Day 21 of Our RV Journey to Canada & Alaska - 6/02/14 Left Toad River Campground and Traveled to Liard River Hotsprings Provincial Park

Before starting on what we did today, we did sight a moose at Reflection Lake last night.  Moose must kinda-sorta have a schedule but they must be like humans and run late at times.  One of the workers at the park said that if you watch, there is usually a moose that comes out of the woods and down at the lake area around 9:00 pm.  So Jesse & Ginger, Dominic & Sue (some neighbors at the campground from Surprise, AZ), and Bob & I sat outside talking and watching for the moose’s arrival.    We were well equipped with binoculars, cameras, & a tripod.  Dom & Sue has done the Alaska trip before and were filling us in on what to do, where to go,  what not to do, etc.  It was a little cool out and there was a lot of pesky flys bothering us so after we waited and waited for the moose to make his appearance, we all ended up calling it a night.  I was sitting at the table on the laptop and was watching for the moose just in case he was just running late.  Sure enough, I see a huge object on the outside edges of the woods, and it was moving.  I look closer, and it is definitely the moose.  Bob and I grab our cameras and he goes over to Dom’s camper and tapped on the window to let them know about the moose, and went to Jesse’s camper and did the same.  Soon, the moose had an audience.  I’m not sure what time it was, must have been 9:45 pm and it was beginning to start getting dark.  The moose walked around the swampy area for awhile, and then he started walking the perimeter of the lake in the water.  At first, we thought he was headed towards the grassy open area on the far corner of the lake, but halfway there, he turned around and back tracked until it got too dark that we lost sight of him.  I didn’t get very good pictures of him, due to my camera doesn’t have but a 18 zoom lens on it and the time of the night it was., but here he is:

Today, 6/02/14 we left the Toad River Campground and we traveled 76 miles to Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park.  On the way, we saw several stone sheep (and babies) at various places and we saw a black bear.  I didn’t have time to get a picture of the bear but we radioed  Jesse & Ginger to let them know of the sighting and they were able to stop and get pictures.

There was some breathtaking scenery on our route today especially in the Muncho Lake area.  The water was a beautiful deep green & blue which are attributed to copper oxide leaching into the lake.  Muncho means “big lake” in the Kaska language, and it is one of the largest lakes in the Canadian Rockies.  Deepest point has been reported to be 730 ft.  The mountains surrounding the lake are approx. 7,000 feet high.

We drove over Lower Liard River Bridge that is the only remaining suspension bridge on the Alaska Highway.  It was built in 1943 and is 1,143 foot long.

We got to our destination, Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park, at 10:30.  Camping is $24.00 with no hookups; we are roughing it tonight and have to pay $24 to do so.  But, that also includes getting to get in the Hot Springs, which would cost $5.  After parking, unhooking and setting up our rigs, we gathered some wood and started a fire.  We were all getting hungry cause no one ate breakfast this morning.  It wasn’t long and we were sitting around the campfire roasting hotdogs.

 I (Janet) roasted marshmallows also, and couldn’t wait to get a picture of that so she could send it to her granddaughter and grandson as a tease.  Those grandkids love to roast marshmallows (and so does their Gran!).

After eating we sat around the campfire for awhile to let our food settle, then we walk to the Liard Hot Springs.  Leading to the hot springs is a boardwalk trail.  It takes maybe 15 minutes to get there.  The
boardwalk trail crossed a wetlands environment … perfect environment for moose which are sighted there often.

Jesse & Ginger on the wooden walkway leading to the hot springs.

Bob & I

There are two hot spring pools with water temps ranging from 102 - 126 degrees.  The spring has a sulphur smell which didn’t entice Ginger or Janet into the pool.  But, our dear husbands, weren’t driving all those miles NOT to get in, so they changed into their speedo (NOT!!!) and got in the hot spring.  Water was warm on one end of the hot springs and hot on the other end; you wouldn’t want to stay in that area very long and don’t think people could do it in the hot summer”.

After Bob & Jesse got out of the hot springs and changed back into their clothes, we walked back to the camper.  Bob and I went to our camper and both took a little nap in the recliners.  I was tired and usually don’t take naps but I was afraid I just might be able to snooze a little so I set my alarm as I was in charge of cooking supper for tonight.

While I was preparing supper, the guys took a walk around the park.  They stopped and talked to the girl at the booth and she told them that last year the park rangers had to kill eight bears total due to their aggressive behavior.  This year, they had to kill one so far.

They also noticed Missouri plates on one of the campers in the park and  since we are from Missouri they talked to the people there and they are from Eureka, Missouri….small world, isn’t it??

I cooked, we ate supper, and we sat for a few minutes around the campfire until sprinkles became rain so that ended our socializing for the night.

I did the dishes while we watched a dvd, Saving Mr. Banks.  The generator is coming in handy.

Have a good day (or night)…(whichever it might be)!!!


Total Miles Traveled = 76

Postage 08.95Csh

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