The Alaskan Highway

The Alaska Highway reaches 1390miles (2237k) from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada. To Delta Junction, Alaska, there is then another 98 miles to Fairbanks Alaska this is nominally Richardson Highway, but is universally considered the last leg of the Alaska Highway. The highway is commonly known as The Alcan, short for Alaska-Canada Military Highway. In June 1942 the Japanese opened their Aleutian Island campaign, bombing Dutch Harbor for two days then taking Attu and Kiska Island. The US recaptured these islands after a very bloody battle. This made congress realise that Alaska needed to be protected. The road was built in 8 months through the wilderness by the military in military fashion. I saw an original film of the building this road in Fort St John, there were some very steep hills, one when it rained or snowed was so steep that cars just slid back down again and became known as suicide hill which is now the official name, I parked on this hill in the middle of my trauma the engineers who rebuilt the road made the rise on this hill much more acceptable, it was however a good roll start!! The military forded rivers using trees/logs, when the river was full these logs became unstable, water was poured all over the bridge which then froze the logs together making the bridge stable again! This road was good enough for military traffic, but a little scary for others. A crew of aprox 25000 civil engineers followed, building an all year – round overland route joining the 49th state with the lower 48 states. Most of the towns along the highway were first Military Camps then Road builder’s camps. Fort St John has a great museum about the building of the road. One of the houses was a 3 bed family house I was told it was a “Hudson Bay House” I think they came as a flat pack reminded me of a prefab. A very interesting piece of history. Not only was the road built but several war time airfields as well, planes and military equipment were flown to Russia from here on the US lend lease scheme, this must have made a huge difference to the outcome of the war, the Brits were struggling to support the Russians by sea and losing tons of shipping, valuable equipment and men in the effort. The road is not only interesting it is beautiful, jaw dropping at times. We did a side trip to the old small mining town of Atlin our friend “J” had been there telling how lovely this place was. The drive there was beautiful mountains on our left with lakes and mountains on the right. The highlight of the trip for Les, we were able to watch at great length Common Night Hawks
these are huge birds (looked to me like Gulls) they also catch insects which apparently for a bird that size is unusual, Les could not find the birds in his book.


In Atlin a guy in (birdwatcher) stopped to chat Les asked about these birds we had seen the guy was puzzled as well. When Les at last found them in his book he was so excited, these birds hunt during the day in groups when they have babies meaning you only really get to see them for a short time each year. Very Exciting!!! We have seen so many birds a lot of which are not easy to see I now have a “Bird Bragg List” In Atlin we also saw 3 Osprey! Lots of chipmunks. Most of the building in the town are original, it had been a thriving gold rush town, in the library there was an art and craft exhibition which I must say is one of the very best I have ever been to, the quality and variety is excellent, some amazing quilts  by a very talented artist. We continue along this amazing highway to Watson Lake. Here, in 1942, a private who had been sick and on light duties was given the job of repainting the road signs, while he was doing this and feeling homesick he decided to paint one of his own - “Danville, Illinois” others added their own signs and there are now nearly 100,000 signs from all over the world, “Signpost Forest” After our side trip to Stewart and Hyda we spend a couple or three days at Lake Watson getting my repairs at least lined up for a repair in Prince George. The road is beautiful, the wild life amazing, we saw a couple of herds of Bison, which I was very excited about, along with bears, sheep, mule deer and lots of birds. This road for many reason has been quite a journey, as far as the truck is concerned the worse for me BUT nothing can be taken away from its beauty, the wilderness, the awesome wild life, the many interesting people I have talked to and the achievement of building the road. It has all been quite an experience. One I am pleased not to have missed….. I say that with hindsight ha! ha! I arrive in Prince George with relief after a visit to the tourist information and Freightliner. We park up early at Wal Mart and I have a McDonalds!! While we are in Prince George Les and I go to the pictures/movies to see Mama Mia Julie has told me it is very good also that I am in it! Not really sure what she meant. Until I saw Julie Walters and oh yes there I was, I even recognised myself and my behaviour when all the girls were at home, Julie will tell you she has the photos to prove it  The film was on a very large screen we were sat I think too near the front - I had to put my sick bands on!! We also found a very good wireless internet restaurant “African Food” it was lovely we could also get cover in the car park. While I was parked in the Wal Mart car park a small truck came and parked next to me the couple sat out side, of course we got talking, then the guy said whilst waving is cam-recorder “I guess you have one of these” what says I. No I just have a still camera which I can take small films with. We have been to Alaska 6 times says he would you like to look at the DVD’s!!!!! Well that would be nice says I but I have purchased a film about Alaska and have just returned. I excuse myself and sit reading out side my truck the guy comes over to continue his conversation telling me he has 14 grandchildren AND would I like to watch the DVD’s of them……………. Quick thinking is needed here…..my DVD player is from England and cannot play American DVD’s phew!! I do know he was being kind and friendly but can you imagine watching DVD’s about kids you do not even know and have never seen! The fridge is still not working, every day I think it is running on “T” Cakes When I leave here I am heading for Jasper Park………………………………