Driving Through Canada Was NOT What I Expected 🇨🇦
No matter how much you prepare at the outset of a journey, you never really know what awaits you on the other side until you go through with it. I just made the epic drive through British Columbia and Yukon to get to the 49th state! Even though I was prepared, driving from Washington to Alaska was full of surprises. There was laughter. There were tears. There were bears. This video shows you exactly what it's like to drive through Canada to get to Alaska. It's gonna be a wild ride, so buckle your seat belt. Let's hit the road!
If you're driving the Alaska Highway, I recommend having a copy of the Milepost!
The Milepost: Alaska Travel Planner amzn.to/3DxmrpA
It includes detailed information about accommodation, gas stops, attractions, and services. There are definitely stretches of road where you won't have cell phone service, so having a reference book with paper maps is a must.
*Affiliate links are included in this description. If you purchase a product with one of the links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my channel.
Recommendations for driving to Alaska:
- Make sure to plan your gas stops ahead of time.
- Drive during the day. Some gas stops are not open at night.
- Carry a copy of The Milepost with you (linked above)
- Be prepared to go without cell phone service.
- Carry food and water with you.
- Study your route ahead of time.
- Carry a bit of Canadian cash with you just in case you need cash for something.
Music:
I get asked a lot about the music in my videos. I use Epidemic Sound. It's a wonderful service!
share.epidemicsound.com/jw6r46
Here are the gas stops I made along the way:
Day 1
Cache Creek
100 Mile House
Prince George
Burns Lake
Day 2
New Hazelton
Meziadin Junction
Iskut
Day 3
Dease Lake
Junction 37 Services (not open at night)
Teslin
Day 4
Whitehorse
Haines Junction
Beaver Creek
Day 5
Tok
Anchorage
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:51 US-Canada Border Crossing in Sumas, Washington
1:40 Cute 1950s diner in Cache Creek
1:59 I'm in Canada for the first time!
2:24 Let's find Canadian snacks
2:52 Camping at Burns Lake
4:01 Burns Lake to New Hazelton
4:33 Gitangwak Totem Poles
5:13 Meziadin Junction
5:53 Ketchup chips
6:28 Iskut
7:45 Dease Lake
8:44 French skills randomly tested at Good Hope Lake
9:57 Driving through the aftermath of a wildfire
10:20 Leaving British Columbia
10:47 Junction 37 Services
11:16 Alaska Highway
12:14 Bear encounter
12:30 Teslin
13:18 More Canadian snacks
13:28 Haines Junction
13:55 The road conditions got bad
15:36 Beaver Creek
15:53 Time to cross the border into Alaska
Always a pleasure to welcome nice and friendly people into Canada
Thank you!
Make sure to grab some "Cheezies"!
@@Renklaf1 .../and Lipton's tea....
@@TheWolfsnack 😆 I think you mean Red Rose Tea. "Only in Canada you say?" 🌹
@@SoundsBogusThat’s a pity. 😁
This was awesome- as a Canadian I say thank you !! 🇨🇦❤️🇺🇸
Thank you for the kind comment!
As a fellow lover of the open road I salute this young lady. She really captured the thrill and vibe of going out there!
Yes.
Your act of kindness with the cyclists was touching. In that moment you recognized they were on a journey the same as you, risks and all. It's so restorative to see a person be human. Thank you.
I did this drive up from Vancouver both ways in 2007, all the way to Seward, Alaska and back. 17 days, 9000 km, fabulous memories. Great job capturing what it is authentically like - one of the world's greatest road trips.
Thank you! I went to Seward. It was magical. Epic road trips are the best!
Wow ! Toute une aventure. Imaginez un peu si je pars du Québec. ahahahaha ! Ce serait vraiment formidable.
This is an excellent video...glad I came across your page!
In 1980 I drove a '58 3/4 ton pickup truck with camper all the way from CA to Circle, AK....at the time was the end of the road as the mighty Yukon River blocked any father passage. The original settlers named it 'Circle" as they thought they were on the Atctic Circle, but in reality, they were about ten miles short. The camper is long gone, but I still do have the pick up. However, a few years ago while visiting my wife's relatives in Norway, we did go above the Arctic Circle.
@@blackholeentry3489 Did you go to Chicken, Alaska? That is on the road from Dawson City Yukon - pretty interesting history. Apparently the locals couldn't spell Ptarmigan which was one of the local birds, so they called it chicken instead. True Story!
My wife and I rode up there a couple of years ago on our motorcycles. It was nice to see that dog again at that gas station at the Alaska Highway junction. That dog plays fetch with everyone He'll force a stick or ball into your hand - and it looks like he got you too! Thanks for the reminder of our journey - I hope you enjoyed your time in Canada.
Awww, so cool you recognized him! There were so many sweet dogs at the gas stations along the way.
@@LidiaExplores THAT was a red ACD Australian Cattle dog - my FAVOURITE all time breed !!!!!
I was there a month ago. played fetch. lol
It has been a long time since I have seen a video of such genuine and simple joy. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thank you so much for the kind comment!
As a British Columbian, I'm glad you made it safely through. It is a MASSIVE province and you did not take "the easy way" to Alaska. All Dressed are the superior chip
It really is massive! It was an incredible drive though. I agree--All Dressed Ruffles are the best!
@@LidiaExploresyou’re almost a Canadian with this post. Lol ruffles nom nom
Roast Chicken chips are better. They kind of taste like turkey stuffing.
@@Purple_PixelI found they tasted like MrNoodles chicken lol
what is the easy way to Alaska I must ask. thank you in advance
Technically the official mile zero of the Alaska highway is at Dawson Creek BC not at the BC Yukon border. No matter how you look at it it’s all an incredibly beautiful ride…
Yep, you're correct. I didn't start at Dawson Creek though, so I wasn't on the Alaska Highway until I reached the 37 North/Alaska Highway junction.
I was kind of wondering why you took the route you did rather than via Dawson Creek. I think the roads are much better that way, more gas stations, maybe even cellphone coverage...
I know I'm late but welcome to our gorgeous and massive country of Canada. Safe travels 😊💯🇨🇦
Thank you! Canada is wonderful!
You did much better than I could have when conversing with the french speaking cyclists -- and I'm Canadian! Good job!
We're not french. We are francophone.
She said french Speaking @@vincentlefebvre9255
@@vincentlefebvre9255.. 😂
This is why we don't talk to them. I don't even own a frankophone.@@vincentlefebvre9255
Been in Canada all 40 years of my life, and I’d have an easier time communicating in Spanish than I would French 😅
What a delightful video! The title piqued my interest and I'm so glad I watched your drive from WA to AK. As a Canadian, I find it interesting to learn what Americans think of our country.
Thanks so much for watching! It was an amazing drive!
I've driven through southern Manitoba and Ontario. You have a lovely gem of a country up there 🇺🇸♥️🇨🇦
Canada is the best neighbor in the world! We are so lucky.
Not fond of Trudeau but the people of Canada are great. You control your borders too like we used to.
The further north you venture, the crappier the roads. Check out the Dempster Highway. Incredible. VERY isolated, but absolutely stunning.
Sounds like another epic adventure!
Hitch Hiked the Alaska Highway in 1974 and again in 1975. Seattle, Washington to Jasper , Alberta then to the Alcan and up. Took a total of ten days to get to the Alaska/Yukon border. The Alcan back then most of the Canada portion was dirt miles and miles of nothing. Mostly bears, moose and mosquitoes but I survived. Spent thirty years living in the Alaskan wilderness afterwards.
Wow, I bet you have some stories to tell.
@@LidiaExplores Yea , I do.
Great camera work, great b roll cutaway, great editing, great musical overlay, great storytelling, Amazing enthusiasm. As a professional in the film industry, I have to say this was a top notch short doc. I loved your enthusiasm, I really felt excited with you along the journey. Thank you so much for putting a smile on my face. Keep up the great work. Subscribed.❤❤❤😄😄😄
Im from Alberta, but BC is easily my favorite place on earth. Absolutely, jaw droppingly gorgeous, that province is. I sincerely hope you enjoyed your trip through our country!
Thank you! I did. BC is just out of this world. Such a beautiful province.
It's a mixed bag for me. I do love the green part to BC I can agree on that XD.
Thanks for the journey...I have lived on Vancouver Island since 1982 and we sometimes take for granted the breathtaking beauty of our surroundings
BC is absolutely incredible. What an awesome place to live!
Thanks for sharing your trip. I am glad to see that a lone American lady can drive through our beautiful BC and Yukon safely and with so many pleasant sights to share
Thank you!
lol. thousands of us lone female drivers crossing the country.
Thanks for sharing your journey. I actually pulled up google maps and was following your route. I’m glad that you documented it because not many from U.S realize how big Canada really is. I’m also glad you got to experience a little bit of our beautiful country. 🙏🏾👊🏾
I was fortunate enough to be able to travel to Canada extensively for business in the 60's & 70's. I've been to places many Canadians might not be able to find on a map, lol. Beautiful country from New Brunswick to Vancouver Island and in between. Oh, and the people are pretty nice too, except maybe for that waitress in Labrador.
Yes! I knew it would be a long drive, but you only really understand how big it is when you start driving!
Thank you for this gorgeous video of my beautiful country. British Columbia is breathtakingly beautiful. If you ever have a chance, visit Vancouver Island and do the drive out to Tofino. One of my favourite places on earth.
I would love to. British Columbia is absolutely breathtaking!
@@LidiaExplores The drive though Cathedral Grove on Highway 4 (to Tofino) is breathtaking!!
A journey of a lifetime for you!! BC born, lived in many of the places you drove through...nice seeing BC through your eyes....I love it here! Safe travels!!! ❤
So cool you live in BC. It is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for watching!
I'm born and raised in B.C. Lived here for 45 years, Its interesting to see a visitors view of this great country and Province (and Yukon territory). thanks for the upload! :)
Thanks for watching!
A rough road adds to the sense of backwoods adventure. Same with cellphones -- isolation is good for people now and then, makes you appreciate people. Plus, it might detract from the wildness if you saw grizzly bears just walking along talking on their cellphones. You have a great camera for detail -- seeing the stones beside the water was so sharp and clear, it felt like I was right there.
Yes, it was definitely an adventure! Isolation is wonderful, and I look forward to it every chance I get (which is not often). As a woman traveling alone, it did make me nervous to not always have cell coverage in case of an emergency, but thankfully the trip went smoothly. Thanks for the kind comment!
I love your smile and the way you're such a happy person. It made my day and the way you're genuinely appreciate and enjoy your road trip through Canada. Absolutely nice to see such a lovely woman enjoying her time😊
Thank you! It was a wonderful trip.
I don't know why this video was recommended to me but I am glad it was! The scenery, just wow! Originally I'm from NJ, moved to FL, and now am in NC. Every day I am in love with the mountains around here but watching your video I want to go see those mountains!
Why did you leave FL?
@@guayabito6946 It wasn't the dream inexpensive spot we thought it'd be. We left Oct. 2020 for a much better job out here in NC. Even though we have family in FL I am so glad we left. It costs too much to own a home there now and the threat of major hurricane impact was just too much, we got out in time too because hurricane Ian did major damage to our old home.
@@DanielleWojtaszek Florida has gotten very expensive its true, (I live here) now a days is even worse since everybody seems to want to come here specially people from New York, New Jersey. North Carolina is nice. Good luck to you.
NC is beautiful! I drove through that area a few years ago. Yes, the mountains on this drive are out of this world. It is 100% worth the trip. Thanks for watching!
I live next to the Rockies in Alberta & chuckle when Americans call hills mountains 🤣.
Really an excellent video! So much fun to watch - I've lived in Canada and the west coast all my life and have never made the trip. You've inspired me - I am DEFINITELY doing it now.
Yes!!! Do it!!!
I just got back from Tuktoyaktuk via the Alaska Highway, and then returned to Alberta via the Stewart/Cassiar highway. And yup, there are long stretches of vast wilderness and we like it that way!
Sounds like an awesome adventure!
Glad you enjoyed your adventure. I did it in a camper van, solo, in 2006, from Ky, all through Alaska and back through the West Coast. 17,000 miles. Despite planning, I really had no feel for the distances and time. So much to see and do along the way.
Exactly! That's what I mean when I say the drive is not what I expected. You get it! It's one thing to plan and see your route on a map, but it's a totally different thing to actually be living the experience. I could probably do that drive over and over again and always see new things. Sounds like you had a fun adventure!
Thanks for your message. I had looked at google maps at home, then got AAA maps for the trip. No gps then. Every couple of days I would get out the next map thinking I was getting close. At Prince George, I finally realize that I still had a ways to go to even start the 2000 miles on the Alcan to Delta Junction. Ended up going via Dawson City. Had so many adventures: Scared to death when I met a tiny baby bear on a trail--had no idea where the mother was. Saw a lynx on a mtn bike ride, met a woman on the road named Rosie who was running around the world towing a trailer, several uninended close encounters with bears on my bike (they usually ran away), helped the park biologist fix a flat tire on the road to Wrangel-St. Elias and on and on.
@@LidiaExploresThe way back is little bit faster. Compared to the US? Almost everything is more spread out. Esoecialt compared to the east coast and areas like Michigan, or any US urban areas. It’s been a rough road up north for decades. Glad you enjoyed the people and the scenery. Not the washboards and dust :)
So refreshing to see someone so excited to be in our beautiful province. Your French was pretty impressive. Brave woman you are!
Thank you so much! It was a beautiful drive.
My parents drove the Alaska Highway the first year it was open to the public (~1948 or so). Prior to that, during WW2, it was for joint US-Canada military use to provide a contiguous route between Alaska and the lower 48 of the US. They always talked about what a magnificent trip it was. But you can only imagine the road conditions, lack of amenities, etc. way back then!
I live in northern British Columbia now and the road runs right by my neighborhood. I use it everyday, but not this Bumpy road. I'm talking about alaska highway. My neighbors live in a house that was built for american military higher ups . It's a very old house
Road conditions likely would have been better back then based on the fact it was the first year available to public. The Problem is roads in the middle of nowhere tend to be neglected as seen in the video after built.
Yep! I'm sure that would have been a wild ride!
@@zxien1 Was prob 100% gravel back then lol
@@LidiaExplores I drove it with my parents in 1958. It was all gravel except the last 50 miles into Dawson Creek. A lot of the road was still corduroy road (half logs with the round side up). Many vehicle suspensions broke during the trip. The road you took into Haines was velvety smooth in comparison, and your suspension is much better than cars in the 50s. We also drove from Whitehorse to Haines in a '49 Chevy. Gravel all the way. No ketchup flavoured chips on that trip. Well, not even any convenience stores. We had to sling water in canvas bags all around the outside of the car. And we had to have plastic 'bras' on the headlights otherwise they got broken by flying rocks every day.
I traveled from Anchorage to Greenville SC with my family in 1957, as I recall 2200 miles of gravel road!! Still remember wearing damp handkerchief’s over our nose and mouth to help keep out the dust.
Wow! Sounds like an adventure! It is definitely mostly paved now, but there are still some gravel sections.
You are kind and broad-minded and could actually be Canadian. As a Canadian I always feel I should apologize for ketchup chips, but we do make a hell of a lot of ketchup in Canada so it has to go somewhere!
Haha! I've noticed so many Canadians have mixed feelings about ketchup chips. I never would have known if I hadn't included this taste test in the video. I did like the all dressed Ruffles though.
I liked them as a kid but now it's plain all the way!
I've lived in British Columbia for most of my life, but your adventurous spirit means you've seen more of it than me. Thanks for sharing your adventure!
Thanks for watching! I appreciate the kind comment.
I drove in four days from the Blaine, Washington border crossing into Canada and north and west to Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Then I took the ferry on the Inland Passage to Ketchikan, Alaska. One of the many things I saw along the way was a native woman placing the head (and soul) of a large salmon back into the river after the rest of the fish had been removed to feed her family. I've been in all the 50 states and 10 provinces. Although I'm an American, Canada is for me a much better place to visit.
That's awesome!!! I used to shop in Bellingham when I lived in Van years ago!! Canadians love crossing the border to shop! Rupert=City of 🌈!!
While I lived in Bellingham, I could come into town from the south and see people going into a large department store in the distance. From maybe a quarter mile away I could always recognize Canadians--certainly not a putdown, just an observation. They dress and carry themselves differently from Americans. In a small store in New Brunswick I once pointed out to the Hindu shopkeeper that Canadians honor British royalty while Americans had a war to separate themselves from King George. During the conversation, the shopkeeper's wife hurried into the room to see what the loud talk was about. It was just me, an American man, talking loudly and waving his arms while her husband just smiled peacefully.@@marikam3161
As a french canadian I can say that you impressed the hell out of me. Most Englsih speaking Canadians would never have attempted to converse in french. Sharing your water was outstanding.
No we just beet the crap out of them for speaking that crap west of Ontario. That from a Canadian military vet.
I'm Canadian and have never been up the west coast of BC, so I thoroughly enjoyed your video. I must commend you on your French, very well spoken!! There are many Canadians, especially in western Canada, who don't speak it at all so I'm sure those people were EXTREMELY grateful to you for both the water and your helpful words in their language. Very well done video, this is the first time I've watched one of your vids and I am definitely subscribing 😊❤
Congratulations on making your goal of making it to Alaska. I hope you enjoyed Canada and you are certainly welcome back any time. P.S. Your French was pretty impressive ;)
Thank you! I appreciate you watching the video.
? Shes not White. She is not welcomed on my homeland.
yeah but nobody speaks French here we need Punjabi and Mandarin as a second language...no kidding it should be mandatory in schools here to dump French and learn a language thats used
Thanks for your garbage comment. Yes and carry on. What is happening to french language in Canada will happen hopefully to your supremacist language. You have a country with no identity. You can be so proud of that.
@@mikepette4422 By the way your name means michel farts in French 🤗
I'm a Canadian and remember way back when I was a kid around 1967...my local corner store guy offered us kids some samples of a new flavour of chips (ketchup) and I thought he was playing a prank on us since I thought that they were so odd and gross. I still don't eat them to this day
They smell like stinky feet. 🤷 I like them though. Not my favourite, but not my least favourite.
That is hilarious. I can only imagine what everyone must have thought when they first came out.
@@LidiaExplores I was surprised as anyone that they were successful enough to still be selling today
But potatoes and ketchup go together? People eat it all the time!
Ketchup are one of the best flavours sir.
Now imagine making that drive in the days before cells phones. Meziadin is said Mez-ee-add-in. So much familiar scenery up through to Prince and all the way up through to Meziadin. Travelled the road between Prince and Kitwanga Jnt more times than I care to count, and along highway 37 between Kitwanga and Meziadin through to Skoal Creek in all kinds of weather, and eve a forest fire once.
You have a very pleasant demeanour and a great editing style. I really enjoyed the video. Sad to see the road was in such bad shape but glad you made it without incident. Happy trails!
Thank you! The road was fine until the last stretch. That was rough!
British Columbia is my home. Glad you enjoyed it and there is so much more to this place.
I'm sure there is. It is huge!
Okanagan Valley for the summer late in the fall, and the Kootenays for the fun in the best mountains and natural hot springs. Also cannabis is legal :) @@LidiaExplores
Loved watching your journey. Both the scenery and yourself are adorable. I'm from Eastern Canada but have traveled many of those roads you were on. It's a larger than life landscape in many areas. Couldn't have found a more perfect video to view as this today! Happy and safe travels!!
Thank you so much for this comment! I appreciate you watching. I would love to visit Eastern Canada in the future.
Just filled with beauty! Small town Canada. Great people come from small towns. Some pass through. Thank you.
It was such an amazing journey. Absolutely breathtaking scenery and friendly people!
Love it. Glad you had a safe drive. Drove the Alaska highway a few times from Whitehorse to Dawson Creek back in the mid 60s. At least 750 miles of gravel. Oh, and cell phones hadn't even been invented.
Sounds like a fun and wild ride!
Same here,drove it maybe 6 times and hith-hicked it 2 times,spent over 10 years around White-Horse and earned the title of Sourdough.,I still have one of my truck-plates with the gold-paner on it.
Thank you for taking us on your journey through Canada, it looks really beautiful up there.
It is! Thanks for watching.
I appreciated your sincerity and child-like wonder at making new discoveries. This was a truly enjoyable journey in a part of my country I have not yet seen. Thank you for sharing it with us : )
Glad I found your videos. I don’t think you realize how extremely helpful your videos are, to someone planning a similar trip. Thanks
So glad to hear you're planning the trip! You are in for an epic adventure!
Back before pavement, a guy drove to Alaska in a brand new car with a well-sealed trunk. When he got there, he opened the trunk, and found a thick film of road dust on his suitcase. It was a well-sealed Samsonite, but his clothes were quite dusty too. Amid his tight-packed clothes was a shaving kit, zipped shut. There was dust on his razor.
Reminds me of a bus trip I took from Alice Springs to Adelaide in Australia over 40 years ago. The road wasn't paved and consisted of packed down dirt, which happened to be orange, consistent with the landscape there. Even though our luggage was in a sealed compartment behind the bus, it was filled with orange 'bull dust' when we arrived. Somehow the fine dust was able to penetrate through the zipper on our bags, covering all of the contents. So gross!
That is crazy! He must have been shocked to see that.
Morris Cars did a video at the introduction of the Morris Minor back in the 50s. The highway was still all gravel through its length. The gravel was the size of baseball.
That was epic. I’m from BC like many watching this; you have shown me places I’ve never heard of. That spot you stopped and filmed by the lake after Teslin - was stunning. Thank you for recording this :))
Thanks for watching! BC is absolutely incredible!
well thanks for showing me parts of my country that I've never seen. Beautiful scenery, looks like fun, wish I was travelling with you !
The scenery is amazing. Definitely recommend the drive!
THANK YOU for sharing this fantastic video!! Your video took me back to my solo trip up the Cassiar to the Yukon in 1995. I drove from Ontario, Canada to move to the Yukon. It was truly, the biggest, most exciting adventure of my life! On that trip, I met another solo female traveller, moving from Oregon to Alaska, at the Junction 37 Services. We are still friends to this day! I hope many years from now, you will look back on this trip as fondly as I do on my adventure to the Land of the Midnight Sun❤ Peace and safe travels, Lidia!
Love to hear that this brought back fond memories for you! It was such an incredible journey.
You seem like a really easy going person! Fun to travel with. Thank you so much for this video, I really enjoyed seeing how you reacted to Canada. I recognized a lot of what you filmed. I hope you have fun in Alaska.
Thank you! I loved getting to explore a bit of Canada. Hope to see more.
Wow - you are so brave. Looks like an amazing trip. Thanks for sharing with us!
Thank you for bringing us with you! Alaska has been my dream to visit for the last 10 years - life keeps happening and my dream stays stagnant. You’re so very lucky to be living the dream :) Thank you for your content 💖
Thank you for watching! I've been there. There were many years where I dreamed of doing what I'm doing now. I do feel very lucky. Hope you can get out on the road soon!
💖
This is one of the best things I’ve ever seen on KZhead. Found myself spontaneously smiling all along the journey, mostly from the beauty around you. When you finally hit the Alaska border, I got teary-eyed - just before you said you were tearing up! Beautiful scenes, amazing photography, stunning production quality. And you, Lidia, are awesome!
Thank you so much for the kind comment!
Really enjoyed your video! I live in B.C. and I've never done this drive, thanks for taking us along on your tour!
Thanks for watching. BC is so beautiful!
I have done this trip before and stopped at all the same places you have. Brings back great memories. I’ll being doing this trip again in about a month.
That's exciting!
Those road conditions were honestly fine - with time you'd relax into it :) When you're driving on gravel roads (you weren't) just try to keep it under 80 km/hr to avoid sliding and you'll be good.
Most of it was paved, but there were definitely some gravel sections. If you do the drive, you'll see multiple "loose gravel" signs along the way. There were no issues at all until I got to that section near the end. In a tiny Prius with low ground clearance, it's not easy to drive over potholes. In a truck or van it would have been fine. I definitely kept it under 80 km/h!
@@LidiaExplores Also with no traffic, you can just use the other side of the road :P
@@leonmilner9994The other side of the road is exactly the same! 😂
We are from Quebec and speak French, and we lived in BC for a while and never met anyone who spoke French. It is a very different world from Eastern Canada. We loved it there
Great video. Very well done. I am glad that your trip through Canada went well.
Thank you so much!
Nice video. I’m glad you enjoyed your time in beautiful British Columbia. Friendly, adventurous, and respectful visitors like yourself are always welcome!
Thank you so much for the kind comment!
I'm a first-time visitor to your channel, Lidia, and I really enjoyed this video! You have great enthusiasm for travel (so do I -- every new place I visit seems so cool I have to almost pinch myself that it's real) and I also like your tips about preparing for this journey. I've only driven to Canada once and I remember how the speed limits were so high (due to metric). Wow, we can drive 90 here! Haha. Will be watching more of your videos. Thanks for this one!
Thank you! Yes, I always get so excited about visiting new places. Glad to have you here!
Thank You Sooo much!!! I'm a Canadian and Love road trips. Have done several in BC over 30 yrs and now I can't wait to go to Alaska!!!! Have driven 4 times from Bc to central Canada I'm thinking this one is my retirement trip! You are an Amazing and Beautiful soul! This video was Awesome! I Love that you stop for pics at major points for you! I did the same for every province my 1st trip across Canada!! Thank you again!❤🇨🇦✌️
Thanks for watching! It was an amazing drive. Love to hear that you're planning a retirement trip! That will be so much fun.
Thank you for coming to Canada. I really enjoyed your video, it brought back so many memories of our beautiful scenery. Love the chat and your musicalbackground choices.
Thank you! The drive was breathtakingly beautiful.
Not every Canadian likes Ketchup chips either (not me), but it’s fun to know we have our own unique flavour.😊 Thanks for sharing your experience!
Thanks for watching. I do love the all dressed Ruffles though!
Also a Canadian, also don't like Ketchup chips. I like all dressed though.
Ketchup chips are the best! I am a Canadian from Ontario.
Ketchup chips are something I like but not all the time. Gotta be feelin it🤭
Ohhh ketchup chips……..off to the corner store I go.
I was curious about the route you took. Most people get to PG and go North towards Dawson Creek (mile 0 of the Alaska Highway). When I saw Burns Lake, I knew you were taking the Stewart - Cassirer Highway (if it is still called that). I drove this route in the late 70's in a brand new Mack dump truck. There were two of us and we were headed to deliver the trucks to Whitehorse Copper. Absolutely stunning scenery, but so many miles of nothing but trees. Much of the road was also dirt back then and we overnighted in Attco Trailers at some points. Your comment about the beauty reminded me of the experience where you drive around a curve, or up a hill and look around and say "This is the most amazing views I've ever seen". Then several miles (I'm an old-timer, so am use to that term) you do it again and once again say ""This is the most amazing views I've ever seen". I did not drive beyound Whitehorse, but have known people who drove the route to Alaska and they said that experience happened time and time again. BTW - did you make the entire trip without getting a rock chip in your window? That is almost a 100% inevitable.
Yes, it's still called the Stewart-Cassiar Highway! It's such a scenic route. Leaving from Washington, it made the most sense to go this way. Going to Dawson Creek first would have added another day to the drive. The roads are much better than when you drove it, I'm sure, but the scenery is probably just as stunning! As you mentioned, just when I thought I'd come across the most beautiful view I'd ever seen, I'd get a glimpse of something even more beautiful. Surprisingly, I did make the entire trip without getting a rock chip in my window, but I still have to drive back down, so I'm not safe yet!
Great vlog thanks for sharing your feelings and experiences on your journey through BC and Yukon. Best of luck on the remainder of your journey.
Thank you so much. I appreciate you watching!
Thanks for sharing your journey! It’s something I’ve been wanting to do too in my Prius, great video!
Thank you! Go for it! It is such an incredible drive.
We moved down to Prince George, BC a year & 1/2 ago from Whitehorse, Yukon. We lived there 19 years & absolutely loved the "Wilderness City!" You took the scenic route up the Stewart/Cassiar highway. So many familiar sites. It was great watching this 😊
Thank you for watching! I loved the drive.
I did this trip with my folks in 1974, it was an amazing trip along the Alaska Hwy, which was not paved at all then. Would love to go back, great memories.
In the oilfield we tend to drive faster over rough gravel roads. The theory being you only hit the tops of the bumps. 😉
Haha! I might try that, but my car has very low ground clearance.
Wow great vlog !!! I really enjoyed it , I felt like I was riding along . Your excitement of your trip comes through and really made it fun to watch . Thank you
I've driven to and from Alaska from Michigan. I never get tired of the drive. Just so much beauty plus all the wild life.
It is such an amazing drive. Hope to do it again someday.
Glad you went the route you did.
Me too. It was incredible.
Oh, you had it easy! I did the Alaska Highway heading East on a bicycle over 30 years ago. And yes, the roads turn to crap as soon as you cross to the Canada side.
On a bicycle? That sounds like such a wild adventure! I bet you have some stories.
55 years ago when I drove the Alaska Highway it was gravel all the way! Damn, I’m old! 👵🏻
Haha! I would never have made it in my tiny car back then.
It's always interesting to hear and see what someone who doesn't live here, thinks is worth mentioning. Some beautiful video shots here, and no mention of a broken windshield, I've heard it happens on occasion.
Shockingly, there were no windshield issues! Guess I got lucky.
Fantastic video! It’s a relief to see an American traveller not complain about the cost of gas, liquor and our “basic campgrounds “. Thank you.😍 we appreciate the remoteness of our beautiful province and our Free medical !! I’m definitely subscribing to your channel ❤️🇨🇦
Of course, our medical isn't entirely free, as most of us do pay a few hundred dollars surcharge on our annual tax returns.
Thank you for watching! It really was an amazing trip!
@@LidiaExplores - Our pleasure! You presented it all so well, thanks!
Most beautiful trip in the Rockies i ever had when i hauled a load of freight to Dawson city from Edmonton back in 2012 .I would recommend it to anybody that like to travel.Beautiful video Lidia
What a fun video! Thanks for taking us along…Great editing, enjoyable tour guide and beautiful scenery all add up to….a subscription!
Welcome to Canada. Enjoy our country on your way through to Alaska. Have a safe trip.
Thank you!
Some of us living in border cities work on the other side so we cross the border twice a day every work day. I find it funny watching someone get excited about crossing the border 😊Looks like you had beautiful adventure
I drove from Texas, so it was definitely an adventure for me. Thanks for watching!
Lovely trip! Thanks for sharing your journey. 😊
Thanks for watching!
As a child my dad’s brother lived outside Whitehorse Yukon. The official mile zero signpost for the Alaska highway is in Dawson Creek. We started in Vancouver BC. From Dawson Creek BC to Dawson City in the Yukon was all gravel road as I recall..I remember eating dust most of the way and yelling Semi! when we spotted one coming towards us so widows got rolled up. We almost made the round trip without any damage to the windshield but it did get cracked along the way. Thanks for the memories.
I drove the entire highway on my way back down, so I got to see mile zero eventually. Those semis will get you with the dust! Glad the video brought back some good memories for you.
Lidia you are an inspiration to me. I live in British Columbia and it is really ….. I don’t know I guess heart warming to see your reactions to things we see daily. I felt like I was seeing it all for the first time through your eyes. Makes me appreciate it more. As someone said earlier this is well edited. I don’t get the Ketchup chips either 😂 All dressed works better for me maybe some onion dip with it 😃
Thanks so much for the kind comment!
Burn's Lake looks really nice. Years ago, I thought of buying property there when it was really cheap, but circumstances changed. So far from everything, but so beautiful. You did a really great video!
Burns Lake was really lovely. Thanks for watching!
I love your music choices! Great video! I've never been to Alaska, but i lived in Inuvik for a little bit. Loved it up north.
Cool! Thank you!
Born & Raised in Beautiful British Columbia 67yr old truck driver (Retired now) I have traveled many many roads in BC and I love my Province 🤩🤗Do a lot of fishing now Fresh lake trout on an open campfire butter and lemon🥰 (you must try) HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR TRAVELS IN B C 👍🙏STAY SAFE 👌
Canada is such a beautiful country, and the scenery is amazing!
Yes, it is!
When the trees aren't in the way 😉😉😁
I'm surprised you made it all the way past Meziadin Junction before seeing a bear. Congrats on taking the less beaten path to Alaska.
When I was in B.C. I saw a grizzly bear up close at a Hot Springs campground...... he was in someone's picnic basket eating everything. It was HUGE and very scary (glad I was in my car 😂😂😂). That was the first & last grizzly during my trip.
Thanks. It was a pretty wild ride! Glad I was in the car when I saw those bears on the road so I could actually stop and look at them. I saw three on the way up, but other travelers I met saw more.
@@LidiaExplores. I live near Dawson Creek at a little place called Hudson's Hope that has a really big dam, close to the other path to Alaska. Bears, Deer and Moose are a part of everyday life and I love it! I'm sure you'll see a lot more. I see you've posted from Anchorage now. That's one heck of an adventure from Texas!! Enjoy!!
your enthusiasm is wonderful. Thank you for sharing your video with us. now I feel like taking a trip to Alaska.
Go for it! It's the trip of a lifetime.
Thanks for sharing your travel log. Glad you enjoyed your trip & I hope you're safe & sound in Alaska. 😎👍
Every once in a while, the algorithm 'gets one right'. Welcome through Canada! What a wonderful video - YOUR energy and infectious smile absolutely carry the episode - even compared to the incredible vistas highlighted. A GREAT production! I will check out your other videos; I subscribed, liked and turned on notifications - but 'this' KZhead-thing... it sure seems to work for you!
Thank you so much for your kind comment! It made my day. I appreciate you watching the video!
@@LidiaExplores please keep it up - you're a natural! Infectious smile and unbounded enthusiasm and positivity - - equals a guaranteed successful YT Channel. Hang in there!
Historic crime trivia: 1917, New Hazelton was a scene of an armed robbery by a Russian gang armed thugs. In these bygone days, banks were not insured. So locals took up arms and had a shootout with the hoods. They got all but one of them. Unfortunately he had the bag of money & escaped. A dentist with .303 Lee Enfield was awarded a provincial medal for bravery. True story.
That was in 1914, the citizens would have gotten all of them but the cops showed up and stopped them.
I had no idea. That is so interesting. Thanks for sharing!
@@jusportel The were two robberies, in 1913 they got away with money, in 1914 not so. Three were killed, three were caught, one escaped
This was well done. Thanks for the views and the story. I've done the trek and it is well worth the time spent.
It absolutely is!
I really enjoyed your blog of your trip through BC , my province 🥰 I'm from Burns Lake so appreciate your kind words for my town , safe travels.🙏
So cool! Burns Lake was beautiful!
Canadian here, mid-British Columbia . I so enjoyed watching you make your way up, up, up our province. You’re such a sweetheart even when you’re sleep-deprived. ☺️ What a great travel companion you would be for anyone. Organized, enthusiastic and even willing to try ketchup chips. My memory of ketchup chips is distant and unpleasant. 😂 What the- whose idea was that. Anyway… bravo courageous travelling lady from America. ❤️
Thank you so much for the kind comment! I appreciate you watching.
Awesome driving - you have a great attitude about just going on an adventure, whatever may come your way. Bravo to you - you speak more french and better french than majority of Canadians that live in Western and Northern Canada, and it was so kind of you to help the bikers out with water. ❤😊
Thank you for watching! It was definitely the adventure of a lifetime.
Beautiful & entertaining vid, thank you! Oh, and safe travels 🤗
Thank you!
As a Canadian I never understood the appeal of ketchup chips either. This is edited really well and such a fun experience.
Thank you! I didn't even know they were a thing until this drive. They didn't look that appealing, but I had to give them a try. Haha!
Same here. Sour cream & onion or all dressed for me.
I don't have ketchup anywhere in my home as I'm not a fan. However...my pantry always has a bag or 2 of ketchup chips. I love them!
Almost all chips aren’t that bad some better than others, Hickory Sticks are one of the best.
Cheezie's...Hawkin's Cheezies for me.
A Canadian snack that you MUST try are Cheezies. Really…..Trust me.
Good to know!
Dont forget the maple leaf cookies!