Watson Lake, Yukon Territory

I found out there really IS a Watson Lake. It’s just a little farther away from the town of Watson Lake than Wye Lake, Second Wye Lake and Hour Lake. The airport is on the north side, with a primitive campground and boat ramp on the south side, where we went to take this picture.

We spent some time exploring the World Famous Sign Post Forest today.

There are now 17,642 signs posted, starting with the one posted in 1942 by a homesick US Army G.I., Carl K. Lindley of Danville, IL. He was working on the Alaska Highway and posted a sign pointing the way to his hometown, along with the mileage from Watson Lake. The 10,000th sign was posted in July 1990. Carl K. Lindley and his wife visited the site again in 1992, 50 years after his first post was erected.

People post signs with their names, their street, their city, a message, a license plate, whatever they wish. They use wood, metal, trays, paper plates, hub caps, even bed pans, toilet seat covers, dust pans and boots!

We spend time in the winter near Sierra Vista, AZ, so we noticed this sign.

There were a few indications of Escapees (SKPs) contributions, including North Ranch in Congress, Arizona.

Aguanga, California is the location of the Jojoba (pronounced ‘hohoba’) Escapees Co-op.

This pole bore more Escapees stickers on all sides than we could count!

A small amphitheater has been built in the center of the forest.

Someone else has a pet named Shadow.

Now there are 17,643 signs if you count the one Dennis put up today for the Escapees RV Club.

The Visitors’ Center has a mileage signpost outside the entrance. It offers an 18-minute film on the building of the Alaska Highway, and a wealth of information and brochures from knowledgeable and helpful staff.

This evening, we went to the Northern Lights Centre to view some films about the universe and the phenomena called ‘aurora borealis.’ It was very interesting, and will probably be the only time we’ll see the lights, since we have such long days this far north. The best time to see the Northern Lights is in the winter when the nights are long and dark.