The route home from Alaska goes through Canada and a highway called the Alaska Highway. The port of entry is outside of the town Tok, AK and is called Bear Creek. The port is about 10 miles inside of Canada, after you exit the US through the Customs and Border Protection checkpoint at the US border. On the way to the Canadian checkpoint, I thought I saw a dog by the side of the road but it was a black bear instead when I got closer. Additionally, I helped two guys who where on bikes get to the border before the 72 hours from the COVID test had expired by driving them about 8 miles. These two guys are on an adventure to ride their bikes from Dead Horse/Prudhoe Bay to the tip of Argentina, a 2 year journey. The entry was somewhat painless at the border but you get a COVID test that you have to register within 24 hours of entry and that is seeming to be an issue for me since I don’t have an address in Canada and have been on hold for 1 hour already trying to get the issue fixed. Driving in Canada on the Alaska Highway is not bad considering some of the roads that I was on in Alaska as this is mainly paved and the speed limit is 90km or about 55mph. The road does have some rolling hills and such due to the road being on tundra. It is crazy that the road was 175 miles without a turn off of this particular road! You will also drive around a beautiful lake on the journey which I have to say was a great part of the first day of travel in Canada. Day two started with a 2 hour delay in order to get my COVID testing completed for the first 24 hours. Once the test was completed I was on my way at 0948 towards the US border. I still need to drop off my test, but onward I went. I followed the Alaska Highway until Garmen told me to take 37. I followed Garmen and off to 37 I went and for the next 8 hours I was on a two or 1.5 lane road that went through the mountains of Canada. Some of the trip was in the Yukon and some was in British Columbia but the lakes along 37 were wonderful and large. I have to say it maybe a reason to come back and enjoy some of these lakes along 37 when this COVID mess is over. Additionally, when it was getting dark, yes dark, I spotted a black bear along the side of the road, I stopped as I was not into running him/her over and then proceeded with caution. As luck would have it, within 1 mile I saw another bear and again slowed down and proceeded with caution. The third black bear I saw was about another 1.5 miles down the road from number 2 and it was the 4th black bear I saw on this trip! All black bear sightings have been in Canada. I came to the junction of 37 and 37A and I choose 37 and as luck would have it, I saw a mother and her cub standing in the road in the dark. I stopped until they left the road and proceeded to the nearest rest stop for a nights sleep. When going to the rest room I will be taking bear spray! The day ended with me driving 805 miles and I was on the road for almost 13 hours. Hard to make good time when you are on a 1.5 lane road that is in the mountains with a speed limit of 50mph. Day 3 of driving went well. I traveled on 37 for about 300 miles then headed to 97 for another couple of hundred miles ending the day driving at 9pm when I started at 10am. I did get to Prince Edwards and was able to drop off my COVID test kit so one hurdle out of the way. Highway 97 went through the “geographic center” of British Columbia a town called ??. Then I came to Prince Edwards and the road was better paved but still mainly a two lane road. No bears today but I did see a cow moose dead on the side of the road. It must have been hit by a truck with a guard as no broken down car of truck was in the area and I think the moose was not that dead. No birds or bears were eating the moose is why I think that it was a fresh accident. I was able to drive and find another rest stop that allows people to sleep overnight and I am hunkering down for the night. One more day of driving and I should be at the border and able to cross. The last day of driving was more of the 97 and then off to the 1 which took me to Abbottsford and the US border! The drive today was not bad except for a stretch through a pass with a river down about 1,000 feet and a road that had many bends in it the entire time. Besides that piece it was sad to see an area that was devastated from a forest fire. Remember to extinguish you fire completely and also watch for sparks from your car/truck as they too can cause forest fires.
Note: The 37 route was not a bad road but the lakes that are on this road will be worth exploring if at sometime the Canadian Government allows US citizens to travel and vacation again. There seems to be many large lakes and hiking trails along the route so a good way to see and stop is head back to Alaska and have time to enjoy.
Trivia: What NHL coach is from Prince George?
