Leaders of the Pack: Whitehorse and South

We left Whitehorse and headed to Watson Lake – in the rain. We spent the night in Watson Lake, did some laundry and the next morning headed south on the Cassiar Highway –in the rain. The first half a mile was good and then we hit road construction. Rough and muddy. We slowly made our way to Jade City where we had lunch and the ladies found some things to buy in the jewelry shop. We continued on south and spent the night at Mountain Shadow RV Park. What a beautiful place.

The next morning it was sunny, but by the time we were hooking up the rain was back. Our destination was Stewart, B.C. It rained all day. We stayed at the Bear River RV Park in Stewart, another nice park. That evening Barb and I drove into Hyder, AK, and went to Fish Creek Wildlife Viewing Area. It is a day use recreation area operated by the US Forest Service. Both brown(grizzly) and black bears can be easily observed and photographed here as they fish for chum and pink salmon in the shallow waters of Fish Creek and Marx Creek from mid-July through early September. Viewing is from a boardwalk viewing area. That evening there was one black bear nosing at the dead salmon and just walking around. The next day we all went and there were 2 black bears and one grizzly. When the grizzly came close to the black bears they left. I guess grizzlies rule!!!! Besides seeing the bears the surrounding area is beautiful with waterfalls cascading down the mountain sides. Lush green foliage. High mountain cliffs and some with glaciers hanging off of them. At Stewart, B.C. we cross into Hyder, Alaska, going from pavement in Stewart to dirt and gravel in Hyder. Hyder being a town of 100 people some of the year. Less in the winter.

The next morning - in the rain - we hooked up and headed for Houston, B.C. the home of the largest fly rod. After about an hour the sun came out and we had the best day of driving we have had in a long time. This area around Houston, B.C. is also one of the best fly fish areas in Canada. We stayed at the Shady Rest RV Park. A very clean park with beautiful hanging baskets of flowers and flower beds around the park. The bath rooms in this park were the cleanest I think I have been in. Here again we are seeing the leaves starting to change color. Fall is just around the corner. This area has had only 15 minutes of rain since June. Everything is very brown and dry.

The next day we started out for Prince George, B.C., the sun out, blue skies and good road. We are traveling in more farming country now. Also more small towns. We arrived in Prince George and are staying at the Sintich RV Park on the outskirts of Prince George. The weather is warm, we can leave the windows open and sit outside. Temperature over 70 degrees, we haven't seen that high a temp in a long time.

Here is were we leave our friends Wayne and Diane. They are heading on east and south going back into the states in Montana. We are going south into Washington to visit some friends. Good by Wayne and Diane. It has been fun and we will miss that motor home following us. And the dinners together and all the other good times.

Fall colors near Whitehorse, cutting jade at Jade City, Mountain Shadow RV Park.

The muddy road.

The Bus in Hyde, AK ,very good halibut and seafood chowder, mountains around Hyder and Stewart.

The bears and ducks. The Hyder post office where mail comes Monday and Thursday if the plane cane get in. Last December no mail for 17 days during the Christmas season. Everything is flown in from Ketchikan, AK.