Day 6 - Fort Nelson to Dawson Creek, British Columbia (556 km)

Lots of action today; three Regularities and one Speed Stage. No zeros for us, but we did quite well. After our disaster a couple of days ago, we’ve been able to claw our way back little by little.

Our efforts continued today, and we now stand third in class (up from 6th) and 8th overall (up from 14th). Not bad, but we’ll need to keep it up over the next three weeks.

As we continue to move south the weather gets better; total sun today. Jackets, sweaters and long sleeve shirts have given way to T-shirts and Bermuda shorts.

Commercial farming and ranching are now common sights from the highway. Also, we are now seeing the enormous natural gas industry that is a staple of the Canadian economy.

What we have not seen…..Deer, Moose, Elk or any antler-type animals. We’ve seen hundreds of signs asking us to take caution with these animals, but we have not seen the animals….a bit disappointing.

Western Canada (British Columbia, Yukon and Alberta) continue to suffer from wild fires. In some places we can smell the fires; in other places the skies are clouded by smoke. Most people say that this season is the worst that it’s ever been.

Tomorrow is our first rest day and we’ll use it to clean the car and explore Dawson Creek, including the famous “Mile Zero” which represents the beginning of the AlCan Highway which we have just navigated in reverse from Fairbanks to Dawson Creek.

Our first deer spotting

10am and the sun is almost blocked by smoke from
forest fires near Dawson Creek

Beginning of the Alaska Highway which starts in Dawson Creek
and goes to Fairbanks. We have just driven north to south.

Early grain elevator in Dawson creek (now an art museum)

This monument is called “Mile “0” -Alaska Highway. It is the
beginning of Alaska Highway that starts in Dawson Creek,
British Columbia and goes to Fairbanks , Alaska.