07/16/19 – Fort Nelson to Watson Lake

You’ll notice that this post is out of order.  I started it on the 16th, but that’s when I started having internet / computer problems.  I fixed the computer problem (had an unauthorized .exe using 90 percent of the memory.  The internet issues last till today.  So now it catch-up time.

Today (the 16th) was another full day. Saw bears, buffalo, and a lot if loose gravel. The loose gravel made for a lot of dust. About 100 miles worth, but that’s part of riding the Al Can (Alaska Canadian Highway). Pretty impressive road built in 1942 to accommodate transporting military goods to support the war effort. It is not real smooth, always being repaired because of the winter effects on the pavement (frost heaves – check it out). That said, it’s a hundred times better than it was in 2011. Of course, we still haven’t made it to Alaska, and still have about 600+ miles to travel on the Al Can.

As for the bears. Here’s the first one we saw. He was eating and posing for the pictures. Hope this video works

So, the video did not work, but here’s the bear (the black spot in the middle of the picture).

Saw a mamma brown bear and cub, but she was having nothing to do with a photo session. She was taking the youngster over the ridge and into the security of the thick brush, and not allow us time for a picture.

Now about buffalo. They were everywhere. Rolling in the dirt for a nice dirt-bath, walking down the side of the road (just walking along on the shoulder like he was going home from his job), and a heard (maybe 15 to 20) was just napping on the other side of the road.

The big guy out for a walk on the shoulder of the road was less than 10 feet away when we rode by. We couldn’t stop in the middle of the road so no picture.

Here’s the dirt-bath guy.  Picture was taken about 30 yards from him.

Here’s the heard. They even brought their caves for the photo session.

…and then we got to Watson Lake. I called to get direction for the cabin I had reserved early this morning through “BOOKING.COM”. The lady on the phone informed me that here cabin was not located in Watson Lake, but 12 miles south of Whitehorse, at least 6 hours away. She is willing to cancel the reservation, and we were lucky to get a room at the Big Horn Motel.

That’s enough excitement for one day, boys and girls. Tomorrow it’s off to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Maybe 2 more days and we’ll be in Alaska.
Later, Bud…