South from the Golden Heart

Here is a link to the map of our journey home: Southbound

Our time in Alaska is ending. Our time living in the "Golden Heart" city of Fairbanks is approaching the end.

It’s been said that “all good things must come to an end.” We disagree. If we see every day as a good thing, there never is an end to all good things. We must decide to see the good in all things as much as we can. Apart from our finite existence on earth, we also keep in mind the biblical truth of eternity whereas there is not an end to good things, but rather there exists pleasures forevermore.

Our adventure will continue.

We both enjoy seeing new places and taking new roads. Even when we are near home, we enjoy going on roads we haven’t been on before and seeing perhaps a new farm, river, or open field. There is a certain comfort in taking the same roads. And there is also the excitement of taking a different route, even if it is a few hours longer. One good reason to plan ahead is to ensure we have reservations along the way. Traveling through remote areas needs planning so as not to be stranded without a place to lay our head for the evening.

Our route home will be different than our journey North and a few hours longer. On our way home, we will traverse the entire length of the ALCAN (Alaskan Canadian Highway) rather than partially. We will enter Alberta as well as cross the Canadian Rockies. We expect the drive South to be just as exciting and panoramic as the drive North to Alaska.

September 21: Driving from Fox to Tok, Alaska

We will finish our five-month employment at Gold Dredge 8 and Alaska excursion at five in the afternoon on the 21st of September. Our foray into full retirement will resume as we clock out on our final hour. We made many friends at the dredge. It will be sad to leave them behind.

With our truck packed and the Goldstream Valley in our rear-view mirror, we will begin the first leg of our journey home. Our first milestone of the ALCAN will be in Delta Junction, AK, which is the ending point of the ALCAN and historic milepost 1422. We will be on the ALCAN for the next five days. The ALCAN was built during WWII to fortify defense of the Alaskan Territory. At the time of its construction the highway was considered one of the largest and most difficult engineering projects since the Panama Canal.

From Delta Junction, we head to Tok, AK. In Tok, we are looking forward to staying at the same place we stayed on the way here on our first night in the 49th state, Fox’n Fireweed Cabins. Before staying here, we had not seen a fox or fireweed. After our time in Alaska, we’ve seen both. It will be our final night in Alaska. Bittersweet.

September 22: Haines Junction, Yukon

On the first day of our work retirement, we head towards Canada. The first day of driving will be a leisurely 5.5-hour drive covering 293 miles to the charming town of Haines Junction, Yukon. Nestled at the gateway to Kluane National Park and Reserve of Canada, this town offers breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere.

We’ll be staying at the Alcan Motor Inn, a cozy, down-to-earth inn just a 4-minute walk from downtown Haines Junction. The inn’s proximity to the park makes it an ideal spot for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Haines Junction, established during the construction of the Alaska Highway in 1942, is a key administrative center for the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.

September 23: Watson Lake, Yukon

Next, we embark on a 6-hour drive (367 miles) to Watson Lake, Yukon. Our home for the night is A Nicer Motel, a quaint 10-room establishment tucked behind a gas station. The website points out they are “FORMERLY A NICE MOTEL… now we are NICER!” How could we not stay here? Despite its unassuming location, this charming motel brings the best of Watson Lake to our doorstep. It’s the perfect place to rest and recharge before continuing our journey. After our stay, ask us if they were as nice as they advertise. Our experience in Canada predicts they will be very nice.

Watson Lake is famous for its Sign Post Forest, started in 1942 by a homesick U.S. Army G.I. working on the Alaska Highway. Imagine a forest where the “trees” are tens of thousands of street signs, welcome signs, and license plates from every corner of the world. Travelers along the Alaska Highway have made it a tradition to leave a piece of their hometown at the Sign Post Forest. The result is a vibrant and ever-growing story forest.

September 24: Fort Nelson, British Columbia

Our journey continues with a 6-hour drive (319 miles) to Fort Nelson, British Columbia. A few people have enthusiastically recommended we stop at Liard Hot Springs along the way. It will be a little more than two hours into the day’s drive. The springs are amidst a lush boreal spruce forest and is known to have moose and many bird species nearby. It is located on the ALCAN. We look forward to having a soothing soak before continuing along our way South.

At Fort Nelson, we’ll stay at the Woodlands Inn & Suites, conveniently located at mile 300 on the Alaska Highway. This locally owned and operated full-service hotel prides itself on offering professional, friendly northern hospitality. It’s a great place for us to unwind after a long day on the road.

Fort Nelson, after British naval hero Horatio Nelson, was established as a fur-trading post in 1805. The area was rich with martens, beavers, foxes, and lynx. Fort Nelson served as an important staging area when building the ALCAN.

September 25: Fort St. John, British Columbia

A shorter 4-hour drive (237 miles) brings us to Fort St. John, British Columbia. We’ll be staying at the Holiday Inn Express, conveniently located near the Alaska Highway. It’s a convenient and comfortable stop on our journey.

Fort St John, established in 1794, is the oldest European-established settlement in present-day British Columbia. It was originally named Rocky Mountain Fort and established as a trading post by North West Company. It was later taken over by the Hudson Bay Company and renamed to Fort St. John.

September 26: Grande Cache, Alberta

After our night stay in Fort St. John, we will cross through Dawson Creek, British Columbia and milepost 0 of the ALCAN.

Our next destination is Grande Cache, Alberta, a 4.5-hour drive (243 miles) drive from Fort St John. We’ll be staying at the Grande Cache Inn & Suites, nestled in Alberta’s majestic Rocky Mountains. This inviting hotel offers a cozy atmosphere with fireplaces and stunning wilderness landscapes right outside our window. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the Rockies. Grande Cache, established in 1966, was created to support coal mining in the area.

September 27: Kamloops, British Columbia

A longer 7-hour drive (407 miles) takes us to Kamloops, British Columbia. Our accommodation for the night is the Grandview Motel, a friendly, family-owned motel in the heart of Kamloops. With its quiet, convenient location, it’s an ideal spot for a restful night’s sleep before the final leg of our journey.

Fur trading is an important legacy of Canada. Kamloops, located at the confluence of the North and South Thompson Rivers, was also established as a fur trading post in 1811. The name is an anglicized version of the Shuswap word “Tk’əmlúps,” which translates to “meeting of the waters.” The area grew quickly after the Canadian Pacific Railway chugged through downtown Kamloops in 1886, and the Canadian National Railway joining up in 1912. It is now the twelfth largest municipality in British Columbia.

Here is an interesting tidbit. Kamloops proudly wears the title of “Tournament Capital of Canada.” It hosts over 100 sporting tournaments each year—hockey, baseball, curling, you name it! The Tournament Capital Centre, Kamloops Bike Ranch, and Tournament Capital Ranch are all part of the action.

September 28: Toledo, Washington

Our final day on the road involves a 6.5-hour drive (396 miles) back to our home, Grace Ridge Lodge in Toledo, Washington. After a week of exploring the stunning landscapes and charming towns of the North, there’s nothing quite like the comfort of home.

This journey promises to be a memorable adventure, filled with scenic drives, cozy accommodations, and the warm hospitality of the North. Each stop along the way offers a unique glimpse into the beauty and charm of these northern communities.