Into the west
Back in Leesburg! After 6 months in South America we are back in the States. After 6 months Spanish, we need to get used to the American slang again.
Luis, our friend from Spain, picked us up at the airport and he was so kind, that we could stay at his place. Hootch, the Swiss Bernharder dog, was very excited to get some visitors. To be honest, first we had a bit a culture shock. Not only the language was different, the overload off items in the States as well; big cars, big food packets and also bigger people. We practiced our Spanish when we talked with Luis. Did he understand our “Argentine” accent? It must have sound weird.
At the weekend, of course, we were invited at Beddow’s place. We had a nice party (as always) and they invited some neighbors and friends as well. It really was nice seeing all this friends again. We definitely are going to miss them, especially the Beddow’s kids, Claire, Tyler, Wesley and Tommy. Hopefully we are seeing them soon again.
With the employees from B2E we had lunch at TGI Fridays of course. We have been waiting for those hamburgers for a long time. It took almost a week before we left Leesburg. There was a lot to do on our list. Luis tuned our computer with MapPoint, Wireless, and Skype (Internet phone) and we also can listen to music with our iPot. As soon as our 4Runner was (fully) packed, we were ready to hit the road.
On our first day we crossed Maryland, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh) and finally stopped in Ohio, where we pitched up our tent. We were happy, that the air mattress fits into our tent. Therefore we have a lot better sleep.
Afterwards we crossed a lot of farm land in Ohio und Indiana. Soon we found more and more industry. We had a bad timing and passed Chicago on a Friday at rush-hour. Anyhow, we got till Wisconsin, Switzerland of the USA. A lot of green land with a lot of cows, cheese (Swiss Cheese: Made in Wisconsin???) and a New-Glarus. (Canton of Switzerland). On that weekend there was even an „Schützenfest“ (Swiss shooting competition), but we didn’t have time for that.
The landscape changed and everything got flat. In Minnesota, the State with the 10'000 lakes, was very nice but also flat. However, North Dakota was flatter than flat. Flat, boring and flat. We were surprised, that we couldn’t buy any alcohol on Sundays. Does that prevent alcoholic’s keep away from drinking on Sunday???
We crossed the US-Canada border and drove through Saskatchewan, the granery of Canada. It is also very flat. In Edmonton, Alberta, we stopped by the Westend Mall, which is one of the biggest Malls in the World. After 4'200 km (2'750 Miles) and almost a week driving, our “real” adventure began in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. We drove the Alaska Highway, through Tundra and the Rocky Mountains. During the World War II, scared of the Japanese, they have built this road under extreme conditions. They have finished it after only 8 months. Nowadays the whole 1,422 Miles (2,275 km) are paved.
Slowly the landscape changed and there were some hills and forest. Now we are in that Canada we thought it would be. We were astonished to see so much wildlife next to the road. First of all there was a Caribou crossing the road. Soon after we saw some Stone Sheep (Dall Sheep) who are leaking minerals on the road.
In Liard River Hot Springs we enjoyed a bath. It really was hot. Unfortunately, there is also a paradise for millions of mosquitoes. They have a good live, every day fresh tourists.
A few miles north we saw our first group of Bison. Bison are big and can weight up to 1500 pounds (750 kg). 
It was breathtaking to observe those huge animals. The sound was interesting as well. Just imaging how many of them lived in the prairie.
Approximately one mile before our next camp, we saw a black bear on the road. These bears are looking for worms and plants in the grass near the road. Some people saw this bear next morning on the campground. Scary…
In Watson Lake we made a stop for the signpost forest. During the construction of the Alcan-Highway a worker started with this sing post forest. Nowadays everybody can hang up a sign if they wish. We really were surprised, when we saw a sign of our own City in Switzerland. This Zug-Cham sign is huge; we are wondering how it could get to Canada and where it did come from.
Close to Carmack we pitched up our tent, it was once again a beautiful place on a river. This time, we were camping on the Yukon-River, with a campfire, a good steak and a cold beer. What do we need more?
Dawson City had been once THE gold mining town in the Klondike, Yukon area. During this time over 20’000 people who have lived there have tried to become rich. Nowadays only 2’000 people are living here. However the town still looks like in the wild west time. Through „Top of the World“ Highway we reached after 9 days and 6'605 km (4'127 Miles) the border to Alaska. Jupiee!
Luis, our friend from Spain, picked us up at the airport and he was so kind, that we could stay at his place. Hootch, the Swiss Bernharder dog, was very excited to get some visitors. To be honest, first we had a bit a culture shock. Not only the language was different, the overload off items in the States as well; big cars, big food packets and also bigger people. We practiced our Spanish when we talked with Luis. Did he understand our “Argentine” accent? It must have sound weird.At the weekend, of course, we were invited at Beddow’s place. We had a nice party (as always) and they invited some neighbors and friends as well. It really was nice seeing all this friends again. We definitely are going to miss them, especially the Beddow’s kids, Claire, Tyler, Wesley and Tommy. Hopefully we are seeing them soon again.
With the employees from B2E we had lunch at TGI Fridays of course. We have been waiting for those hamburgers for a long time. It took almost a week before we left Leesburg. There was a lot to do on our list. Luis tuned our computer with MapPoint, Wireless, and Skype (Internet phone) and we also can listen to music with our iPot. As soon as our 4Runner was (fully) packed, we were ready to hit the road.
On our first day we crossed Maryland, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh) and finally stopped in Ohio, where we pitched up our tent. We were happy, that the air mattress fits into our tent. Therefore we have a lot better sleep.
Afterwards we crossed a lot of farm land in Ohio und Indiana. Soon we found more and more industry. We had a bad timing and passed Chicago on a Friday at rush-hour. Anyhow, we got till Wisconsin, Switzerland of the USA. A lot of green land with a lot of cows, cheese (Swiss Cheese: Made in Wisconsin???) and a New-Glarus. (Canton of Switzerland). On that weekend there was even an „Schützenfest“ (Swiss shooting competition), but we didn’t have time for that.
The landscape changed and everything got flat. In Minnesota, the State with the 10'000 lakes, was very nice but also flat. However, North Dakota was flatter than flat. Flat, boring and flat. We were surprised, that we couldn’t buy any alcohol on Sundays. Does that prevent alcoholic’s keep away from drinking on Sunday???
We crossed the US-Canada border and drove through Saskatchewan, the granery of Canada. It is also very flat. In Edmonton, Alberta, we stopped by the Westend Mall, which is one of the biggest Malls in the World. After 4'200 km (2'750 Miles) and almost a week driving, our “real” adventure began in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. We drove the Alaska Highway, through Tundra and the Rocky Mountains. During the World War II, scared of the Japanese, they have built this road under extreme conditions. They have finished it after only 8 months. Nowadays the whole 1,422 Miles (2,275 km) are paved.
Slowly the landscape changed and there were some hills and forest. Now we are in that Canada we thought it would be. We were astonished to see so much wildlife next to the road. First of all there was a Caribou crossing the road. Soon after we saw some Stone Sheep (Dall Sheep) who are leaking minerals on the road.
In Liard River Hot Springs we enjoyed a bath. It really was hot. Unfortunately, there is also a paradise for millions of mosquitoes. They have a good live, every day fresh tourists.
A few miles north we saw our first group of Bison. Bison are big and can weight up to 1500 pounds (750 kg). 
It was breathtaking to observe those huge animals. The sound was interesting as well. Just imaging how many of them lived in the prairie.
Approximately one mile before our next camp, we saw a black bear on the road. These bears are looking for worms and plants in the grass near the road. Some people saw this bear next morning on the campground. Scary…
In Watson Lake we made a stop for the signpost forest. During the construction of the Alcan-Highway a worker started with this sing post forest. Nowadays everybody can hang up a sign if they wish. We really were surprised, when we saw a sign of our own City in Switzerland. This Zug-Cham sign is huge; we are wondering how it could get to Canada and where it did come from.
Close to Carmack we pitched up our tent, it was once again a beautiful place on a river. This time, we were camping on the Yukon-River, with a campfire, a good steak and a cold beer. What do we need more?
Dawson City had been once THE gold mining town in the Klondike, Yukon area. During this time over 20’000 people who have lived there have tried to become rich. Nowadays only 2’000 people are living here. However the town still looks like in the wild west time. Through „Top of the World“ Highway we reached after 9 days and 6'605 km (4'127 Miles) the border to Alaska. Jupiee!
posted by Simone & Peter at 12:12 AM
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