The Alaska Highway (formerly known as the AlCan) was built during WWII to connect the United States to its (then) territory of Alaska through Canada. It opened to the public in 1948, when much of the route was still rough and unpaved. Quite a few tourists who braved it bought the bumper sticker that said "We survived the Alcan."
Now paved over its entire length, it's fairly smooth driving. Not the worst road we've ever driven by far. Not even the worst one in Alaska. But we honored the history of those who went before by taking the obligatory picture of the start of the highway -- at Dawson Creek BC. (Only, for us, Dawson Creek was the end rather than the beginning of the road.)
Like just about everywhere in Alaska, the drive-by scenery along the Highway was stupendous.
But also like everywhere else in the State, there are only two seasons: Winter and Road Construction. One time, we followed this pilot car for over 15 miles. Road crews keep very busy repairing frost heaves and other weather damage.
Of course, the scenery was even better when we could get out of the car to explore and we felt fortunate to be able to do that.
From the Alaska Milepost guidebook:
"The Alaska Highway begins (or ends) at Mile 0 in Dawson Creek, BC. The first 613 miles/987 km of the Alaska Highway are in British Columbia, where it is designated BC Highway 97 North.The highway travels in a northwesterly direction to the Yukon border near Watson Lake, YT (Historical Mile 635). From there it continues as Yukon Highway 1, crossing 577 miles/929 km of Yukon to Port Alcan on the Alaska border.
The Alaska Highway crosses into Alaska at Historical Mile 1221.8, where it becomes Alaska Route 2. From this international border, it is 200 miles/322 km to Delta Junction, AK (Historical Mile 1422), the official end of the Alaska Highway. "
We drove all of it. Not in one fell swoop -- parts of it at a time with side jaunts here and there. We stayed overnight in Delta Junction (the end/beginning of the Highway) on August 2 and we got the other end at Dawson Creek on the 5th of September. Even covering all those miles, that gave us some time to explore.
So we survived the Alcan Highway -- even though we did it backwards. (There might be a metaphor for our life in there somewhere!)
LINKING with the wonderful sharing opportunity provided by the host team of OUR WORLD on TUESDAY. Thank you Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy, Gattina, Arija, and Jenn.
LOL....it seems that we have those 2 seasons here too
Posted by: ramblingwoods | October 23, 2014 at 08:48 PM
The scenery is spectacular. What a wonderful state to explore.
Posted by: Carver | October 23, 2014 at 09:16 AM
That's something I would have loved to have done once.
Posted by: gerald | October 23, 2014 at 12:55 AM
Wow; driving 'the AlCan'; AWESOME view, Sallie♡♡♡ Amazed to read Alaska's two season of 'Winter and Road Construction'; also first time for me to see 'pilot car' :-)
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*
Posted by: orchid | October 22, 2014 at 05:15 AM
Wonderful, Sallie! I can only imagine the original years of paving the Alcan. Phew.
Posted by: Penny | October 21, 2014 at 09:04 PM
Grand views! I want to go to Alaska one day!
Posted by: karen, pixel posts | October 21, 2014 at 08:24 PM
Wow, that's a highway I'd love to drive end to end, with lots of time to explore. Spectacular!
Posted by: Al | October 21, 2014 at 05:39 PM
It must be a great moment to view all these majestic mountains. You have given us a wonderful sight of the scenery! Thank you so much.
Have a great week!
Wil, ABCW Team.
Posted by: Reader Wil | October 21, 2014 at 02:02 PM
The views are always stunning-you must have thousands of photos!
Posted by: Hazel | October 21, 2014 at 11:56 AM
What gorgeous views!
Posted by: Mama Zen | October 21, 2014 at 11:44 AM
Must be a beautiful place to visit !
Posted by: Gattina | October 21, 2014 at 09:44 AM
There are so much things to see, and so much things to do.
Posted by: Rainfield | October 21, 2014 at 08:24 AM
WoW....i have always wanted to go. beautiful images!!!!
Posted by: Debbie | October 21, 2014 at 06:46 AM
What a drive that must have been. Fantastic photos Sallie. I hope I get to Alaska one day.
Posted by: DeniseinVA | October 21, 2014 at 06:22 AM
Sounds like an awesome trip and a scenic road.. It is a trip hubby and I would love to do.. Thanks for sharing, have a great day!
Posted by: Eileen | October 21, 2014 at 01:23 AM
Wonderful! I'm very familiar with the Mile "o" post but have never been farther north on the highway than Ft. St. John. Some day I'd love to head to Alaska but not sure if it would be by road (I'm not a big fan of the mosquitos in the north) or by cruise ship. I'm sure scenery is very lovely.
Posted by: Joyful | October 20, 2014 at 10:30 PM
During the war I was working in Edmonton (where I was born). During the construction of the Alaska Highway, and after, Edmonton liked to consider itself the 'gateway' to the Alaska Highway, although really it was Dawson Creek where it commenced. Charles had a nephew who drove a pilot car for many years on this Highway, and was full of tales....it is very beautiful country and so nice that you and your husband had the opportunity to see this northern part of the continent, Sallie,
Posted by: Hildred Finch | October 20, 2014 at 10:22 PM
Must be one of the most scenic roads on earth! Just lovely.
Posted by: Lady Fi | October 20, 2014 at 09:00 PM
You guys REALLY had a fantastic adventure! Not too many people can say they did the whole thing. Forwards, or backwards! Thanks for sharing it with us.
I thought the two seasons in Alaska were, Winter and insect.
Posted by: Pat | October 20, 2014 at 08:18 PM
Such great landscape! It must be so nice to have the freedom to stop on the way. Your pictures are outstanding.
Posted by: vagabonde | October 20, 2014 at 07:22 PM
Driving the Alcan has been on my bucket list for some time. Great photos of the drive.
Posted by: Yogi | October 20, 2014 at 07:21 PM
Beautiful and very scenic place.
Posted by: Rajesh | October 20, 2014 at 07:00 PM
How wonderful that you made this trip. Truly stunning scenes.
Posted by: Dianne | October 20, 2014 at 06:31 PM
I would love to be able to drive this road. What a wonderful experience that must have been.
Posted by: Felicia | October 20, 2014 at 06:28 PM
These are awesome, Sallie!! Such an amazing and beautiful place! I'm so glad you got to see so much of it -- and take photos!! Thanks so much for sharing! Hope your week is off to a great start!
Posted by: sylviakirk | October 20, 2014 at 06:03 PM
Thanks for sharing that bit of history! Amazing landscape.
Posted by: SandyCarlson | October 20, 2014 at 05:45 PM
Definitely "stupendous" scenery. We considered driving it in the early 70s but even then it was considered to be problematic! Now I wish we had gone!!
Posted by: Mick | October 20, 2014 at 05:25 PM
Your photos do a good job of showing the vastness of the area … coming and going. A forward thinking decision made years ago has many sleeping more soundly knowing that this ginormous landmass is in North American hands.
Posted by: Penelope Puddlisms | October 20, 2014 at 03:22 PM
'winter and road construction' - bless 'em!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | October 20, 2014 at 12:45 PM