Back in the U.S., back in the U.S., back in the U.S.A. A! Pleasant to see the stars-n-stripes instead of the maple leaf. Happier to pay less than three dollars a gallon instead of four and fifty. British Columbia is a beautiful place, but everything is expensive. The tax on gasoline is some 40%. This seems to translate across the board to products, and a sales tax is added to every purchase. As punishing as this was to us, at least we can leave. The Canadians must live with it.

Much farther south now, we are at last in the land of solidly paved roads and even a radio station now and then. South of our camp of last night the Cassiar Highway became newly paved – with Macadam. Oh joy! The Yellowhead Highway was not as new, but was also a real road. Its only problem was traffic. Lots of trucks in a hurry, many with double trailers. They pulled us out of the wilderness and along to the City of Prince George.

Our travel from Palmer to Chicken was straightforward. In one day we traveled farther than we had in three days since reaching Alaska. We made time because we were backtracking most of the way and the weather was less than stellar. We camped at a rest stop and took an evening walk in the woods. Otherwise we drove past stick forest trees, muskeg bogs, mountains, and lakes. We turned up the Taylor Highway and passed large burn areas. These were brilliant pink with fireweed.

We prepare for our “Long Trip” from Anchorage to Montpelier, Montana. I checked the tires, the spares, and the changing equipment. I hope there are no flats or other automotive failures. I expect there to be bumpy roads, but hope that slow and careful driving will allow us to avoid problems. Others have given rave reviews of Chicken, Eagle, and Dawson City. We are up for the adventure of visiting them.