Sunday, July 11, 2010

July 10, 2010

Jade City

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We left about 7:30 and headed east for an hour.  Our last stretch on the Alaska Highway.  It has been fun and we would do it again.  I would recommend it to anybody.  It is very doable with a few simple precautions in places and definitely something that will be remembered.

DSC06440 Road

 

We turned south on BC 37 (Cassiar ‘Highway’} DSC06444 Beginning Cassiar Highway, North End

and immediately the road changed.  The Alaska Highway is a paved, wide, two lanes with wide, level, shoulders that has been engineered for gentle grade transitions.  The Cassiar is two lanes wide – just.  No shoulders and the edge of the road bed falls away abruptly on both sides.

DSC06448 Cassiar Highway contour

Instead of asphalt pavement it is chip sealed which is actually a very nice surface.  Result is much like pavement as far as ride but is much easier to maintain.  The road bed is raised to avoid flooding but follows the topography.  Not much cut and fill.  The result is much like a kids roller coaster.  No sudden, hair raising drops but lots of ups and downs in a row.  The speed limit is 50 mph.  We averaged a little under 40 mph and were comfortable.  Slower road but very pretty.  The forest is closer to you and very green.  Starting to see trees we are more familiar with like Lodge pole Pines.  We saw a rabbit, a Black Bear,

DSC06442 Black Bear

and a young buck deer during the trip today.  Also a fox going across the road with dinner in its’ mouth.

We stopped in Jade City.  Something like 95% of the worlds jade is mined a few miles east of here. There Outside the store there are a number of saws and polishing stations where they cut the raw stones into slaps or blocks. 

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The store sells finished jade of all types (jewelry, decorative pieces, etc.) but you can also buy raw slabs, slivers, chunks, whatever.  They will even cut and polish a piece to order.

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Jade City also offers free overnight parking for RV’s.  So here we are.

We took a walk after settling in to see a beaver dam.

DSC06478 Beaver Dam

Sort of a Kodak spot.

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Couple more.

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Saw another fox along the way.

DSC06490 Fox tail

 

Wasn’t in a posing mood.

 

 

 

 

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Fireweed, mid season.



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