The day we turn north on the Dempster Highway. "Highway" is used loosely, as it is a (well maintained) gravel road. Rick manages to average about 70 km per hour in the good sections.
The first part of the journey passed through the Tombstone Mountain range, and the scenery was stunning...
We had to stop of course for Flossie here and there..
The sense of space was overwhelming. No artificial noise, just the wind and the leaves rustling, the rivers gurgling,
the smell of pure mountain air scented with fireweed. Did you know that fireweed has a scent? I didn't.
We swung around a curve on the road and there was a low slung peaceful lake,called "Two Moose Lake". And in the middle was a moose, his head submerged to the bottom of the lake feeding on grasses and sedges. Every now and again he would emerge with water dripping off his massive antlers and he would chew for a bit and then submerge again for more. The little ducks circling him are sharing in what he brings up.
As we emerge from the mountainous territory, we climb up onto a series of high plains and from here we can see the ridge of peaks to the east.
Late in the afternoon we finally reach our stopping place at Eagle Plains Lodge.This is a haven for travellers, it offers full services, not just gasoline and propane, but also mechanical support, auto repair, tire repair, restaurant, bar, motel etc. Plus internet. They generate their own power, truck in their water, have their own heating plant and are open all through the Arctic winter. It is an island in the middle of the northern wilderness.
Tomorrow the Dempster takes us across the Arctic Circle, into the Northwest Territories to their main town of Inuvik. We are almost there at the top of the world.
Barbara Rick and Flossie
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