Greetings from Ft. St. John

19 June 2010
Saturday

Here we are spending the day in Ft. St. John: time to change the oil and rotate the tires. Last night we camped at Charlie Lake where the sun goes down late [at 12:30 am it was still light] and comes up early [maybe 3:30? We were asleep so we missed the sunrise.] Got the truck in for service and spent the rest of the AM being tourists: ate breakfast OUT at A and W [Did you know it stands for Allen and Wright?. We learned something new!]

Yesterday we drove from Jasper to Prince George and then to Chewynd and Fort St. John. Along the way we have met some great people including an editor for the MILEPOST. Lots of UP the mountain and DOWN into the valleys. Gas mileage has been quite good: yesterday's check was 22 mpg. Gas is running about $1.06 per liter. In one spot it was $0.97/l. Keeping the speed down to 60-65 [the posted limit, the curvy roads, the animals and the scenery] seems to be the ticket. Maybe it's the good gas up here, EH? [Heard our first EH today in a parking lot.]

We took a side trip along the Peace River from Chetwynd to the Alaska Highway. Even though we won't be "legally" starting in Dawson Creek where the official "0" milepost is, we like our choices. Animal sightings include bears, elk--right in the parking lot at the Jasper campground. Made me think I was on the set of Northern Exposure and finally a MOOSE; no, make that two of them. YES, it was a moose!!!!

We are in oil and gas country now and will probably see a lot of evidence of oil rigs and exploration as we head north toward Fort Nelson.

After breakfast this AM we walked to the Info-Centre for internet access, post cards, free coffee and to kill time. Later we plan to visit the local museum where there is a yard sale and a Farmers Market today.

Love to all