The Watson Lake Sign Forest

The pictures speak for themselves. It's an Alcan Hwy "required" stop. My dad took us by, back in 71, so even though Cher later split up with Sonny, the beat goes on.... 

As shown above, the Jansen Family of Houston, has done it unpaved, three times. Looks like they settled in Anchorage.

This very little town, amazingly, was the place of our first "Colorado" overnight for this journey.

Surprising Things along the Alcan Highway....

Ok, this was nice, "thanks, duck family", for the "float-by"..!....

Oh, OK....you've climbed back out for the  "waddle by"....
(Seriously these were the very same ducks)

One of the loneliest road journeys in North America, and you can steer off to Liard Hot Springs, pay $10 to step into 96°natural hot springs to soothe your driving muscles for as long as you want (and also camp nearby to repeat in the morning.)

And (below) more random beauty at a unidentified spot on the side of the Alcan

And, anybody up for "airplane on a stick" ???

(air museum in Whitehorse, YT, above, and note below: how about starting a campfire in the world's most challenging campfire ring ???

And....not your usual warning sign below: (Would I look stupid to the locals if I slowed down & looked both ways?)

Trail through the trees to the water's edge, and "look, ma" there's a seaplane.

Below: Outhouse poetry written only two days earlier, and I'd give it an "A"

Sign Dilemna above:
 A) Everlasting life later ?     or.....      B) fresh warm cookies now....


and (below) another random act of beauty:

Camping Along the Alcan....

Alcan Camping in 1971....

 and 2011.....

 Layli discovers wild raspberries !

 Now THAT's ORGANIC ! (Nice pickins', Layli)

 A light lunch is complete....

Okay, the next night we chose the Cozy Corners in Haines Jct. We earned it !

Random views and "then & nows" along the Alcan.....

 1971 .......

 2011.....

 1971....

 and 2011....

 Thriving Motel in 1971....

 Ghost motel in 2011....

 And then, if Mother Nature allows, there are the views that never change.....

Where the Buffalo Roam, Slumber, Babysit, and Glare...

Okay, they could be around.

 It appears they are somewhat loose-ish.... I see....

 Okay, there they are.

 Looking powerful with great pedigree and proper stance.....

 Papa's tired, papa could be grumpy

 Mom's buffalo-sitting at naptime.

OKAYEEEEEEEE  >>>>>>> we're quickly outta here .....  ! ! !

Lake Louise, Columbia Ice Fields & towards the Yukon

(The red block at the map's top L signifies our intentions to stay a weekend Fairbanks first, then head southward for Anchorage (via Denali, no doubt !)

 (ABOVE) Riley is photo-shy, lately...

 Lake Louise including a look back at the hotel, where we would later have a spot of tea.

 BELOW: Lake Louise on a sunnier day, 42 years earlier, with Mom, sister and grandmother.

BELOW: Putting it all together, Hotel, lake & glacier:

ABOVE: Beautiful gardens at the hotel: I couldn't resist another angle on beautiful Lake Louise....

VIDEO BELOW: Taken within the first 20 minutes after departing our first Alberta campsite:

And for the next day, the road called us towards Beautiful British Columbia and the Yukon....

 A plan of research and study....

 Nature trail, BC-style.

 Cabin for the night...near Hinton (see #4 on map)

 and the morning's view....

 Yes, the Columbia Ice Fields (below). Photograph them before they pull back!

Our Trans-Canada stops included Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper the Columbia Ice Fields, (Jasper's a great pedestrian town!) We ended with a lucky unreserved cabin stay, just short of Hinton.....

 The red cabin pictured was our special find. ... quite accidental.... we saw a highway telephone booth sign marker, (I guess some still exist) and turned off with hopes of glancing at a possible local phone book hanging in the booth for local information on the Hinton area. (No smart phone will help you out here in the remote country.) Alas, behind the booth was the one perfect, affordable and picturesque cabin calling out to comfort us for the night.