Wandering from Tennessee to Alaska, and back, 2023

[Machinebuilder]

I stopped in Slave Lake and found a nice beach for the dogs to run and chase birds
I had to call them back from swimming after a couple



 



 

I am camped at Smokey River now this is the first camp I've had 5g service at

After looking at road conditions I think I am going to go to Dawson Creek tomorrow verify a few things then backtrack a little, go to Woods Buffalo NP in the NWT and circle back to the Alaskan Highway.
I will save the top of the world highway and Dempster until I am coming home and the roads are not frozen still.

I may be going to Atlin BC, Scagway Ferry ride to Haines and then on to Fairbanks and the rest.

[tule peak timber]

Taking the ferry sounds great! What about walking the dogs onboard? Keep the pics coming! !

[Machinebuilder]

As I recall the ferry between Skagway and Haines is only 1 1/2 hours, the dogs can stay in the truck that long.

[Machinebuilder]

Well the visitor center in Dawson Creek didn't have much more info than I already had on road conditions.
But the young lady sent me to a fairly decent optician to get my glasses adjusted, they had gotten a bit bent.

There was a line to get your picture at the famous sign.


 

I went to the visitor center and Museum first



 

this was interesting in the museum, home built snowmobile in 1935



 

The Historic Start of the Alaskan Highway



 

[DbltreeBelgians]

Wow this is an awesome trip you are on. And the pictures and narration make a person feel like the next best thing to being there. Keep the pics and stories coming. 
Thanks for bringing us along,

Brent

[Machinebuilder]

From Dawson Creek I backtracked so I can loop up through the Northwest Territories and Woods Buffalo NP

the Next stop was Donvegan, the site of a fur trading post
most of the pictures I took aren't very good, I saw this in the campground



 

 

I have to wonder............How many people tried and fell?

I got a nice picture of the bridge



 

The Day use shelter had some really nice murals



 

I'm going to rant a little
The new method of getting campsites stinks, many of the governmental campgrounds are unmanned now. You are supposed to go online and reserve a site ahead of time, print your receipt to post in camp. When you travel day to day like me and there is minimal or no cell service in many places AND the website doesn't work, you can try to call the phone number and get put on indefinate wait. I have had to skip paying on  a few camps because of this.
A lot of these campgrounds only have sites with electric hookups, I don't even have a drop cord to plug in, I run off my battery and solar.
Rant over

[Machinebuilder]

Thanks Brent

Grimshaw, AB



 

This is what they used before the road was built



 

and I though making a small detour to Fort Vermillion was a good plan

AND I GOT TO RIDE A FERRY

the Le Crete Ferry, its a free ferry across the Mackenzie river.



 


 

As I failed to realize that many things are not open Sunday AM, I missed the Menonite museum in Le Crete and the museum in Fort Vermillion (Very Small)

the Old Bay House, Built by the big wig in the Hudson Bay Store



 

Catholic church from early 1900's



 

[Machinebuilder]

 6-4 I made it to the Northwest territories



 

Twin Falls canyon

Alexandra Falls



 

Louise Falls



 

and over to Woods Buffalo NP and Fort Smith, part of the park is closed due to a fire.
I did see 3 groups of Bison, the first was 6 bulls, the second was a bunch but in the brush, the 3rd was a big bull.
I also saw a fox cross the road and 2 Sandhill Cranes. this is a nesting area for Whooping cranes, but it is a remote place.



 

That's all for now.

[Stephen1]

I agree Brent, I'm glad I found this post and am following along. I can't believe all that you have seen and great pictures to show us. 
Thanks and carry on!

[Machinebuilder]

Thanks for the kind remarks

They inspire me to do this. 

I wish y’all could see the things I don’t get pictures of
Lots of logging
Sawmills, pulp mills
Fire areas and the forest regeneration 
Animals
Birds
Farms and equipment 
The old towns
The breathtaking views

I take a lot of pictures and heavily cull what I edit and post. 

I’m happy to know y’all enjoy it too

[Magicman]

I may not comment or even "like" but I am enjoying your trip.  It's been 26 years since we were there.  I eagerly await each new Reply that you make.

[sawguy21]

I am glad you and our navigators are enjoying the trip, I am quite familiar with much of the area you are exploring.

[Machinebuilder]

FIrst a few pictures I got off my phone



 

Poor Dog He's exhausted from being swarmed by the DanG flies



 

This is the NWT Welcome center, I love the Black Bear mount



 

I uploaded and forgot to add to the post

[Machinebuilder]

6-6 Fort Smith

This is the northern most nesting site for White Pelicans, rapids on Slave River



 



 

There is a nice small museum there also



 



 



 

Woods Buffalo NP Salt Plains



 



 

The Salt is very clean and about the texture of coarse kosher salt

I saw a few animals way off in the distance

[Machinebuilder]

6-7

At Camp on Polar Lake



 

it was a day to do laundry and buy groceries, I may not complain about the cost of food at home again

the fishing fleet and the tug boat fleet haven't

 been launched yet, there is still ice on the great Slave Lake



 

 

Mcnally Creek Falls



 

I Camped at Heart Lake and caught a decent pike


 

[Machinebuilder]

6-8

It's a long way from Hay River to Ft Simpson, I stopped here because I was unsure of getting gas in Ft Liard.

Route 1 is the Deh Cho Waterfalls Route

Lady Evelyn falls



 

Samba Deh Falls



 

I got to ride another ferry

THe Fort Simpson ferry



 



 

I got gas and found a campsite

[sawguy21]

You really need to plan ahead in that country, it is a long lonely road between gas stops. I feel for the dog, the black flies are plentiful and VICIOUS!

[Machinebuilder]

6-9,10 Fort Simpson to Blackstone territorial Park



 

I got caught by a traffic Jam



 

the smoke cleared  Nahanni Butte



 

[Machinebuilder]

6-11 Blackstone to Muskeg river

I stopped because I wanted to see the craft store in Ft Liard



 




 



 

Nahanni Butte Winter rd



 

They must have Giant toads up here



 

[Andries]

Thank you Dave for the wonderful photos of your trip. I worked in that part of the world, along the Mackenzie river, in the early 70s. Sure brings back a lot of good memories.
I’m using a thermacell for the bugs, down here in Northwest Ontario and find it’s working pretty good. Is yours working well for you on this trip? 
Happy Trails!