Alaska Trip Final Day 41

WE ARE HOME. We left Holland Michigan at 10:00 AM and arrived home at 3:45 PM. While we were unloading the van we got a “Welcome Home” from our 2 daughters pushing our granddaughter Kennedy in her stroller. Sure was great to see them. We had a wonderful trip, when you have travelled 20,000 kilometres (12,000 miles), viewed numerous glaciers, countless mountains, 2,100,000 bends in the road it amounts to the obvious that we did and saw a lot of interesting things. Thank you for sharing our trip with us.

Alaska Trip Day 40

We left Green Bay Wisconsin this morning at 8:50 AM . It was a slow drive on the interstate going through Milwaukee and Chicago but we got here in Holland Michigan at 4:30 PM Wisconsin time 5:30 PM Ontario time. We will be home tomorrow.

Alaska Trip Day 39

We are getting closer to home. After leaving St. Cloud Minesota we shopped at Mall of America in Minniapolis Minesota and arrived in Green Bay, Wisconsin at 4:50 PM. After supper we drove around and saw the stadium where the Green Bay Packers play football. We drove 360 miles today.

Mall of America is the largest mall in North America. It has a large amusement park in the middle of the mall.

Alaska Trip Day 38

We left Minot, North Dakota at 8:42 AM and drove all day. We did stop at the Geographic Centre of America in Rugby North Dakota and did some shopping in Fargo, North Dakota and are staying in St. Cloud Minesota tonight. We drove 500 miles today.

This is the Geographical Center of North America in Rugby, North Dakota

Alaska Trip Day 37

We left Sandy & Al's in Medicine Hat at 7:25 AM (thanks Sandy & Al, we had a great time) and stopped at Moose Jaw to go through the Chinese tunnels. While driving from Moose Jaw we came upon the location where they filmed Corner Gas. We arrived in Minot North Dakota at 6:30 PM Alberta time, 7:30 North Dakota time.
Minot is the airforce base for the USA B52 bombers.

We stopped in Moosejaw and went through the Chinese Tunnels. (the underground history of exploiting the chinese in the early 1900's)

As we were driving along we came upon where they taped the show Corner Gas

John at the Corner Gas gas pumps

Alaska Trip Day 36

We left Rattlesnake park & Al & Sandy took us to Cypress Hills Interprovincial park (Alberta & Sask). the park looks like an oasis in the prairie. It is also the highest point between the Rockies & the east coast. We also went to Fort Walsh & saw where the 1st RCMP was killed by indians.

Sandy & Al's 5th wheel (all the comforts of home, thats what I call camping)

This is Al's boat when its put away

Al & John fishing at Rattlesnake RV park

Medicine Hat's Teepee landmark, day 33

Red Rock Coulee about 50 miles from Medicine Hat, day 33

We saw these antelope on our way to Red Rock Coulee on Day 33

Scene from Day 30 at Glacier National Park in Montana

Scene from Day 30 at Glacier National Park Montana

Alaska Trip Day 34 & 35

We are really roughing it at the campsite. Sandy & Al have a 31 ft 5th wheeler. All the comforts of home. The guys went fishing everyday, Sandy & I pretty much relaxed the whole weekend.

Alaska Trip Day 33

Today we drove to Redrock Coulee. This landscape features round reddish boulders. These sandstone concretions are up to 2.5 metres in diameter, they are among the largest in the world. When Sandy & Al got home from work we went to Rattlesnake Campground for the long weekend.

Alaska Trip Day 32

We are staying at Sandy & Al's. John went golfing today and I finished painting Sandy's poppy picture. Sandy & Al gave us a tour of Medicine Hat after supper.

Alaska Trip Day 31

Today we slept in (hooray), got the van washed (we no longer have our bug collection) and relaxed. Friends of Sandy & Al and Al’s daughter & husband and 8 month old Addyson came for supper. Bar-b-que steak, potatoe salad, salad, & cherry pie, best meal we’ve had in a long time.

Alaska Trip Day 30

We left Kalispell at 9:42 AM and went into Glacier National Park. We were there 19 years ago but didn’t get to see much because of fog. This time we could see for miles and it sure was a sight to see. We didn’t get to see mountain goats this time but we have great pictures of deer. On Logans Pass they are in their 3rd year of a 10 year construction upgrade. They couldn’t pay me to work on the edge of roads up there. From Montana we drove into Alberta and arrived at Sandy & Al’s about 8:45 PM.

Alaska Trip Day 29

We left Golden this morning at 7:00 AM. We took so many pictures today but they don’t do the scenery justice. We stopped at the CN spiral tunnels. There happened to be a train going through while we were there, that was very interesting to watch. The Radium Hot Springs was another stop that was interesting, this hot spring was made into a huge swimming pool. We stopped in Athalmer and ate our lunch in a park by the water. So far we have found about 10 places we would like to move to. We arrived in Kalispel Montana at 5:00 pm, 367 miles today and was 94ºF at 5:00 pm. Sorry, internet is so slow, I’ll try more pictures again at Sandy and Al’s.

Alaska Trip Day 28

We left Kamloops at 10:00 AM and drove south to Merritt and east to Kelowna where we ate our lunch at a beach and then drove through the Okanogan Valley. It was very smokey until we got past Revelstoke National Park. We finally saw a blue sky and beautiful mountains as we drove through Glacier National Park. Another time zone change, so it is now a 2 hour difference. We are staying in a Ramada hotel in Golden, BC tonight. I had the hot tub and pool all to myself.

One of many avalanche tunnels

Alaska Trip Day 27

We spent the morning in Whistler going thru the village and taking the Peak to Peak Gondola ride. It is the Worlds longest unsupported free span (2.73 miles), the worlds highest lift (1427 ft) and the worlds longest continuous lift system. We left Whistler at 12.15 PM and had another gorgeous drive to Kamloops. We stopped to watch a helicopter collect water in the lake beside the road and fly to the mountain to release it. When in the Fraser Canyon (Hells Gate area) we had to quit stopping and taking pictures as we still had to drive at least 160 of the days 340 total miles. We saw a lot of smoke today in fact we had our room upgraded to a suite tonight as they took in a lot of people evacuated from their homes and they gave us a nicer room because we had a reservation. We didn’t get here until 8:45 PM. Just heard on the news that 250 of the 450 fires in BC are in this Kamloops area. We are hoping that one of the two main roads out are open tomorrow.

Hells Gate in Fraser Canyon

We watched the helicopter trying to put out this fire in the Fraser canyon near Hope

The helicoper carrying the water bucket (will have to click on picture for closer look)

Alaska Trip Day 26

We left Prince George at 6:45 AM and saw our first bear of the day at Williams Lake eating a dead deer beside the road. At one point we were held up for an hour while the fire fighters were putting out a fire beside the road. The Sea to Sky hwy was a beautiful drive (more hairpins, no barriers) but it was paved. We saw our 2nd bear in Pemberton (a large Grizzly) just walking along the side of the road. We stayed in Whistler Village at the Delta Whistler Suites. It was a one bedroom condo with living room, kitchenette, and fireplace. We were awakened at 3:30 AM with really loud beeping, turns out the fire alarm was going off and finally a message came over the speaker to stay in our rooms, read the fire escape routes on our door and they will keep us informed. This went on for ½ hour beeping – message – beeping etc. The fire truck came and checked things out and the beeping finally stopped. We drove 408 miles today.

Delta Whistler hotel in Whistler village

Scenery along the road in Marble Canyon

Traffic tie up due to roadside fire near Cache Creek

Alaska Trip Day 25

We left Prince Rupert at 7:55 AM and drove all day. We stopped in Moricetown at Morice Canyon and watched the First Nation people net the large salmon from the cement fish ladders in the canyon. They have a shed in the parking lot where they sell the salmon. We drove 450 miles today and are in Prince George tonight. I noticed a lot of signs on the Yellowhead highway between Prince Rupert and Prince George telling girls not to hitchhike. Apparently there are 13 girls missing or killed along that road and they call it “Highway of Tears”. We heard on the news today they are investigating a property about 30 minutes from here right now that may tie into the disappearances.

Morice Canyon in Moricetown on the Yellowhead highway

First Nation netting 2 salmon in the canyon (note they tie themselves with a rope so they don't fall in)

Looking down into the canyon

A nice drive down a city park camp in Terrace

Alaska Trip Day 24

We left our hotel in Stewart, BC and drove two miles through Hyder, Alaska on the Glacier road to Salmon Glacier. As soon as we crossed from BC into Alaska the road was gravel. We stopped at Fish Creek where we watched a bear eat 3 salmon and as we were leaving watched another bear go across the road in front of us carrying a salmon in his mouth. After driving a few more miles we were back in BC again. After 22 miles of washed out road we rated this road the worst of our bad road list and was scary enough for us to turn around at the toe of the glacier and not finish the other 3 miles to the top. We were glad to get back to Stewart and left there about 11:00 AM and are staying in Prince Rupert tonight. Our room is on the 9th floor and we can look out at the freighters in the bay from our balcony.

This is the main street of Hyder, Alaska

We watched this bear catch & eat 3 salmon at Fish Creek on the Glacier road in Alaska.

Pond at Fish Creek (notice the orange mushrooms on the tree stump)

Road from Hyder to Salmon Glacier. We rated this road the worst on our bad road list. There is a sheer 1000 ft drop on the right.

Day 23

Momma bear & her 2 cubs on the Glacier highway to Stewart, BC

Alaska Trip Day 23

We left Dease Lake at 8:45 AM and are back on the Cassiar highway. The road has improved. We took a side trip on the Glacier highway and are staying in Stewart, BC tonight. Tomorrow we are going to Hyder, Alaska which is just a couple miles down the road (Canadian customs but no American customs) Hyder has about 75 people living there and this is the only road they can come in. The road in here is awesome with many glaciers, waterfalls, canyons and we even saw momma bear and her 2 cubs eating along the side of the road. Stewart holds the Canadian record for snowfall in one season, 27 feet. It rained today and is suppose to rain tomorrow but hopefully we can get some good pictures.

Linda & John

Photo from Day 22

Stopped in Jade City. Jade city consists of one business that supplies 75% of the worlds jade. The jade we are leaning on only costs $9,000.00.

Photo from Day 22

Sign on Cassier highway.

Photo from Day 22

Cassiar Hwy construction, it got a little bit better in some places.

Photo from Day 21

Downtown Skagway

Photo from Day 21

Hammer Museum in Skagway, claims to have over 1700 different hammers.

Photo from Day 20

Ferry we took from Haines to Skagway

Photo from Day 18

Mountain Scenery on the Glenn Hwy

Photo from Day 18

We found the moose Jody was looking for 1 hour after we dropped her off in Anchorage.

Photo from Day 16

Scenery from the saltwater tour

Day 16 photo

Sea lions from our Seward wilderness boat tour

Alaska Trip Day 22

We returned the RV first thing so we could get an early start. Leaving Whitehorse at 9:00 AM we took the Alaska hwy to Junction 37 south on the Cassiar hwy, another highway that is in bad shape. We waited 10 minutes until oncoming traffic came through and a pilot truck took us through a 6 mile construction area, we got excited to get to drive on bumpy pavement again but it didn’t last long and we were back on washboard gravel for 16 miles. (felt like 50 miles) We are staying in Dease Lake tonight and back on the Cassiar hwy tomorrow. (we have been told the road gets better....hooray)

Alaska Trip Day 21

Skagway is a quaint little town. Lots of shops and sightseeing tours. After doing some shopping we left Skagway around 12:30 PM Alaska time and the drive up to Carcross was breathtaking. Wish we could send pictures, I managed to get the glacier picture uploaded but that was it. We stayed in an RV park in Whitehorse, picked up the van and cleaned out the RV. It was our last night sleeping in the RV......back to motels.

Day 16

Glacier on the Saltwater Tour

Alaska Trip Day 20

We left Destruction Bay, Yukon at 7:07 AM, drove through British Columbia and crossed back into Alaska at 11:00 AM. We ate lunch in Haines and wasted some time in tourist shops. Not much else to do in Haines, we hear its beautiful but it is clouded over today. There is a hammer museum here with 1700 different hammers but its closed on the weekends. (oh darn) so we watched a movie & ate supper in the RV waiting until the ferry took us over to Skagway at 8:30 PM tonight. It is 10:30 PM but we managed to get one of the last campsites in the RV park in Skagway.

Linda & John

Alaska Trip Day 19

We left Glenallen at 9:10 AM and spent the whole day driving. We saw another moose on the side of the road and a black bear ambled across the road in front of us and started eating leaves off a bush on the side of the road. We are heading for Haines & Skagway so we crossed through Canada at around 4:00 PM Alaska time and spent the night in an RV park at Destruction Bay, Yukon. The road between the border & our RV park was in bad shape, felt like a roller coaster on the paved parts and a washboard on the gravel parts. We drove 375 miles today.

Linda & John

Alaska Trip Day 18

We left the US forest park this morning at 9:00 AM and headed for Anchorage. We visited the earthquake centre and from that lookout point saw a clear view of Mt McKinley which we didn’t get to see on the Denali tour. We were driving around trying to find a moose for Jody before we took her to the airport but unfortunately she didn’t get a picture of one. That week went so quickly, we were sad to see her off. After dropping Jody off we headed for Glenallen and within 60 miles we saw a mother moose with her 2 calves drinking from a mud puddle at a gas station. Today was another day of winding hairpin turns and no guardrails but at least the road was paved. The campsite is nice tonight but the internet is slow, slow, slow, will send pictures later.

Linda & John

Alaska Trip Day 17

We left Seward at 11:00 AM and went to see another Glacier called Exit Glacier where we walked a nice trail back into the glacier. From there we drove to Whittier. To get to Whittier you must drive through a one lane 2 ½ mile tunnel that is shared with a train so every ½ hour you alternate with oncoming traffic unless a train comes and everyone waits until the train is through. When you come out of the tunnel you are again surrounded by mountains, glaciers and again the gulf of Alaska. There are 1200 people living in Whittier and they all live in 2 apartment buildings. The rest of the village is boats and a few quaint shops & a school. They depend a lot on tourists & cruise ships We are at a US forest park tonight, sleeping with the bears. No hook ups and no internet, its so quiet, we can hear each other breathing. Will keep trying until I get a stronger interenet to upload pictures.

Linda & John

Alaska Trip Day 16

We woke up early this morning to the beautiful gulf & mountains and took an Alaska Saltwater Tour cruise from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM. We saw Stellar sea lions, harbour seals, kittiwakes, puffins, otters, salmon, quite a number of humpback whales, eagles, Common Murre (look like miniature penguins) and a huge glacier. While we were watching the glacier you would hear a loud thunder and a large chunk would fall into the water and create a wave. The wave scatters the fish and the kittiwakes (seagulls) swoop down and get the fish. We were tired and wet by the time we got back. We stayed in Seward another night and got to wake up again to the mountains and gulf. This internet isn't is to weak to upload pictures so I will try from another site.

Linda & John

Alaska Trip Day 15

We left Mat-Su Valley at 9:00 AM, toured through Wasilla but didn’t see Sarah Palin and on through Anchorage where we saw a moose strolling along on a busy street. (There are 6000 moose in the city of anchorage) It was a beautiful drive between the mountains and Cooks inlet. We got to Seward (pronounced Sue ward) and camped along the shore of Gulf of Alaska with snow covered mountains surrounding us. It was a beautiful sight to see. The cruise ships dock there and bus or train the passengers up to Denali National Park. We are eating mostly in the RV but occasionally we eat in restaurants.

Linda & John

Typical sign in Alaska

Our campsite in Seward

Update

We have been camping at places with no internet connections and heading to a primitive campground tonight so I'll update in a few days. We are in Seward today heading for Whittier.

Denali National Park

Fire Weed (we see this a lot on the tundra)

Can you see the caribou? (click on the picture for better view)

Ptarmigan

Alaska Trip Day 14

We were up bright & early today to take the Tundra Wilderness Tour through Denali National Park between Fairbanks & Anchorage. It was rainy most of the day and didn’t get to see McKinley Mtn, the highest mountain in north America but we did see grizzly bears, caribou, dall sheep, ptarmigan, eagle, ravens, magpies, and artic hare. It was an eight hour bus tour because the road is mostly one lane gravel hairpin mountain turns, again no guardrails and they don’t allow the public to drive their own vehicles. We left the park and drove 150 miles and are staying in a nice little camp site 40 miles north of Wasilla (Sarah Palin’s hometown).
Linda & John

Scenery from Denali National Park

Alaska Trip Day 13

We left Fairbanks about 12:00 pm and are staying about 1 mile from the Denali National Park entrance. Its jacket weather today. John & Jody are off for little hike. This is a tourist area we are staying in between 2 mountains. Lots of little shops, river rafting and hiking. The Princess cruise lines bus people here from their cruise ships to shop and go thru Denali Park.  Tomorrow is another early day, we have to catch a bus tour thru the park at 6:45 AM.

Linda & John

Day 12 pictures

John & Jody eating wild blue berries on the tundra

Yukon Camp Motel where we stopped for lunch on the way to the Artic Circle and supper on the way back. A room for 1 person is $199.00 a night.

The Alaskan pipeline is built mostly above ground because of the perma frost. You can see it pretty much all the way to the circle.

This is the sign we drove 400 miles to see