Watson Lake, Yukon

​June 8

Well, I couldn’t wait to return to the Hot Springs and got there at 8 AM. There were very few people and over the next 2 1/2 hours I soaked there, turning into a relaxed shriveled prune. I met more people, including another Paula, and Marla, from Vancouver, and Mary, and Todd from Minnesota. We hope to run into each other as we are all on our way to Alaska. We agreed that there was absolutely nothing to complain about while we soaked in these mineral fed springs. It is noticeably warmer today, and I enjoyed the nearly half mile boardwalk back-and-forth. I had to watch the time as check out for the campsite was at 11 AM. So I spent the next few hours driving towards Watson Lake, and finally arrived at the sign forest where I had exceptional cell service, for the first time in many days, but I decided to also seek out a camp spot asap, as paid camping in town was nearly $50 a night!  I’ll admit I’m somewhat of a scrooge, as I don’t need any hook ups at all, and prefer dispersed camping, which led me to an eight minute backtrack. But many times, the directions, using my apps, are not really completely correct. Plan B. I noticed a dirt road and took it towards a dead end gravel quarry, did some backtracking, then it took me to a firing range, then again backtracking, until I found a spot in the forest, which looked like it had not been used in years. But yet noticeable tire tracks. I did find an old fire pit, so here I am in the shade, in the pines, and it reached up to 79°, which was the warmest day thus far. So far I’ve been here a few hours and not a single person has driven by, although I’m conveniently close to the Alcan highway. I can see some glimpses of vehicles and cars, although they would have a hard time seeing me. The traffic certainly quiets down overnight, so I don’t anticipate much noise from the highway, and it’s quite manageable. My charming forest is like a moss carpet, full of lichen and squishy, soft materials, which smells glorious. Actually heavenly.














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