AK Missions, Alaska at last

 Tuesday, May 1, we crossed the Canaadian border at Sweetgrass, Montana. Traveling over 1,000 miles through Canada and then the Yukon, we finally reach Alaska on May 6. Six long days of driving through majestic scenery. The following pictures are only a few of the hundreds I've taken along the way.

 We passes several herds of Caribou, elk, bison, stone sheep, and deer. Many were shy of the vehicles and disappeared into the underbrush before photos could be made.

 Weather ranged from a cool 45-50 degrees in the sun in the afternoon, to 20 degrees at night. Mountains glitter with new snow and glaciers were apparent. Some days the sun shone through high clouds as we passed through snow showers or rain.

 At Liard Hot Springs, we stripped of jackets, sweats and hiking boots to soak in the soothing 108-126 degree mineral springs. Amazingly the warmth stayed during a rush to the changing room to pile on layers of clothing.

 The hot springs cascade down cliffs to create a jungle-like atmosphere of ferns and tropical plants and mosses. Just beyond the heat of the springs snow covers the ground.

One of our favorite stopping places is the signpost forest at Watson Lake. During the building of the AlCan highway in 1942, soldiers from the Lower 48 posted handmade signs indicating the distance from their homes. After the war when the highway was improved for tourist traffic, travelers have been adding person signs creating a "forest". As of falll, 2010, there were over 72,000 signs that could be counted.

 This pictures should have been posted earlier. This is Dawson Creek, British Columbia, mile Zero of the Alaskan Highway or AlCan. Soldiers began clearing the rugged forest of spruce, birch, willow and brush for the proposed supply road. They fought sub-zero weather, muskeg, mud, and mosquitoes for 8 months to finish the route which culminated here in Delta Junction.

 As in Yellowstone, we encountered herds of bison along the road. A new calf entertained us as he trotted along.

 Nick, Monique, Lynne and Dale post behind an inukshuk. The large stone figure is a replica of the monuments build by First Nation natives as directional devices. Smaller stone figures may be seen along the highway.

We have arrive at Camp Baldwin and now begin the task of preparing the camp for summer and will be helping reroof First Baptist Church of Delta Junction. Our trips to the library will be erratic but I will send blogs when I can.