Day 17 - Toad River Lodge, BC

Today was one of the most amazing days of the trip so far. We got away a little earlier than normal knowing it was going to be a slower drive. Before we left I had to take a picture of a Cottonwood Tree. When the pods burst open it's like cotton on the inside. These trees are pretty but they make such a mess.

Leaving Fort Nelson the Alaska Highway turns to the west and winds through the Northern Canadian Rockies. The driving is slow going mainly because we are not in a rush but also the further we get into the Rockies the more twists and turns there are. And photo ops!

Within a half hour of driving we have already seen four black bears feeding on the side of the road.

As we continued on, our first major climb was to Steamboat Mountain Summit. A climb in elevation to 3,500 feet or 1,067 metres.

We stopped at Tetsa River Lodge and Campgound for their famous cinnamon buns. The owner says she makes 400 cinnamon buns a day. They also sell fresh baked bread, buns, and a variety of Artisan meats. Most places like this are off the grid and have to generate their own power.

Large Diesel Generator Shack

We got back on the road and continued climbing to Summit Pass. An elevation to 4,250 feet or 1,295 metres.

 We saw our first caribou just hanging out around Summit Lake.

As we continued on the scenery continued to be absolutely stunning. Yes that is the road in front of that mountain.

There are numerous signs posted on the Alaska Highway to watch for wildlife on the road. We haven't seen any yet...until now. We were descending and going around a curve and what is in front of us but a young caribou. Then he/she decides to run down the road in front of us. How amazing.

It started clouding over and you could see the rain in the distance.

 This just happened to be one of the many steel bridges we crossed during the day. The water that floweed under it was so blue and sooooo cold.

We arrived at Toad River Lodge and Campground just after 1 o'clock. Got set up and then it started to pour. Yeah, we made it just in time. After an hour the sun came out and it turned really warm. We sat around the campfire only to see it start to rain again. As before it stopped and the sun came...again. All in all an outstanding day.