This is the ninth in a continuing series about our trip through Canada to Alaska
“In every life there will be a bump in the road.” — Anonymous
Our bump in the road came 149.2 miles north of our last campground in Prince George, British Columbia. And let this be a warning to all who travel these roads, when you see the three triangles on a yellow road sign, take it seriously.
Today we became acquainted with “frost heaves.” It turns out it doesn’t have to be cold when you hit one; they are a bump or series of bumps in the asphalt caused by frost. And when we hit one today, it probably sent our 10,000-pound trailer airborne. The result was more than four hours of work getting red wine stains and balsamic vinegar out of the carpet and putting practically everything in the rear of the trailer back in its place. It’s typically the rear of the trailer that takes the brunt of these things.
This one snuck up on us – it won’t happen again (I hope), but it is impossible to control.
Stellar Jays Love Bijoux Falls
On the pleasant side of the day’s travels, we drove along the Crooked River for miles and saw lake after lake all glistening in the perfect sunny weather. And speaking of glistening, we stopped briefly at Bijoux Falls, probably named that because “bijoux” translates as “jewels,” and the water sparkles as it careens down the mountainside.
The scenery changed from pastoral to mountainous as we once again found the Rocky Mountains. At this point in the chain, the mountains are mostly green with trees and vegetation, not as steep and capped by very little snow. There was enough variety, however, to keep the ride interesting.
We're Back in the Rocky Mountains
A couple of touring notes. As we entered the town of Chetwynd, we 
were treated to a mile-long display along Hwy. 97 of incredible statuary, the work of chainsaw artists. If you’ve seen chainsaw figures, you probably remember them as sortta crude and often playful. These statues are truly works of art.
And the other, in Prince George is the Exploration Place, a museum with something to interest just about everyone. What caught and held our attention was a little movie room. I selected the sixth film first. It is called, “The Log Rollers Waltz.” What a kick! So we went up the list of six short films to “The Cremation of Sam McGee,” and then “The Cat Came Back” and on to the next three. It was 37 minutes of delightful Canadian animated entertainment.
Two Memories from the Exploration Place: Freckles the Leopard Gecko and a scene from "The Cremation of Sam McGee"
Now, a few Alaska travel notes:
If you see a sign for bumps, slow down. I probably mentioned that before, but it’s serious.
A requirement of our caravan is having a CB radio so we can communicate with the staff. We bought a very good Cobra, which, unfortunately has lots of dials and switches. I think for a trip like this, simple is better. With the help of Tailgunner Spence last night we finally got it adjusted, while everyone else probably just turned theirs on and talked.
If you’re going to be in these parts in late summer, we hear that you’d better have reservations if you’re going to stay in private campgrounds. They are already crowded and will get worse.
Our XM radio reception is getting interrupted more often as we head north, which I attribute to the position of the satellite over the horizon. Mountains and trees seem to cause more interference.
And to end on a learning-curve note, yesterday we went into a supermarket. Very impressive. I walked up to the meat counter and asked for a half-pound of rare roast beef. The young man behind the counter just stared at me blankly. Well, I know that as a U.S. citizen, I’m supposed to ask the same question louder so he understands me, but I didn’t do that … luckily. He turned to his co-worked and asked, “How much is a half-pound?” She said something like 250 grams. Oh.
But there’s more. We had parked our truck in a section of the parking lot across an entry/exit lane. The shopping cart cost us 25 cents, returnable when you take the cart back. So we just went merrily along toward our truck. When we got to that lane, a brake clicked into place so we couldn’t move it forward or backward. A passing shopper yelled from his car to tell us that we couldn’t take the cart out of the grocery’s parking lot.
And finally, back to the map issue. It’s been done for us. Go to http://www.adventurecaravans.com/alaska/avc_alaska_map.asp?TCC=58AK2011870. That is the ultimate source.
Busy day Sunday in Dawson Creek, B.C.
From the “Never-Bored RVers,” We’ll see you on down the road.
Continue to Part X – “Our Alaska Trip -The Story of the Highway” >>
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Arynha
/ There are not enough utrnanslated series left, this is why due to lack of new series, old ones are just beeing made even if there is some1 else doing them . /sarcasm
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Garry Scott
Well done, map is great, now we can follow you with great interest thanks Regards Garry (UK)
George
Roland mentions Chicken, Alaska. A true story is how it got its name: The locals wanted to name it Ptarmigan but there was not a consensus on how to spell Ptarmigan so Chicken was selected instead.
Stan C.
Good stories. Travelled to Alaska last year, spent 45 days & intend on going back. Feels like we are travelling together. We also towed a 5th wh., luckily, nothing major happened, after the first frost heave, I had my foot ready for the brakes to slow down; & that is the trick, you are retired, so slow down & enjoy the beauty that surrounds you, there is a lot of it wherever you go.
GaryM
Your lucky. I met a guy several years ago who said he had to replace both axles and all his tires and rims; all from hitting a frost heave to fast. Sounds like your having a good trip so far. Please keep the articles coming.
RolandG
Enjoying your travels. We did the trip by other means 2 years ago. Wait till you get to big Chicken Alaska and North Pole Alaska. BTW, Dawson City is in the Yukon Territory. Safe travels!
Mike
A minor problem with you map, minor if you live in Washington because you just annexed northern Idaho and a good portion on western Montana.
Full Timer Normie
You are having a great trip, notwithstanding the ‘bumps’ in the road. We had the same rear of the trailer problem traveling across Louisiana on I-10…actually broke all my Corning Ware…which was packed between layers of paper towels…so it doesn’t take much to bounce that rear end. Sorry you had the experience…even sorrier for the loss of the red wine…LOL
Your pix are great, your commentary is spot on…makes us feel like we are right there with you…Thanks for the work you are putting into this.
Chris Clarke
The map of the tour looks like a good idea with some interesting descriptions. Of course you folks went north up the centre of Washington and followed the Okanagan route to get to Prince George. The map strays a bit because Dawson Creek is actually in BC, just west of the Alberta BC border.
Re the metric system, we converted to the metric system in 1976 but some cluless clot chose kilopascals as the unit of pressure!! What the heck is a kilopascal (kpa)? So if you want to put air in your tires and the meter is in metric it’s a pain. Even OnStar reports my tire pressure in kpa.
Here’s a web page that might help you:
http://www.csgnetwork.com/presskpapsicvt.html
My rig carries 80 psi in the rear tires which is as near as “damn it” is to swearing as 550 kpa. If it’s any consolation, I worked in the oil and gas industry here for 40 years and kilopascals still don’t register with me. see my previous comment re the lost grey matter.
Take care folks and “stay between the rhubarb”.
Jere
Your pictures of the beautiful countryside brings to mind Romans 1: 20 “…since the creation of the world God’s invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Diety” and for that beauty we must give thanks and glorify Him. Keep the pictures coming.
Lynda Begg
We too, had the grocery cart experience in Morgan Hill, California. Parked our rig in the Lowe’s parking lot where our 50 feet fit, only to have to swap carts to a drug store cart when the Safeway cart brake came on. I understand, but Safeway did not have RV parking!!!
Allen
The Canadians are rapidly going to the metric system. Just have to get used to it ourselves. That shopping cart brake sounds like a great idea – probably saves them from chasing carts all over town like they do here in Connecticut.
Watch for frost and heat heaves in all areas. We get the heat heaves during very hot weather.
You found the one problem that Sirius radio has with tunnels and trees, if you can’t see the satellite, you can’t get the program.
Otherwise, enjoy the travel.
Wayne Cunningham
You might want to watch for subtle markers like a coffee can small flag etc. They could all be warning signs. It is better to slow down and be wrong that to blow it off and learn how to fly.
Been there, done that!
Love following your trip/ Be safe and enjoy!