- Continue with the big drive south
- Stop at the beautiful Boya Lake
- Two black bears spotted on the roadside
- Drive straight to Hyder in the pouring rain
Unfortunately, nothing came of the hoped-for northern lights, but there are still a few nights left. I have a large breakfast to be strengthened for the long journey. Soon I reach the junction from Alaska Highway to Cassiar Highway. Here is filled up again. Soon I'll be leaving the Yukon Territory and I'm back in British Columbia. The route that follows is significantly narrower, more curvy and sometimes a bit rough. I make a first stop at the wonderfully clear Boya Lake. I read for a while at one of the picnic tables right by the lake and enjoy the warming rays of the sun. Canoes could also be rented here, but clouds are approaching from the south and I reject the idea again. In any case, this is one of the most beautiful campsites I've come across.
On the way south, it soon starts to rain. I have already driven up the same route and actually planned to drive the Alaska Highway on the way back. However, the way over the ALCAN to Vancouver would have been much longer and finally I would like to go to Hyder again. Almost a month and a half ago I saw over a dozen black bears on the lonely stretch. This time there are only two who graze on the side of the road and disappear relatively quickly when I appear. This may have something to do with the day on the one hand and the season on the other. In autumn, with all the salmon in the streams and berries, there are other more tempting sources of food than the grass on the roadside, which is no longer too lush.
At around 8 p.m. I finally reach Meziadin Junction. I only like the local campground moderately and, above all, it offers practically no protection from the continuous rain. So I drive the 60 kilometers to Steward / Hyder as well. After more than 600 kilometers today it doesn't matter anymore, I think to myself. We cross the unmanned US border one last time to Alaska. At Camp-Run-A-Muck I get a tent place that is reasonably protected under trees for the night. I warm myself up leftovers, make strawberries for dessert, treat myself to a beer and then a warm shower.
