In a bar, on an island, somewere in the Pacific we thought up the idea of towing a caravan through Alaska. It is a strange phenomonon that when you are in the middle of a great adventure, and you relax for a time from what you are doing, one starts to plan the next adventure. Maybe it was the ice cubes in our glasses, or maybe it was the tropical heat we were thinking it would be nice to have a break from. What ever triggered the idea it stayed with us for a number of years. As soon as we sold our business that we had at the time, we jumped on a plane and headed to California. Our friends, Dale and Debbie, who live in Santa Maria put us up whilst we bought an 8 cylinder, 5 litre, Ford Bronco 4x4 and Trailer/Caravan. It was a tough looking one with the word 'Wilderness' written across the back of it. We bought pots and pans, and also fishing gear bought from the local Swap Meet. We set off down Highway One, our great Alaskan adventure had begun. After 250 miles, our first stop was Hearst Castle. A former home of William Randolph Hearst. It was a 165 room Moorish style castle,set in 125 acres of gardens. The inside was filled with Italian and Spanish antiques. The beautiful swimming pools were vivid in the bright sunlight. The next day we set off for Big Sur. The road was very windy and narrow, and the views were really spectacular. At Big Sur we found a camp site next to a river. We had a B.B.Q. on an open fire and a lot of Blue Jays came for tit-bits. Next we arrived at Point Los Lobos National Park, were we saw sea otters and seals. We went for a walk to China Bay, were there was a mother and baby seal on the beach. The mother was coaxing the baby into the water. On the walk the wild flowers were really pretty, with lots of different types. On the way back we came across a deer on the path. At the campsight that night, we sat eating round a campfire under the stars. We scattered lots of seed around for the morning birds. When we awoke, we were surrounded not only with Blue Jays but Chipmonks. On our way again, heading for Halfmoon Bay. The campsite we found was right on the beach. There were lots of old tree logs which had been washed up. We sat on one of them and watched the sunset. What a perfect day. Next after a 170 mile drive we arrived at San Francisco. Took photos of the Golden Gate Bridge, then went down to Fishermans Wharf. We took a tour to Alcatraz, then walked down to China Town. We were really impressed by the old quarter. Driving back to the campsite we bought a 12 volt T.V. We stayed a couple of days, and met some really interesting people, who collected dinosaur fossils. We had some great fireside chats. Today we arrived at Redwoods. Found a lovely campsite beside a river, and left the caravan and drove around the Park. We saw the 'Big Tree' which is 306ft high and 21ft across. There are elk grazing at the campsite entrance. We stayed here for 3 days exploring the trails and going for walks. Reluctantly we had to leave to drive North, and took the road to Klamath Glen. It ended at a river, and as we drove back we were stopped by a guy with a broken pickup truck. We towed him and his wife to their house, which was in a Native American village.He showed us his smokehouse and gave us the biggest piece of salmon we had ever seen. We drove back via the coast, and saw some whales diving very close to shore. That night it was B.B.Q'd salmon. As we ate a raccoon came to eat our scraps. We drove for another 200 miles along this delightful coast and arrived at Dales Grandads house at Yachats, which was right on the Ocean. They took us around the area and fed us. We stayed for 2 nights parked on their drive. We set off again, for Olympia National Park. On the way we walked on beaches and explored primeval rainforests. At Olympia we drove on a rugged track into the mountains to Hurricane Ridge, with the Bronco in four wheel drive. We could feel the air getting colder and rarer as we drove on. At the top we wanted to carry on, but the way was blocked by snow. The next day we boarded a ferry for Vancouver Island, a one and half hour trip. We were now in Canada. At Victoria we bought a 'Milepost' book, this had all the information we needed for our route North, up the Alaskan Highway......... Vancouver island was very beautiful. The views across to the many islets, and the pretty coves made us think how lovely it would be to live there. We made lots of friend on the campsites. They lent us their canoes and invited us to their campfires. We drove to the mountains and followed a track to a lake. We saw our first bear on this drive. We walk the last half mile as the snow was too deep. On the way back we saw four more bears. We walked to Myra falls, and they were well worth the visit, and then drove to Cape Scott National Park, it was a long way on a dirt road. Saw more bears, a mother and two cubs. We walked through an old wood to a beach, at San Joseph, and sat for a while to admire the view. We stayed on the island for a week, before we crossed to the mainland.On the way to the ferry went down a steep hill, and at the bottom there were traffic lights. They turned red as we approached and I found the brakes on the trailer would not stop us. We went straight through the red light, luckily we got through without hitting anything. After a calm crossing, we set off along a windy and scenic road, and stopped at Brandy Wine Falls for the night. Just at the back of our site we found the falls. It was a spectacular sight with a drop of 210 feet, and the noise was frightening. The next day we walked across the top of it on a rickety platform. On again, every campsite had a waterfall, The road and went through some magnificent scenery, over mountain passes and beside blue lakes. Today we are on the Gold Rush Trail and we have bought a book on gold panning and a pan. We are passing a lot of old gold workings, and even had a go, but did not find any. We went to Barkerville an old gold strike town. It was interesting to find about the history of the gold rushes. The next few days we kept stopping and trying our luck panning. Also found some lovely lakeside camp grounds. Mosquitos are starting to bother us. Drove all day today and crossed the Pearce River. Stopped at the Northern Lights Campsite. Managed to buy 4 new radials today, so we had spares for the rough Alaskan Highway. There are caribou and bison beside the road now, and the campsites are in the middle of nowhere, some free. Went swimming in some hotsprings, walked to more spectacular waterfalls and saw more bears. That is eleven now. we arrived at Watson Lake and went to the Signpost Forest. This is where travellers, from all over the world, nail up signs with their names on the posts they have provided.  Bought a fishing licence and some lures, then set off for Whitehorse. At this town we went to the cinema to see 'Lost World'. Next day, set off along the Klondike Highway. Saw a bad accident, the car was upside down in the ditch. Camped at Twin Lakes and did some fishing. Ended up fishing all night with some New Foundland boys. 3 days later we were at Dawson City. It was very small with dirt streets. I drove up to a high point called the Dome, and waited till midnight, the sun never set. Went to the museum and saw demonstrations on gold panning etc. After dinner went down Bonanza Creek to see the gold workings. Did some gold panning in the creek. 2 days later we crossed the Klondike River and got onto the 'Top of the World Highway'. 2 days of rough driving brought us to Chicken, a town which consisted of one cafe and one bar. Serving behind the bar was a bearded lady. We camped near here and went panning. WE FOUND GOLD!! not a lot but enough to colour the side of the pan. Stayed another day to pan in the river. Every pan had gold in it.



.