Day 12 - Dawson Creek, BC

Day 12 - June 19, 2011

By:  Bert and Carol Henderson Rig#13.5

Arriving at the Northern Lights RV Park late in the afternoon on June 18, we were greeted by the park owners who assisted our wagon master, Ken Adams, park some large RV’s in some very snug (tight) spots [So tight that some of them had to paint Vaseline on their side to slip into their lot] . After taking time to connect utilities, we made our way into the nicely converted old school house for a program on the local area given to us by Kielti from the local Visitors’ Bureau.

After a great night’s sleep, a familiar sound knocked on our roof this morning; just like many of the other days we’ve spent on the road. Rain and water greeted us when the alarm rang at 6:30 a.m. to begin the 12^th day’s activities on our Alaskan expedition.

Bert and Carol at Milepost 0

First thing in the morning(or soon thereafter), with camera in hand or better yet in the back of my SUV, we ride shared into Dawson Creek for a photograph at the mile zero post for all the 44 participants of the Adventure Caravan’s  2011 58 day Rocky Mountain, Alaska RV Caravan. Fortunately for us the rain stopped to give us time to get pictures taken without anyone having to use a rain coat, umbrella, or a damp towel.

Carol and I later attended church service in town this morning and returned soon after that to the Northern Lights RV Park to go on an expedition to The Old Kiskatinaw Bridge. The longest curved wooden on the old Alaska Highway is not a busy part of the new road. Built in 1942, the structure is very sound and easily supported the two travel trailers we saw cross the bridge during our visit.

Kiskatinaw Bridge

Bert and Carol on Old Kiskatinaw Bridge

During the driver’s meeting, Ken explained some of the road conditions and what the driving will be like on our way to Ft. Nelson.  Considering there are some steep grades to travel both up and down, drivers were encouraged to downshift to safely travel down the 6% to 10% grades that we’ll encounter during tomorrow’s 7 hour drive.

After the driver’s meeting Ken explained to a group of RV owners who wanted to know how to reduce a coach’s electrical load considering some of the electrical service we’ve had in some of the RV parks.  Many of the coaches were not functioning well on 30 amp services. Voltage dropped and the current would also drop triggering many of the electrical safe guards built into some of the new coaches to shed load by tripping their internal breakers.

School bus

Ken finished in time for all to board a charter bus to attend dinner at a local game farm.  A tarp covered the dining area with a real wood fire going to add a touch of real camping to the shindig. When dinner was served the meal was spectacular with boar, elk, and buffalo served in different dishes. Desserts were decadent and abundant. After eating our fill the owner took all who were interested on a walking tour of the facility. The tour group saw and hand feed, elk, reindeer, and the donkeys.  The last stop for the tour was visiting the 150 head buffalo herd or some semblance thereof. With everyone filled with great food and having a better understanding of a “Wild Game Farm” we said farewell to the host and hostess we were driven back to our coaches that beckoned us for a good night’s sleep for an early morning departure for Ft. Nelson and our first day’s travel on the Alaska Highway.

Feeding "Buddy" the dog