Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada

Crossed from Alberta into British Columbia today, June 1, 2008

Arriving in Dawson Creek, Mile Marker O on the World Famous Alaska Highway

Interesting Dawson Creek is "patrolled" by citizens rather than police. Well, why not?

Milepost #0 in the middle of downtown Dawson Creek. The cairn (Historical Marker) was originally erected to commerate the exact spot that the United States Military surveyed as the very beginning of the Alaska Highway. All mileages on the Highway were/are measured from this spot.

There were only 600 people living in Dawson Creek when
Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941 and the Governments realized North America needed to be protected. Soon there were more than 10,000 people. 1,500 miles of road were "punched" through the vast wilderness. The African Americans started in the north (Alaska), heading southward, while the white regiments headed north from Canada. In a little over 8 months 11,000 Americans, 16,000 Canadians and 7,000 pieces of machinery succeeded in meeting each other exactly the same spot in the forest. The Alcan officially opened Nov. 20, 1942

Scenery outside of Dawson Creek, BC

Farm lands outside Dawson Creek, BC

We visited the McQueen Slough "prairie pothole" wetland area for Karen to do some birding. Over 100 species of birds have been counted here. Very few today.

Blue-winged Teal to the right.

Haven't identified the fellow to the left yet.





Northern Shoveler below

Mom looking our her house.

To the left and below are Tree Swallows. Magnificent Iridescent on their backs and pure white bellies.

Heading up the Alaska Highway tomorrow.

Watch for the next posting along the Milepost
Highway.


TTFN, Karen and Don