Over the top

From Stewart we headed north via our campground at Boya Lake before crossing the border into Yukon near Watson’s Lake. This is as far north as we go. Days are long, and we haven’t seen a night sky since we left home. Sunrise 4.34am, sunset 11.25pm. We then drove around the northern end of the Rocky Mountains and are now heading south on the Alaska Highway toward the tourist meccas of Jasper and Banff.

This northerly section of our route has a reputation for being great for wildlife spotting. In the last couple of days we have seen 2 porcupines, 2 grizzlies, several black bears, the rear end of a distant, lone moose and 3 small herds of bison. Before planning this trip I thought that there were no wild bison left but there are a few small populations in Canada and the USA. The story of their demise and subsequent survival makes interesting reading. If it wasn’t for the foresight of one rancher in Montana who protected a herd before selling 700 to the Canadian government in 1924, it may have been a different outcome.  Those 700, relocated to several reserves, soon grew to a population of about 10,000. These animals were then further redistributed around the forests and boreal and taiga plains across NW Canada. Great story eh?

The last couple of photos are of Liard Hot Springs where we stayed for 2 days, lazing about in the hot pools. Great spot. Annie had a hot bath for her birthday.