We are 1403 kilometers north of Dawson Creek.  Had a short drive of 101 miles today, nothing spectacular and the road was exceptional.  Lots of big lakes.

Smooth, wide shoulders with the ubiquitous open space on each side of the road where all trees, shrubs and the grass has been brush hog cleared.  The roadside clearing work clears practically all the growth for anywhere from 50 feet to 150 feet from the shoulder over to the forest.  

We believe the clearing of the roadside serves two purposes – for a firebreak and easy access in the event of a fire for firefighters and to protect wildlife crossing the road.  Whatever the reason, clearing up to 150 feet on either side of the highway for 800 miles is a hell of a lot of work for hundreds of people.  We have seen tractors with 4 brush hogs on the PTO, single brush hogs and tracked Bobcats with a super brush hog.  Some of the larger trees are cut with chainsaws.  The effort is impressive.

Saw a black bear and a moose.