Elmo's log # 4

Last suspension bridge on Alaska Highway
Snowing on the pass
Another first (but they do not sell piminto cheese) .

Elmo’s Log # 4

May 28, 2006

We left the Super 8 and Fort Nelson this morning in a cold drizzle that quickly turned to snow as we headed for Summit Pass, the highest point along the Alaska Highway. Yesterday the Alaska Highway (AH) was a bit disappointing. Between Charlie Lake and Fort Nelson, The AH crosses gently rolling terrain densely covered in white spruce and aspen. The road was as straight as the road between Plainview and Olton. Set the cruise control and move to the back for a drink. Just kidding, there is no room back there.

Today was what the AH should be; up and down hills and mountains, around sharp curves, climbing high passes in low gear, dodging potholes and hitting a few, braving snow flurries and rain showers, passing overloaded RV’s, rolling past great gray limestone mountains and broad tumbling and foaming rivers, zipping between stands of spruce and aspen frosted white, and crossing the Liard River on the last suspension bridge on the AH. We camped at Liard Hot Springs Campground. We set up camp in a cold drizzle, very cold Annie and Elmo would say. Annie and I went to the hot springs and soaked in the pristine 110 degree water bubbling out of the rocks nearby. The pool was surrounded by ferns, patches of violets and great ancient birches. For a few moments we forgot the cold and the drizzle. We remembered when we got back to camp and tried to figure out how to fix our soft chicken tacos in the cold rain. Hunger is the mother of invention. Annie finally suggested, from the tent, that I back the Highlander up to the table and drape the tarp over the open hatch so that we would have a place to cook. It worked and the tacos were delectable. I built a fire, but we didn’t stay up and watch the coals spit and sizzle.