Published: 01.10.2025
Last night, I had a secret mission to fulfill – and not just any mission, but a strictly classified birthday operation! 🕵️♀️
My travel buddy Chrige is celebrating her birthday, and I secretly packed some loving greetings from home. These had to be sneakily placed in the camper without detection. Sounds easy? Not at all!
So, I snuck out of the camper last night with the most ridiculous excuse (“Um... I just need to… uh… use the restroom!” 🙈) to grab the surprise from my backpack in the car. Then back to bed to wait for the right moment.
In the middle of the night, the moment finally came: I crept out of bed – quiet as a ninja – always with the fear that Chrige might wake up and catch me in the act. But: Mission accomplished! 💌 Nobody noticed a thing. I slipped back into the warm bed – and the next morning: Surprise success! 🎉
Chrige was pleasantly surprised by the birthday greetings from her loved ones, and yes… a few tears of joy were shed on both sides. 🥹❤️
After a cozy birthday breakfast, it was time to prepare the camper for travel. We parked it because we wanted to see the hot springs that we had only seen in the dark the night before, in the daylight. After all, we wanted to know where we had bathed yesterday. 🌞
So we headed over again – and behold: a beautiful boardwalk through the marshlands and a splendid view of the natural hot pool. Canada, you are simply stunning! 😍
Then it was time: On the road again! The Alaska Highway was calling – and as they say, “The journey is the destination.” 🚐
With a few photo stops and a small loop hike with a viewpoint, we enjoyed nature to the fullest.
Next stop: Muncho Lake – and wow, it couldn't be more kitschy! Turquoise water, mountains in the background, and we right in the middle with birthday cake. 🥳🎂 There’s hardly a better setting for a small celebration.
Afterwards, we made a quick stop at the souvenir shop in Toad River and exchanged drivers. I settled into the passenger seat and treated myself to a little nap… until a gentle jolt woke me.
Because – drumroll – a bear crossed the road! 🐻 They really do exist!
Half-asleep, I grabbed my phone, but, typical me: the photo only caught its backside. Well, at least it’s a unique proof shot. 😅
We continued on, now with sharpened eyes on the road's edges. While we didn’t spot any more bears – we did see a herd of caribou (they're called reindeer in Europe 🦌).
🎄 Fun fact of the day: Male reindeer lose their antlers in winter, while females keep them all year round. Thus: Rudolph and his friends at Santa's are all ladies! 💅✨ Girlpower, even at the North Pole.
But Canada had one more surprise: Shortly thereafter, a second bear ambled leisurely across the road, stopped at the roadside, and began grazing. This time we were ready – camera out, photo perfect. Of course, from a safe distance, from the car. 📸
Our journey ended today in Fort Nelson, where we set up camp at a beautiful, typically North American campground. First order of business: finally showering again! 🚿 (You really appreciate the luxury of a warm shower when living in a camper!)
Freshly showered, we went to the saloon, where we celebrated Chrige with a delicious birthday dinner. 🎉🍔
Now we are cozily sitting in the camper, winding down the day. Maybe we will be lucky and see the Northern Lights later – a perfect ending for a day full of small and large surprises. 🌌💚
