Northwest Territories

Definitely a change in the terrain as you approach the Northwest Territories; shorter trees, more scrub.  This is actually my second venture into the Northwest Territories this trip.

The first stop after crossing the border with Alberta was stop at the 60th Parallel Visitor Information Center.  They actually gave me a certificate.

At Kilometre 72 (Mile 45) I found Alexandra Falls, a powerful 105-foot waterfall on the Hay River.

The highway takes me into the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary for 50 miles.  Bison look slow and docile, but they can move with amazing speed and aggression.

After a stop at Fort Providence for diesel, I did something wrong.  I can hear all of you screaming at me right now ... but it turned out fine.  I picked up a couple of backpackers hitchhiking to Yellowknife.  I have never picked up a hitchhiker before, but it always seems such a waist to be driving this huge coach by myself, so i took a chance.

As it turned out, they were a couple from Montreal on holiday, canoeing the Mackenzie River.  He is an ER doctor and she an optometrist.  It made the 4 hour drive to Yellowknife delightful, and he was nice to add some DEF to my tank for me and save my wrist.  And we did see some bison on the way.

We made a pit stop here ... the North Arm Territorial Park Day Use Area.

I don't know that I'll ever pick up another hitchhiker, but it turned out good.