Nodding off on the Alcan highway (Alaska/Canadian to the natives), is not an option, unless, that is, you plan on mowing down a heard of wood bison or other woodland creature. Our hotel yesterday had breathtaking views of Muncho Lake and a cozy little cabin (with some shoddy heat) run by a Swedish couple Urs and his wife, however, it did not have wireless internet (amazing the things that we take for granted). Mom and I got in about 3 pm after countless pauses on the highway for traffic and numerous "patches" of unpaved road (I would consider them mile long stretches).
The lake offers an awe inspiring view of mountains, valleys and greenish blue water (caused by copper leakage) with quaint cabins, a fancy lodge and more schnitzel than most German restaurants offer. The most interesting part is that it is a good 100 miles from ANYTHING, no exaggeration (other than a small fueling post and campgrounds). This morning we woke to a stifling hot room as we had not realized that the temperature would drop into the 40's triggering the heating unit to kick start. After a quick jaunt with Zoey, a jump into the non-heated bathroom (where I had left the window open all night), and a quick packing up, we were on the road.
No more than 10 minutes into the trip, we had encountered the following:
4 bison (followed by several herds later in the drive)
3 bears (brown I think, 1 mama and two cubs)
After the original 4 bison mom and I had the following conversation:
Me: Oh look! A herd of bison up on that hill! Oh, nope sorry it is just an outcropping of trees.
Mom; That is ok, we will just tell everyone we saw a herd and pretend.
moments later:
Mom: Oh my gosh!
Me: It IS a herd of bison, and babies... no need to pretend.
All of this followed by an attempt to continue on the road to stubborn, unyielding bison.
We have LOADS of picture so I am just going to attach them all when I can (the internet here isn't letting me upload them) in an uncharacteristically mass group.
Here is the total list of animals we saw in the last two days:
Mountain Sheep
2 Moose (a young one and a Male)
Deer
Bison
Bears
Talk to you all later! (p.s. the sunset here tonight is at 11:39 p.m., then dusk till the 3 a.m. sunrise)
I am loving keeping track of you both on this life changing adventure that you are having. It is absolutely gorgeous there, and it sounds like you are having an awesome time together - safe travels, can't wait to read the next post - off to work today Suzanne - I will miss you and am keeping you both in my prayers. Keri Cairney
ReplyDeleteI love it cause I can totally see you and your mom having that conversation in high pitched voices. Gald all is going well, let us know when you get all settled in.
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