Road Trip Home: Day 7

Unmarked pullout in the Yukon. We saw one Canadian moose the whole trip and it was just before this pit stop.

Bus needed a jump start this the morning. Suspected the cooler temperatures to be the cause. Ran into the longest stretch of construction on the trip, about 10 miles of caravanning through dust and mud. We drove from Nugget City, YK to Pine Lake Provincial Park which is situated to the east of Haines Junction, YK. Canada's Provincial Parks are equivalent to our state parks. We saw about 7 elk, one moose, a bald eagle and a free range horse (haha).

No cell service yesterday or today. Going long distances without fuel or grocery stores (we don't eat out at restaurants on the road, though some local eateries look tempting!). We did fine without using any of the fuel reserves. 
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As we approached Haines Junction, we could see smoke rising from a forest fire in the distance. The large plumes reached high into the atmosphere. There were no warning signs, wind was blowing in another direction and it wasn't smoky so we stayed with a handful of others in the park. We grilled brats and had some locally made beef and barley soup with carrots and chips. We had to be extra careful cooking and disposing of trash because we were in thick, remote bear country. After dinner the dogs jumped into the frigid Pine Lake and played on the beach while we enjoyed the cooler weather and watched the forest fire smoke. Views from the boat launch included snow-capped mountains, the setting sun shining a purple light on the smoke cloud, a steep & large rock face rising next to the lake with turquoise water. Loons and ducks were coming and going. If this wasn't a dry camping campground, it would have been our favorite, though I secretly think it was Pete's favorite! Pete mentioned that the Yukon was his second favorite part of the trip. Stay tuned for his favorite part, and mine too! --next to the buffalo of course. 

Pine Lake Provincial Park boat launch view of the rising forest fire smoke.

Bear paused for a moment to take a photo in the park.

By morning, the smoke had cleared from the forest fires.

Our campsite in the Pine Lake Provincial Park. *Notice the missing hubcap on the rear of the bus. It was the only thing the Yukon claimed from our caravan!

We enjoyed staying in a quiet and secluded park versus our usual full-hookup RV parks.