September 1, 2006 (Day 100)

Wow! Day 100 already! Yet, it seems like we’ve been gone a very long time. This is a sign that our time is running down and we will soon be at the end of our caravan. L

It was 8:15 a.m. when we left with the Kolley’s and Ed. It had rained in the night, but was just cloudy when we left. Temp was 48 degrees. This was the beginning of the Cassiar Highway, but hopefully, we’ll only have bad roads for the 100 miles our leader talked about. This stretch of highway was primitive. There were no towns or services along the way. We stopped at the first gas station we came to, as we were told to keep our tanks full. There was no gas here. We stopped another time on down the road, but again, no gas. It was raining by now and there were heavy clouds.

We stopped later at Jade City. It was remarkable to see all the jade in this store along the road. I guess we were in the heart of jade country. Their sidewalk to the steps was lined in big chunks, like big rocks, of jade. A gentleman was out front demonstrating under a tent the cutting of the big jade rocks into small pieces. One could buy the remnants of little pieces that are left from this procedure at $5/pound. They offered free coffee and sweets for us and a 20% discount offered on any jade jewelry. It was tempting, but I resisted, as I already have the nice jade necklace I bought earlier in the trip.

The rain is heavier now and we found a lodge at Dease Lake to eat. I don’t remember what I had, but I’m sure there were hamburgers on the menu.

Dease Lake was the center for boat building back in the late 1800’s. Supplies were ferried down the river by boat during gold rush days. It is now a popular point to fly-in, pack-in, or hike-in the surrounding mountains. There are also several jade mines in the area.

It had warmed up to 60 degrees, but the wind was very cold. We had to cross a mountain pass at 4,116 ft. elevation. It was called Knat Pass. The transmission fluid in the Black Bear got warm—higher than Dan said he had ever seen it. However, we had no problems.

We got into Iskut in late afternoon. We saw a porcupine cross the road in front of us as we entered town. He had his quills all out as he waddled across the road. It is the first porcupine we have either seen in the wild.

Iskut is a small Tahltan Native community on the Cassiar Highway. Its population is 283. The Kluachon Center Store on the highway houses the post office, a grocery, hardware supplies and pizza takeout. Gas and diesel fuels are also available there. There are several lodges and guest ranches in the area for fishing and hunting expeditions.

This campground, Tatogga Lake Resort, was a unique place. The road went all the way down past the campground to the lake. It is a seaplane/floatplane base. There were also helicopters based there that work with the mines delivering supplies. We heard them several times taking off. It is a hunting and fishing lodge as well, with some cabins and motel rooms. It was quite primitive. The “laundramat” was one washer and one dryer sitting on the porch of the office in the outdoor weather. It is also there that they wash the bedding and linens for the cabins. I’m glad I didn’t need to do laundry there!

We had heard so much about the Cassiar Highway and how bad it was. We have been dreading it all along. It is known for its terrible condition: gravel, ruts, washboards and potholes. Well, all we heard was correct. We wondered if what is left of our trailer would be shaken completely down by the time we were finished with the highway. Well, that is almost true. On this 208 mile highway (for this day), we had the other wardrobe closet door hinges break, pantry shelves come loose again, and pantry door hinge come loose. This is after taking all heavy canned and boxed goods out of the pantry and overhead cupboards, all hanging clothes out of the wardrobe closets and overhead cabinets put on our beds to eliminate the weight from pulling down the shelves, etc. as we bounce along. This has now become a daily ritual before traveling. And, what a hassle it is.

In the evening, we had a big campfire and the driver’s meeting. After the meeting, just when we were ready to enjoy the campfire, it started raining, so everyone headed to their trailers for the night.


Here is an Alaskan fact:
HOOLIGAN: a smelt that grows up to 9 inches in length and is so oily that they are reputed to be a good source of lamp oil; hence, they are known as Candlefish.