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We often get asked what route we took to Alaska, If we used the legendary Milepost, how bad the roads really are, and which is the preferred route: the Alcan or the Cassiar?
Do you really need the Iconic Milepost?
First, I want to point out that our friends gave us The MILEPOST, and yes I used it.
I used it to plan our route there and back, our sightseeing stops, gas stations, and campgrounds, and for information on the area. If the The Milepost advises you to be on the lookout for wildlife, chances are hight that you will be treated to a sighting.
Traveling the Cassiar Highway
On our way up to Alaska, we decided to take the Cassiar Highway in order to avoid wildfires. The Cassiar is a very long and remote highway.
There were multiple days in a row where we did not have cell service. We passed very few vehicles, and when we saw an open gas station, we took advantage.
The remote surroundings unnerved Scott, prompting his imagination to conjure up various scenarios: our vehicle breaking down, isolation without communication, potential threats from strangers, lack of protection for his family, and more.
By the second day, it was evident that his usual optimistic demeanor had waned. He appeared short, distant, and easily agitated.
He finally expressed to me the turmoil within his mind. I was able to voice to him that he was succumbing to FEAR ( False Evidence Appearing Real), and remind him that none of those thoughts were of God.
We had Starlink, if we broke down we would be able to get ahold of someone. We might not have guns, but we had other means to protect ourselves, not to mention God on our side. As soon as Scott spoke his fears out loud, a transformation occurred, and he was able to let go and enjoy the drive.
Overcoming Fear
It's fascinating how we operate. Our fears, concerns, and anxieties often inflate to enormous proportions within our minds. However, when we muster the courage to voice them to another, they shrink in significance, appearing less tangible and more conquerable.
I believe our enemy understands this psychology, which is why he employs deceptive tactics such as convincing us that nobody will be concerned, that sharing will lead to embarrassment, or that speaking something aloud will materialize it. Yet, recognizing these tactics empowers us to defy them and seize control of our narrative.
God wants you to be free of your fears, worries, and anxieties.
He made us social beings, He gives us people in our lives to speak truth and peace to us. He wants you to lean on Him and draw from His strength.
He doesn’t want you to be miserable and held back from who you were created to be by fear.
We learned how to choose our thoughts. If you struggle, ask God to remove the “mind binding spirits” that seem to control your fear provoking thoughts. God is so much bigger, all you need to do is recognize, ask, and receive.
Wildlife Sightings Along The Cassiar
The scenery on the Cassiar Highway was so green and beautiful. We saw 7 black bears, 1 grizzly, 1 deer, 4 moose, and 1 ptarmigan.
Where to Stay Along the Cassiar Highway
Along the Cassiar Hwy, we stayed at Beaverview RV Park & Campground in McBride,
Riverside Municipal Campground in Smithers,
and then detoured an hour to Stewart to stay at Bear River RV Park,
then ended at Baby Nugget RV Park near Watson Lake, where the two highways connect.
How Bad are the Roads Along the Cassiar Highway?
The roads on the Cassiar were good the first day, but got pretty rough the further we headed North.
There was a point where we were going 30 mph...
If you are like us and can’t convert km/h to mph, most vehicles will have a setting that can do that for you. This comes in handy when you don’t have cell service. The frustrating part was how the slow pace doubled our travel time, making every journey feel unnecessarily prolonged.
Nothing major happened to us on the Cassiar Highway. The couch and end tables slid forward out of their spot, a few cabinets opened, some of the kid’s things fell off their bed, nothing too bad, but we have never had these issues in the lower 48, well except for in Louisiana.
Traveling the Alcan (Alaskan Highway)
On our way back from Alaska, we decided to take the Alcan to see other scenery.
Wildlife Along the Alcan
Where to Stay Along the Alcan
Unfortunately, we couldn't enjoy some of the places I was hoping to spend time at because the wildfires were still going on. I wanted to stay at Liard Hot Springs and Muncho Lake, but it was too smokey.
Hot Springs Campground and Hi Country RV Park Hi Country in Whitehorse, YT,
Triple "G" Hideaway in Fort Nelson,
and Mile 0 Campground in Dawson Creek.
How Bad are the Roads on the Alcan?
The Alcan had a lot more to offer. We passed a ton of vehicles, mostly fellow travelers. There were plenty of places to stop for fuel and to camp. It didn’t feel remote to us at all.
On the other hand, we had more damage in our fifth wheel on this highway. Our fridge dropped down about half an inch. Our counter, where our kitchen sink was, lifted up and forward. A few pieces of our flooring came up, and our couch and end tables slid out of place again.
Thankfully, I married someone who is handy and was able to easily fix everything and nothing went wrong with our equipment. We didn’t have any flat tires or anything like that, although our friends did get a flat tire on their trip up.
The Alcan also offered better cell service. Honestly, the Alcan seemed easier compared to the Cassiar, but it could be because we knew what to expect. We also should have been better prepared driving the Cassiar with downloaded audiobooks and music.
So Which is Better, the Cassiar Highway, or the Alaskan Highway?
At the end of the day, both routes offered groceries, gas, campgrounds, and plenty of turnouts with trash cans and sometimes restrooms. Canada has it figured out, it is a very clean country. Part of this may be due to the fact that the whole country of Canada has as many people in it as the state of California.
Having ventured down both highways, I found myself drawn to the captivating seclusion and natural splendor of the Cassiar Highway,
whereas Scott leaned towards the camaraderie of fellow travelers and the ease of the Alcan's convenience.
Overcoming Trials on our Alaskan Journey
The fast pace, unfamiliarity, and extra expenses extended our comfort zone quite a bit. We all stretched ourselves pretty far, learned, and grew.
My daughter did not like how often we were moving and she was nervous in the remote part of Canada.
She said she wasn't sleeping and was constantly tired. On her own, she downloaded the Bible App and found a series on stress. She said she realized she wasn’t sleeping because she was really stressed out that something bad was going to happen.
After completing the bible app series, she was able to sleep again and hasn't had any problems since. She now reads the bible app every night before bed. I am so proud of her.
My husband overcame the same stresses and fears.
I overcame not worrying so much about our finances, letting go of control with all the planning, and learning to take time for myself.
My son learned how to deal with boredom in the truck. He started downloading audiobooks and loved them!
How to Prepare for Journey to Alaska
If you ever decide to traverse the roads to Alaska I would advise that you:
- do preventative maintenance on your vehicle before you leave
- download everything offline
- make sure you have a credit card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee
- pack your patience
- purchase the Milepost
- make lots of stops along the way
- and most importantly, soak up the beauty and wildlife.
Bible Verse of the Day
Jeremiah 17:7-8
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Reflection
- I was reading this verse this morning and found it to be fitting for today as I was remembering how fear tried to cast its shadow over my family during our drive to Alaska.
- Fear did not win as God protected us throughout our entire journey. He gave us each other, He blessed us, and gave us the opportunity to bless others.
- How reassuring it is to be blessed by the Lord and know we have nothing to fear.
- How comforting it is to know the profound impact faith has as it not only shields us from fear but also bears fruit in times of challenge.
Faith is resilient, inspiring, and strong, and I am so grateful to have a God who helps me grow in faith.
- I pray that we will all have the kind of faith that diminishes fear, moves mountains, and yields fruit. May we all be a testament to our faith by living confident and humble lives that represent love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. May we humbly embrace the support offered by others and release the shackles of our fears.
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