Finally, the Cassiar Highway (Sunday, August 30, 2009) We had relatively clear weather last evening, and a couple of our caravan members saw the northern lights when they got up during the night. Maybe we’ll see them tonight! We departed about 8 AM, and within a couple of minutes were headed down the BC Highway 37, also known as the Cassiar Highway. Two RVs in the caravan opted to go another route, one to have warranty work done in Moscow, IA, and the other because of the intimidating reputation of the Cassiar Highway. After a few miles’ drive, we entered a construction zone, driving on pavement, gravel, and even dirt, for several miles. The highway finally returned to pavement, albeit narrow. Kay estimated that construction stretch at 14 miles. We stopped at Jade City, a retail outlet selling anything made of jade. This particular area produces 90% of the world’s jade. Returning to the highway, we hit a 20+ mile construction zone of gravel, and fresh chip and seal. The remainder of the highway was OK. Though not as bad as the Top of the World Highway, the Cassiar Highway received our No. 2 Worst Road designation for the trip. We had heard so many great things about scenery and wildlife along the Cassiar Highway, but we were disappointed as we saw no wildlife, and the scenery was average when compared to what we had seen in the preceding few weeks. Now that we’ve driven it ourselves, the mystique is gone, and we would opt, next time, for the better Alaska Highway. After arriving at Mountain Meadows RV Park, we set up and had a late lunch of homemade soup provided by Charles Hard. It was excellent. As the sun set, a couple of the ladies rounded up some firewood, and we had our second campfire of the caravan; this group doesn’t seem to be much of a campfire group. Tomorrow, we’re off to Hyder, AK, our final trip into Alaska.

Kay’s Take The trip today was more tiring because of the ever changing road conditions – good paved road, poor & patch pavement, construction, and gravel. When we are stopped by construction waits we usually try to give the flagger several pieces of ‘boiled sweets’ to brighten their day. Most are usually quite surprised and pleased. One older guy today would have none of it. Don’t know if he was just a sourpuss or on a diet! LOL. The campground is a lovely surprise even though we do have those pesky black’ no see ums’ who bite and leave an itchy knot on our skin. I have two such bites I’ve been scratching since yesterday. If it’s not mosquitoes, it’s these pesky bugs. Well, Alaska is beautiful, lush and green and mountainous with beautiful lakes, ponds, and rivers, but their bugs are brutal also!!

Our Recommendations for Iskut, BC The remoteness of Iskut resulted in Iskut not lending itself to activities and things to do.

Campground Mountain Meadow RV Park is tucked down in the valley, overlooking a lake, and surrounded by mountains at Iskut, BC. The parking pads were gravel, surrounded by grass. It was immaculate. We had 30 amp electric and water, and free wi-fi. A dump station was available on site. This is one of the neatest RV parks in which we’ve stayed. If we were to travel the Cassiar Highway again, this would be a great place to stop.

Driving Statistics
Beginning Mileage: 15,879.4
Beginning Time: 7:00 AM Pacific DST
Ending Mileage: 16,074.8
Ending Time: 3:30 PM Pacific DST
TOTAL MILEAGE FOR THE DAY: 195.4
CUMULATIVE MILEAGE: 6,683.3