We Reach the Beginning of the Alaska Highway

5/28/2016, Saturday Start: Todyah Provincial Park, BC, CN End: Pink Mountain, BC, Alaska Highway mile 143.

We started out at 6:00 a.m. this morning so we could get into Dawson Creek in time to visit the Farmer’s Market.  It isn’t getting dark until about 9:30 pm and it is light again by 5:00 a.m.  We’ve got shades and curtains on every window which helps with the temperature and provides a nice dark night (mosquitoes not withstanding). 

We stopped in Chetwyn, known for its carved wood statues, and filled up on gas ($200 Canadian dollars at 1.15 per liter) and then treats at Tim Horton’s, the Canadian Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts (you can see it in the background). 

Chetwyn, BC, Canada with Tim Horton's in the background

Dawson Creek was a bigger town then when we were expecting, about 11,000 people with all the amenities.  We stocked up on fresh meat and produce, took the obligatory pictures at the Mile “0” signposts marking the beginning of the Alaska Highway.  We’ve come 2500 miles in 14 days and it is another 1500 to Fairbanks!

Mile "0" of the Alaska Highway

The farmer’s market was lame and since we’d arrived so early, we headed out toward Fort Nelson.  On the other side of Fort St John, the rain turned into snow.  By Mile 125 we were in a steady blowing snow storm.  We made it to Pink Mountain RV Park.  They had no pull through spaces but parked us on a side road as it was too dangerous to continue on.  We’re snug in the RV with views of a winter wonderland at the end of May.  More fun!

Snow in May

The Great Mosquito Slayer

5/27/2016 Friday Start: Whistler Campground, Jasper, AB, CN  End: Todyah Provincial Park, Hwy 97 N, BC, CN

We traveled a few hundred miles north on a day that started out rainy and later broke into sunshine and high fluffy clouds.  We made one stop today at The Ancient Forest.  It was not listed in any guides (we have a mountain of maps and brochures) but the visitor’s center at Mount Robson told us it was a must see and we agree.  It is a stand of 1,000+ year old cedar trees that survive in a unique wetland ecosystem of an inland rain forest far from their usual habitat on a coast.  There’s a easy boardwalk into the forest where other trails split off to explore deep into the woods. 

giant cedar tree

Looking up into a circle of cedar trees

Afterward we pulled over for lunch at a rest stop and then moseyed down the road looking for a campground for the night.  We ended up about 200 miles short of Dawson Creek at the Todyah Provincial Park on a serene lake surrounded by towering pines… inhabited by mosquitoes!

Todyah Provincial Park lake

Mike hates mosquitoes.  Really, really hates them, which will be a challenge as we reach Alaska where they are known to be plentiful.  This was obviously going to be an opportunity for practicing maneuvers necessary to eliminate them.

Immediately upon parking he began the assault against the foolish few that dared invade the RV when he opened the door to get out.  He quickly dispatched with the initial front (“take that, you buggers!) He then strategically darkened the interior except for the bathroom where they would enter and he would follow.  From behind the closed door I would hear “gotcha” and “die you sucker” as he reeked his vengeance on the nasty insects.  Never has an invading force been so convincingly defeated.  (Note the insect repellent on the hood of the truck).  

Mosquito Attack Vehicle (MAV)

Until next time....

Speechless

5/26/2016 Thursday Start: Bow Riverside Campground, Cochrane, AB, CN  End: Whistler Campground, Jasper, AB, CN

To quote Mike, today we “drove through some of the most gorgeous scenery we’ve ever seen” on Highway 1 to Banff National Park and then Highway 93, the Ice Fields Parkway, through Jasper National Park.  I’m getting the Go Pro figured out and got some unbelievable video…now I just need to figure out how to edit it!  We started out with the truck total mileage at 135,000 miles, a nice even number; we've gone over 3,000 miles so far and still a ways to go to Alaska!

The road to Banff was a couple hours.  We drove up to the Fairmount Hotel that sits on Lake Louise.  The lake was a dazzling blue green, surrounded by purple mountains capped in white.  It took my breath away.

Bonnie at Lake Louise

Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta, Canada

Glacier at the Ice Fields 

 

Looking down on Ice Fields Parkway

Whistler Campground, Jasper, Alberta, Canada

From Banff we took the Ice Fields Parkway to Jasper.  Stunning views the entire way.  We almost stopped for the night to camp at the glacier in the ice fields but decided to go on to Jasper.  And here we are for the night, in a pole pine tree forest.  Good night!

Travel day in Alberta

5/25/2016 Wednesday   Start: Waterton NP, Alberta, CN  End: Cochran, Alberta, CN

We had an easy day today.  We stopped in Ft McLeod to see the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Barracks and then on to Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump.  They were interesting but overpriced, lesson learned, check to price of attractions ahead of time.  

We drove onto Cochran to a beautiful RV park with full hookup and our own little lawn.  The weather was sunny and comfortable and cooled off once we got settled in. We’re onto Banff and Jasper National Parks for the rest of the week.  I’ll post an update if I have a connection.  No pictures today, mostly farmland and grass prairie as far as the eye could see.

Waterton National Park is not to be missed

5/24/2016  Tuesday  Start: Glacier National Park, MT   End: Waterton National Park, Alberta, CN

Of course, the day we leave the sun came out and the mountains were glorious! 

Morning at St Mary's Campground

As we drove to cross the border at Port of Chief Mountain we were presented with soaring peaks with their tips covered in snow.  The border crossing was uneventful, with some paperwork for Mike’s shotgun completed in short order. 

We are staying one night at Waterton National Park, Alberta, Canada.  It is high end, with hot showers (yeah!), full hook ups, spacious parking and drop dead gorgeous scenery.  I can’t get enough of the mountains!  

We took a 4 km hike to the Bertha Falls.  

border crossing

Bertha Falls 

My hiking buddy!

view from the trail to the falls

We walked to the village that adjoins the park and had some huckleberry frozen yogurt.  Later we luxuriated in the hot water of the showers and had a home cooked meal.  Mike did the laundry while I cleaned house and baked some cornbread.  Mike then got to watch some TV and I figured out the wi-fi to bring our posts up to date while sitting in the recliner outside in the evening sun.  Absolute heaven.

Glacier National Park

5/21/2016 Saturday through Monday 5/23/2016 Glacier National Park

We left Great Falls, Montana and drove through fog and freezing rain until we reached St Mary’s Campground in Glacier National Park.  We stayed for 3 nights in the park, exploring from our base camp in the jeep.

Our first night, Saturday, we spent most of the day trying to find a leak in the toilet.  Mike discovered the flange and seal were rusted out so we used the campground facilities until we could get the parts to repair it.  Ah, yes, the joys of RV living!  Thank goodness Mike can fix anything.

We had a great view out the main window at St Mary’s Campground near the East entrance to the park.

Sunday was rainy, windy and cold but we braved the elements to drive the Going to the Sun Road 13 miles from the east side.  We also went to Many Glacier and got cold and wet taking a short walk to try and see St. Mary Falls.  We settled in about 4pm for the day, the RV rocked by the wind and pelted by the rain. 

St Mary River near campground

View of the mountain to the north from camp at dusk

Monday we struck out early to go to the west side of Glacier National Park.  Unfortunately, with all the rain a culvert had collapsed so we weren’t able to take the Going to the Sun Road from the west side.  We had to get parts for the toilet in Kalispell after which we came back to camp.  The view along the way was awe inspiring, despite the rain. 

Our campsite at St Mary's campground

View from the Going to the Sun road east side

Waterfall along highway to West Glacier

Lake Mary from Going to the Sun Road

Tomorrow, we cross the border to Canada.

Big Sky (and Mountain) Country - Montana

5/20/2016 Friday Start: Butte, Montana   End: Malstrom AFB, Great Falls, Montana

Today started out overcast and cold and while it warmed up it rained off and on all day.  

We headed out to Helena, the capital of Montana and visited the Historical Museum where we saw the art work of Charles Russell and Stan Lyndsey

 and toured the St Helena Cathedral. 

We drove through some ethereal mountain ranges in the fog and rain

to Great Falls where we squeezed in a visit to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center

before splitting an **elk** burger at Fuddruckers.  Tomorrow we’re on to Glacier National Park!

Northward On!

5/19/2016 Thursday   Start: Stoddard Creek Campground, Idaho   End: Butte, Montana

We continued heading north today, ending up in Butte, Montana.  We backtracked a little bit so that Mike could dig for some opals at Spencer Opal Mine, Idaho where he found a small opal.

Mike digging for opals

As we headed north we ran into some rain and strong winds, slowing to 45 mph at one point approaching Dillon, MT.  We picked up some visitor info and ended up in Butte for the night at a not-so-great KOA.  We visited the Mineral Museum and a used bookstore then headed home for dinner and relaxing.  It’s cold, 40’s, but with full hookups we’ll be toasty warm tonight.

Sightseeing in Idaho

5/18/2016  Wednesday – Start: Hill AFB, Roy, UT  End: Stoddard Creek Campground, Targhee Natl Forest, ID

We had several stops through Idaho for today.  We started out the day relaxing at Lava Hot Springs. We soaked in the 102 to 120 degree water till our fingertips puckered!  

We then headed through the rolling hills and miles of green fields to Pocatello where we were going to spend a few minutes at the Museum of Clean – and ended up being there almost two hours with a private tour from the owner, Don Anstell.  The museum occupies an entire city block celebrating cleanliness of home, mind and heart.  It’s also environmentally green, with its own water collection system. 

Aunt Louise - this is a quilt made of vaccuum bags!

Mike and the Clean Knight

From there it was onto the Potato Museum, which was under renovation and consequently free.  We walked through it and then were museum-ed out for the day. 

We were headed for a campground in Montana when we spotted the Stoddard Creek National Forest campground about 10 miles from the border.  We have the place practically to ourselves.  Tomorrow Montana!

Bonnie

Planning the next few days

5/17/2016 Tuesday Start: Palisade State Park, Utah End: Hill AFB, Roy, Utah

A short ride north today where we were undecided about what to do through Idaho so we stopped at Hill Air Force Base to make plans.  The view from the FamCamp is stupendous! 

Utah is a place we’ll have to come back to for shorter trips sometime in the future.  There are lots of lush green meadows and farmland surrounded by snowcapped mountain peaks.

After we set up we took a walk to the PX and Shoppette and then had leftovers for dinner.  We planned Thursday’s activities and our next couple of stops.  

Mike settled in with his headphones to listen and watch some recorded TV (he has over 400 hours on the Dish Hopper recorded) while I put my feet up in my easy chair with my computer “desk” to surf and post.  Later folks!

Bonnie

Part of the way through Utah

5/16/2016 Monday Start: Panguitch, UT (KOA); End: Palisades State Park, Sterling, Utah.

We woke to beautiful sunshine in the mid-50’s about 7:00 am (we lost an hour when entering Utah).  Our destination was only about 150 miles away so we got packed up and headed into Panguitch to check out the town. We were too early for shopping so we hit US 89 North. 

[Side note to Uncle Irv, the parents here want their money back on the children’s books!].  

After picking up some propane, we managed to find the poorly marked turnoff to Palisade State Park.  It’s tucked back in the hills between Sterling and Manti. There is an enormous Mormon tabernacle in the little town of Manti  where each year in June they have “The Mormon Miracle Pageant” and the place is mobbed with people.  Good timing, we missed that! 

Manti, Utah Mormon Temple

For $20 we got a dry camping spot (no hookups) on the lake in the park, just in front of the golf course. 

View from the 4th hole

Guess what Mike did in the afternoon?  It rained for an hour when we arrived but the sun came out and he was able to get in a complete round of 18 holes of golf.

I did some genealogy work and we went for dinner at the club house.  Here’s a picture of our site and the neighbors.  Life is good!

Bonnie

Palsaide State Park, Utah

Geese and goslings

After months, weeks and days of preparation we left this morning at 7:15 am for our Alaska adventure.  First, we have to get north however, to the Canadian border, crossing Utah, Idaho and Montana.

We had a few shakedown issues to start; getting the Go Pro to record, an oil overheating while climbing a hill and the break light indicator not coming on.  Mike figured them all out and we were sailing along about 55 to 65 mph for most of the day.  He’s one tired guy after fighting the wind through Flagstaff and Kanab.

Bridge over Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona

Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona

Panguitch KOA, Utah

We stopped at Glen Canyon Dam for lunch and a walk to stretch our legs then went on into Utah.  We checked out a couple of campgrounds and settled on a KOA in Panguitch, Utah.  I tried out running the crock pot off the inverter while we were driving and we had creamy chicken and broccoli noodles that smelled wonderful!  Tomorrow I’d like to check out the town and maybe a hike before a short day to a campground south of Salt Lake City.  

It's 8:30 here, an hour behind Arizona.  Mike's watching TV show recordings with his headset and I'm going to curl up with a book.  Til next time!

Bonnie