Northern roads to home

 Heading back with the realization that we traveled a very long way from home.  So we have chosen the roads not yet traveled to get back & discovered glacial formations in remote places, boondocking, sheep on ridge lines and so much more.  As we turn thoughts homeward, I’m ready to plot our next possible journey after we do lots of laundry and wash the van ☕️

Photos from the road:

Esker (that glacial formation) with the road winding on the top.

The van finally looks like the other Yukon chariots.

View from our room - where we parked for the night.

World’s largest gold pan.

Thechal Dahl visitor center at base of cliff where the sheep wander high on the mountain 

Because I can’t find these back home…

The day we saw 4 bears 

Local famous bears made the roadside stand.

Walking in a grove of cottonwood trees in Prince George 

Artisan trees

Our return route is taking us along the Yellowhead highway, where we think Mt Robson is located.

Pondering the river from the mountain.

The next morning we saw the Robson (whew!)

Plotting our way home at a local cafe ☕️ 

where the portions are generous (and delicious)😋 

No place quite like Chicken 🐓

 After some harrowing driving on the Top of the World highway, we arrived in Chicken, Alaska.  A welcome spot with free camping behind the saloon.  Lots of characters from all over the world, seeking this unique experience.

Some photos from the highway yesterday:

And more photos from the road and the end of the Alcan highway…

R And more photos from Alaska and the roads home….

Lots and lots and lots of Sandhill cranes at the Creamery in Fairbanks

Denali scene from the bus

Beringia mammals are our friends

We visited the museum in Whitehorse which features the prehistoric animals that once roamed this area (aka Beringia).  Glenn found this giant beaver outside, inspiring this photo.

Below are some pictures of the last few days as we wander the Yukon.  It’s lovely now, but it’s wicked cold in the winter!

Moose in the McBride museum in Whitehorse.

The scene when gold seekers raced up the Klondike in largely homemade boats, 1898

Another friend at the Yukon wildlife refuge 

A real moose behind bars at the refuge 

Long story, but famous cinnamon buns are made & sold here.  Note the animal leg out front.

Overlooking the Yukon river 

 The roads are stressed…

Dawson still has that gold rush vibe.

We joined other sight seekers by camping in town, walking the river dike and going out to a giant dredge near the original gold discovery.

Here is a photo of my grandma Badger panning for gold, likely in the Dakotas.  In that spirit, we drove up to Claim#6 and tried our luck.  Just glitters in the sand ……

We’ll keep looking for the elusive moose as we cross over into Alaska tomorrow.  

As they say in gold country - eureka!

Moose are hard to find

 The roads are long, and we continue in our search for MOOSE and associated wildlife.  Today we saw animals that begin with B….. bison and bear. Some photos from the last 2days:

At Muncho Lake

Bison walking 

The promo at the trailhead 

The trailhead 

Whirlpool rapids

The Signpost forest at Watson Lake.  Yes.

Across the street at the northern lights museum, the solar system version. 

Morning at Watson lake campground