As we were preparing for our trip north to Alaska we often had concerns about the trip. With the very wet weather the northwest was experiencing we wondered just how much camping might be possible. We also wondered about how pesky the mosquitoes might be. We knew that Ridgefield was having a record year for mosquitoes. To cut expenses on the journey we hoped to camp when possible but packing for a camping trip when it is raining made us wonder what we were in for. We agreed that when the weather was nasty we would look for cabins or motels. We l
eft Ridgefield and on the way north we often were in rain. We stopped in Birch Bay just south of the Canadian border to visit with Roy and Susie and experienced rain as we took in some of the local sites. We were not feeling good about camping as we headed north but the further north in Canada we went the weather seemed to be improving. The first day we made about 300 miles and decided to take a chance on camping at a very nice commercial campground. The hot showers, few mosquitoes and nature trail were welcome. We have to admit a beaver scared us half to death when we startled it and he slapped his tail in his escape. I guess he was as scared as we were. Not being totally sure it would not rain during the night we set up the tarp over the tent. As you
can see from the picture we were prepared. After dinner it spit a little rain but did not even get the ground wet. As we moved further north each day seemed warmer and drier. It seems Northern Canada and Alaska were having a heat wave (hot for them, anyway) and we even saw forest fires and lots of smoke that sometimes hampered our view of the mountains. Sometimes afternoon thunder showers threatened but never materialized. We were also pleased that most places were not mosquito invested. One night the mosquitoes were pesky enough after dusk that we sat and read in the van for protection from being bitten. At another campground near Watson Lake we 
were enjoying an evening walk and as we approached the lake to see the sunset at about 11 PM we were overwhelmed by swarms of hungry mosquitoes. We made a hasty retreat! Most nights we stayed in commercial campgrounds equipped with flush toilets, running water and hot showers which made camping quite enjoyable. Our trip north through British Columbia, Yukon Territory and on to Big Lake north of Anchorage, Alaska took about 7 days. You can imagine how we were thankful to have camped every night and never got rained out.
eft Ridgefield and on the way north we often were in rain. We stopped in Birch Bay just south of the Canadian border to visit with Roy and Susie and experienced rain as we took in some of the local sites. We were not feeling good about camping as we headed north but the further north in Canada we went the weather seemed to be improving. The first day we made about 300 miles and decided to take a chance on camping at a very nice commercial campground. The hot showers, few mosquitoes and nature trail were welcome. We have to admit a beaver scared us half to death when we startled it and he slapped his tail in his escape. I guess he was as scared as we were. Not being totally sure it would not rain during the night we set up the tarp over the tent. As you
can see from the picture we were prepared. After dinner it spit a little rain but did not even get the ground wet. As we moved further north each day seemed warmer and drier. It seems Northern Canada and Alaska were having a heat wave (hot for them, anyway) and we even saw forest fires and lots of smoke that sometimes hampered our view of the mountains. Sometimes afternoon thunder showers threatened but never materialized. We were also pleased that most places were not mosquito invested. One night the mosquitoes were pesky enough after dusk that we sat and read in the van for protection from being bitten. At another campground near Watson Lake we 
were enjoying an evening walk and as we approached the lake to see the sunset at about 11 PM we were overwhelmed by swarms of hungry mosquitoes. We made a hasty retreat! Most nights we stayed in commercial campgrounds equipped with flush toilets, running water and hot showers which made camping quite enjoyable. Our trip north through British Columbia, Yukon Territory and on to Big Lake north of Anchorage, Alaska took about 7 days. You can imagine how we were thankful to have camped every night and never got rained out.
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