and it is wonderful.
The morning did indeed bring the views I was hoping for, and the rest of the day and all of the next, too. Riding through the mountains was lovely and I’m glad to have been there. I’ve seen so many creatures and treeless peaks and clear water and everything is beautiful.
I’m in Watson Lake, YT now, may get a little farther today, but probably not much.
Climbing May seem more rewarding on clear days, but I just rode my bike into a cloud, and that is pretty cool. That said, visibility on an already winding road just dropped significantly. The rain has let up so I’m stopping for the day.
Yesterday, and the end of the day before, was very pleasant. The clouds parted and I started seeing mountains, which are beautiful and encouraging… I expect I’ll start crossing them today, and may feel less encouraged at that time. I have also seen two black bears and a huge owl. Stopped about 40km short of Fort Nelson.
I got a slow start yesterday. Met a friend in Fort St. John! Sort of, another person biking the Alaska Highway at least. We rode together for a little bit at the end of the day, and I stopped when she did, kind of early. Been hilly today, up again as soon as I come down. Cool weather is good for climbing. I am taking a break at Sasquatch Crossing, but getting ready to head back out to ride a little more.
I got on the Alaska Highhway this afternoon. The South Taylor Hill was overwhelming, and I quit soon after. My friend from yesterday lives nearby, they scooped me to join family dinner and I’m staying with his wife’s parents tonight. Should be a straightforward trek back to the highway from here.
I’ve been out for two months (and a day), and I thought I’d write more of an assessment, but it is too late now for much. Generally up and down, I am learning a lot, and meeting many people. It is challenging to travel alone and for so long, and I know I cannot do this indefinitely. I am eating more interesting things, though writing about them would not be.
I slept a lot, had a slow morning, a flustering (unnecessary) stop through Grande Prairie. In the afternoon I pulled off to talk with a guy of similar spirit(searching? wandering?), who wished to have done this earlier in life (now has a farm and six kids)… It was nice to talk to a person. The wind is all over, though often encouraging, I felt tired and bored and I wanted to cuddle down and eat things and read and stop moving. I stopped in Hythe to cook, and it occurred to me that I don’t have to wait months or even days to realize that desire, I could just call it an early day now.
Today was pleasant. It has been a little cooler, and midday breaks not so long. I traveled 170 km today. Camping in a recommended field in Bezanson.
there are at least twenty mosquitos perched on the outside of my tent. Stopped near Fox Creek.
I had a really nice few days in Edmonton. The house I was staying in has a potluck every Monday, I’m glad I hung around for it. Didn’t get packed, or much sleep, last night, so this morning wasn’t as early a start as I’d hoped. I did stop for a nap, though it was brief. I talked to a person who told me not to worry about the bears, just the cougars, and that the Canadian and American dollar are about the same now. Beautiful day. Stopped near Sangudo for the night. I know it isn’t dark yet, but I’m going to sleep anyway.
I’ve had a hard time with the heat and sun. I overheat and get sunburned. I wear a hat and long sleeves and put sun block cream on my face and maybe some other parts, then sweat it off, and the mixture of burn and sweat and cream makes my face hurt. In the middle of the day there is usually no shade on the road or near it in many cases, and I’m thinking I should avoid this. Also it is very dry here.
Thursday I took many breaks. I stopped at the farmers market in LLoydminster, and wandered a while in town, which was too early to take so much time off, and the next several hours were scattered with many more sit in the shade chunks of time. When I got to Vermilion I hiked in the park and thought I would stop for the day and get a better start in the morning. This would be a good idea, but instead decided after a bit to keep on. Those last couple hours I felt great, but rode till about 10pm, so getting a very early start would be hard. I was on the road by 6:30, which is earlier at least, and I was able to get a little ways before it got too hot.
Vegreville is home to the world’s largest Pysanka. I also stopped at the farmers market and snacked on greenhouse tomatoes
I took a long break in the afternoon, and I think I’ll be doing more of that. I spent a few hours at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, learned about Ukrainian Canadians of the early 1900s.
I think these are elk… they live in Elk Island.
It was of course still pretty hot around 5, didn’t start to cool off till I was into Edmonton. Staying with a friendly household I connected with through warmshowers.
Maybe I’ll go nocturnal. Maybe going north in the summer isn’t actually for me. Maybe I’ll get used to it?
Aryn Adventures 