DAYS 7/8

Days 7 & 8. We were without cell or internet service yesterday (May 24) so today is a combined blog. We travelled from Fort Nelson to Liard Hotsprings yesterday, a distance of 199 miles. The weather was cool all day, from a low of 33 degrees at Summit Lake (highest point on the Alaska Highway) to 44 degrees at Fort Nelson when we got up yesterday morning and broke camp. The days drive was spectacular. Got many fantastic photos of mountain vistas, the ribbon of road winding through primeval forests, and many wildlife. Summit Lake was still ice covered as was Muncho Lake. Spring comes late in these parts! There is also quite a bit of snow along the shaded side of the road. Yesterday we saw one moose, two deer and two cariboo, four rock sheep, and seven bison. Not bad for a days drive! We concluded the day with a soak in Liard Hotsprings. The temperatature at the time was cool (mid 40's) but the water was 105 degrees to as hot as you could take it by approaching the place where it bubbled up from the ground. It felt glorious on an otherwise raw day. Since yesterday was our 34th wedding anniversary, I spurged and Gail and I spend the night at the Liard Hotsprings Lodge. Am I a romantic or what?

Mileage for the day: 199 miles
Mileage for the trip: 2,777 miles

Today we travelled to Watson Lake, Yukon Territory. The sun came out mid morning and it has been a glorious day. We saw the signpost forest in Watson Lake, a park-like setting with post after post of signs from all over the world. People come and nail signs from their hometowns. It began by a serviceman in 1942 who was lonely for his hometown of Danville, Illinois. Today there are over 55,000 signs in the signpost forest. We also saw a movie on the aurora borialis--the northern lights--that paint the night sky in the far north from fall to spring. Unfortunately, we are a little too late in the spring to see them. Tonight we head for Nugget City outside Watson Lake to find a campsite and soak in the beauty of the land. First its off to the grocery for some provisions. FYI we paid $1.02 (Canadian) for a liter of gasoline in Watson Lake, or about $3.60 US a gallon. God bless the USA! Thanks for your prayers and good wishes. We are following your comments and are encouraged by your words. We press on toward Whitehorse tomorrow.

Mileage for the day: 128 miles
Mileage for the trip: 2,905