August 16, 2012

It is not surprising that we started much later today than yesterday.  That often happens when you are in a dark cabin instead of a tent.  We were up and going by about 9, filled up on gas, bought some hash browns, and headed out. 

It didn't take very long before we entered Muncho Provincial Park along the route.  The lake is long, clear, green, beautiful.  And the green and clear aren't contradictory statements. There were turnouts along most of the road, which wound slowly around the lake, snaking between the lake and the hillside.

I have more pictures of this gorgeous lake. Ask me to post them somewhere later.

As we drove along, we came across a couple of herds of Bison. The first one had 30-35 members and the second had closer to 50-55.  As well as a few who decided to create a blockade across the road.  I'm pretty sure it's a game they play.

I told Amy she should ride one.  She opened the door, jumped out, and ran at them.  They ran away! Just Kidding! They ate her.  Just kidding again! I made that whole thing up! We stayed in the car... don't worry, dad.

As we drove along, we finally made it out of British Columbia for the first time since 3 hours after leaving on our trip on Monday.  The entrance into the Yukon is fairly uneventful, marked only by this measly sign.  And once you enter it for the first time, you promptly leave it again.  Exit and re-entrance happen around 5 times before we really stuck around in the Yukon.  At which point there is a bigger sign.  In the future we will be dipping back into BC, but not for long.  This is the first time we have been in this province, so it's exciting.

Excited about a new Province!

 This morning as we were heading out, Amy spotted a black bear on the side of the road.  I was slowing down as someone was passing us, and once they were clear I watched the bear mosey toward the road through the grass.  Later on, we spotted a car we had recognized from an earlier rest stop that was pulled over on the wrong side of the road.  There was another black bear hanging out, just munching on the flowers and greenery.  It was pretty cute.

"Don't mind me, I'm just being cute as I eat the grass"

"Why did you pretend like I said that? I don't say silly things like that. I'm a bear, I'm scary, not cute."

 Continuing on with our day, we pulled over in Watson Lake to munch on some snacks (it was getting nearer dinner time) and happened upon this park.  It is listed in the Milepost, but I had forgotten about it.  Apparently a while ago a homesick worker had posted a sign toward home with the distance on it.  Ever since, people have been adding to it.  There are rows and rows of these circling the park. There were a couple from near home, but I didn't have the patience to look closely at all of them to see if anyone from Edmonds had already posted theirs.

Where am I?

 Since it was a bit early to end the day, around 430, we headed out to the Rancheria Lodge.  It's an ok place so far.  We have two rooms since they only have one bed each- we only had to pay for one room though.  They are supposed to connect through an inside door, but we can't get it to unlock.  So we are just hanging out in Amy's room. We played some cribbage, I'm getting to talk to Diana. It's nice. 

Where we ate our dinner.  It's a nice enough place for me!

 Through the back door, where there are small porches, we have a nice view of this lake (name, I don't know) where we are told that moose often frequent.  So we are hoping (fingers crossed!) that tonight or tomorrow morning we get to see one! That would be one more animal off the list!

Tomorrow I want the same picture but with a moose in it!

Speaking of animals, I think our totals are now:
Deer: 15
Stone Sheep: 16
Caribou: 2
Black bear: 2
Bison: 91
Red tail hawk: 4

It's been awesome.  The animals, the views, the stops.  Everything has been great.  I am even getting along with Amy! WHODDA THUNKIT? I only tear up at a couple of songs that come up on my ipod.  I would tell you which ones, but you would laugh at me. But outside of those moments, things are great.  And Amy, who has been looking through the Milepost as I write this, tells me that the landscape should be changing soon, and we might actually see some snow on the peaks! Should be beautiful! I'm looking forward to it!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update! at about 945pm I looked out the back window and saw a moose in the lake! Yeah boy!


Moose: 1

It's a bit hard to capture on camera because it's twilight and she's far away, but here she is eating lake plants.

To get a perspective, she is in the gap in the trees on the right, nearer the far end of the lake.