Day 25 - June 26 - Liard Hot Springs, BC to Watson Lake, Yukon, 128 miles, 9.3 mpg

Left Liard Hot Springs around 0930.  Late start, since it is such a short driving day.  Can't get into the next RV park until 1300, and it is only a 3 hour drive.

 Right away we saw two bears on the side of the road, followed by a herd of bison.  Later on, we came to a single bison lying down on the side of the highway, as if he were guarding the road.

We passed Fantasy 1 on the side of the road, with others in our group already stopped to assist, so we carried on.   Turns out they had problems with their toad dolly (the dolly that they put the front wheels of their car onto, so they can tow it behind the motor home).  

 I will take this opportunity to explain the Fantasy numbers.   This tour is put on by Fantasy RV Tours.   Each rig is assigned a number, and the leaders installed large decals on the front and rear of our RVs and tow vehicles, so that we can be identified when they or others in the group see us on the road.   Dianne and I are #4.  The wagonmasters are #1, and the tailgunners are #2.   The wagonmaster is typically the first to leave each morning, as they need to arrive early in the next location, in order that they can arrange which sites each of us will be in, and they guide us in as we arrive.   When leaving the park in the morning, we radio out to the tailgunner that we are leaving.   Since we are #4, the message goes like this:  "Fantasy 2, this is Fantasy 4, departing."   Similarly, when we arrive, we radio out to the wagonmaster:  "Fantasy 1, this is Fantasy 4, arriving."   Reminds me of my days in the Navy reserve, on convoy exercises, with all the radio call signals.  Lots of fun!

 Anyway, we arrived in Watson Lake around noon, and since Fantasy 1 broke down, they were delayed getting into town, so we did not get into the park until 1330, an hour and a half of just sitting around.

 But, then we had some fun, as we explored the signpost forest, where travelers put up signs of where they are from, and often how many miles to their home town.  The tradition began during the construction of the highway, during World War II.  The wagonmaster installed a sign that we all signed on day one, then we had a group photo.

After the drivers meeting and group dinner, we headed over to the Northern Lights center for a planetarium type movie about the Northern Lights.  Very interesting, if you are into the earths magnetism and such.  


The border marker between Yukon Territory and British Columbia.


Signpost Forest.

Sign from our tour.  Our signature is upper right.

Description of the Sign Post Forrest

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