2009 Trip To Alaska

August 9, 2009

2009-08-10T21:29:00.000-07:00

Home at 6 pm.

Thoughts and impressions. It is a long long drive to Alaska. Montana is not up north. Alaska is a huge and sparsely populated state. There is so much land untouched. Wonderful. The mosquitoes were not as bad as expected. Forest fires were worse. Didn't see many birds, strange. Sorry we didn't see the mountains. There is alot of subsistance living. Shacky cabins. Didn't see many large houses. Must be in cities. Internet and Sirrus radio reception is not reliable. Salmon is so important and the count is getting less. Fisherman are crazy to catch the fish. Salmon is important to people and animals. Alaska has much that reminded me of Montana only bigger and farther and more. More wildness, more forests, bigger and more rivers and glaciers, more animals not just in parks, homesteading not to long ago($2.50 per acre). Interesting trip. Cost $5500. Otto and Spoon did well. Otto is glad to be home.Conrad too. Me, I suppose. Spoon,I don't know.

August 7 and 8 2009

2009-08-10T21:27:00.000-07:00

On to Glacier. Hadn't been here is a long time. Drove over Logan Pass,"Going to the Sun". Narrow and beautiful. Ate at Saint Mary's. Camped at Lake McDonald's campground. Finished up the last of the meals I cooked. Good timing.

August 6, 2009

2009-08-06T16:43:00.000-07:00

Shelby"s BD. Mailed Travis his BD present. Some very interesting towns along the Highway 20 across the top of Washington. Stopped at a lake for lunch and are staying at an RV park in Kettle Falls on the Columbia River and and LakeRoosevelt, formed by Grand Coulee Dam. Hot so enjoying the air in the RV. Home soon.

August 5,2009

2009-08-06T16:37:00.000-07:00

We arrived back in the lower 48 and went into the Cascades National Park. We took 2 short walks. On the first one I got stung 2 times by I guess a hornet. He was powerful and my hand an leg got quite swollen. We went to a talk that night on Native Ameican stories. We camped by a lake that was a beautiful blue. It was on the Skagit River and there were 3 dams and lakes on it. Too badfor the salmon that used to spawn there. No more. Nice park created in 1968 so fairly new. to see it one must hike. A black tailed deer in campsite. Old growth forest surrounded our RV. Conrad is a tree ugger and lumberjack.

August 4, 2009

2009-08-06T16:28:00.002-07:00

Heading home fast. We camped at Spences Bridge at a very old RV park. It is not even in the books and most of the electric plugs are for 20 amp which is what my mom and dad used. It was a place from the way past. The washer and drier were in an old vacant house that at one time was the home of the owners,but now housed a Mexican picker to help the new owners harvest their crops. Oh, they had a fruit stand and the fruit and vegs were great. We took a short walk up a goat trail to a waterfall. I did fine until night then started getting bad dreams. All was fine and we moved on the next day.

August 3, 2009

2009-08-06T16:28:00.001-07:00

We camped at Boyes Lake. It was a provincial campground and nice like all the others. So clean. It was hot so we stayed quiet. Otto stood in the lake to cool off.

Aug 1 and 2nd, 2009

2009-08-06T16:22:00.000-07:00

We drove to Stewart BC and Hyder, Alaska. We camped on top of the hill and then drove down the 44 miles. We camped by a lake and went swimming both days. Stewart is a very quaint little town that retains some of the charm of days gone by. Hyder, Alaska is quite rundown. Stewart has paved roads and a border crossing, Hyder has dirt roads and no border crossing.We did see bears at the viewing platform. We saw 2 brown bears fishing for salmon and 2 black bears strolling the road. Beautiful scenery. Glaciers and glaciated mountains.

July 30and 31, 2009

2009-08-06T16:19:00.000-07:00

Moved on to Whitehorse, Yukon. We camped at an RV Park so the animals could have air(It is hot) and I wanted to wash clothes and shower. We went out to dinner at the place 3 people had told us about. We had ribs and they were good. Will have left overs tomorrow. We bought some groceries in some very confusing stores and went home to bed.

July 28-July 29, 2009

2009-07-30T21:53:00.000-07:00

Hurray, the mail came. We paid bills and left and drove to a small lake on the Teslin Wildlife Refuge. We camped by the water. We met a nice couple from New Mexico and traveled with them to Congdom Lake where we camped on Wednesday. Thursday we headed to Whitehorse . Camped , washed clothes, cleaned the RV and went out to a great dinner at the Klondike Salmon and Rib BBQ. I had been told about this place by 3 couples so saved my dinner out for here. Tomorrow on down the road and on to a new road, the Cassier Highway.

July 27, 2009

2009-07-30T21:50:00.000-07:00

Went to get the mail but it had not arrived so we toured the town and bought fish and watch sea lions eat salmon. It was rainy on and off. We grocery shopped and walked. The mountains are covered with clouds but still this is a beautiful town. This town is fishing. The oil spill must have scared them about maybe losing the fishing. There is a glacier out of town that is retreating quickly.

July 26, 2009

2009-07-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

Arrived in Valdez about 10:30. Checked in and then drove around . It rained and misted all day. We went to a visitor center and learned about Valdez before the earthquake and before it was moved to firmer ground. I washed clothes, 6 loads. A rather quiet day.

I will post picture when I have better internet.

July 25, 2009

2009-07-27T09:07:00.005-07:00

Left Chitina on the way to Valdez. We decided to stay in a state campground on the pass above Valdez. It was advertised as one of the prettiest campgrounds in the state and it was. Above timberline with fantastic views. It is clear today so we can see the mountains. We drive into Valdez after setting up camp. What a beautiful setting for a town. Awesome is the only word. Glaciated mountains all around. In my mind it is what an Alaskan town should be. If only it didn't get 25 feet on snow on average each year. We stopped at a ranger station and found out some things to do and watched fish spawn the drove home for dinner and bed

july 24, 2009

2009-07-27T08:45:00.000-07:00

We left our camp about 9 am and it was clear so we hoped to see mountains,but the farther we drove the smokier it got . A big fire in the Wrangell-St Ellis. We drove to Chitina and were going to stay at the only RV park there but it was a terrible place. We got information at the National Park station there and found a state park by the Copper River. There were many fisherman there. It is a famous salmon stream Huge river. All the rivers are full of silt from glaciers, not beautiful mountain streams. We drove up to McCarthy after we got set up. Sixty miles on DIRT ROAD.

It took 3 hours. McCarthy is an old town that was started to provide housing and services for the Kennicott mine. It is now a destination and run by a a company bringing kids from around the country. We were shuttled to Kennicott on the side of the hill next to the Kennicott Glacier. The copper mine was started in 1910 and closed in 1938. A huge operation. What a place to live all year around. A company town. Very interesting and a good visit. Then 3 hours back. Dinner at 9 pm.

July 23, 2009

2009-07-26T23:39:00.000-07:00

We left Sterling and drove to through Anchorage and Palmer. We stopped at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. They take care of animals who can no loger be released. It is like the Nature Center in Red Lodge only bigger.

We stayed in a state campground at Glacier Park. The glacier is Matanuska Glacier and we were able to walk out on it. I appears to be owned by a family. They offer ice climbing and walking on it for a price of course. I don't understand how a glacier can be owned unless it was park of an early claim.

We saw a mother moose and 2 babies standing in the middle of the road. Many moose get killed on highways up here.

July 22,2009

2009-07-22T21:37:00.000-07:00

Today has been a real day off. We washed clothes, cleaned house, mailed a package and read. No sightseeing, no pictures, no more rain today. On the road tomorrow. We are rounding the bend toward home.

July 21, 2009

2009-07-21T20:16:00.000-07:00

Woke to sunshine. Conrad decided to hike to Russian Falls. It is on the Russian River which is famous for its fishing. All the things we read said bears most often were fishing below the falls. Conrad had high hopes for bear activity. He say men fishing, sea gulls, and lots of salmon below the falls. Perfect for bears. But no bears were getting breakfast. They were climbing up the falls, falling back, and trying again. On the way back he did see bear scat. Just like the mountains they are there but not for us to see. Conrad enjoyed his hike.

Otto and I drove the 19 mile scenic drive through the animal reguge. I saw a bear, 2 loons, and 1 moose. After I picked up Conrad we drove home on that road and saw ravens and the bear.

Tomorrow wash clothes and get ready to leave Thursday.

June 20, 2009

2009-07-20T22:00:00.000-07:00

Another rainy day. We have yet to see any of the fantastic mountains that I know are around here. Mt Redoubt for one. It doesn't look like we will see any today. We head down to Homer which is on the otherside of the Kenai Pennisula. It is a 90 mile drive and it drizzles and is foggy.

Homer is a fishing town, mostly halibut. It is one of the nicer towns we have seen,which is a surprise. So many of the small towns don't seem to have much to hold them together. No center. It is quite lovely town center and all. We go through a visitor center and drive out onto the "spit',a long skinny piece of land barely above water level, and have lunch, drive to the end of the east road. Still I know there are high mountains across the bay,but can't see them. There are many houses and lots for sale.

Driving home we stop at Norman Lowell's Art Gallery. We were told about it in the RV Park. Not expecting much but are knocked over when we open the door. The painting are breathtaking in their depiction of Alaska. He and his wife homesteaded in 1958 and lived in a one room long cabin which is still on the property. They have since built a gallery, house and studio. Back to his paintings. If I had $32,000 I would buy one. Christmas is coming maybe Santa will remember me. Anyway the paintings and the artist were wonderful. He is 83 now and charming. I want to buy a print. Will have to substitute enough times.

We stopped at an old Russian village. The old church is preserved and has a great cemetry overgrown with flowers. beautiful. The Cow Parsnip is taller than I am. Wish ours grew so tall.

July 18 and 19 2009

2009-07-19T22:02:00.000-07:00

We drove to Sterling today and will stay here 5 night and go around the Kenai Pennisula. The Red Salmon so camp openings are hard to find. It is Saturday so folks are here from Anchorage.

We looked around the area and watched some fishermen. They line almost every bank of the rivers. Where the Kenai River enters the Cook Inlet there we fishermen with nets lining the banks and boat all over. Quite a show. I keep trying to get Conrad to go, but he isn't sure he wants to fish. We went for a 3 mile hike today in a Wildlife Reserve, but saw more flora than fawna. Heard loons again, wonderful sound. We drove out to Cook State Rec Area and saw canoers. Alaska seem to have many canoe trail. Go from one lake to another. One couple had a min pin with a life jacket on. Cute.

The very old town of Kenai has 2 old Russian churches and a couple old cabins left.

Tomorrow to Homer and the Spit. Taking the car so I guess Otto wil go so not sure about going to Halibut Cove on Ferry. Takes too long.

July17,2009

2009-07-18T19:26:00.000-07:00

Onward to Seward by the ocean. We passed through Anchorage and stopped at Fred Meyers for groceries. On we went and the scenery got more lush and greener. Seward is surrounded with mountains carved by glaciers and some glaciers left hanging in the high mountains. We hiked to Exit Glacier named early by men who hike across the icefield and could exit on the glacier. It is sad how it is retreating fast. After the hike we had a good halibut fish and chips dinner. Washed clothes and showered and slept great. Otto too.

July 16, 2009

2009-07-18T18:53:00.000-07:00

We drove to Willow tonight and stopped at the postoffice to see if our mail had arrived. It had not so we went to Rolly Lake to a great campsit. The loons sang their strange song and a red fox tried to convince us to put out some food. If Otto had not gotten sick it would have been a good night.

July15,2009

2009-07-15T19:34:00.000-07:00

It started raining last night and continued all day. We squeezed in activities between rain drops. We drove up to mile 15 to look for animals. We saw none and it was raining to hard so we came back and watched a nature talk at the visitor center. After lunch we left Otto in the RV for a nap and we for a hike to Horseshoe Lake. It was a short hike bu we saw a swan and a moose and calf. So good for viewing. We then drove back up to the 15 mile point but saw no animals except a ptarmigan with babies. When we stopped to look a gull landed on our car and looked at us through the sun roof. We were the watched not the watcher.

July14,2009

2009-07-14T22:46:00.000-07:00

Conrad returned after 13 hours on a national park bus tired and dusty and smokey.

He left at 830am and got back at 9pm. He was disappointed because there were not the animals he thought he would see and the sky was full of smoke so the mountains and the big one were not to be seen. Hopefully we will see the mountain again. We did see it once when we crossed a river about 100 miles from here. If I had know it might be the only time I would have stopped and looked lomger and taken a picture. The fires are burning around so the air is full of smoke.

I stayed at the RV and washed clothes, cleaned up and paid bills and just relaxed. I needed and day to just be still.

July 13, 2009

2009-07-13T22:43:00.000-07:00

Today we drove through Fairbanks and decided not to stop except to wash the cars, get the oil changed, and grocery shop. We then drove on the Mt Mckinley. We saw 4 adult moose and 1 calf on the way. Could not get pictures because they didn't wait around. The RV Park is a bad one. Pictures in magazines do not tell the truth.

July 12, 2009

2009-07-13T22:22:00.001-07:00

We drove to the old mining town between Dawson City and Tok. It has the wonderful name Chicken. The folks wanted to call it ptarmigan, but didn't know how to spell it so they called it Chicken. We had homemade chicken soup. It tasted good but gave us both heartburn We also hike to 4 mile lake. It was a short hike only 1.4 miles. Surprisingly the bugs are not bad. The Skagway hike was the worst. The fields of fireweed were breathtaking on the hills. An entire hill was covered in pink. Big fire here in 2004. Joined some other "Trailer Trash" for drinks and a sing along.

July 11, 2009

2009-07-11T20:26:00.000-07:00

It rained last night in the campground so the air is clear of smoke this morning. Mostly today we bounced over the road. The frost heaves and breaks in the road continued for about the entire day. Made for 2 tired people and one tired dog.

As we drove the forest became very strange . The Black Spruce became very small and skinny. I learned it was because the land they grow in is the permafrost area and it stunts the growth. So a small tree may be old and its growth rings very close together. We saw many ravens. Huge ones. Otto found a squirrel in a pipe so he had a fun day. Also on the Tetlin bird and wildlife refuge which we were next to much of the day, there were trumpeter swan pairs. A beautiful land and bird. Staying in Tok tonight and tomorrow. Will drive to Chicken tomorow. Have decided to forgo Dawson City and Top of the World Highway. Too long and we are alittle tired.

July 10,2009

2009-07-11T20:02:00.000-07:00

We left Skagway at 7am after getting our place in line at 5am. Otto and Spoon rode in the RV while Conrad and I strolled the deck and then ate breakfast. It was an hour ride to Haines. The mountains that we saw all around us were again the most wonderful. Tall and covered with snow and glaciers. We saw 2 orcas swimming in the fjord leading to Skagway. The approach to Haines was quite a view. The fort sits on a hillside looking over the bay. White army buildings and green grass. The town of Haines is much different than Skagway. A small fishing town or village. Things are lush and green and the air is cool and moist. Wonderful. We headed up the Haines highway along a large river. Most of the rivers are as large as the Yellowstone. The valley was a First Nations land and had been for years. There were rest areas where we got a history of the First Nations. The pass was only about 4000 feet but it was above timberline and very beautiful. Snowy mountains again with glaciers. As we came down the east side the flora changed and things became drier and reminded me of Yellowstone with bigger rivers, and mountains. We saw no animals. We camped on the shore of Klune Lake at the base of the Klune Mountains. There we folks from Montana camping there too.

July 8 and 9, 2009

2009-07-09T14:07:00.000-07:00

We drove to Skagway on the 8th. For the first part of the drive it was much like the days before but with no animals. There are fires burning around the state and one fairly close to where we were so the sky was very smoky. As we got closer to Skagway the mountains started to look like those in Glaicier, but more of them. We came down White Pass whichwas an 11% grade. Steep. But the scenery was beautiful. Sub alpine with lake nestled in the high mountains and granite rocks. Very cool. After we got set up (in an RV park I wouldn't wish on anyone) we went into town to look it over and have a beer. There were cruise ships in so it was busy. After our beers the streets were empty because all had returned to the ship. We walked home and got Otto and drove to the old gold miner town of Dyea. This was the staging area for the stampeeders who walked or tried to walk over Chilkoot Pass and the 500 miles to Dawson City during the goldrush. The pass and area are in Jack London's book such as White Fang.

On Thursday morning we got up and Conrad walked down to get our Ferry boat tickets to Haines. We will boat it over. Then after breakfast we went to the trailhead for the Chilkoot trail. We walked up the trail for 2 hours about 2.5 miles hoping it would break out so we could see the mountains but it remained in very thick forest and even swamp where the trailcrew had build high wooden plank walkways.. But we can say we walked in the footsteps of the poor men who attempted the trail. We did meet people who were heading over. It takes 3 to 4 days and is 30 miles over the pass. (I will post pictures later tonight).

Am washing clothes and will have an early to bed since we must be at the boat at 5am.

July 7, 2009

2009-07-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

This was a fun day. We went from the campground to Lake Watson, Yukon Territory today. There were many animals: moose, Stone sheep, deer, coyote, caribou,rabbits, buffalo, and best of all a lynx. Again the land and forests went on forever. The rivers are big. Many the size of the Yellowstone and one the size of the Missouri. We stopped at Liard Hot Springs and took a dip in beautiful pools that were various degrees from warm to hot, hot, and too hot. We passed Muncho Lake which is a beautiful color of blue and arrived at Watson Lake about 3 pm. There are lakes around although none is Watson. The town was named for a man who work on the highway. Things look quite poor,closed business and not much going on. We went to the sign forest in town. People over many years have left town signs, signs with names, and many other types. They are nailed to tall 4 by 4 lumber and stand like trees. We found many from Montana, but none done by Conrad's friends who came in the 70s and left signs. We should have brought one.

I am going to try to phone the kids but service is bad. Then I will shower and go to bed. It is hard to sleep without darkness. No need for a flashlight when I walkOtto at 2 am.

July 6 2009

2009-07-07T18:23:00.000-07:00

We drove north from Dawson Creek and had planned to stay in Fort Nelson. But it was alittle early to stop so we drove on to a campground in the Muskwa-Kecheka Wilderness Management Area. Tetsa River Provincial Park. It was down a mile to the Tetsa River. Avery nice campground with a host. Mosquitoes were everywhere, but we had a fire and spray alot of repellant so ate outside. We walked along the river and even are bringing a rock home. This area is HUGE. There are forests farther than the eye can see. I imagine our wolves came from this wilderness area. They had more space here. The average January temperature is -17. the land reminds me of Montana only MUCH MUCH Bigger.

Today we saw 3 bear 1 bear cub and 1 moose. From what we hear animal viewing will get better.

The ovens decided to stop working so we will use propare either in RV or in campstove. Should be ok.

July 5,2009

2009-07-05T16:00:00.000-07:00

On to Dawson Creek this morning. Many forests and lakes. Fields of canola plants make the fields look unreal,they are so bright. Grand Prairie seems to be a thriving town with new projects.

Dawson Creek is where the Alaskan Highway starts. We went to a museum for a history lesson, washed clothes, and walked around the town.

Otto is feeling better so he will fight another day.

July 4,2009

2009-07-05T12:54:00.000-07:00

We are getting farther north. We left Red Deer and drove through lush rich green land. Canola fields are bright yellow and beautiful. There are some oil wells, but are hidden behind aspenrees. When we turned onto highway 43 the land began to change from the huge farms to forests and lakes and not as green.

Lunch at Rochfort rest stop where we bought an ice cream cone and headed north Can hardly tell it is the 4th except for the Sirrus radio. Not many RVS on the road.

Stayed at Waskhigan River Provnicial Recreation Area. Much cheaper and quieter. We went for a walk and relaxes. Went into the town of Little Smokie(34 pop).

Otto is tired of driving and it is hard on him.

Otherwise all is well.

July 3, 2009 Red Deer

2009-07-03T18:57:00.000-07:00

We drove from Great Falls to Red Deer. It took 9 hours with the stopping. We are staying in the Westerner Campground. It is alot cooler than in Montana. Calgary is a big city. Green and beautiful though. Lots of cars. Conrad says they drive like in California. Fast and on your bumper. No offense Travis. We stopped in Fort McLeod. We saw the mounties riding in formation and walked around the old town. We ate lunch there. Everything is very green, The farms are huge and look very prosperous. On tomorrow to somewhere between here ant Dawson Creek. We will try to find a small campground in a small town to enjoy the atmosphere. Trouble finding wifi. There is none. Will have it in Dawson Creek so I won't have to sit in the laundry to use the connection.

1 st night out

2009-07-02T19:09:00.000-07:00

We left Billings about 1 pm and got to Great Falls about 5 pm. Stayed in Dick's RV Park. It is hot and microwave is acting up. We will head north tomorrow.

june 6, 2009 Getting Ready

2009-06-06T17:09:00.000-07:00

Spoon doesnot want to get left home this time.

June 2009

2009-06-04T07:45:00.000-07:00

We are beginning to pack and cook for the trip. Can't believe it is getting close. July will be here quickly.