Yukon and Alaska Bound, Part 1

Cortes Island to Vancouver Island

Leaving our home on Cortes Island

Finally, I do not have anymore excuses not to write the first blog. Our three month trip will take us through British Columbia,  The Yukon a small part of  the North West Territories and the state of Alaska.

On the 12th of June we left our home on Cortes Island, BC and stopped in Campbell River (on Vancouver Island) to pick up the last few things.

We then pointed the truck south and checked in at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park  just south of Parksville. More pictures here.

Camped at Rathtrevor Park

Rathtrevor is an awesome park, the camp sites are very large and private with wooded spaces between each site.

They even deliver camp fire wood to your site, only pay for the wood.

We cooked up a prime rib roast on the BBQ. We felt that we started our holiday trip for good and enjoyed the first evening with a glass of wine.

The roast got a bit burned, my excuse was the "New BBQ".

View from West Bay Marina and RV Park

Sarah, Linda, Lisa and Ryan.

Mark, Liz and Sarah

Linda and Mathew

The next morning we drove down to Victoria and checked in at the West Bay Marina and RV Park.



This RV Park is right in Victoria on the water.



The sites are very tight, but it is well worth it, if you want to stay right down town.



We stay here every time we go to Victoria with the camper.



If you go, make sure to have a reservation, otherwise you will more then likely be out of luck.



We stayed in Victoria for two nights and visited with our kids and grand kids.



We said our good byes and collected a lot of good hugs. Victoria pictures here.

Jenny, Josh and Isla

Anders (Morfar) and Amber

Jenny, Liz (Mormor) and little Isla

Sunday the 15th, we took the ferry across to Vancouver and drove over to Fort Langley and Brae Island Regional Park.



This is a really nice park. We stay here often when visiting the Vancouver area.



We had a great day with more kids and grand-kids and more hugs, just wonderful. More pictures from Brae Island



Monday the 16th, we were on the road bright and early. Heading east on the number 1 Hwy.



Driving along the Fraser River, we stopped in Hope. A plaque in the park told us that we will travel a long time along the Fraser.



The stretch between Hope and Cache Creek is windy, but beautiful. Once we turned onto the # 97 north, the landscape changed from lush and coastal to dry and ranch land.

Camped at Hat Creek Ranch

Our stop for the night was at the intersection of highways 97 & 99 at the Hat Creek Ranch.

The campground is OK it is in an open field, good for one night stop-over.

Hat Creek Ranch is an historical ranch and they offer guided tours.

You could even ride on a stage coach or take a trail ride if you wanted. Some food, drinks, souvenirs and ice-cream can be purchased at the ranch store. More picturesfrom Fort Langley to Hat Creek.

Female Big Horn Sheep

Chasm Provincial Park

Next morning we continued our journey north bound to a little town called Hixton, just south of Prince George.


On the way, we stop in at Chasm Provincial Park. Chasm is like a mini Grand Canyon.


It is only 4 km off the Hwy 97 on good gravel road. If you have time, it is worth the side trip.


At the Chasm we saw a bunch of Big Horn Sheep.


Those animals can just about walk straight up and down rock cliffs.


The heard we saw were only females and little ones. The male only come around in breeding season. Pictures.

Packed ready to to go, Yukon and Alaska, here we come!

Back on Hwy 97 north we enjoyed the views and the drive along Lac La Hache, and we stopped in at the information centre in Williams Lake. A funny display shows how Anders likes to pack!


We arrived early in Hixton and the Canyon Creek RV Park.


Canyon Creek is a well run park. It was time to do some laundy. Their laundry room has older machines, but is spotless.


Later in the day some friends stopped in, and we had happy hour together. Life is good.


Wednesday, June 18th we left  Hixton behind in search of the Blue Cedar RV Park just west of Prince George on Hwy 16.


We checked in early around 11 am. The manager must have stepped out off bed on the wrong side, he did not seem too happy to see us, smiles were at an extra cost.


The park looks a bit tired, but is acceptable for a nights' stay. It is very convenient and close to downtown Prince George.

Once our camp was set up we headed into Prince George. We visited the Railway Museum which was interesting, but it needs more money to make it more exciting. Probably would be great for kids, they have a mini train they can ride.

We had lunch at the Twisted Cork on 5th Avenue. The food was good and tasty with great service.

Liz at the Two Rivers Gallery

University of Northern British Columbia

After lunch we went to the "Two Rivers Gallery" with a couple of exhibitions. The architecture of the building is great.


Then we drove up to the University of Northern British Columbia.


It is just out of town a bit, high up and has a beautiful campus with tons of residences for the students.


Back in camp we talked to our new neighbours, Amy and John, from the state of Oregon. More pictures from Prince George here.


They had sold their house and are RVers full time. Really nice people. John is researching "Forts" in Canada and the USA.

Thursday we left Prince George and drove up to Fort St James National Historic Site. More on that in our next post.

>>> NEXT >>> post in this series.

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