Cassiar, here we come

Neither Greg nor I have ever driven the Cassiar Highway so we made it our choice route out. First several miles were smoldering, charred, occasionally smokey remains. A major forest fire apparently preceded us by days.

More great weather and beautiful scenery. Everyday wildlife sightings—eagle, moose, few ptarmigans, bunny.

Spent the night in Kinaskan Provincial Park outside of Iskut, British Columbia. Parked beside a lake. Hiked a bit. Picked up firewood on the way back. Me—spruce limbs for kindling. Greg—a downed tree. He broke off the branches and began feeding the fire as if it were a Yule log. Ranger came by and told him his log was too big. Seriously.

Drove Cassiar all day Saturday. It is beautiful. But if you have the opportunity to EITHER drive the Cassiar OR come to Alaska, choose Alaska. I’m just sayin’ this drive has nothing on the beauty and bounty of Alaska. Course if you can do both—you’ll be doubly blessed as we are.

Took a side trip to an end-of-the-road-place: Stewart, BC and Hyder, AK. There is a bear viewing area outside Hyder at Fish Creek. We went. Several folks with honkin’ big cameras/lenses. No bears. People stood around waiting. We’ve both been to McNeil so enjoyed the salmon spawning then left.

Got hassled by some very young Canadian border patrollers. May we see your passports? Yes. Do you have any firearms? Handed over previously approved paperwork. Alcohol or tobacco? No. Animals? Yes. Vaccination paperwork? Yes. Did you purchase anything while in US? (Hyder has a DIRT path for Main Street and a pathetic General Store that didn’t even have a decent postcard.) No. Please vacate the vehicle and stand over there while we inspect it. Huh?

Two of them opened cabinets, drawers, camera bags, computer bags, gun cases, suitcases…while keeping us in check. Ma’am, don’t walk your dog over there; I need you to stay where I can see you. I was not a happy camper. Greg told me to keep smiling or they could have us take every last thing out of the vehicle. Geesh, not impressed with hospitality.

A soft serve ice cream cone, audacious glaciers, and sighting 3 black bears under 10 feet from passenger door helped to take the edge off. Night four in Smithers, BC. 1750 miles since we left Kenai. Not even going to tell you how much we are spending on gas.