2016 July BC & Yucon 1

Above is the route of the Alcan Highway (now just called the Alaskan Highway).  In December of 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Highway.  Because of the obvious threat to Alaska and the West Coast, in February of 1942, FDR signed the papers to build a highway from Dawson Creek, BC to Fairbanks (1523 miles). 10,000 US troops were mobilized and sent to three different locations to start the building process. They started in March of 1942 and  it was done in just over 8 months. We traveled the same route.  There are museums with hundreds of pictures of the construction all along the way.  Very interesting story.  It was tremendously hard work. 

Black soldiers made up about a third of the work force.  The whites did not think they would be able to operate the heavy equipment or learn the skills needed to construct bridges.  The black soldiers built this bridge below during the 1942 construction which is still used today.

Distant view of the same bridge.

Above:  On a ridge above Dawson Creek are 34 wind turbines.  We drove up to the top to see them.  Beautiful view of  Dawson Creek from up there.

Just some of the pictures we saw in museums about the construction of the Alcan Highway in 1942. Mud was a big problem.

Stone sheep below eating the calcium on the road over the bridge.

Do these cyclist see what's up ahead?

Cliff enjoying Muncho Lake near Liard River, BC.  It was the prettiest emerald color.

Plane flying over Muncho Lake.  What a view they have.

                                                 One pretty lake right after another. 

Hot springs pool at Liard River, BC.  Several of our group went in despite the long hike to get there.

Robert Service wrote comical stories in prose.  He lived in BC and the Yukon, and we heard several of his stories during this part of our trip.  A few from our group read one of his cute stories.  Everyone had a great time with this.

This woman is smart taking pictures of these bison from her truck.  Some of our group just walked along the opposite side of the rode from them to take pictures.  This was just a short distance from our campground.  Glad these beasts didn't wander into our camp.

Another cyclist that's been on the road much too long.

Entering the Yukon.  Right before Watson Lake.