March 11, 2012

Hello everyone!

Junko from Japan has finally arrived to my rustic home Wednesday night, but she has only limited time which means making the most of the two weekends she has. Doubling up on the destinations, we planned trips to Atlin Warm Springs and Liard Hot Springs for the first weekend.

On Thursday, I was lucky to get the Ross River/Faro delivery run at work. We deliver the groceries and other supplies to these remote communities, but it can take 14 hours or more to perform. Junko rode along with me on this run, helped out and got her first road trip the second day she was here!

Unfortunately this long run exhausted me and Friday I was seriously considering canceling the quick overnight trip to Atlin, but Junko suggested removing the chore of setting up the tent and cooking supper over the campstove. Junko had read about Morgane and I camping in the car on the way to Fairbanks, and was interested in giving this a try as well. This saved time and the effort of loading and setting up the tent, shoveling a place to pitch the tent, and besides, it was already warm.

With some of burdens lifted, I agreed to drive to Atlin for a dip in the warm springs and she prepared supper at home before we threw the sleeping bags into the car and hit the road.

While not as amazing or as hot as Liard Hot Springs, it is still wonderful to soak outdoors in the winter by the light of the Coleman lantern, an almost full moon in the mostly clear sky, surrounded by snow and a -22ºC ( -8ºF) air temperature. Unfortunately, no Northern Lights :(

Not wanting to shovel a parking spot at the springs,

we stayed at the Warm Bay parking lot.

Atlin Warm Springs by daylight

Atlin is a gold rush town and has many interesting historic buildings.

After touring Atlin Saturday morning, we stop back at the house, loaded the tent and gear for Liard Hot Springs. We planned on a late night arrival to avoid the crowds and we were successful, having the whole pool to ourselves.

Since I visited Liard not too long ago, I won't post too many photos here about Liard.