The dominant theme this past week was getting ready to cross our border with Canada, crossing the border, then making the 900-mile drive to Prince Rupert. I am ready to get out of the car and onto the ferry!

Worst travel discovery: I don’t have emergency road service in Canada

Best travel discovery: I may have more access than I expected to cell and data service in Canada. That may not be the case at my first stop in Wrangell, AK, but as I travel north, I will find more.  Turns out, Verizon is under contract with most of the local providers. Going forward, I will always call the Verizon International folks before I leave.

Lodging fact: Camping is impossible as I drive up here because the many provincial parks are still closed. So, I am using up my lodging budget fast. On the plus side, even the cheap motels where I stay have a kitchenette with frig, microwave, stove, and sink.  Wi-fi is standard too. I love settling in at night, making something simple for dinner, watching a bit of TV in the background and surfing the net. My first online task after checking email and FB, is to look up the history of the areas I just drove through.

Best Conversation Starter: My NM license plate, which reads “Chili Capital of the World”. Wow, you sure have come a long way. One lady wanted to know all about living in Mexico. New Mexico, New Mexico, I told her. Oh, what is that?  People are curious about why I would drive so far. Alaska, I say. Oh, they say. That seems to say everything that needs to be said. Another Alaska dreamer. Overall, however, I don’t think Canadians are fond of Americans. No one is outright rude. They seem to quietly ignore me in most settings unless they are fellow travel bugs.

Best brain food: Converting everything to kilometers and kilometers per hour. The Canadian dollar is much lower at the moment so that takes a quick calculation, too.

1 mile = 1.6 kilometers

80 KMH = 50 MPH   

$1 – 1.29 Can $  

Best real food: Canada has awesome cheese. I have been working on a large slab of white cheese and a loaf of dark rye. I have not found another bran muffin, though. Also important: when I start a long driving segment, I always buy that large bottle of Starbucks Blonde Iced Coffee, which I can heat up now in the room microwave!

Diversity: Canada is mostly white like the northern U.S. but I have met many people who immigrated from India.

Common Ground: The farther “out” I go, meaning north and east along the railroad lines and the major rivers, the more I see dented and otherwise beat up vehicles. I guess they too have encounters with trees and rocks and don’t worry about getting things pounded out. Some beefy trucks parked at the motels are completely covered in mud, as well.

Best river moments: Spring melt is on! The rivers boil and churn their way to the sea. I often see the tributaries flow in, full of mud and debris.

Best wildlife: None. Still only 3 deer and common birds. I see signs about wildlife everywhere.

Prettiest town: Smithers, BC, which sits right under gorgeous mountains, including one with a large glacier.

Best Intersection: I passed the turn-off to the Cassiar Highway, which is an alternate route into Alaska. Everyone says it is far prettier than the Alaska Highway, and if the mountains around there are an indicator, I can see why. I may come home down the Cassiar. Maybe not. No commitments at this point as to my return route.

Best Tango moments: He is such a good and patient dog. He sleeps in his bed on the passenger seat while I drive all day. He is happy to get out every 100 km at one of the beautiful rest areas on the Yellowhead Highway.

Worst Jane moments: None. I seem to be fairly well-behaved. Tango is such a good role model.

Next: I board the ferry and head to Wrangell, AK!