in with a doctor and tried to find a “Doc in the Box” kind of place. The Visitors Center sent us to the health department that sent us to the emergency room of the hospital next door. After speaking with the admissions clerk and learning that we would have to pay $550 cash for a visit, we asked her to suggest a regular doctor in town. Unfortunately, the earliest we could be seen was the next afternoon, which delayed us a day.

When we got back to the RV Park, one of the other Roadtrekers showed us how to easily hook up to the city water and then showed us how to use the hot water tank. When he pulled the drain plug that has to be removed in the winter to drain it, we found a rod that is attached to the plug to be very corroded inside the tank. He replaced the plug and suggested we get a new one. After he left, we napped, got dinner, made a list of things we needed to do in the morning, and read before calling it a night.

May 17th, 2011 Northern Lights RV Park, Dawson Creek, BC up early to get our list done.

After charging everything, dumping both tanks, filling all water tanks and vessels, doing two loads of laundry, and taking showers, we were ready to go. Mileage at 7398 11:30 and 57 degrees out. Light rain and some fog.

Did a little groc shopping for things we thought we had better get more of—like good lemon cookies and cokes. Had lunch in the groc store parking lot as purchased some sliced real turkey and made sandwiches. Got gas at Safeway. Looked for the heater part and tried to find someone to change the generator oil. We got run from place to place until wound up at a Jiffy Lube type place. We are now sitting at the doctor’s office waiting for our appointment time. I am going to close this now so Valerie can add the pictures. We expect to travel about an hour tonight up highway 97 to Fort Saint John and spend the night at a Wal-Mart there.

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Comments

[Wendell]

shopping
Ah . . . the staples one must always have on hand: lemon cookies and cokes.

[Lewis Richard Wessinger]

Wondering
Planning to make the trip to Alaska this May, 2012, leaving South Carolina around May 16. Have been advised that road conditions will be bad across the Canadian Rockies and that I will have snow on the road to deal with. What is your assessment of road and driving conditions from Dawson Creek to Anchorage and then on to the Kenai? By the way, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog about this leg of your travels. Where did you leave from? I assume this is just a part of a long road trip. Thanks for any info that you are willing to share. Lewis

[RamblingRosies]

Sorry this took so long
We left from Atlanta on April 13th and were in Dawson Creek on May 15th. The worst of the road problems were a 100-mile stretch on the Canadian side of the Alcan highway where they have frost heaves. These cause the road to be bumpy and for there to be construction. I would recommend that you just take it slowly and be prepared for it to be tiring, and you shouldn't have any problem. We traveled in a 23 foot rv, so didn't experience any hitch problems that may occur with bumpy roads. We would avoid this stretch in the future, but we wanted to do the entire highway. If you have any other questions, we would be happy to talk with you over the phone. Just set an appointment and we can talk then.