Yukon here we come!

July 6 – The Wagon Masters had us all line up in the big lot in the front of the campground.  A few had to get gas so we waited for them and then we headed out.  No stops along the way as it was only 130 miles to Watson Lake in Yukon Territory.  It was another drive up mountains but still just as beautiful as we’ve seen.  Today was also the day we were to drive over the temporary bridge that washed out a few days ago.  We all expected a long line but we arrived at the right time and the Pilot Car was ready and waiting so we didn’t waste any time there.  It was one of those over the river and thru the woods kind of drive.  They had just bulldozed a swath wide enough for 2 lanes and packed it with dirt and we were glad there was no gravel.  So it was easy peasy!

About 50 miles down the road we halted for a herd of Wood Bison to cross the road.  There were at least 30.  Wood Bison are different than Buffalo, but I couldn’t see any difference other than they live in the woods.  I also spotted a little fox on the right side of the road.  Any wildlife is better than none!

We had instructions to pull off again at a large rest area.  This time they specifically told us the order we were to go in.  I don’t know what the big deal was but I think it had to do with the parking and they wanted the longest rigs first.  We were staying just one night and what we went to see was withing walking distance.

A few (like us) pulled in to the gas station to fill up for tomorrow.  We learned that the entire Yukon Territory has no WIFI or cell service.  The fiberoptic cable that supplies the territory was cut or damaged.  Most of the places in Lake Watson were closed.  The gas station we went to could only take cash – Canadian preferred but they would deal with US.  Luckily, we had enough Canadian to pay for the diesel.  Later after we parked we walked over to the street with the few businesses and the bank was closed and we had hoped to get money exchanged.  There was another gas station that had a sign that said groceries so we went there and there were no groceries.  He was remodeling the store part but was pumping cash and would take a CC like in the old days where you fill out the slip and he would enter it when the service comes back on.  Some of our people wouldn’t do it as they didn’t trust them.  That guy did exchange $200 US cash for us to $225 Canadian.  We wanted to make sure we have some more fuel money.

The big draw here are the Sign Boards.  In 1942 a traveler posted a sign on a post here when he started a fad.  Now they say they have thousands and thousands of them.  There was some information about the Sign Boards and the building of the Alaska Highway at the Visitor Center.  Bill and I enjoyed the movie and info on the signs. 

We all made or brought a sign and posted them today.  Bill and I put ours at a fairly new arch on one of the down posts.  We had a group photo of us all with our signs before the posting went on.  It’s an amazing site! A lot of people had metal signs made with their names, city, state and date they were here and others are painted on wood and there are license plates from all over the world.  It would take hours to walk all the signs and see them.

There were some issues with the 30 amp here and we can only run one AC and that kept turning off.  Our neighbor was having the same issue and he moved to another area and ours started staying on.  I did a load of laundry and got my bed sheets changed.

It was leftover meatloaf tonight with store bought potato salad for Bill and I had some pickled beets and an egg that one of our caravan ladies gave me.  It was a nice change and something I haven’t had in many years.

Tomorrow we are leaving at 6 AM.  I guess I better sleep in my clothes!