View of Lake from Palmer Elk's

Palmer Elk's

6-29-09

We have been at the Palmer Elks for 3 days. It is a beautiful place with a lake out front where the plane was pulling the water skier. Yesterday was very busy here, there were over 100 cars and vehicles in the parking lot. It was so tight that a car had to be very careful to drive through. The club had 3 events going at the same time. About 3:00 PM with things filled from end to end, a 40 motor home pulls in as far as he can go.. He effectively blocked access to the parking lot and the boat ramp. Eventually several people moved their cars so he could get out. I hate to think he was an Elk. Not a smart move.

Carol and Bill caught up to us today, we decided to have dinner at the Elks “cook your own”. It was a fantastic meal. We ate on the patio and watched the boaters. Pictures of the view will be attached.

Each afternoon we have been here, there is a thunderstorm and rain. It lasts for an hour or less and then clears.

If you notice some spots on any of the pictures we have posted it is probably bugs that hit the windshield or rain since many of our pictures are taken through it as we are driving.

Kids in strollers

Water Skier behind airplane

Valdez to Palmer

6-27-09

We spent 3 days in Valdez, it is the prettiest place yet. We should have spent more time there but we decided to move on. I will post a couple of pictures of the drive as we came out.

While in Valdez we were across the bay from tanks that receive the oil from the Alaskan pipeline. The oil is then loaded onto the tankers which take it south to the refineries. We were told at least one tanker a day leaves Valdez heading south.

We started our day at 40 degrees and drove through wind and rain and finished with 70 degrees. Once again we had stretches of bad road mixed with the good.

We saw an unusual sight that must have been a day care group. There were two strollers for lack of a better word that each carried 6 little kids. They were accompanied by 4 adults, one of whom was carrying a small baby.

Our traveling companions all went in different directs for a while. Bob and Pat (she’s the lady who was taken to the hospital) left us to go to Anchorage to get a cat scan. It was done and they found nothing. When we left Valdez this morning Bill and Carol decided to visit a cooper mine and we drove to the Palmer Elks Club. They will catch up in a few days.

The Elk’s club here sits on Finger Lake, we would have a nice view if not for the other motor homes in the way. Late this afternoon we heard what sounded like an airplane taking off, except you would hear the engine rev and then shut down. Two guys went running by the front of our MH with cameras heading toward the lake. Being curious I grabbed a camera and followed, where to our surprise we saw a float plane pulling a water skier. The plane never left the water. This went on for some time. Other boats were on the lake and quite near the plane at times. Never before have I seen a plane pulling a water skier and I bet you haven’t either.

The road to Valdez

6-25-09

We are in Valdez, we are in an RV park that looks out over the bay. It is a very pretty sight, the whole area seems to be surrounded by high very jagged mountains with snow on the top. The drive into Valdez is breath taking, no wildlife but we did see a couple of glaciers.

We plan to drive the car and go back to visit and look over the glaciers, but it rained most of today and if it rains again tomorrow we will probably pass.

You have read my descriptions of the roads, but tonight Margaret pulled out her notes from our 1992 trip. One day during that trip we spent one whole 12 hour day driving in mud then dust and the motor home was filthy. I recall spending hours cleaning it. I did wash the MH and car today, they were dirty but no comparison to the 1992 trip. Another thing that has changed drastically is the price of gas. In 1992 gas in Willows, CA was $1.19 a gallon now it is $3.00 or more. Canadian 55.9 a liter then and as much as 114.00 now. There are 3.8 liters in a gallon My how the times have changed.

I will post some pictures of the drive into Valdez

Scenic overlook 3:30 AM

Scenic overlook 8:30PM

Road to Tok

6-23-09

We learned that the “blanket toss” started with the native people as a way to spot game in the treeless tundra, and all this time we thought it was just a game for kids.

I will attach a picture of Margaret in her mosquito gear. We laughed when we first saw it , but there have been several times we wish we had it to use. Tonight we are not being bothered, apparently its to cold for them.

The last two days have been the worst roads we have driven. There are lots of frost heaves, some are marked and some just sneak up on you. At times our average speed was down to 25 MPH. If you don’t see them ahead of time it really bounces the RV’s around. You go through an area where they are lots of them and then hit a stretch where there are none luring you to increase your speed and then surprise, you find another one.

Bob and Pat were traveling by themselves until this afternoon when we met them again in Tok, yep that’s the name of a town. We are spending the name in a roadside rest with a wonderful view of snow covered mountains again. The view is magnificent. We are up 1000 feet high above a large valley which has three lakes that I can see, and then across that to the mountains. I don’t think the pictures do it justice.

Today I filled the MH for only $302 a gallon, a big improvement over the Canadian prices. As of tonight we are 3375 miles from home. We intend to go to Valdez tomorrow.

As I was typing we saw two moose in one of the lakes I mentioned. We are some distance from them, but with the binoculars they are easy to see. They are wadeing in knee deep water and feeding on the bottom. Too far away for a meaningful picture. I will try to attach a picture taken at 3:30 AM to show how dark it is here

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Haines, AK

6-20-09

Yesterday we moved from Haines Junction, which is Yukon Territory to the town of Haines in Alaska. It is about 158 miles of beautiful mountains partially covered with snow and in places the snow was still falling It is the prettiest drive we have been on yet. I will attach some pictures. There are beautiful lakes everywhere. We passed a couple of large fish wheel traps, that at first we thought were placed by some of the native people. After reading an article , we found that they are placed in the river by the state so they can tag and measure the fish for better tracking and management ,picture attached.

We met with Bob and Pat who had come down the day before the rest of us. They are in the ocean side RV Park which has a beautiful view of the bay and harbor. We decided to stay in the Elks RV area, doesn’t have the view, but it is half the price.

On the 20^th we drove around the area and into the woods on the south side of Haines ,which is a rain forest, which has lush under growth and ferns and other plants we didn’t expect to see here. We meet two camp hosts and as it turned out they are from Columbia where Gary and Maria Crawshaw live. They live in the same housing development. They have meet Maria several times at community meetings. The campground they host has a magnificent view of the bay as well as two large glaciers.

In or travels we wound up at a boat ramp. A young man and his 3 daughters were just coming off the water after running a gill net and catching some salmon. They were all very pleasant talked to us answering our questions and even allowed us to take their pictures with their fish. One of the fish had lost it’s head to a seal, but the seal left the body. In the past when seals have attacked my salmon they take the body and leave the head.

Last night we attended a free salmon feed put on by the local fisherman for the whole town . It was barbequed Sockeye and deep fried King and all the trimmings. It was very good and attended by probably 300 people.

This morning the local Elk’s served a delicious breakfast, that including, scrambled eggs, Eggs Benedict, hash browns, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy and sourdough hotcakes. No one left hungry. Fathers ate free.

All the people we have meet seem eager to help you in any way they can. They answer our questions about the area, give us directions and every one is friendly.

Margaret met a young women who demonstrated making glass beads and later balanced a beer on top of her head while doing the hula-hoop.

I world appreciate those of you who are reading this to sign on as followers, it give me an idea about who is interested. Right now it only shows 7 and I think there are more, thanks

　

Road to Haines Junction

Ice Age Skeleton

Whitehorse to Haines Junction

6-18-09

During the last two days we visited the town of Whitehorse. We went to a transportation museum where we saw videos of the dogsled races among other things. The dogsled races were of particular interest to Margaret and me because we recently read several books about them. We also visited the Ice Age Museum where it told about miners uncovering all kinds of skeletons of various animals including 400 pound beavers. I normally don’t care much for museums but we both found these very interesting.

It rained for the last two days, but today is once again filled with sunshine. We left Whitehorse about 10:00 AM and drove to Haines Junction, another beautiful drive through snow covered mountains.

I have heard a lot of stories about the Alaskan mosquitoes and how large they are, and how they will eat you. Well, we haven’t got to Alaska yet, but I have never seen so many mosquitoes in my life. The Yukon ones aren’t as big as the Alaskan’s are supposed to be, but they make up in numbers for their lack in size. You dare not go outside without repellent and long sleeve shirt and preferable a hat. Prior to coming on this trip I read reports on the RV Forum that some folks didn’t see any mosquitoes, they must have come at a different time of year. When we were here in 1992 the only place we recall have mosquitoes was around Palmer AK. Margaret just looked outside and saw a woman sitting outside her rig wearing shorts and a sleeveless shirt. The women has a water glass in her hand and Margaret thinks it is full of whiskey. Mosquito repellent?

The roads are gradually getting worse, we have encountered a few, what I believe to be frost heaves. People we have talked with assure us they will get much worse as we approach the Alaskan border.

During one of rest stops two little girls came up to the door selling rhubarb. They were really cute and Margaret couldn’t resist buying from them. Margaret asked if they could tell her how to cook it and she said yes I can and ha

Steam engine near Skagway

Wild Wonders

We are staying at the Caribou RV Park just out of Whitehorse. It's a fairly nice campgound,but I cannot get my If I don't get it working right my posts will be less frequent, I have to borrow a computer to do it. It's an aggravation because I rely on it for everything from email to reading the local newspaper to keep up with things at home.

6-16-09

Yesterday the six of us went on a jet boat ride, what a lot of fun. The owners are a young couple just starting in business. She is a biology major and told us about the area, it's history and various plants, of coarse Margaret really enjoyed

The man works ad a paramedic at night and runs the boat during the day.
They had the boat special built to their specifications. It is a 22 ft. jet boat with 2 chev. V-8 engines.

In addition to the tour of Miles canyon, he also did 7 or8 spins or donuts, water flew women screamed and we all laughed like little kids, the youngest of our group was 63. Quite a thrill for us old folks.

The name of the company is Wild Wonders and if you ever come this way give them a try.

Margaret by a copper nugget

Skagway

-14-09

On the 11th the we traveled from Watson Lake to Teslin, YT. We see bears daily, the first ones we saw everyone stopped and took pictures, now it’s getting to point of “oh yea, there is another bear“. Margaret met a” Native Peoples” woman, they talked sewing and Margaret gave her advice on ironing a patch onto a denim jacket.

We stayed at the Yukon RV Park for 2 days, which looked out over another beautiful lake.
The next day we drove to Carcross which is a little south east of Whitehorse. From there we drove into Skagway through a narrow valley surrounded by snowcapped mountains and we had many opportunities for photos.

If I haven’t mentioned it before, Pat was released from the hospital with a diagnosis of a migraine headache. Pat and Bob took their motor home to Skagway to spend the night and also fill up with fuel at about a dollar less a gallon then in Canada. Bill , Carol and Margaret and I drove down in Bill’s pickup to get the cheaper fuel and sightsee and tour the shops of Skagway. I had enough fuel in our motor home that it wouldn’t have been cost effective from us to drive the Bounder there for fuel. Besides I found gas for only $101.9 a liter, next thing you know they will be giving it away.

Every place we have stayed for the past week has advertised WI-FI, but we find if you can get it at all you have to be nearly on top of the transmitter.

I hope to attach some more pictures.

June 10, 09

6-10-09

Today started off with trouble. First the hot water heater wouldn't light in our motor home, it happened before and it's happening again, no idea what is causing the problem, I will have to take it somewhere for repair.

Pat, one of our traveling group woke this morning in severe pain, nothing we could do seemed to help. We called an ambulance, it was 2 1/2 hrs away. Her husband drove her in the motor home and met the ambulance half way to the city of Watson Lake. She is in the hospital there waiting to be flown by air ambulance to Whitehorse where they have better equipment to treat her. We don't know what the problem is, but she has a history of blood clots. Her husband left in their motor home to travel to the White Horse Hospital. We all wish her well but her condition seems serious. Margaret rode with her and her husband to Watson Lake.

I drove the 128 miles to Watson Lake by myself. I missed by co-pilot very much and hope not to travel any long distances by myself again. On the way we saw two groups of buffalo and one small bear running along side the road. Unfortunately my co-pilot photographer was missing so we didn't get pictures.

After they left for the hospital, I found the battery in the Honda was again dead. We were finally able to jump start it and get on the road. In order to tow it, it has to be started and run through the gears and then run in neutral for a few minutes, this is to prevent damage to the transmission when it is towed.

All the phones in the area were dead when we first arrived, at the hospital even their satellite phones were dead.

Muncho lake 2

Muncho Lake

Mamma Bear and cubs

little bears

Laird Hot Springs

6-9-09

We left Fort Nelson about 9:00 AM and gassed up at $114.9 per liter, it’s enough to bring tears to your eyes. I’m told gas will get higher once we hit Yukon Territory.

Shortly after heading north we saw a buffalo beside the road grazing. A little after that we saw a bighorn sheep, but he was gone before we could get a picture, next we saw 2 elk, then after that two dall sheep. We stopped at Muncho Lake for lunch. It is one of the prettiest lakes we have ever seen, it is several miles long with dark dark green water. It is surrounded by snowcapped mountains. We got several pictures of the lake a couple of which I hope to post. When I say hope, it is because I still don’t have this down very well.

We left the lake and the next thing we saw was a mama bear and two little cubs, I was surprised at what a kick I got out of seeing them, I have seen quite a few bears but these were special. The little ones were really cute, pictures to be posted hopefully

The roads have gotten a bit worse and are rougher with bumps along the way that require you to slow down. Some rough areas are marked, but not all. Oftentimes you don’t see the warning signs you are already on top of it. The only solution is to slow down.

We are spending the night at Laird Hot Springs dry camping (with no hookups), but we have everything we need. I have heard several people rave about how wonderful the Hot Springs are, but in my humble opinion it is much ado about nothing. We all walked down to the springs and 3 of our group went in. One end is very hot and as the water moves away from it source is gets cooler. It smells of sulfur and didn’t appeal to Margaret or me.

At about 9:00 PM nine pickup loads, about 30 to 35 Forestry workers pulled in and headed for the springs, most were extremely dirty, apparently they bath here.

Bear chasing Bill

Bear on motorhgome

6-8-09

We spent  last night  on the Sikanni River RV  a little NW of Pink Mountain. (I’m sure you all know where that is)  Its about 1850 miles north from Modesto.  It was a nice park with the river running right beside our campsite.

Today we drove about 130 miles  to the Westend RV  Park in  Fort Nelson.  It was a short drive but we saw all kinds of wildlife, a coyote, a mouse and her calf, a couple of elk and a small black bear.  The bear was beside the road and a couple of other Rvs had already stopped.  A couple of our group got out to look and he started after Pat, she quickly got into the motorhome, then the bear started after Bill he was farther away from his rig.  While he was running and the bear chasing him Margaret got a couple of great pictures.  I will try to include them with the next post.

I find that many of the RV Parks advertise WI-FI service but most have little to offer unless you park in the office or very close by. 

Our next stop should be Laird Hot Springs 

We spent the day looking around Dawson Creek and went to the Farmer's Market.   It was very small compared to the ones at home.  Downtown Dawson creek's buildings are covered with murals of all types,  I will post some later, we did get a picture of the Alaska Hotel, a very colorful building as you can see in the attached picture.

Dawson Creek

June 6th

We are in Dawson Creek, mile 0 of the Alcan Hwy.  There is a large fire further north and the road is closed, so we will be here until at least Sunday  

We walked around town and took our pictures of the 0 mile marker and  all six of us at  the Alaska highway sign.  I tried posting some pictures the one of the Frazier Canyon train didn't go into the right place so we will see where the others end up.   The Frazier Canyon runs for miles and is beautiful in places and fairly desolate in others.  There are lots of trains many with over a 100 cars.  Some have an engine in front pulling and another in the rear pushing