Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun: Sep 16-19th: Frankenmuth, Michigan Football Party, and arriving HOME!!!!
ending miles: 13,096
average gas: mile/gallon was 7.5
Thursday: We visited Bronner's Christmas Store in Frankenmuth that is as big as 1-1/2 football fields with everything Christmas you could imagine.
On the premise was a replica of an 1816 Chapel in Austria where the first Silent Night was played on a guitar. When you enter this beautiful but small chapel, Silent Night is playing. On the walls are many, many foreign languages of Silent Night. This place was absolutely wonderful and sentimental.
Silent Night was Austria's Christmas gift to the world.
Then off to our good friend, Bill's, in Michigan to prepare for the the upcoming football game. We left late Friday as we could not get into the parking until 9p.m. Jasmyn, Alexa, and Deuce came up that night and off to the parking lot for the first night of tailgating.
Bill's cat, Cleo, was quite sick when Bill was on his trip out west and it turned out she was diabetic. Now needs a shot in the morning and evening. So we took her to the tail gate and she was marvelous. Jasmyn bought her a Michigan collar and leash and Cleo joined us in the tail gate outside as if she had been there before!
Saturday: the game against U of Mass was a goody. Michigan won 42 to 37. Not much more to say about that except the grandkids enjoyed themselves. At first Alexa thought it was too noisy until she got into saying Let's Go Blue. And Deuce fell asleep for the 2nd half having stayed up until 1a.m. the night before. What a partier!
Alexa knows the meaning of "time out" when she has unacceptable behaviour so when Michigan called a time out she was asking Granny why did Michigan get a time out!!!
Jasmyn and Gretchen had 50-yard line tickets thankfully to our tail gate neighbor Mary Beth. So Roger and Bill were in our traditional seats in the end zone. See picture to see if you can find them.
Game almost over and back to the motorhome for burgers, dogs, apple crisp, Roger's bean dish, and another night of good company. Bills' neighbor, Spike, joined us in the victory party.
Jasmyn left Saturday, Roger and Gretchen left Sunday morning. With mixed feelings, we arrived home Sunday, 1p.m.
It seems unreal that we have spent 3 months, 1 week, and 3 days away. It seems unreal that we were in Alaska for 6 weeks. It seems like we just left, and then again, it seems like we haven't left.
We are thankful for the safe trip. We are thankful for being able to go on a trip of a lifetime. We are thankful for each other as we have ended only a trip and will begin another.
................It is not the end................just the beginning.
September 14, 15, Tues/Wed: Upper Peninsula Michigan
The weather is absolutely wonderful. No rain, sun. Trees are turning their fall colors.
gas: $2.99
horse back riding: $8.00 (not our thing!)
With our side trip to the Upper Peninsula, Michigan it was a nice but long drive. However, when we got up in the morning we could smell propane, so we shut all off and found a place to help us.
It turned out the regulator was cracked and we were low on propane. So we had to find another place to replace it. Of course without the propane we would have no heat, no cooking, no hot water = NO WAY!!!
Found a place and we were fixed and on our way to Mackinaw City.
Arriving late in the afternoon, we stayed at a campsite in Mackinaw City called Tee Pee (cute?). Restroom said "Wee wee at Tee Pee". The campground was on the Michigan Lake and you could look across Lake Michigan and see Mackinaw Island.
Mackinaw Island accessible by ferry with no motor vehichles allowed on the Island. There is a Grand Hotel, built in 1898 which we were looking to see.
However, that night as we were enjoying another campfire, the motorhome sprung a leak in the back. Turned off the water. This Alaska Adventure is really becoming an adventure of another name the last two days!
The next morning, we spent several hours on the phone with the manufacturer and trying to find a service center. Did and they were only an hour south of us. Had to cancel our plans for the Mackinaw Island tour. The leak was not a big problem just an inconvenience one. Another fix on the motorhome and we were off.
Now in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Indoor pool tomorrow may sound really good. No fires allowed here since we are in city limits.
Scrabble anyone?
September 11, 12, 13: Sat/Sun/Mon: Grand Forks to upper Wisconsin
You can tell that it's becoming fast the end of our adventure due to the lack of pictures!... and the combined days to talk about now.
We spent four nights in Grand Forks (Roger's home town). Two at Dianne and Tom's and two nights at Don's. Had a good meal at Red Lobster that Roger's Mom treated us to. Marion and Kenneth (Roger's Aunt and Uncle) and Kay were also there.
Mom went gambling for the last time, she says, since she just turned 89. Put in some quarters, bells and whistles went off and she won $400.00! Thus the special dinner at Red Lobster. Thanks, Mom.
We decided to take the upper route through Wisconsin and then down the Upper Peninsula in Michigan to get to Bill's for the Michigan football game this Saturday. We really did not want to go through Chicago again. This route was nice in the country with the trees turning their fall colors. Geez, we missed summer all together.
Spent last night in Somerset Wisconsin at a campground that was closing in a couple of days. We were the only one there! Built a nice fire again and enjoyed a very quiet night.
Monday, we drove several hours and are camped in Iron Mountain, Michigan at River's Edge RV. Hey, there are people here but mostly because this is a seasonal camp and will be open until mid next month.
Roger is getting the grill ready for burgers on a cool but sunny evening.
September 9-10th Thursday/Friday: Arriving in Grand Forks, North Dakota - Roger's home town
We arrived in Thompson at 7:30p.m. on Thursday to visit with Dianne and Tom and kept them up until 1:30a.m. looking at our blog and their pictures when they were in Alaska and Arizona. Camped in their newly paved driveway. We seemed to have grown qute accustomed to our home in the motorhome!
The wind kept up to horrific gusts that kept the motorhome a-rockin'a and a-swaying all night amidst a rain storm.
We left there the next day, (Friday), mid afternoon to visit with Roger's mom and Aunt Kay for a good dinner at Whitney's in East Grand Forks which is in Minnesota.
Back to Dianne and Tom's and then off to "town" to partake in after dinner drinks at Brewski's.
Thompson is a small town with a gas station/small convenience store, elevator, auto repair shop, and a bar/restaurant with a limited menu. Oh yeah, they also have an American Legion open on certain ocassions.
Karaoke was the thing for the night and boy could those country gals and guys sing (not really!). A 40th birthday party brought in a crowd and they also had a silent auction.
No bids from us especially when we saw that the local meat store had a gift certificate for $25.00 that someone had bid $30.00!
Early night to stay in the motorhome at Dianne and Tom's. Tomorrow a big football game as Michigan plays at Notre Dame. Go Blue we hope...........
September 8th, Wednesday: Bully Pulpit, and Erin and Eric's in Bismarck, North Dakota
weather; started out sunny but windy and rain coming in.
Had an early tee time at Bully Pulpit Golf Course in Medorah N.D. Weather cooperated with us and stayed sunny for our game. We had golfed this course last year, the back nine and so decided to do the front nine this time. While pretty in the Badlands, the back nine was breathe taking. Roger did so well that Gretchen thought he had sneaked in some lessons some where!
Roger, 57.....Gretchen 56. Look out, here he comes!
Drove into Bismarck to visit the the newlyweds, Eric and Eric who live in the country sharing property with her dad, Paul. What a great setting.
We had a good night of visiting topped off with Roger's famous potatoes (you know the ones with bacon, garlic, butter....yum, yum). Had corn on the cob and side pork that Roger had found at the lonely store in Crow Buttes, S.D.
We were able to park our motorhome at Paul's and found ourselves enjoying a good night of sleeping. Something about country sleeping.
Tomorrow we will be off to Grand Forks to visit Roger's mom and sisters and brothers. Mom just turned 89 yesterday! Happy birthday yesterday to Mom. Today Brother Al turns 52...happy birthday Brother Al.
September 7th, Tuesday: Entering North Dakota
weather: sun, and a nice day of travelling.
Averaging 7.5 miles per gallon
Left Wyatt's Hideway in Belle Fourche, S.D. Interesting stop was at Crow Buttes, S.D. who has a population of zero. For miles around you could see nothing then this store who claimed to have the best burgers and shakes in town. Geez, it was the only store.
Without any fanfare we passed the geographical center of the United States. Just a big fat nothing was here also.
Entered North Dakota 9:30a.m. Just counting off the states now until we get back to Strongsville.
Stayed in Medorah at the same campground we had stayed last year and got ready for a tee time next morning at Bully Pulpit.
September 6th, Monday: Deadwood and Wild Bill Hickcock
weather: a windy night and a downpour but a partly sunny sky for our departure from Mt. Rushmore at 10:30a.m.
Headed out for Deadwood S.D. Just a note from last night that we met the nicest family from Nebraska. Vern and his daughter and three sons. We hope Vern will visit with us as he drives a truck cross country from Nebraska.
In Deadwood: saw the reenactment of Wild Bill's death when he was shot in the back by Jack McCall in 1876. When he died his cards were black aces and eights thus now known as the "deadman's hand".
Found the Deadwood VFW for a few refreshments.
Deadwood is now a tourist town with no original stores left. We did find a black hills gold jeweler and Gretchen bought Roger a present of a black hills gold money clip (he had his other one lost or stolen). Roger bought Gretchen a beutiful necklace. We are so much in love>.............
Left to try to get to Medora North Dakota but the weather was so windy that the motorhome was too much to handle. It swayed and dipped and it was a struggle to stay on the road. So we are in Belle Fourche SD for the night safe and sound.
Roger made a great supper of bbq and potatoes. Tired and will watch some tv since we could actually get our Direct working here.
September 5th, Sunday: Mt Rushmore and Custer State Park.
weather: what can we say but the summer continues into the 80's and sunny. Although we had a rain/thunder storm last night and we thought maybe Mt Rushmore would cloud over for our visit of the day.
Mt. Rushmore.......what a rush. The detail, the faces, their positions, the history. It was a real honor to be able to be here. When you enter all fifty of our states and territores are honored with their flags and date of entry into the United States. You again realize what a great country we live in.
Question: did you ever do something you realized you should have not done and it's too late to turn back? Try touring Bear Country U.S.A. Firstly, luckily we had a rental. But when we entered this park, there was a line of cars times four lanes. We should have turned back then but it was too late.
You drive through this park, windows closed, one lane. They said it usually takes 1/2 hour but today was busy and it would take 1 hour (dah, it was a sunny Sunday on Labor Day weekend).
As we entered you could not move an inch for 5-10 minutes at a time. You could see the cars stopped and crawling inch by inch around turns in front of you. And the wildlife????? Only a few. Elk at first, one artic wolve, then nothing, then nothing, then three big horn sheep. And we continue to crawl forward .
Oh no, Roger, announces that the 1999 Buick rental is beginning to overheat. Just great. You cannot turn around or
pass. We are captive and began not to enjoy this at all.
We had to turn off the air conditioner to help let the car cool down. Grechen had heard about turning on the heater. So we did! Yikes, this is very far from fun. We had no jokes at this time.
Finally we decide to pass the traffic jam and, of course, got a lot of angry looks. So Gretchen makes a sign that says "we are overeating".................oops, we aren't eating but overheating!
Finally reached what was causing the jam. Bears. A bunch of them everywhere. Got two pictures but really we were more interested in getting the heck out of there.
A note for all: don't go to Bear Country U.S.A. Rip off. But we did get to see our last of the bears on our adventure.
P.S. There are actually NO bears in the badlands.
So we decided to take in Custer State Park. A pleasant drive as we saw some wildlife in their natural habitat, like we like to see. Poo poo on the preserves.
Went through some teeny tiny tunnels that the motorhome would never have made. Saw some awesome spires (striations). And then decided to look for firewood along the road side since Roger wanted to exercise and split some wood like he did in British Columbia. But this may not have been approved by the Rangers. So we "borrowed" four logs and split. (no pun intended)
Back to the campsite and plan to have a nice evening with fa camp fire.........And laught about our Bear Country U.S.A. trip.
September 4th, Saturday: Devil's Tower, Wyoming
weather: again sunny, very sunny and we are loving this. Start out temperature was 56 but climed into the 80's. Hoorah, it's finally summer for us!
In and out of cell service. Sirius must be hooked up wrong since we get reception but too much static. So we drive in silence with conversations enough to fill in the drive.
Left Sheriden Wyoming for a three hour drive to Devil's Tower. This was an awesome sight that is considered sacred to the Indians who leave pray clothes at the site. The tower had several rock climbers. We saw some whom had made it to the top. Ranger said it is a 2 to 6 hour climb. 865 feet high Teddy Roosevelt degisnated it as the nation's first national momument in 1906.
The Tower is best remembered for the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."
After this we ventured through the high plains of Wyoming. Although pretty, not much going on on the high plains today. The west has calmed down.
Entered South Dakota at 2:30p.m. Marking off another state that brings us closer to the end ouf our adventure.
Arrived at a KOA only 5 miles from Mount Rushmore which is on our agenda for tomorrow.
Tried the campgrounds free wine tasting, but to no avail. Where sis they get this stuff from? The only one we tried was a Merlot from Sturgis. And it wasn't even close to having us do another freebee.
So supper at the Ponderosa here on the campground with a good bottle of Clos du Bois Now that's wine.
September 3rd, Friday: Part I, Museum in Hardin, Montana. A walk in the past for Roger.
Early afternoon we stopped at a museum in Hardin, Montana on our way to Custer's last stand.
This was a trip down memory lane as Roger saw several old pieces of farm equipment that either his dad or grandfather used on the potatoe farm.
Found an Allis-Chalmers that was similar to the one Roger drove begining at age five.
Top this all off with a step into a one room school house that looked very much like the one he attended in the country when he lived in Thompson, North Dakota.
September 3rd, Friday (part 2 afternoon): Custer's Last Stand, Montana
weather: another SUNNY day. Went from 63 to over 80 degrees.
Miles driven: 10,420 since Strongsville on June 11th.
days away: 83 days
Departure at 10:30 from Bozeman Montana campground. Gretchen is having a hard time to adjusting to the time difference since Alaska. Likes to sleep in while Roger gets up at his usual 6 a.m. calling.
Then on to Little Bighorn Battlehorn, fka: Custer's Last Stand. This was a somber drive tour as you could see white grave markers scattered all about that signify the death on one of the Calvary. These markers were strewn about within a five mile drive from the battle of Custer's Last Stand. You could relieve the battle and was chilling
Arrived in Wyoming at 5p.m. and headed for a Pete D's campground in Sheridan, Wyoming. We are pooped since the last two days have been much travelling and site seeing.
Dinner is the delicious left over steak from last night. Roger's on the couch...........he should be zzzzing soon while Gretchen updates the blog.
September 2nd, Thursday: Yellowstone Park, Bear Tooth Pass, Montana
weather 53 degrees, SUNNY, no clouds
This would turn out to be only the third day since we left that we did not have rain. Amazing.
We left Boseman camground, where gas dipped to $2.79/gallon, and headed to Yellowstone Park. On the way, Grechen read about a ghost town that would be five miles before the park entrance. We found it and turned up a crummy, nasty, rude, washboard road. But we only had five miles and travelled on.
When we got there, there was NO town but some nice homes and one ugly one. Whoever wrote that about a ghost town should be shot. We turned around which was quite a fete for the motorhome but Roger is awesome in navigating the big rig.
1p.m. we stopped at the Information Center before entering Yellowstone only to find out that Bear Tooth Pass (our road to exit Yellowstone) was closed due to snow and ice. They felt it may open later since the weather was turning warmer up there. It was sunny and nice where we were.
On our way and a stop at the ranger station where we found out the pass was open. So off we went. It took us about three hours to go over this pass and it was a beautiful trip.
When Roger was here driving the pass in 1984 there were no guard rails. Eric and Curt hiding on the floor boards in the backseat! There are now guard rails and the road is in great condition. You could see a lot of snow that had been plowed and of course Gretchen had to get a picture of her and her flip flops in it!
Yellowstone was magnificant and we did see some wildlife.
Story: We found the entrance to a Petrified Tree and turned in. The sign said 1/4. Could not take the motorhome so we immediately parked it and jumped out for this short walk. No way.............it turned out to be over 3/4 mile up a hill and guess who was not too happy. Picture of Roger shows him quite aways up in front of Gretchen and he was talking and gesturing. Gretchen thinks he said something about it not being a 1/4 mile, etc..... When we got there is wan't a tree but stump and you had to walk up some stairs to see it.
Roger had on his boots and Gretchen had on her flip flops so more walking wasn't in the plans. Back to the motorhome and at least it was downhill!
Ended our day at a KOA in Red Lodge, Montana with another one of Roger's great camp fires.
September 1st, Wednesday: On the way to Montana and turning 10,000 miles on our Alaska Adventure!
weather: what else but rain and 56 degrees.
departure: 8:50a.m.
We left Osburn on an overcast and rainy morning. Headed to Montana and crossed into big sky country 10:30 MT.
At Haugan, we found a casino called 50,000 $ Bar. Roger had been there when it was 10,000 $ Bar. Named changed three years ago. So we had a cocktail/coffee and purchased two Eisenhower silver dollars.
These will be mounted on a big wood frame with out names and number. Roger was 57,799 and Gretchen was 57,800. These are entered into a computer there so if anyone goes there you can look up where our dollars are. In a picture we took, we will be up toward the ceiling, visible in front of the main bar. Pretty cool.
And lo and behold what do we see for sale but Everclear 190 proof. Had to get a bottle for cherries marinade for the upcoming Michigan football tailgate party. This pure grain alcohol is not sold in Ohio.
So further jaunting down the highway (rain is clearing up somewhat) we are approaching the 10,000 mile mark of our Alaska Adventure. Wow, 10,000 miles since leaving Strongsville on June 11th. Turned the mark at mile post 65 on I-90 in Montona which is east of Missoula.
Into Missoula to visit an old friend of Roger and Don's, Terry Amble. Terry works at a Chevrolet dealership and offered to show us around. What? We've seen dealership showrooms but when you entered you realize that you are in another world.
First of all you are greeted by many, many animal mounts. Outside are two putting greens. Terry tells of us some unusual trades that included a Bison mount, sniper rifle, tractor, baler, pistols, and more. The pictures tell it all and we know that Leslie and Tom will really enjoy these mounts since Tom has a den full of them. (Tom: we didn't wub you the wong way did we?????)
Arrived late at 8p.m., now dark, and camped at Sunrise Campground outside Boseman. Roger made us some great steaks for a late dinner.
To bed only to be woken up by a horrific storm of rain and heavy winds that shook the motorhome. But hay, tomorrow is another day and look forward to some change in the weather at some place.
August 31st, Tuesday: Osburn, Idaho
weather: what can we say but started as a sunny day but turned to overcast and rain.
Staying second night at a nice campground called Blue Anchor, walking distance to "downtown Osburn". We did laundry and rested and then about 4ish decided to walk to VFW only about two blocks away.
On the way was a Pawn shop. We found an Alfred Hitchcock DVD with 20 movie classics dated in the 20's and 30's. Some silent and , of course, in black and white. Total investiture was $4.00 so we went for it. This may replace scrabble for the night!
The VFW is not a VFW anymore but a bingo hall. No bar. Closed. So we went next door to the Osburn Club and met a bunch of locals. One interesting person was Al who remembered when Roger was here and they talked about the mine. Al seemed to remembered a supervisor from Morrison-Knudson (Roger 's employeer at the time) but could not remember his las name. Rymed with a jelly!!!!!
Roger can look up that name when we get home. Al was a very nice person to talk to. Lisa (in picture) was from and will always be from Osburn. She was a very pleasant local who made us at home after 37 years!
Back to the motorhome and more rain but Roger is starting the grill. We won't give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 30th, Monday: Walmart, Osburn, Idaho
weather: 54 degrees, very sunny........let's repeat this: it is very sunny. something that we haven't seen often in the last 2-1/2 months.
Departure: 9:30a.m. from the Walmart in Smeltersville, Idaho upscale camp site.
We tried to find the apartment that Roger had lived in in 1973 but things have certainly changed in the last 30 years and could not find it. We did find the bar that he frequented though!
Visited the Mining Museum. Notice in the pictures the pine trees. These were not here when Roger was here in 1973 due to the sulfur and pollution. The hills were blackened. His company tried to rectify this situation by building a sulfur recovery plant. But to no avail the US Bureau of mines decided that it was too expensive so cancelled this project.
His company then helped to dismantle and eventually the plant was closed with a tremendous loss of jobs in 1982.
Within the area of 60 silver mines, only 3 are operating today.
Found a peaceful campsite called Blue Anchor Rv Park in Osburn. This is where the VFW post thatRoger joined in 1970's. Today is it almost non-functional due to the mining closing. How sad.
Built another fire and visited with neighbors from Montana and Wyoming. The neighbor from Wyoming had bought a camera at a pawn shop recently only to find out that it is involved in a recent double murder in New Mexico!
Canon will reimburse him a more expensive camera since he had to give it to the FBI. He hopes he will not have to testify since they have caught all of the murderers.
Night ends with Roger playing his Heart game on the computer and Gretchen reading. We hope to have a relaxing day tomorrow with NOTHING to do tomorrow but laundry.
August 29th, Sunday: Leaving Canada
weather: overcast, 58 degrees which has been the warmest morning.
Departure: 8:45a.m.
It has been two hours with no photo ops until we find Grand Forks. 12:15 we stopped for lunch at Grand Forks Station in British Columbia. Why is this a neat stop? Cuz Roger was born and raised in Grand Forks but in North Dakota. We had to tell our server that he was from Grand Forks and explained that this was in North Dakota and he was aware of the town there.
Good lunch of poutine which are fries covered with cheese and gravy. We think of Rae Ann who we would love this dish!
Left and encountered what we have for the last 2-1/2 months which was rain that turned to snow slush in the mountains. But that changed as we navigated ups and downs and ups and downs and more ups and downs of 6-8% grades to get through many mountains in the Kootenay Pass B.C. to get back into the lower 48.
HOME: 4:20mountain time, 63 degrees, rain, 9.754 miles since Strongsville. Mixed feelings as we saw our first American Flag. Sometimes you don't realize what a great and wonderful country we live in. Good bye Alaska, Good bye Canada for now.
Found the Elks where 37 years ago Roger was initiated but it wasn't the same. It is now part of the Elks Golf Course, open to anyone and closed at 7p.m. We left to get to Kellogg, Idaho.
But the 12 hour day of travel was too much and we found the Elks in Kellogg closed, so we spent the night at Walmart! Yes, that is correct, we actually pulled up to the Smeltville Walmart with other campers and truckers and spent the night!!!!! We are soooooooooooo camping cool and in-the-know.
Dinner: homemade pizza which was loaded with pepperoni, canadian bacon, and cheese. It was delicious.
Game of hearts on the computer for Roger, book reading for Gretchen and that was our night.
And by the way, the significance of our being here was that Roger worked and lived here 37 years ago for Morrison-Knutsen who contracted with the Bureau of Mines at Bunker Hill mine. They built a test plant for the sulphur acid and pollution that was killing the trees.
The mountains, when he was here, were all black with the deadened trees. Our pictures now show growth after 50 years. The mining plant was determined to be too expensive so his company helped to dismantle the plant in the late 70's. All closed in 1982 and many jobs have since been lost.
August 28th, Saturday: Quesnel to Kelowna, B.C. To be our could-be last night in B.C.
weather: 52 degrees, overcast ( good golly, what else is new with this weather? seems to always be the same)
departure: 9:30a.m. Seems like we took our good old time this morning. Felt relazing.
We headed out from Quesnel driving southbound on Route 97 not certain where we would stop for the night. This drive is nothing to write home about. Kinda of boring. We have entered a lot or horse farms and cattle farms. Been up an down some mountains that had grades of at least 6-8%.
Heading for Cache Creek we came across some awesome scenery. All of a sudden we were in the "Arizona of Canada" - a semi-arid climate that seemed almost desert like. The mountains were beautiful.
Later on we realized that we would approach 10,000 miles on the motorhome and took pictures of this historical moment. This happened in Merritt, B.C. Subtracting 600 miles that was on the home when we left Strongsville, we have travelled 9,400 miles.
Seven hours later we arrived in Kelowna, the heart of wine country, and went immediately to Calona Wines (oldest winery in B.C.) for tasting and, of course, purchasing.
Pretty tired from the last two days of long travel and found an RV park within a few miles of the winery. Hiawatha RV Park actually has a heated pool . We haven't seen a heated pool since Calgary about two months ago! Too tired to try it tonight.
Boy, has Canada been a long travel to get back to the lower 48. The provinces are extremely BIG. Speed limits never topped 60mph. But it looks like we will have one or two nights left here and enter the states via Idaho.
Dinner: gourmet mac 'n cheese (cooked by Gretchen) and smoked brats (microwaved by Gretchen). Ain't she just getting to be the cook? And it was all topped of with a bottle of 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (bought and opened up by Roger).
Special note: Today our best friend's daughter was married. Congratulations to Maureen whom Gretchen has know all her life. She is the beautiful daughter of Dan and Sheila O'Connell. We send out congratulations from thousands of miles away and are sorry that we could not make the wedding that was held in Watkins Glen New York.
August 27th, Friday: Leave Houston, travelling thru B.C.
weather: started at 43 degrees, partly cloudy.
departure time: 8:00a.m.
After a great breakfast made with our friend Blane's homemade boar sausage, we left Houston to travel a long day through B.C. Ended up in Quesnel at River's Edge Rv Park on a lake. Would have been a nice evening but that rain that has been following us since we left Ohio came for the night. Roger did manage to get in some grilling of burgers before we were rained out.
Travelling we realized what and how much we have seen and how much we miss Alaska. We are getting back to civilization now- traffic, better roads, less mountains, houses, farmland, golf courses, lawns, less RV's, a KFC -- and the list goes on. It was so much fun looking for wildlife and finding them in their natural habitat. Now we watch out for the traffic!
We have become customed to no radio, no tv, no cell. That scrabble game is getting worn out!
An interesting town was Vanderhoof - geological B.C. center that supply forestry and mining. The logging camp and signs and trucks were in abundance.
Hit the sack after planning another long day of travel.
August 26th, Thursday: Leaving Hyder. Gitanyow totem poles.
weather: same as always. Mid 50's overcast, sun, rain.
miles driven: 8,594
Cell service has been lacking since Whitehorse. This would make having service for only two days since leaving Tok a couple of weeks ago. It has been adjustment. And don't forget about NO tv. And sometimes the campsites don't have wifi or it isn't a good reception. But we still have one another!!!!
Today was another travel day on Yellowhead Highway. We did a nice off the road to a town called Gitanyow who has the most concentration of totem poles in north British Columbia.
Just a short drive off the highway, which you don't find too often up here, took us to Gitanyow. Roger got gas and found out that there were two pumps. One was for "status", the other was "non status". That meant status was for the local natives and they paid 10 cents less/liter. It still was the best price we have paid for quite some time at $1.07 ($4.08 U.S.).
Continued to Houston to spend the night at a pretty campsite called Shady Rest RV Park. It's raining (no joke) so no fire tonight. Looks like soup for dinner..........
August 25th, Wednesday: Hyder, Alaska getting Hyderized!
weather: 52 degrees
departure time of 6:20 a.m. for a long drive to Hyder, Alaska
Long travel but the end is one we are looking forward to. Looking at the map as we travelled on the Cassiar, we realized that we could get back into Alaska to a small town called Hyder. We go through British Columbia and go to Hyder. There is no custom to Alaska but will be going back into Canada.
We camped at Camp Run-a-Muck in Hyder, Alaska which was actually very nice and not a muck! This town is hard to explain. First the road reminded us of the Dempster; potty, rough, dirt, and just plain old bad. But the town is only about two miles long.
After checking into the campground we headed out to Fish Creek. Again, can't believe the road that hasn't been graded. We travelled three miles that took 20 minutes. Fish Creek is on the river with a long boardwalk to view the salmon and bears doing their salmon fishing. No bears. Couldn't imagine how the salmon (hundreds of them) are trying to go up stream in this very shallow stream. They struggle so hard and many don't make it.
Back to "downtown" Hyder to the Glacier Inn where we got Hyderized. This is a 50 year old tradition (no one knows how it got started). You get a small glass of water, then they pour a shot of high powered alcohol. The bottle is in a brown paper bag so you don't know what you wil be drinking.
You can't smell it, touch it, spill it. You must drink it down without stopping. And we did it! Got our "certificates" that we were Hyderized in Hyder, Alaska. Then you find out that you just had a shot of 151 grain alcohol (aka: Everclear). No wonder your throat burned!
Tried to buy milk at the General Store, but like the Halibut at the Glacier Inn, they had none since the plane wasn't due in for two more days! This is remote but a wonderful nice town.
They get 25 to 40 feet of snow! Population of 100.
August 24th, Tuesday: Cassier Fire, Jade purchase, Dease Lake
weather: the usual, 47 degrees, drizzle
left at 8:30a.m. to head out to Hyder Alaska
This was a travel day. We did stop at Princess Jade mine who mines 90% of the world's jade supply. Purchases made include a ring for Roger and Gretchen. There are pretty.
Travel was through the Cassier Highway from the Alaska Highway. The Cassier had been closed due to a fire but was just opened as we got there. The remnants of this fire were devastating.
Drove to Water's Edge Campground and dry camped at Dease Lake. Another wonderful fire by Roger who got out his splitter and went to work. This was one of a few nights that we cooked on the grill. He made a juicy burger and Gretchen had a grilled cheese that Roger cooked on the cutest little cast iron pan.
Few bottles of wine and off to bed. Gretchen is so excited that a trip to Alaska is for tomorrow just when she thought there woudl be no more Alaska! We found a town called Hyder that is accessible through British Columbia.
August 23rd, Monday: Leaving Carmaks via the Carmacks.
weather: 52 degrees
left at 10:15a.m.
miles driven: 8,218
Curt's birthday is today. Happy birthday, Curt!
Important saying of last night when we were in the local bar:
While this girl who had been doing shots argued with another guy: She says: "this is my town" tapping her fingersnails on the bar. He then replies, "Oh yeah, well I've been here since I grew up." What?? The bartender laughs and looks at us as we also were laughing.
So we took of again on the Cassier Highway which was nicely paved with only some ruts. Nothing exciting here so we just motored until we found a really nice dry campsite near Johnson's Crossing, Yukon. The Squana Lake Yukon Gov. Campground was $12.00 with all the firewood you could use.
This is where Roger took up his splitter and saw and went to town to build the greatest fire of the trip. This campground was relaxing and quiet. Even the drizzling rain didn't dampened our spirits as Gretchen got out her golf umbrella.
A late and good evening.
August 22nd, Sunday: Leaving Eagle Plains to Carmacks
weather: at 6:15a.m. it was fog and 41 degrees. Clearing later.
miles drive today : 420 miles
miles total driven: 7,818
We left Eagle Plains early since we had had a 7 hour trip yesterday to get here. Surprisingly the road had been somewhat graded so that our trip wasn't as nearly a rough as the day before. It still shook, rattled, bounced, wavered, and gave us another ride that we could hardly wait to end. Nothing broke!
With Roger's Nascar driving skills, we made it in much better time at 4-1/2 hours vs the 7 hours we had had the day before. He's such a driver..........give him a number, please.
To say that we were so relieved to end this drive is an under statement. The pictures don't tell the story of the infamous Dempster Highway. Gretchen waved a fond good-bye as we left and headed off for Carmacks. This would be a six hour drive.
Although in hind sight we were so glad to have made it safely and to have the opportunity to be at the Artic Circle and view the beautiful Tombstone Territorial Park.
It is official now that we are going back home. See ya in about a month!
August 21st, Saturday: Artic Circle
weather: 43 degrees, sun scattered clouds, snow flurries, rain drops, clouds. Guess that's a mixture of everything!
word for the day: TUNDRA: means treeless plain. Because of the thin active layer of soil - which thaws during summer - roots cannot penetrate deeply enough to support a tall tree. Trees and other plants have adapted to drying winds and short growing season by staying low to the ground.
We left Tombstone campground at 8:15a.m. wondering what the road will have in store for us today as we make our way north 369k.m. to Eagle Plains and then the Artic Circle.
The scenery was terrific with Tombstone's colorful mountains and the tundra. However, the road was miserable. You cannot imagine the washboard, perma frost heaves, and potholes that cover this highway.
The motorhome was shacking, weaving, rocking, chattering, dipping, rolling, bucking, and squeaking as we drove anywhere from 5mph to 45mpg. Mostly it was the slower to keep the motorhome from incurring major damage.
We did lose a coffee pot but that was the only damage we have found so far.
Gretchen and Roger's nerves were another story. You wanted to have some piece from noise as we bounced through and around pothole and perma frost heaves one after another, and then one after another, and then one after the other. and....you get the picture??
This went on for 360km ( 220 miles.) We arrived at Eagle Plains at 3:30p.m., checked into the RV campsite, and headed off for another 24 miles to the Artic Circle.
Gretchen is like a little kid sometimes and could hardly wait to get to the Artic Circle. We made it at 4:10p.m. Took some pictures and toasted with the wine glass that Al and Karen had given Roger for his retirement. Then Roger got out her driver and golf ball so she could tee off at the Artic Circle!
Scratch this one off the bucket list.
Back to the campsite and dinner at the lounge. Aren't we the ones who can find campsites with lounges?
Let us say on this day, that the "ride" up here was one of the worst ever roads and realized that this is something that you would only do once in your lifetime. And tomorrow we get to go back down.....Oh, NO!
August 20th, Friday: Tombstone Territorial National Park
weather: 52 degrees, sunny.
RV wash today and did laundry at same time (we are are so cool)
First we need to say that there will never be another trip like this one. Our Departure from Dawson City to Eagle Plains meant we are on our way back home. The mountains, roads, scenery, wildlife, Alaskan beer, Denali, people, vastness, snow, glaciers and more are so unforgetable and unexplanable. A bucket list item come true.
We entered the Dempster Highway to get to Tombstone Territorial National park. We no sooner entered this highway, than at Mile 6km, the road changed with a thump to a dirt road from gravel. We aren't sure why they call them highways when they have been two lanes, many times with no lines and one lane, and very rarely have a trooper. Guess it has to be due to their motto of "the last frontier".
No cell, no sirius. Nothing but potholes and perma frost heaves. Wash board road.
Amidst this rough road, there was a two moose sighting. They were simply beautiful watching them as it turned out they would be the last seen by us on the Dempster Highway. When we stopped at the Visitor's Center, they had Gretchen write her observation on the vistor board for all to see. They wanted her to draw a moose....but are you kidding?
Dry camped at Tombstone Mountain Campground. A great camp site amid trees but you could see the Tombstone mountains. With free firewood, Roger went to work splitting firewood for our most wonderful fire for the night. We stayed up until midnight since it continues to be light. It was a really pleasant evening.
Game of the night: scrabble
Winner of the night: you-know-who
Dinner: spaghetti with bottle of wine Roger got from his good friends, Jim and Sheryl, for his retirement.
August 19th, Thursday: Dawson City, Yukon Territory
weather: partly sunny! in the 60's. some wind but pleasant.
Woke up to a pleasant day weather wise. Roger walked the town while Gretchen slept in. We are adjusting to losing one hour! We are now three hours behind Strongsville.
Walked to the museum and saw gold mining history and the railroad museum and history of Dawson City. This gold rush only lasted for two years here and by 1900 the population dwindled from 40,000 to 1200. They came and made a fortune while some did not.
Ate at Sourdough Joe's who started the restaurant in 1898. He bought up the town of to-be-named-Dawson-City and sold property for $8,000.00. Yikes. He then left and went back to New York to marry his sweetheart as a rich man. What a nice story.
Went to Bombay Peggy's for an after lunch drink. Just a nice small, friendly place.
Walked through town which consists of about three blocks. Got Roger a t-shirt and headed for Downtown Hotel, the home of the "sourdough toe" cocktail.
The story: In 1973, Captian Dick , River Rat, found a deserted cabin but also found a frozen toe. Toe was cut off by the prospector owner to save his life and he pickled it in a jar of rum!
So begins the tradition of drinking a shot of Yukon Gold with the toe and letting it touch your lips.
We did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and got our certificate that states that we drank an authentic Sourtoe Cocktail, and are following in the staggering footsteps of Capt River Rat and proven to be a person capable of almost anything. Please note that there is a person swearing you to this oath! And you are wearing a Captains hat and there is a bar filled of cheering people! What a hoot.
Unfortunately we decided to go back to the Diamond Tooth Gerties's Casino and left a donation. But not much and it goes to the local town.
Back to the motorhome and are looking at 11:00p.m. for bedtime. Leaving tomorrow. But first we must get the Top of the World dirt off our motorhome!
August 18, Wednesday: Top of the World Highway
weather: 49 degrees, rain.
We said a sad good-bye to Tok because we realized that we were leaving Alaska heading for the Top of the World Highway that starts in Chicken, Alaska. To get to Chicken took us more than 2 hours. We had found out that there was a convey (with pilot) going over the Top of the World Highway twice a day. We needed to get to Chicken for the second and last convoy at noon. This highway had been closed off and on due to the tremendous amount of rain they had. To be closed this weekend and the next for maintenance.
Left Chicken at noon and experienced no problems since we had the road all to ourselves going one-way in the convoy. It was rainy, foggy, and cloudy so we did not get to see much in the valley. Uneventful. Although Gretchen did see a motorhome that did not make a turn and ended up about 50 yard down the hill. Looked like this happened quite some time ago.
Left Alaska at 2:30p.m. Alaska time (6:30p.m. Strongsville time) without any fan fair. When we crossed the border we were greated with heavy fog. Visibility of about 100 feet. So without a pilot the going was a little more nervous than in Alaska. The fog/clouds/wind would come and go. But we made it to Dawson City that took another two hours.
You can only get to Dawson City via a free ferry that ferries over the Yukon River (which is 2,200 miles long!). We had to wait over an hour for the crossing and are now in a downtown campground and tired, hungry, and missing Alaska.
But wait, we see that there is a casino here and in walking distance. See ya.!!!!...!!!!
August 17th p.m.: Saying good-bye to Alaska
Weather: a very nice evening, was perfect for a campfire in Tok.
After patronizing the lounge at the campsite, we set out to find firewood. Roger got the axe and buck saw out and found some good pieces in the woods next to our campsite in Tok. He's such a camper!
We then realized that this was our LAST night in Alaska. So we toasted, danced, sang, and toasted again to a wonderful, beautiful, gorgeous, spectacular Alaska.
Good-bye to the last frontier. Hope to see you again.
August 17th, Tuesday: Valdez, no charter
weather: was the worst. rain, overcast so much you could not see the mountains.
This was the halibut charter day. So we were up 4:30a.m. to be there at 5:30a.m. only to find out the the Gulf of Alaska had 12 foot seas. Cancelled............who wants to be sea sick? but who wants to catch halibut???? Gretchen was looking forward to the beer battered halibut.
We then packed up and left Valdez. This is a beautiful town that was "moved" 5 miles after the 1964 earthquake due to the instability of where it was originally located. Hopefully we can be back here some day.
Saw some great waterfalls on the way out and then stopped at the "tunnel". See pictures. This was interesting especially since we could not get a picture of the tunnel...ghosts??? Tried to take three pictures but they all came out black. Is that weird or what????????
Arrived at Tok and stayed at Tundra Campground where we were 42 days ago when we first arrived in Alaska. Few drinks in their cocktail lounge and back to build a fire. Roger cut down some dead trees and we toasted our last night in Alaska.
This is sad to know that we are leaving Alaska. It has been such a great adventure. But the adventure continues as we found out that the Top of the World Highway is open and we are heading out to Chicken and get onto the caravan to travel this highway. Stay tuned for a nervous adventure.........
August 16th, Monday: Valdez Salmon grilling
weather is becoming foggy/overcast and RAIN.
This is a no-nonsense day with Gretchen reading another Alaska murder mystery and Roger pacing the floor. It is becoming overcast and colder.
Our friends from Israeli went salmon fishing and brough back 24. They could not take them home so we kept their 72 pounds whichare being frozen for the trip back to Strongsville.
Roger grilled some for their departure. Thyn enjoyed it and he enjoyed grilling. They were so nice and we will miss them but know how to stay in contact.
An early night and getting ready for our halibut charter for tomorrow although the weather doesn't seem to be cooperating.
August 15th, Sunday: Richardson Highway on way to Valdez
Weather; another sunny day in the 70's. We are so lucky.
Roger gets up at 6ish to go outside and he immediately runs back into the motorhome, getting Gretchen up with his announcement "bear". We had camped at a riverside site and there was that bear. But he was the only one to see it since he said he probably scared it away when he slammed the motorhome door. What a bear story!
Off to Valdez which would be about three hours. And we saw some fantastic scenery. Mountains, glaciers, pipeline, valleys.
One pretty sight was the Worthington Glacier which is one of the last remaining that is still forming but receding. It is expected to last out other glaciers.
Another pretty sight (if a pipeline could be pretty) was the trans-Alaska pipeline. You could see it wandering through the mountains, going under rivers, going under the road, and then you could not see it at all, and then it was back.
We arrived in Valdez which is beautifully situated with mountains on all sides. Small community of 4,498. We then found an Elks club. Roger has been a member of the Elks for 30 years and hasn't probably used his for for that many years. Very friendly people.
Back to the campsite where we had to make a firepit and got it going very easily. As Roger is talking to his cousin Renee, Gretchen sees familiar people approaching. It is the Israli family that we had camped next to in Fairbanks a week ago! And believe this, they were camping right next door to us!
It that doesn't give new meaning to the phrase: it's a small world.......
Tomorrow they will be salmon fishing and don't need the fish, so Jasmyn will need to find more fereezer space somewhere for their catch since they are giving that to us!
We have already got a text picture of our freezer captioning saying "NO MORE FISH!"
We are getting pretty good at using the binoculars for close up pictures.
August 15th, Saturday: Leaving Fairbanks via the North Pole on way to Valdez
weather: absolutely gorgeous. Sun and more sun. in the 70's and no chance of rain. Did we say it was sunny??
After a wonderful four nights with Roger's cousin, Kent, and his family, we left for Valdez. The weather is outstandingly warm so much that we actually used the air conditioner that we forget that we had!
First important stop was at the North Pole. Gretchen is such a kid and was disappointed that Santa was "out for lunch." But the Santa Claus House and the street decorated with Christmas flags was her enjoyment. Even houses on Santa Claus Lane were decorated. Merry Christmas!
We then headed off to the Richardson Highway that would take us to Valdez. This scenery was spectacular with the Alaska Range mountains and the trans-Alaska pipeline.
You would see the pipeline which would be on the mountains, then go under the river, back up, and then under the road. It was amazing. Alaska citizens reap a royalty of $1,000 to $1,200 per person for the pipeline oil. But they still pay at least $1.00/gallon more for gas.
As we travelled we saw the most beautiful mountains on the Alaska Range. Pictures show Mt. Hayes, Hess Mountain, and Mt. Deborah. We are running out of words to describe the scenery of Alaska.....it is just amazing, beautiful, stunning, etc.
Then we came upon Donnelly Dome, 3,910 feet, which "predicts" the weather. When the first snow is on top of the dome, Delta junction will have snow within two weeks. Don't know if it's true, it's what they say.
Continuing along Richardson Highway, we stopped at Sourdough Roadhouse for the night. It was a small quaint place that was built in 1902, destroyed by fire in 1992, and re-opened with good ole home cooking.
That endsthe night so early that we didn't feel like building a fire. Too much fun in Fairbanks.....
August 13, Saturday: Last day in Fairbanks. Bar-b-que at Kent and Karrie's
weather: was gorgeous in the 70's, sunny. no rain (can you believe that?)
As Kent and Karrie went to work, the retirees took the motorhome for a bath. We then toured the University of Alaska Museum of the North which had many interesting artifacts of Alaska past. This building is supposed to evoke images of alpine ridges, glaciers, and a diving whale's tail. We are still looking for them (see picture and you will understand). If you find them (where's Waldo?) let us know....
Then the party of grilled fish, chicken, steak, and Roger's potatoes. What a feast. Up late again.
Sadly, we will say good bye to gracious hosts, Kent and Karrie. We had a wonderful time and Roger and Kent enjoyed so much sharing stories of the families. Hope to see them at Don's party next June.
Tommorow we off to Valdez for salmon charter on Tuesday so there may or may not be internet available for a couple of days.
August 12, Thursday: Pipeline, Pump House Restaurant and a quiet day in Fairbanks.
weather: quess what it is doing? If you said, rain, you would be so right.
Roger slept until 10:00a.m. and why/how could he? Cuz Gretchen thought we were up until 11p.m. when it was actually 2:00a.m.!! Party in the motorhome kept us all up late but it was a good time. Kent goes to work, so he's operating on 4 hours of sleep. Roger, Gretchen, and Karrie were sleepy heads and got a little more sleep.
When Kent got home from work inthe afternoon, we headed out to see the Trans Alaska pipeline. This was interesting to actually see since we have only seen it in pictures. 800 miles of pipeline carrying 650,000 barrels a day. Quite a fete.
Then to the Pump House Restaurant for lunch on the deck on the Chena River. This restaurant is on the National Register of Historic Places and is elaborately decorated and landscaped with authentic gold-rush relics. Before the rain came in we were able to enjoy an outdoor lunch on the deck.
We had lunch with visitors of a bunch of bothersome hornets. Roger ordered the biggest seafood sampler and even with Kent's help and Karrie's, he could not finish it. Feat for a King.
But the hornets were a bother especially when you could see them take pieces of Roger's seafood sampler and fly off!
After lunch we went to the new cultural center and then walked to the start of the Yukon Quest Race. This race is in February like the Iditarod and goes 1,000 miles to Whitehorse. Gretchen is currently reading a book called Murder on the Yukon Quest so this was a stop she very much enjoyed. Boy, would it be great to be in Alaska during the winter and see this race? What do you mean it would be cold and snowy? You mean no rain?
Finished the day at the Fudge Pot. Ice cream for Tristan and soft drinks for the adults. By this time, the late hour of last night was taking a toll on us. Karrie wants to cook enchilladas, Roger and Kent want to continue their visit, Gretchen wants to sleep!!!.......zzzzzzzz
August 10-11: Fairbanks: Chena Hot Springs and Signs not seen in Ohio.....
weather: OMG.....we have sun and rain, but more sun than rain! This is heaven......no it's Fairbanks.....
Began the day with a trip to Walmart. Mind you that we have visited many on our trip since they have a RV department where we buy our toilet paper (we know you wondered where we bought that special paper) and what else we need. So in this Walmart we noted how big it was and an employee remarked that this is the 2nd biggest in the United States. He was proud!
Now the questions is: where is the Biggest Walmart??? Respond to
gretchenk@att.net. Winner gets a free roll of RV toilet paper from Walmart.
Arriving at Kent's home (Roger's cousin whom he has never met since Roger had left for the service when Kent was in North Dakota) we visited with his family: Wife Karrie and son Tristan (four years old). Living next door is Karrie's twin sister, Ginnie and her husband, Tim and children Cade and Danica. Karrie and Kent made a great dinner of spaghetti (with lots of garlic sauce that Kent made and we need to get that recipe). We were quite filled up and of course Roger had some great bottles of delicious wine to share.
Talk of all kinds, especially of Roger and Kent's family getting up to date.
The next day, Wednesday, we had an appointment with the best hair stylist in Fairbanks. Karrrie! She cut Roger's two month's worth of growth and highlighted and trimmed Gretchen's. She is amazing and we wish we could take her with us to keep up with our hair-do's!!
We then travelled 56 miles to Chena Hot Springs. This is a day of taking pictures of signs that are not seen in Ohio since Gretchen was convinced that were no wildlife on this highway.
Signs included: Moose watchings, trail crossing (for the sled dogs) , horse crossing, last fuel stop , dog team crossing, end of trail. It was fun looking at the signs and still watching for wildlife, especially Moose.
Now the fun: Chena Hot Springs, Ice Museum. This is a place that is 20 degrees all the time. They have parkas if you don't have the clothes. And believe me you need them. The ice figurines were amazing. We saw a chapel, medieval fighters (Eric and Erin would love them!), igloo with xylophone that acutally worked (and we did it), a hotel with latrine that didn't work, restaurant with fireplace that didn't work , and a bar that did work. All these were carved in ice. Believe us it was cold but fun.
We had the traditional appletini which you had to drink without spilling which you meant you had to drink it without having using your hands so as not to melt the bar or your glass. The glasses were all ice which we kept and is now in our freezer. Bring on that cold weather in Ohio!!...only for our martini glasses!!!......
On the way out, what happens but Moose sightings!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gretchen was out of her mind with watching two moose and a beaver doing their thing in the swamp. Get out those binoculars. They were so beautiful in their natural setting eating and the beaver getting the stuff needed to build her dam. Dam it was terrific (no pun intended).
Back to Kent and Karrie's for "socializing" for the night.
August 9th: Leaving Denali
weather: mostly sunny. very enjoyable for a change.
We decided to go back into Denali park to see if we can get a better view of Denali (aka Mt. McKinley). The weather has not cooperated so far. You can only drive into the park for 15 miles and can only view the mountain at miles 9-12.
And there it was. In its majestic form standing above all other mountains. View through the binoculars gives you goose bumps since it is soooo beautiful. We were glad we decided to do this drive.
We left Denali to go to Fairbanks. Camped right on the outskirts for a restful evening, or so we thought. Campers that came in next to us were a family of 5 from Israel. They brought their table to our site, we fired up the grill, and had a pleasant visit exchanging views and ways of the U.S. and Israel. They gave us a gift of "soup almonds". Picture show the bag in Hewbrew but it easy to use. Just put onto of soup like you would do with croutons. They had soup we were able to try this out and it was good.
Early evening ended at midnight! And we thank them for a lovely night.
August 8th, Sunday: A quiet day in Denali
weather: sunny. let's repeat that: sunny. very windy.
Here's a love story regarding laundry: We both take clothes to the laundry room and Gretchen starts the washer. Roger then goes back to put them into the dryer. We both go back to fold. Bring back to motorhome and Roger puts aways his clothes and Gretchen puts away her clothes. Isn't that romatic?
Took the shuttle to town to shop and eat. Prospector's pizza has replaced Lynx for the best pizza in town and it was great. Lynx had been bought by Princess and quality was replaced with frozen pizza. We put this info in here since Roger's sister, Dianne, had recommended Lynx. She and Tom were here 10 years ago. So when they come back, they need to try Prospectors!
Interesting fact: the Alaska-Ohio name game regarding Mt. McKinley. Originally named Tenada meaning "the high one" was changed 1898 by a prospector to spite his former traveling companions who were always arguing politics.
Alaskans believed McKinley is an irrelevant name for the mountain since it already had a name. In 1980 Congress changed the name of the park to Denali but Ohio Congressman, Rep. Ralph Regula (Republican who represented McKinley's former seat beginning in 1972) found a clever way of keeping the name. In each Congress from 1977 onward, Regula introduced a single sentence as a budget amendment or as a standalone bill that states that McKinley is the mountain's permanent name. Sen Ted Stevens, R-Alaska also instroduced an annual bill changing the name to Denali, which also went nowwhere.
New blood for Ohio (R-Tim Ryan from McKinley's home city of Niles, Ohio) and Alaska (D-Mark Begich) assures that the issue, entering its fourth decade in Congress, is in no danger of being resolved. The fight goes on.
When we were on the shuttle yesterday and arrived at the spot to view Mt McKinley, the shuttle driver announces "and there's Denali". We both wondered what he meant.
At Prospector's for pizza the placemant had the mountain pictured and named Denali.
And now we understand that these politicians have nothing better to do than to worry about a mountain name.....
Anyway, we ended up the night at a new bar next door to the campground called 49th State Brewery. Outside were three fire pits and they grill great burgers on a gas grill. This is open 5p.m. to 4a.m. Open so late for the gold miners who get off in the middle of the night. There are no legal closing times in Alaska.
Which brings to mind a shuttle story: when we tried to get on the 4:30a.m. shuttle yesterday to go to the park, the driver suggested that we wait 15 minutes while he dropped off some riders saying that there would not be as many "drunks"!
We saw three of them wobbling into the station for the shuttle, having a good time, slurring words. And we wondered what campsite they had come from. Turns out it was because the bar was open until 4a.m. and they were taking advantage of the late drinking hours!
So these three happy fellows took the same shuttle to town and boy did they smell of liquor. It was funny to see them try to get off the shuttle and walk in town to their apartments. One of them said he would be up at 10:00a.m. to go hiking and we both looked at one another and laughed. Don't really think he would be up in a few hours.
Our evening is over and will be leaving tomorrow for Ester looking for gold. Then on to Fairbanks. We may not have internet for a couple of days, but we will be back with more Alaska adventures.
August 7th, Saturday: Denali National Park
weather: 50-60's and the sun actually came out in the afternoon. For our trip through Denali Park, it was the best.
We woke up at 3:30a.m. for our date with the shuttle to take us to the Denali Wilderness Activity Center where we would get another shuttle for an 8-hour tour to Eielson Visitor Center which is 62 miles into the park. Was it easy getting up? Ask Gretchen who only wanted to see some wildlife! So off we went with our lunch and refreshments packed.
This shuttle is a school bus which turned out to be pretty comfortable. Our driver had a lot of knowledge about hiking and the parks so he gave us a good tour.
When anyone saw any wildlife he would stop so we could view/take picture. No getting out though and you must be quiet so as not to scare the animals.
Our first encounter was a big moose and then followed on the other side another moose. Good grief, we saw two animals so quickly. Is this going to a great day or what? Some doubts since we heard other shuttles coming back and seeing nothing due to the clouds/fog.
Holy cow....oops we did not see any cows...instead holy Dall Sheep. Saw one, then more, then caribou, then bear and her cubs, then wolves, and a magpie, and rabbits, and artic ground squirrels. This is absolutely amazing.
Oh yeah, we saw so many beautiful mountains and tundra that speaking of them or looking at the pictures does not give them justice. This truly was a wonderful day at Denali National Park.
We even caught a glimpse of Mt McKinley when we were 62 miles into the park about to turn around and head back. It was just as majestic as when we saw the summit from the plane ride. Fact: you only have a 20% chance to see this mountain because it is four miles high and makes it own weather which is mostly clouds climbing up the faces of the mountain. So who's in charge here?
We are back at the campground just relaxing. Roger is reading a book about Don Sheldon (the Talkeetna bush pilot). Gretchen is upgrading the blog and plans to do nothing but maybe look again at the wildlife pictures!!
August 6th, Friday: On to Denali
weather: guess what it is!!
We left Talkeetna for a three hour drive to Denali. No wildlife but some nice scenery. The mountains are beautiful, all shapes and sizes.
During our plane ride in Talkeetna, we flew over a beautiful lake called Summit Lake. On the drive to Denali, we drove next to it and it didn't look quite as pretty! The tundra was just as pretty from the motorhome as it was from the plane. You could imaging the wildlife living there. But Gretchen is getting a strained neck looking for them and finding nothing. Where are they?
Tomorrow we will be taking a shuttle ride through the Denali park and hope to see something. If not, we may go back to that conservatory to see the bears and moose.....
Dinner was a terrific meal of Gretchen's homemade enchilladas. We need to get up at 3:30a.m. to catch the shuttle for the park, so this is a very quiet evening and to bed on a full Mexican stomach.
August 5th, Thursday: Talkeetna, plane ride
weather: still overcast, some rain.
Our walk to downtown Talkeetna was only about 5 blocks from the VFW campsite. Downtown consisted of one street and a handful of stores. It was quite quaint.
We then signed up for a plane ride to Mt. McKinely with a glacier walk. But the weather halted our plans. We had the plane ride but the clouds prohibited us from getting nearer to the mountain and glacier. However, we did very much enjoy the plane ride over rivers and tundra looking for wildlife.
Interesting was our visit with Holly Sheldon. Her father was very famous here when he was a bush pilot, saving lives and delivering medicine. His name is everywhere and has an amphitheatre in his name in Denali. He passed in 1974. She has taken up his sport of flying, owns her own flight company which is where we charted the plane flown by her husband, David Lee.
With the Mt. McKinely making its own weather, the clouds prohibited us from getting close to the mountain and the glacier. We enjoyed with flight anyway with the magnicifant scenery.
Back to town where we had an after drink af the Fairview Inn. This was built in 1923 and is the home of Talkeetna's first bath tub! No structure can be taller than this building as per the ordinance that was voted in in 2003!!
Then onward to the VFW for socializing and then to the campsite where we got the camp fire going for dinner. Roger had steak and beans. Gretchen had a hot dog and loved it!
Wednesday, August 4th: Talkeetna
weather: we have continually heard regarding the rain that "It's never been this bad..." What can we say?
After a three hour wait at the motorhome service center, we left for Talkeetna. Warranty problems were not completed but we had our fill of Wasilla!
We remembered that VFW's in Alaska, mostly, have RV parking. So we sought out the one in Talkeetna and they did with electric. It was great. This VFW is different than the others in that the members we met were not in the service but had a relative that was in a war. We won that night onthe pull tabs. Hooray!
A short night since we had driven from Wasilla and partied at the VFW in our back yard.
August 3rd, Tuesday: Hatcher Pass, Wasilla AK
Weather: overcast, 60's, sunny, little rain but a nice day.
Left the Grandview Hotel which was a bad night of sleeping. Pillows were like the size of a small book, and only two little towels. Again, missing the motorhome very much and our own bed and towels.
Found a VFW and had some refreshments.
Had a rental car so we then went to Hatcher Pass. Note: we were at the Wasilla entrance to Hatcher Pass several weeks ago where the a-frames (lodges) are located. Could/can't/won't take the motorhome over this pass. Now we have a rental car and entered the pass at Willow. And what a trip this was.
Approximately 30 miles of bad, horrible, rocky, sometimes one-way, nerve wracking, gravel road!!!! And Gretchen was white nuckling as she looked over the side, no rails, and could see up to 3,900 feet down. Yes, it was beautiful and an adventure. Roger used a few choice words as he maneuvered the rental car over some big to small boulders. He certainly was not looking forward to a flat tire.
This drive took us about two hours and when we rounded the bend at the a-frames, we were elated. WE DID IT!!!!! and no flat tires.
Back to Wasilla and a great Italian Restaurant for a great meal.
Got another room at Trout's and taxied it back to the VFW for an adventure in pull tabs. Why did we buy them out? Why didn't we win? Why were we having so much fun? Why ask why? You can see in the picture the enormous amount of pull tabs that we bought. You can also see that big smile on Roger's face.
We can certainly find enjoyment in this trip. Tomorrow, hopefully, the motorhome warranty problems will be fixed and we can then motor off to Talkeetna.
August 2nd: Wasilla/sled dogs
weather is becoming very nice. Back into the 70's with sunshine.
Gone: 52 days
Miles: 5,700
Everything, everyday, every mile we put on is so much different and enjoyable. Mountains with snow, mountains without. Lakes, rivers, glacier, friendly people. Leaving Anchorage we will be travelling northeast and our plans may change with the weather.
We may or may not be able to get to Inuvik due to the rain and road conditions. But it looks like we may able to get to the Artic Circle. We will find out sometime next week.
In Wasilla, dropped off the motorhome for the warranty work so we found a Mexican restaurant for a great lunch. Then off to the Iditarod Museum.
We were able to take a "ride" with the actual dogs who race in the Iditarod Race. Only thing missing was the snow! And Gretchen was able to pet one of the future champions! How thrilling. We talked to Cammie, the son of the founder of the Iditarod. He raced in 14 races with his best place of 11th.
Our neighbor, JoAnn, has a sister who lives in Wasilla and we thlen visited her. Rose has a home on a lake in the woods. Very beautiful. She never got into some good JoAnn stories since Rose has lived in Alaska for 30 years.
Checked into the Grandview Hotel. Our first time in a hotel since we left. We miss our motorhome. But it should be ready for travelling tomorrow.
We are pretty tired today so just went to the Canyon Grill here at the hotel for appetizers that were more like meals. Boy, were we stuffed. Roger had Captain platter of halibut, shrimp, steak strips, and onion rings. Gretchen had halibut fish with Pyramid Hefeweizen batter and fries. It was too good.
That's it. To the room for an early night.
August 1st, Sunday: Eklutna
weather was very pleasant, sunny, 71 degrees.
Good bye to Renee. We were there two nights. Iz and Pat were there also last night after the Moose's Tooth. It was a wonderful time with Renee and Roger going through a million pictures of their past. And didn't get to go through all that Renee had. We must get back there.
Iz and Pat are in town so we hooked up and drove out to Eklutna Historical Park. This was amazing. There is an old cementery, still in use, in which each grave is enclosed by a highly decorated spirit house the size of a large dollhouse. This unique practice evolved from the Russian Orthodox beliefs.
St. Nicholas Orthodox was built in 1870.
Then we drove to Thunderbird Falls where it was supposed to be an "easy" one mile hike. Easy? How about walking up and down several steep hills to get there? You were quite close to the edge and it was a steep grade down if you faultered. The falls were falls so we quickly turned around to walk the "easy" one mile back. Gretchen did a lot of huffin and a-puffin!!
We then drove 10 miles to Eklutna Lake which was beautiful.
Iz and Pat stayed for a deli lunch in the motorhome. A nice visit which may or may not be our "last" again. They are off to Fairbanks/Denali and then a Princess cruise.
We are off to Wasilla for warranty work on the motorhome.
July 31st, Saturday: Roger's 63rd Birthday in Anchorage.
weather: was beautiful in the 70's with sun! Yes, there was actually sunshine!!
We gandered downtown to shop at the Saturday Market. We bought gifts and some fruit. As we approached another market, Renee says that there was a bar called Chilkoot Charlies that had 10 themed bars inside. We of course headed there.
The first bar had birthday decorations. How did they know that this was Roger's birthday? Pretty cool. We then went to the Bird Cage for some fun. Met a nice local by the name of Doug. He told the bartender that it was Roger's birthday and she proceeded to get him a free drink. This was a blow job: Kahlua and Baileys topped with whipped cream. Renee said if you added a Crown Royal shot it would be called a duck fart!
Roger was to drink this without using his hands and so he did!
Doug wanted us to stay for more birthday drinks but we were headed for the best pizza ever at the Moose's Tooth. Our friends from New Jersey, Pat and Iz, whom we had been with in Girdwood were now in Anchorage. So they met up with us for another last supper.
We all went back to Renee's for more wine and friendship.
At 1:00 a.m. eastern time, we were surprised with a telephone call from our back-home neighbors. What were they doing up at that hour??? Got a great picture of them on Gretchen's telephone. Too bad it cannot get onto the blog!
Happy birthday, Roger.
July 30, Friday: Leaving Whittier/icebergs and wildlife
Weather: still 50-60, overcast but pleasant.
We left Whittier and travelled through the tunnell. What an experience driving one way on the railroad tracks in the Motorhome. And realizing the tunnell was built in 1942-43 and is still here~
Stopped at the Alaska State Wilderness Center. They have taken in abandoned animals and take care of them for the rest of their lives. We get to see a brown bear feeding in her pond. Her mother was killed when she was 3 months and is now 6 years old and doesn't know how to fish since mom was not there to teach her. She also has a brother living there.
Saw many other animals including deer, muskox, bison, elk, moose, owl, and bald eagle. Sad but good ending story for the eagle. He was shot (against the law) and had to have his left wing amputated. He now has a wonderful home to live in at the conversatory.
Found a Borders in Anchorage so we can update our blog. Will be seeing cousin Renee for the weekend.
July 29, Thursday: Whitter salmon charter
Weather: is great for fishing. 60's. partly sunny. no rain.
Left Girdwood and drove to Whitter via a 2 1/2 mile tunnell that is one way and shared with a train. There are specific times that the cars enter each going one way (coming and going).
Found a dry campsite in downtown Whittier. Actually Whitter has a population of less than 200 and is a fishing town. The campsite was walking distance of our charter and the piers.
There were 12 of us to go salmon fishing. We saw some very pretty scenery again with glaciers and otters. This charter has a silver salmon limit of three per person and we all made our limit catch. Another exciting adventure on the charter as Roger pulled and fought with three biggies. Gretchen also had her share of fighters and was so glad to have finally caught her third so she could rest.
Total of 50.5 pounds weigh-in which means that 42 pounds of fillets going back to Strongsville. Fish party in Strongsville in the making!
A final dinner with our friends, Iz and Pat, and Annie and Jake at the Anchor Inn. We all had some kind of fish dinner and every bite of it was scrumptous.
Good bye friends. Hello to the rest of our trip.
July 28, Wednesay: Tram lunch and Trap Shooting Trophy
weather: 50's-60. overcast.
Took the tram up to top of the ski area at Mt. Alyeska. Ate a good lunch with Jake and Annie, and Iz and Pat. The view was tremendous. There were people walking up this mountain but for us.
The Boilermakers had their dinner/dance that night. This is where Roger was surprized and received a 3rd place in the trap shooting contest from yesterday. What did Gretchen get?...a bruise on her shoulder!...and a few sore muscles.
Congrats Roger!
July 27, Tuesday: Trap Shooting
weather: when we got up we listened and there was NO rain! It turned out to be a beautiful day in the 70's and sunny.
Roger, Annie and Gretchen drove the motorhome down to the gas station to do the RV things that were needed (gas, dump, water, propane).
Back to the hotel to get onto the bus for a one hour drive to a trap shooting club in Anchorage. First time for Gretchen, Annie, Jake, and Iz. When you shoot there are "teams" of five and Roger joined the four virgins for an interesting round of trap shooting. There was an instructor there who was very good and patient with the virgins.
As you move through five stations and to shoot a total of 25 rounds, game would then be over for this trophy shoot.
Roger is disappointed with 22 of 25 but he had not shot for over a year. We thought he did great. He looked so experienced in his stance and shooting. You could tell he done this before.
And now comes the virgins.
Gretchen, who thought she would blow out her shoulder on the first shot, ended up with 6 of the 25.
Iz immediately got into this shoot and had 9 of 25 rounds.
Annie, who immensely enjoyed shooting, had 5 of 25.
Then comes Jake: His comment was that he was "saving" the clay pigeons. He seemed to think they were eco-friendly (what?). There was quite a protest when he saw that Gretchen was taking a picture of the score pad but it was all in fun. We would like to tell you his score but let the picture tell the his score.............
Bus drive back to the hotel for supper and wine with our good friends.
Tomorrow Jake (who shot 3 of 25) and Annie, Iz and Pat will be glacier dog sledding via helicopter. Roger and Gretchen will stay on the ground for a sled dog ride.
July 26, Monday: Girdwood Boilmakers reception
weather: all together now... rain, overcast, 50's!!
Got up to rain and had to cancel the sled dog experience since they said rain would last all day. What a disappointment since they had run the Iditorad 9 times and Gretchen could pet the puppies.
Went back to Chair 5 pub for some great pizza and Alaskan brewed beer. Actually, Roger had Michelob but Gretchen got into the mood with the Alaskan beer.
Back to the motorhome for a nap.
Jake and Annie, from Oregon, arrive about 6:00p.m. to pick us up to go to the International Boilermakers reception at the Hotel Alyeska. Great food of prime rib, sushi, battered halibut and much more. Roger gets to see old friends to include Iz and his wife, Pat, from New Jersey.
Excitement and big eyes when Roger sees that trap shooting is scheduled after the meeting tomorrow. Looks like we are staying another day
July 25, Sunday: Gretchen's birthday/Girdwood, Alaska
weather: what can we say about this weather in Alaska but it seems to be the same every day. In the 50's and rain. Overcast.
We left the great town of Seward. We really enjoyed it there and may go back. No wildlife on the way.
Arrived at Girdwood, a very small town, and looked for Hotel Alyeska. Roger has a couple of friends that will be there for a Boilermakers meeting. They will be here tomorrow. We were surprised that close to the hotel is a dry campsite. The site looks right at the Alyeska Mountain Ski area and is beautiful. Although the sign says "no parking. avalanche area" We realized that was for the winter and parked the rv.
Found a shuttle that took us to "town" and only costs $1.oo/each. This town consists of only a couple of businesses. Went to Chair 5 for birthday martinis. Gretchen is celebrating her 63rd!!!!
Took the shuttle to go to Hotel Alyeska. A beautiful hotel looking at the Alyeska ski mountain. Had more birthday martinis and then the bartender surprised Gretchen with a birthday gift of cherries jubilee. He topped it off with Knob Creek 101 proof. WOW!!
Back to the motorhome. Played scrabble and it was a close game with Gretchen winning. Forgot to mention that the night before Roger was a winner. YEAH!! Then it was a domino game with Roger winning. He was very happy. But Gretchen protested since it was her birthday. But he kept his dominoe crown.....
Tomorrow is adog sled ride with experienced Iditarod dogs. Looking forward to doing this in the rain.
July 24: Downtown Seward Walk
weather: still in the 50's and now light rain all day.
The beautiful mountains that we had seen on the charter yesterday are covered with fog/clouds. You could not tell that those mountains were even there. We are so thankful that our charter day was sunny so we could enjoy the spectacular scenery.
Previous night dinner for Roger: the salmon that we caught. Gretchen doesn't like salmon so she had a gormet hot dog! His salmon: salmon au poivre, marinated salmon seared in black pepper crust. Sorry no picture cuz we accidently deleted it.
We took our time in the morning and then took the shuttle to downtown Seward. There was reported to be a grizzly in the river fishing for salmon on the way but when we got to the bridge, he was gone. Then the police came to usher away the remaining lookers. Party pooper!
We ate lunch at Ray's Place, a waterfront restaurant and the meal was just delicious. Roger had a salmon sandwich on cornmeal bread. Gretchen had halibut fish and chips. Oh yeah, we, of course, had a good bottle on wine from Australia.
We then shopped. Roger was very patient as Gretchen continued to look for special gifts at at least four stores.
With the shopping done, we ended up at the Yukon Bar that has the dollars stapled on the ceiling. Some of these were signed from 1985 and we wondered if this could be a fire hazard! But we stayed and had a drink anyway as we were waiting for American Legion to open at 4:00p.m.
Walked to Post #5, Seward American Legion where we donated to the cause by buying pull tabs that did not pay off.
Back to the campsite. Roger visited with our charter captain, Captain Tat. Captain Tat's Mexican wife had homemade tamales and she gave him four. Looks like Mexican tomorrow which is Gretchen's birthday. O-lay!!!!
July 23, Friday: Salmon Charter, Seward
weather: beautiful day of 60's and sunny
Captain Tat picked us up at our campsite at 6:a.m. to head out to his boat, Carolyn. This is a 6-pack and a Texas family of four joined us (dad, mom, and two teenager daughers).
We began fishing by jigging (for the landlubbers this means just fishing) - no fish. So we changed to trolling. The Captain drops three lines. Gretchen and Roger each had a line and the Texans had one. And lo and behold, both Gretchen and Roger quickly get the simultaneously first bites. As Gretchen brings her line in, you could se this HUGE fish fighting away and, then....... he won..... cuz he actually cut the line and swam off.
In the meantime, Roger snags his first salmon and had a fighter. This time the human wins with Roger's first catch of the day.
The Captain now gives Roger and Gretchen one rod and the other two go to the four Texans.
Quiet again. But Roger gets another catch. Quiet again for some time.
Then another bite and Gretchen gets to reel this fighter in and what a battle. Now mind you Gretchen isn't a fisherperson so she's reeling in and struggling so much she yells twice for Roger to take over. But NO. The Captain continued to coach Gretchen to bring in that salmon fighter.
Game over and with cramped hands and shaking arms, Gretchen admires her catch that is now going to Strongsville. She was glad that Captain Tat helped her to reel in her catch.
Question of the day: who got the biggest salmon????? Vote on our email:
gretchenk@att.net
Roger caught one more ending up with a total of 15 pounds of fillets.
Back to the campsite for internet updating, drinking, resting, and campfire so Roger can cook the salmon he kept for his dinner. No tacos tonight!
July 22, Thursday: Exit Glacier, Seward Aklaska
miles: 5,399
weather: 55 degrees, partly sunny
days away: 42 days and still in love
After finding a secluded campground (Stony Creek), we checked in, did a quick rest and then went to Exit Glacier.
Exit Glacier: this was a 3 mile round trip walk up, and up, and up, and up, and up (get the picture?) beginning asphalt, narrowing to glacier rock through trees. the trail went up and around and then up some more.
Ten years ago you could step onto this glacier. Now it has receded and become unstable so you could only get about 50 feet away and feel the cold and wind and enjoy its beauty. The walk was quite worth it.
Back to the campsite to meet Captain Tat to see if he has room for us to salmon charter with him tomorrow. We were lucky that he stays here for the season and had room.
We ended up the night trying to light wet wood. Roger went through about a half a can of charcoal fluid to try to get this fire going. Not.
No scrabble tonight.
June 21, Wednesday: Russian River, Cooper Landing
weather: 60's, partly cloudy
Left Homer via Kenai but the only two RV parks were booked so we continued for about two hours to drive to Cooper Landing. Found a beautiful dry camp at Chugach National Forest and planned to do some fishing on the Russian River for salmon.
Did we say "some" fishing? How about "none"? First trip down to the river with Roger's 2nd cast he broke the pole (which was a Christmas gift from Gretchen). Gretchen hears the snap and Roger turned to Gretchen and mouthed "duck tape?" So back to the motorhome for a repair of duck tape and coat hanger.
Back to the river, which was via a boardwalk of about a godzillion steps. Okay on the way down, but it was all up hill on the way back. And this was steep.
Another try at the salmon but after at least 50 casts, it was time to climb back up the hill.
And, maybe we left just in time, when another fisherman about 50 yards away is pointing across to the woods yelling "bear". We saw that black bear but he was in the woods going down stream.
Dinner: no fish, so we had tacos and wine.
This was another calm night playing scrabble with you-know-who winning again.
Off to Seward tomorrow for salmon charter fishing.
July 20, Tuesday: Halibut Fishing at Homer Spit
When we got up at that ungodly hour of 5a.m., the skies were clear and again in the 50's. But this was beautiful day for fishing.
Got to our pier at 5:30 and entered the boat and then found out that the group on board had brought some extras that put us over the limit. So, we had to walk/drive to another pier for another charter which turned out to be better than what we were originally on.
Off we were at 6:45a.m.for halibut.
Can you believe this that Roger actually caught the first fish of the day (a 47 pound fish)? As he immediately put his line in the water, and the action happened. He was ushered by the captain under five other fishermen in the back side of the boat (so that the lines weren't tangled) and that fish gave him a fight. Ducking under their fishing line, he followed that halibut along the backside of the boat. There was Roger reeling in and reeling in about 400 feet of line to bring in that bugger. And it is now history and on its way to Strongsville.
He also caught a 30 pounder which is also on its way to Strongsville. Lost several and threw two back.
A great day for halibut fishing.
p.s. Gretchen took pictures and manned the bar!
July 19, Monday: Seldovia Bay Ferry, Homer Spit
It started out raining and in the 50's. So we rested until 10 and then got a taxi to go to the ferry that would take us to an island called Seldovia. This was a great trip. Weather quit raining and was very pleasant with partly sunny skies.
The ferry was also a sightseeing cruise to Gull Island with scenic cruising through Eldridge Passage. Gull Island was amazing with all the gulls and birds and making their noises. Scenery was spectacular.
In Seldovia, population 265, was a walking self-guided tour. That 1964 earthquake did much damage to the fishing and canning industry. We saw what was left of the boardwalk, a closed but only for funerals Russian Orthodox Church, and wildlife (yes, we acutally saw several otters.........but no bears).
A raven on the deck of Tidepool Cafe (where we ate lunch)was quite entertaining as he took advantage of the left out sugar and would take the non-sugars packages out and drop them on the table as he looked for only the real sugar packages.
We were quite tired when we got back to Homer Spit but got the energy to go to the Salty Dog for drinks. This place must have at least 20,000 one dollar bills tacked on the ceiling and walls.
We registered for the halibut charter tomorrow. Up at 5a.m. for an all day event. Roger entered the "Derby" where he has the opportunity to win big bucks depending on the size of the halibut he catches tomorrow. Could be up to $40,000...we wish... Gretchen is only going as a ride along and documenting this adventure. This should be a goody!!
July 18th, Sunday: On the way to Homer
We left Renee's in the morning for a four hour drive to Homer. Weather is rain, 50 degrees. We encountered low clouds and fog so did not get to see much of the scenery on the way.
We stopped to watch out for whales at Beluga point with the new binoculars we just bought. Can you tell that we are sooooooo desparate to find wildlife somewhere that we bought binoculars?? Nothing but white caps.
Interesting that the mud flats continue and there are many warnings to NOT enter these where you will be sucked in like quicksand and you will drown when the tide comes back in. But there are people who push their luck and do it. Some come back, others don't.
Moving onward, we exit clouds and fog and can now see snow on the mountains. It is beautiful!
Entering Homer via Homer Hill (6% downhill grade) is wonderful. Water, glaciers, and snow capped mountains.
We are staying at Ocean View RV Park on the Gulf of Alaska. View is tremendous. Halibit fishing is definitely on our schedule.
July 16 & 17th: Anchorage and Cookout at Renee's
We are still in Anchorage and having a great time. Renee has lived here 30 years so we have the best tour director.
Friday: Roger and Gretchen walk downtown Anchorage. We first ate at a great place called Humpy's and had a delicious sandwich of chicken/bacon. Roger had a pink salmon burger. Then off to tour downtown. This took us about two hours. We found out that the big uphill walk from 3rd to 4th was due to the slide from the 1964 earthquake. What an uphill walk that was.
The evening was even better as we took off to see the sun dip. The sun does not set so it is called a dip! We first went to an American Legion where Roger exchanged license plates with them.
Took off to Point Woronzof were you could see Anchorage and watch the dip. We were quite amuzed by what we thought was a bride walking into the water to have her picture taken. It was almost 11:00p.m. and that water had to have been 40 degrees. We figured out that this was a photo/model shoot.
Then went to earthquake park where you could see there the side of the mountain had slide down from the 1964 earthquake.
What we did not see were Moose, bears, wolverines, coyotes, or anthing thing considered as wildlife. We continue on our quest and may just stop at the zoo!!!!
Saturday: After doing several errands, we had a cookout at Renee's. Her son and wife and daughters (Mike, Tisa, McKensie, Sydni, and McKenzie's boyfriend Rhys) were there. Roger bought some absolutely great steaks at Mr. Prime Rib and cooked his world famous potatoes (red, bacon, garlic, butter, onion, and bacon). Also cooked his peg corn and french greenbean casserole. Mike brought a fantastic cocoanut pie. Followed by several bottles of wine.
Time for bed and we slept great on a full stomach.
but first interesting stuff: --$300.00 fine for putting out
garbage the night before pick up.
-- no bird feeders allows. Considered bear crack.
--thinking about putting in a pipe line to help keep
down the price of gas down. Is now at $3.35.
July 14/15: Anchorage, home of Renee Kvasager!
Wednesday, July 14:
After a less than two hour drive, we are in Anchorage. Made appointment for the 2nd oil change and washed the RV where the 2nd driving experience for Gretchen is to occur -- at the car wash. She is to back up 50 feet from the wash to the vacuums. As Roger is saying to Gretchen "Back it up", she is thinking WHAT! This rig is extremely big.
So Gretchen, with shaking legs, puts it into reverse and steps over so slowly on the gas. In the meantime, Roger in is the back up camera continually waving for her to come-on back. Okay, here she goes realizing she is moving over 24,000 pounds of RV... backwards! She makes it but this prompts a dream that night where Gretchen drove the RV and made a car flip over and over and she her driver's license was taken away by some nerdy looking kid.
Think Roger will ask her to drive again? on a straight and narrow and going forward? Stay tuned.....
Roger hasn't seen Renee since 1967 so there's a lot of conversation to catch up on. We visited where she works and toured the wine stocked warehouse. Made us very wine thirsty. Walked about three miles through Kincaid but, of course, saw no moose. Gretchen is beginning to wonder if there are any out there.
We grilled for dinner for a relaxing evening.
Thursday, July 15th: A restful afternoon and when Renee got home from work, we visited her son's office. They manufacture diesel generators and control panels that are used at the villages as a source of energy. Since power plant related, Roger knew a lot about this line of work.
Ate a terrific meal at the Italian Village who actually is a Greek so they also served Greek foods. Appetizers of hot Italian sausage with mozzella and tomatoe sauce, fried brie cheese, and garlic bread. Had to take our meals home since we ate too much on the appetizers.
There is no internet available at Renee's so we are now catching up at a Borders. We are doing a walking tour of downtown Anchorage so more pictures will follow.
We will leave Sunday for Homer.
July 13, Tuesday: Palmer Alaska, Mountainview RV Park
weather: light rain, 55 degrees.
Left the campground to go to the warranty dealer in Wasilla for a few problems. Although we began email and phone conversations at least two weeks ago, parts did not come in. We will be back in 2-3 weeks to get this done and visit Joann's sister (Strongsville neighbor) and Roger's cousin Renee's son.
So we looked for Sara but she was interviewing with CNN and would not be disturbed to talk to us even though Gretchen explained that she and best friend Sheila were at the pep rally in Uniontown last summer. ...too bad, so sad... and so we RV'ed off on to our next destination.
Arrived at Mountain View Park Rv Park on the Old Glenn Highway which was a side trip for us to enjoy some scenery. Set up and began happy hour.
Gretchen and Roger are now sitting outside at the campsite enjoying Bushmills and Vodka and what do we hear but rustling in the woods right next to our campsite.........But NO.......it's not moose..............no it's not bear.............it's three goats !!!!!
Q: where are those moose?
Q: where are those grizzlies?
Talked to Dianne and Tom tonight. Good to hear from North Dakota. Talked to Rae Ann, also. Heard from Jake from Oregon whom we hope to see in Alaska the end of the month along with his wife, Annie .
Roger talked to Beth today, his administrative assistant. All is well. He also has talked to Leslie and did not wub her the wong way!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (see commercial with Elmer Fudd for Geico).
We have found out that there is no sirius radio in Alaska and the Direct TV may need a different satelite antennae. So we continue to enjoy our own loving company without those amnenties. Playing scrabble and gues swho won again?
And by the way, we go to bed in the day light and wake up in the day light!......................of course, because we are in the land of the midnight sun.
July 7-12, Monday: on way to Wasilla
When we left Glennallen it was clear skies and 55 degrees at 9:00a.m. But not before we watched "RV" with Robin Williams as given by us from our great friends Pam and John. What can we say about Robin Williams in an RV comedy????
So we took off and decided to do a side trip up to Hatcher Pass. It became 74 degrees but the road was too much for an RV and we stopped at the "A" frames for lunch. These were at the foot of the mines that were toured. We took a picture of the first mine shack from 1903 who told us about this from the fourth generation person. They can pan for gold all summer and make 5 ounces which would be amount worth $6,000.
74 degrees on the the way to Wasilla.
Be patient with this following story: Upon checking in at this Good Park RV In Wasilla, Gretchen talks to the the receptionist. Gretchen tells her that we need to get to Motor Right for warranty work the next day. So Jennifer calls them and introduces herself as Jennifer Dalby. Gretchen is thinking that she has the book "A Guide to the Alaska Highway" by Ron Dalby and is thinking that, with the few residents in Alaska that she may be a relative of Ron Dalby and asks if she knows a Ron Dalby.
Jennifer replies that she is his husband! "Yikes", is thinking Gretchen and tells Jennifer that she has his book!!!!!!!!!!!
Ron, later, visits Gretchen and Roger in the motorhome, picture and all, and futhur explains where we should/not visit in Homer/Seward. This is just thrilling. Another autograph.
July 11th, Sunday: Last day at Tolsona, Glennallen Alaska
Woke up at 5:00a.m. to rain and that's what it did until 5p.m. So we read, played hearts, and laundry. Very lazy day but a good rest.
About 5p.m., the rain stopped, and Roger put on his waders, got the net and poles to fly fish at the river right here on the campsite. He looked very, very, very bushman with his gear on and that beard!
But after several casts, he got nothing............again.
Neighbors rolled in and came over for the evening. They are from Washington and going to pick up caribou head mounts that he shot last year. They wanted $800.00 each (he had three) to ship so Chad thought he would wait and take his trailer up this year.
That's it for this day. Tomorrow we leave for Wasilla. And, no, we aren't going to Sarah but to have warranty work done on the RV.
July 10th: Tolsona Wilderness Campground - a lazy day
60 degrees, overcast, slight rain in the morning. Sunshine later.
Roger sneaked out in the morning while Gretchen slept in to go fishing. He droped the reel in the river cuz it wasn't put on tight enough and used the fish net to retrieve it. How's that for a fish story?
Note on this reel: Gretchen had given Roger a very nice one for Christmas. But it wasn't on the packing list, so it is still in Strongsville. Stopped at Cabela's in Wisconsin and bought a cheapee. Gotta live by those lists.
This is a very lazy day. We went for a nice hike, came back and put up a hammock that our friends Barb and Garry gave for retirement. Leary at first to get on it since Roger was using a rope on which he was calculating the weight restrictions. Gretchen thinks Rogers thinks she weights less than she does. But who's telling?
Anyway, it worked and was great to use to read and relax.
Short walk today to check out fishing spots. We're both reading a good book.
internet not working today.
no tv, no sirius radio
Roger tried fishing again at our campsite which is on the river.
We had delicious steaks and potatoes for dinner. We should try to find a Long John Silvers for supper one night.
Bed by nine, which is 1a.m. back home.
July 9th: Tok to Glennallen, Alaska
We left the Alaska highway at mile 1316 (of 1600) to take the Tok cut off to go to Glennallen. We will finish with the Alaska Highway drive later on our trip.
We have been gone four weeks now and it has been going too fast. We are seeing some gorgeous sights and are still in love!
When we crossed into Alaska, it was an adjustment with the road signs. No more "km's" for the speed limits and mileage. Roger was good at converting these especially when the speed sign said 100km! That is actually 60mph.
Beautiful day at 78 degrees. But no cell and no sirius radio. So we sing! ...Just kidding.
gas in Alaska is a surprise at $3.69/gallon
beard growth is on it's 10th day
Tok: Roger bought an annual fishing pass
We see move RV's than cars
Sign says to watch for moose in wetlands but nothing, not
even a duck!
But Wait: we just saw two beautiful swans.
But Wait again: Gretchen spots a group of bicyclists on a ride
and at the check point stop, one of them jumps off his bike,
pulls down his shorts, and does a number two.
Eats for the day: lunch at roadside stop, bologna/cheese on
fresh made bread. Supper of bratwurst and potatoes on the
grill by Roger.
July 8th, Thursday: from Kluane to Tok, Alaska
Beautiful day, sunny, back into the 70's and Gretchen gets to drive! There was a picture but we had the camera on video so it did not come out. But anyway, this drive was through Kluane park twisting, curving, up and down hills next to gorgeous Kluane lake. Couldn't even do the 55 mph speed limit. So why did Roger give her that nerve wracking stretch?
Changed drivers in Burwash Landing since the next 100 miles is on a permafrost damaged road. And what a ride that was. It is hard to explain as the motorhome would rock 'n roll side to side, and bounce up and down. You had to go as slow as 5mph at many times.
Because of the glacial origin, this road is unsuitable for road embankments so the permafrost continues to be a problem.
We did see a moose. Merry-the-Moose was eating swamp grass in a pond. Got a nice picture of her.
The Icefield glacier pictures shows the largest non-polar icefield in North America. Ice is up to 2,200 feet deep.
The scenery is filled with mountains with glaciers. Some of the forest was burned out in 1990.
Entered Alaska at 2:30 Pacific time = 5:30p.m. in Strongsville. This was a thrill to be back in the United States even though we very much enjoyed the Canadians.
We have travelled 4,395 miles so far.
We are off to Glennallen. Roger hopes to catch us supper. If not, we will need to get more pizza dough!
July 7th, Wednesday: Kluane National Park, Yukon
It was a two hour drive from Whitehorse to Haines Junction, Kluane National Park, Yukon. No wildlife onthe way.
Camped at Kluane RV Park, washed the RV, and then immediately took off walking (yeah, here we are walking again) to Kluane Park Inn. This was a great place that served Chinese food, some burgers and fries, and plays country music.
They have a two-sided bar. There is only one more in Canada. Made new friends. One interesting person was Richard a local artist. We bought one of his beautiful paintings of a screech owl. Sadly, we found out he is dying of mercury poisioning. He is 69.
Another Richard, the bar tender charter for rafting and fishing. Richard is pictured at the bar picture and is the fourth person from the left. We place to come back here and have Richard take us on a fishing trip.
As they go out for a smoke, Richard tells Roger that he heeds a special permit todig a new outhouse hole! He alsorolls his own cigaretts. A very interesting person. Brett smokes a corn cob pipe and works at the landfill. A very petite lady works shoveling ashphalt on the highway. This was becoming like a Star Wars Bar!
Back to the campsite for a fire. Roger needed to chop wood, borrowing an axe from an Ohio State fan from Alaska who camped right next to us.
Weather: nice, sunny, in the 70's
July 6th: Watson Lake to Whitehorse Yukon
weather: 59 degrees, sunny (not like home which is sweltering at over 90 degrees)
roads: becoming a little more rough but manageable. Some wind today that makes the motorhome do it's swaying thing.
scenery: mountains, trees, lakes, rivers, and a couple of bridges. No human life, houses, or cabins or litter. Have not seen wild life except those ravens and one elk.
Interesting: Jasmyn gave Gretchen three books on Alaska murder mysteries. The stories are fiction but the background was for real. The book Dead North had a background of Dawson Peaks Resort in Teslin Yukon. And don't you know, as we were driving down the highway, there was this resort!
We stopped, had a great meal of a burger that was seasoned quite differently, home fries, and rubarb pie. Got autographs of Carolyn and Dave, owners, who are featured in chapter 25.
Got pictures of the dock and lake where the murderous end of the book was narrated. Gretchen was thrilled. This is one gorgeous resort.
Camped at Mountain Hotel and RV here in Whitehorse Yukon. This is the capital of the Yukon territory. Nothing great but a very nice lady at the counter. Just doing laundry (why are we doing so much of this???) and also cooking pizza.
Oh by the way, last night was another game of scrabble. And guess who won? If you said Gretchen, you were correct. Roger got stuck with the Q and Z worth minus 20 at the end of the game. We made a pack this time, if we questioned the spelling of a word, we would not use it and not discuss whether it was correct spelling or not!
Oh yeah, found a Rv parts place so Roger could buy a water regulator that Gretchen left at the last place when she disconnected the water. So she can't help to disconnect anymore? I think not, says Roger.
July 5th: Muncho Lake to Watson Lake (Sign Post Forest) Yukon
This was a wonderful of travelling. Sunny, mid 60's.
We left Muncho lake and continued the Alaska Hwy. Among beautiful scenery (some of it was devasted by fire) we travelled over the 1943 suspension bridge that is the only kind left on the Alaska Hwy. Our first great stop was at Laird Hot Springs and boy were they great. It took a ten minute walk through marsh lands. Took the bear bell but saw nothing. Springs were wonderfully hot, clear, and refreshing. Roger even got into these springs.
Our walk and travels still left us looking for wildlife. Signs say "watch out" but few were seen. The count of the day was: two buffalo, one bear, and several ravens!
But when we encountered the black bear, Gretchen was so excited she could hardly get the camera in position and didn't know how to shot it!!!!! But, Berry-the-bear has now been captured on film for our future enjoyment.
The highlight was Sign Post Forest where Roger proudly posted the North Dakota American Legion Post 181 plate. He wore his American Legion hat. We signed the plate and marked that this post is 1,917 miles from Watson Lake, Yukon Territory. We say many signs from all over the world but did not see an American Legion sign. Maybe we can make the Watson Lake Gazette! There are over 67,000 signs/plates here.
This began in 1943 when a lonely soldier asked permission to post a sign for his Danville, Illinois town. Since this was wood, it does not exist except in pictures.
We did our daily walk that included a hardware store and then to Belvedere restaurant for eats/drinks. Upon returning to the RV, Roger is napping and Gretchen is updating the blog. So much for a night on the town!!!
Campsite: nothing spectacular except that it is next to the Sign Post Forest. It is new, on gravel, no fire pits due to the weather. But it is home for this night.
Sunday, July 4th: Muncho Lake, B.C.
Got up early for bacon and eggs. Got ready for a hike to find a fishing place. Roger is decked out with the fly fishing, net, and wooly buggers. Gretchen has two fold up seats, water, and umbrella. Put on those great hiking boots.
Began the hike and entered a large area that you could tell bears have been to. And.....oops..............we forgot our bear spray and bear bell!!
But kept on hinking since we wanted fish for dinner! Unfornately we had left over tacos.
The evening was restful with Roger reading a book about The Mad Trapper of the Rat River, Alfred Johnson. True story in B.C. Gretchen just watched the fire and enjoyed margaritas.
No fireworks on this 4th of July.
Heading for Laird Hot Springs tomorrow on the way to Watson Lake.
Thurs/Fri /Sat July 1-2-3: Fort St John to Muncho Lake
The trip to Fort St John was okay. Gretchen had taken a one hour nap and Roger claimed he was three bears and a moose. ...oops , we meant he "saw" three bears and a moose! Why when she was sleeping?
But she did get a blurry picture of a black bear. It is hard to spot them since the are eating and in the long weeds on the roadside. Also saw another elk.
The open tee pee looking things on the roadside are a mystery. They are many and scattered about on either side of the highway. They are made of tree branches with different colored ribbons on the top two sides. When we camped in Muncho, the office at Northern Rockies Lodge did not know what they were.
Arrived at Fort St John to stay at the Rotary Rv Park next to Charlie Lake. This is a pretty view. Took a taxi to town on Friday and visited the Peace Museum which had a lot of antiques from the area. Roger bought an annual B.C. fishing pass.
Went back to the pub next the campsite called Jack Fish Dundees. Great meal of tortelli soup (even took an order back to the motorhome), turkey and cheddar sandwich. Roger had thai mussels that he said were also delicious.
Met Marshall and Andrew and server, LeeAnn. Invited them to come party at our site and boy did we party. Andrew had a guitar so Roger entertained us while Gretchen tried to harmonize! The park closes at 10:00p.m. so LeeAnn and Andrews stayed after that and had to walk, in the rain, back to their homes. We gave them one of our umbrellas. USA souvenir for them and they gave us a Jack Fish Dundee pen!!!
Friday was a long drive to Muncho Lake. Arrived at Northern Rockies Lodge around 7ish. Went to bed right after that, looking forward to a good day tomorrow.
However, the morning has come and it is 50 degrees and raining. So doing laundry and internet waiting for the sky to clear somewhat so Roger and catch tonight's supper.
We have now driven under 4,200 miles.
Farmer report: wheat not worth anything. Met a farmer who just quit with the wheat and took off in his motorhome.
Gas: 7.2 miles per gallon. Paid $6.29/gallon at Muncho Lake.
Cell: no coverage
tv: no coverage
internet: must go to main office
Sirius radio: works today
fun: we are having a barrel of it!! We haven't wubbed one another the wong way yet!!
Thursday, July 1st: Dawson Creek, Mile 0
We left Prince George about 9:00 to make about 7 hour trip to Fort St John. Wind began to get pretty strong. Arrived at Dawson Creek and enjoyed the Mile 0 signs showing where the Alaskan Highway began in 1942. When you look about you can imagine the soldiers/engineers being here to do some very dangerous work to build this highway.
This is Canada Day, a national holiday, so most of Dawson Creek was closed. Except the Dairy Queen whose sign said: Closed due to the new HST regulations. Whatever that may mean.
8 months to build a 1,500 mile road! We have just begun this trip and should prove to be interesting.
Travelled the highway to Fort St John and encountered winds that were probably 40mpg gusts swaying and leaning the motorhome. Couldn't go the speed limit cuz you felt that the roof was coming off!
We are staying at Ross H. Maclean Rotary RV Park in Fort St John. This in on Charlie Lake that is supposed to have some good fishing. But the camp site doesn't sell the license...you have to go to Walmart!
Anyway, our good friend in North Canton, Dan O'Connell would be proud to know that we stayed here since Dan is the recent past president of the Akron Rotary Club.
We will be here tomorrow and hope Roger can fish if the winds quit. Then off to Muncho Lake, which is having 9 degree celsius and SNOW!!!!!!!!! Why didn't we go south?
Animal sighting update: Two small black bears, two elk seen only by Roger, and a black dog by Gretchen (who, of course, at first though she saw a black bear.)
Wednesday, June 30th: Prince George
Went through rain and more rain. When we left Jasper it was 59 degrees and by the time we were in the mountains, the temperature dropped to 39! It was slushy rain now and Gretchen was thinking she maybe should have brought her skiis. There was actually fresh snow in the mountains that was very visible.
Up and down those mountains and only stopped at a rest area to have lunch in the motorhome. Generators are great so we could use the microwave to have hot sandwiches.
And now can you believe it......................A BEAR SIGHTING!!!!!! It was a black bear on the roadside. Came upon it too fast for a momento picture. Gretchen saw it and Roger missed this one. And then, one hour later, Roger sees another black bear. And then, again one hour later, cubs spotted on the road side. This is wonderful!!!!! No pictures as yet, so that will be our next adventure. Stay tuned.
We camped in a small Good Sam park in Prince George. Did laundry.
Just to add a comment on the expensive Canadians. Cigarettes (26 to a pack of Players) is $10.00, gas is almost $4.00/gallon, homemade loaf of bread was $3.29, and a cheeseburger in Jasper with a salad was $15.00.
Another note: Jasmyn gave Gretchen three books for Mother's Day. Alaska murder mysteries! Background info on towns, etc is true but the murders aren't. All done and very interesting. One book was about a lady travelling in a motorhome through Alaska.
Mon/Tues, June 28-29: Jasper National Park
Weather: 50's, turned from sunny to rain to back to sun back to a cold rain and it finally quit. And now Sun.
Stopped at Athabasca Falls: it pours through a narrow canyon cut out of quartziate rock. Thundering falls were beautiful.
On the lookout for bears. So far no wild life except three birds. Roger said he wouldget a Ranger for Gretchen to get to see the bears.
Lake Louise is just gorgeous. It is fed with six glaciers, is cold (50 degrees even in the summer) and deep 250 feet. Ate at the Fairmont Hotel on site and it was expensive. Geez, fish and chips were $24.00!
Hey wait: 6:30p.m. a MOOSE SIGHTING!! and we went by too fast to catch it on camera. It looked very magnifcant with the big rack chomping away on the roadside grass.
On the way to Jasper, Gretchen is still looking out for bears and she thinks she sees something. Upon driving by, she is getting very excited and reaches for the camera. "Hey, what is that?", she cries out. As the motorhome passes that thing, it turns out , it is a big rock with moss on it.............But she won't be discouraged and continues the quest to spot a bear.
Into Whistler Campground in Jasper. Hook ups sold out, so we dry camped. That means only the water we have in the motorhome and the battery operated electric for this night. Kinda fun. No generators until 8:00a.m. so Roger patiently had his coffee waiting for the go signal. Immediately at 8a.m. you could hear all the generators roaring. Since he gets up anywhere from 5 to 6a.m. he really was patient!
So what do we do without TV? We played scrambled and as usual fought about the correct spelling of words! Roger was able to cook on the stove, so he didn't get hungry. Had bacon/eggs/Judy's nut bread.
The next day we drove up to Miette Hot Springs and on the way saw a herd of Elk. There were many and Mom and her baby were swimming to get to the shore. What a thrill to see this. But STILL no bears.
The drive up to Miette Springs was on a narrow, winding curvy, and nerve wracking road for 17km. This took an hour. We were disappointed since the springs are two swimming pools, not in their natural form in the mountain. Even had a lifeguard there. But Roger made his first pool entrance with Gretchen and enjoyed the 100 degrees water.
Left and put on our hiking boots for the first time. The hike was 1.5 miles along with river that feeds the springs. It was pretty. Ruins of the 1900 hotel were on the way and you think of back then and how the visitors made that trek up the hill to stay there.
Stopped in Jasper for lunch at the Jasper Brewing Company. This is a great town that has roads wide enough for RV's and special parking for RV's. Interesting beer for us was Roger's 6060- a dry Irish style stout name after the Midnite Black Bullet Nose Bettysteam engine . Gretchen had Sutter Hill, a lager beer.
Left to find a bear bell and bear repellant. Found and had to sign a waiver for the repellant since it can cause humans significant injury! But after that first hike, Gretchen became nervous about bears. There are signs everywhere to remind you how they can be dangerous and do not leave any food out.
Back to campsite, moved to site with electric. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a beautil ELK grazing right next to our site. She did not pay any attention to us, just kept grazing.. We called her Elke the Elk.
We needed to get a fire permit and the office would not take a credit card on the phone. We had to get to the entrance and pay the $8.00. We found out if no permit, you could be charge with staring a forest fire. So we got out the park map and walked since when we drove in it was quit a long drive. Roger thought we could just directly through the trees, not on the road. Problems really escalated on the way back to our site when we got horribly lost. Yes, I said lost. This place is huge with over 780 campsites in the trees.
We actually passed one tenter three times, and on the second pass he came out to talk to us. We think we was drinking that happy juice and told us to pick out a site next to the bathrooms! Yikes, we already had a site. We just needed to find it.
So we walked, and walked, and walked, and walked. Oh by the way, no hiking boots. Roger had his deck shoes and Gretchen had on her flip flops.
All told, we walked for one hour and ten minutes. This is probably over three miles! It was becoming dark and wondering if we would ever be able to use our fire permit!
As luck had it we made it! Got a cocktail, made that fire and enjoyed the rest of the night (or what ever was remaining!!)
...............and still NO bear sightings...............
Sunday, June 27th: Visit to Banff
A nice sunny day. Drove the rental car to Banff. Got to the Gondola early, 8:30a.m. This took us up 7,500 feet to the top of Sulphur mountain called Sanson Peak, named for curator and meteorologist Norman Sanson who in 1903 manned this weather station. No gondola for him!
The walk from the gondola to the weather station was up 367 steps (.6 miles)...and we made it there and back. Pictures show these steps. It was a spectacular view. No animals were seen but Gretchen did see some poop.
We then went to the Cave and Basin National Historical Site. This is the birthplace of Canada's National Park System. The cave, of course, smelled awful from the sulphur so we quickly exited that.
Stopped in downtown Banff to drop of pictures (261 from the retirement party and thistrip so far). Ate at Tommys Pub and left full for a drive around the circle at Lake Minnewanka.
This is where we had our first encounter of wild herd of animals---the Big Horn Sheep. Not wild since they just walk down the road and stop to eat on the roadside, not afraid of cars or people.
P.S. Gretchen's still looking for our first grizzly!
Saturday, June 26: Golfing Banff
This is a pretty golf course with the Canadian Rockies, Tunnel Mountain, and Banff ski resort in the background. We started off poorly but recovered to enjoy nine holes. Roger shot a 61 with some foot wedges. Gretchen shot a 51 without foot wedges!
The picture of the prairie dogs on the golf course reminded us of merkats. They are everywhere digging holes on the fairways and sand traps and always looking around for action. So far they have stayed off the greens.
Into the town of Banff after golf which is over-stocked with stores of all kinds, expecially the souvenirs and jammed with tourists which was to be expected.
Going back to the motorhome meant a supper of steak and beans with jalenos and chili powder. These steaks were recommended by our good Michigan-friend Bill. Purchase at Ban Tans and they were delicious and tender. Gretchen made several rounds of margaritas to top off the meal.
So far we have heard from Joann and Gary by phone, Ron and Major via email. And of course, from Jasmyn. Nice to know the neighbors miss us cuz we miss them, too -- although not enuf to turn around and come home yet! Thanks for following us on our blog.
Friday, June 25th: a.m. Calgary
Uneventful ride to Calgary which was about two hours. Driving to Calgary West CAampground, you can see Olympic village with the ski jumps and luges.
Another pretty camp site overlooking Calgary. Picture of Roger with flags that now include the Canadian flag. Background is Calgary.
We are renting a car to drive to Banff and Lake Louise. Trying to get some golfing in at Banff.
Thursday, June 24th: Drumheller and dinasours
Left Moose Jaw 10:00a.m. Detoured around highway #1 since it was all washed out from the storms. This made for a scenic drive through the badlands in Alberta. Actually made a wrong turn and ended up on ferry to cross a 2,000 foot river. Believe this, it was was no charge!
This took us to Drumheller, home of many dinosaurs. We stayed at a very pretty campground called Dinasour RV Park. Visited the museum to see the dinasours.
Still eating left overs from Don's party! Swedish meatballs, watermelon, turkey, and ham. Roger WILL be cooking one of these days!
Thursday, June 24th: Moose Jaw River Park Campground
This was our second night and had the need for fire. Since they don't sell firewood, we found enough at the perimeter and enjoyed it until around midnight. Neighbors came over, Brady and Jan from Moose Jaw, who helped us with five bottles of wine.
We find out that Brady is from Norway and because Roger's mother's mother's maiden name was Nelson (Brady's last name) they may be related!
Notice the USA flags at our site.
End of Moose Jaw
It's midnight and we have finished drinking several good bottles of Chatteau Julien bottles of wine with the new neighbors: Jan andBrady who are from the Moose Jaw area.
This is retirement!!!!
Wed June 23: Tunnells of Moose Jaw
Up early to Roger cooking breakfast and rain. But, not to worry, the rain stopped by 10:00 when we began the hike to town. Not too far, maybe a mile or so. Visited the Tunnells of Moose Jaw where Scarface Al Capone distilled whiskey. These tunnells included the distillery, game room, and gun room. Al had his bar/office/sleeping room upstairs.
Visited the casino and dropped some canadian money. Eat at Nicks (Roger had french soup, garlic bread and Gretchen had a delicious cheeseburger). Went back to the Casino, and lo and behold, we won back our previous donation playing the blazing sevens and hitting!!! Rock on.
Walked back to the motorhome to begin our own cocktail hour with a good bottle of Wine. Gretchen will have a Canadian Club just because we are in Canada. Actually, it's 3:00 and Roger is taking a retirement nap with the wine breathing.....
River Park Campground is okay. Pretty trees, but no store, wifii is intermittant, shower is luke cool, our dish doesn't work with the trees, and no firewood. You can have a fire in the grill but they don't sell the wood! Go figure. Maybe Roger and Gretchen can get in a good game of dominoes tonight! This is a true test of retirement/travelling in the motorhome.
Weather: sunny, 75 degrees
Tuesday, June 22nd: Moose Jaw
After the first oil change (boy, did that feel good!), we left Minot about 11:00. Not much to see but oil wells (lots of them in North Dakota) and the abm missile sites. Some abondon, others still active with nuclear missiles. Do you feel protected?
Went through the border about 1:00 to find out that the route that we need to get to Medicine Hat was devasted with mud/rain from the storms that passed through. Will wait to see how far we will need to go out of our way.
In the meantime, we are in Moose Jaw (isn't that a great name). Al Capone used tunnels for his bootlegging that we will tour tomorrow.
ROGER GETS BUSTEED: So we walk up to the office to see why the wifii doesn't work. Roger with a beer in hand. The man comes quickly up to the door: "Excuse me, sir, you canot drink unless you are your campsite". Okay, Okay.
Had Neuske's bratwurst and Roger's left over bean dish from Don's party. It was good and this is yet another restulf evening.
Tuesday, June 22nd: Moose Jaw SK
left Minot after that wonderful first oil change. Boy did that feel good! Left about 11ish. Travelled through North Dakota and saw many oil wells and the abm sites that are still active with nuclear devices. Guess they are protecting us!
Crossed the boarder about 1p.m. to find out that the route we wanted to Medicine Hat was devasted with rain/mud and we may have a big detour. WE are in Moose Jaw, SC (isn't that a great name?). We will tour the Al Capone tunnels tomorrow and enjoy. Tonight is just a restful night after dinner of Neuske's bratwurst and Roger's left over bean dish from Don's party.
It's cook: about 65 degrees, overcast, no rain as yet.
Tuesday: June 22 leaving Minot
Got up too early, 6:00a.m. Cleaned the motorhome and getting ready for that first oil change. Had rain last night that woke us up. Sun is shinning and 70 degrees. Plan is to get to Moose Jaw tonight.
g&r
