Sumas, WA Border Crossing

July 2013

So much for being blessed....  After sitting in line for an hour or so to clear U.S. Customs, the Border agents requested we pull over, open the slides and make ourselves comfortable in their glassed-in room for another hour...because we had 1/2 an avocado and 2 sweet potatoes on board.  In their search, they also confiscated our lunch--contraband apples, later returned to us because the agent found the original bag in the refrigerator. Thank goodness I discarded the bag and mixed the Canadian-made kitty food in the bag purchased in Alaska as they inquired about that as well.  However, of more concern to them, was an old box of shotgun shells that we could not prove were not purchased in Canada--they were not interested in the shotgun itself.

More searching uncovered salmon in the freezer.  Upon request, Al provided his Alaska fishing license and was warned that if we had King Salmon in the freezer it should have been noted on the license.  It wasn't noted because WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY KING SALMON IN THE FREEZER!

After much ado, the kind agents informed us none of the above was a problem because we are not felons and they wished us a cheery "Welcome Home."  They declined to be photographed for the BLOG.

The experience left us feeling a little...violated.  However, all griping aside, we're happy to be home and grateful that we can come right through the front door--so to speak. 


... And I'm proud to be an American,
Where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the one's who died,
Who gave that right to me.
                                Lee Greenwood

                  

    

South on the Cassiar Highway

Jade City is home to this store, which is the only building in town and for many, many miles in either direction.  The amount of jade housed under this roof is amazing:  assorted pieces of jewelry, huge animal carvings, tiny animal carvings and baskets and bins of assorted hunks of jade.  A small hunk and a pair of earrings made their way to the Bighorn.

Along our route out of Alaska, we have marveled at the ever-present Fireweed-- sometimes whole hillsides covered in purple flowers.  Nothing has been quite like it is here thriving in an old burn area. Hence, the name I guess.  The contrast between the purple flower and the black tree stems is striking.






On to Quesnel, BC where Al will visit a West Fraser mill and catch up with old co-workers.  I'll do the laundry, the kitties will have a couple of days respite from traveling, and we'll get a tire that picked up a nail repaired.  Which, will turn out to be our only casualty on this trip to and from Alaska.   Ok, time to move along.

An overnight in Spence's Bridge provided a lovely setting for the evening.

What a glorious spot by the river on a warm summer's night.  It's always a surprise to arrive at an RV Park we chose from a book because it happened to be +/- 250 miles from where we started in the morning.  

Relaxing in the man chair, plotting the next day's route.  A nice level spot means we can leave the truck and Bighorn hooked up for a speedy exit in the morning i.e., I can sleep a bit later.

As we left the next day mid-morning, a small herd of bighorns crossed in front of us.  That nonsense about wildlife only being out and about at day break is bologna.    






       
It seems fair to say we are blessed to be living this life.

Descending the Frazer Gorge along the Thompson River is the last leg of our trip before the border crossing at Sumas / Washington State.

                                            Oh, this always makes me nervous.

Hell's Gate.

The Gorge is really a nice area we would like to return to when we can stay for awhile.  However, a date with the good Dr. in Seattle is forcing us to press on.

Stewart, BC/Hyder, AK

July 2013

A river separates Stewart, BC and Hyder, AK where grizzly bears, wolves and black bears are known to frequent this time of year to fish for salmon going upstream in the shallow waters.

   From the viewing deck inches about the narrow river, one can safely watch as bear snag their fish...WHEN the fish are running, which they are not...evidenced by the ABSENCE of viewers.  We did see bear, here and there, roaming around town awaiting the fish.                                                                                                                                      

We were disappointed.  However, we met our friends Terry and Vicki in Hyder as they were traveling north.  So, we had much fun with or without seeing bears fish.  We drove up the hill in search of Salmon Glacier.  What an adventure!

             This was so awesome...we almost forgot about not seeing any bears.

                                                                                          

Every so often a photo actually does justice to the  scene.

Gregarious as they are, Terry and Al befriended a local before we said our good-byes.

Skagway, AK

July 2013

Yikes, the road down to Skagway is a winding 12% grade for 20+ miles!  Hence, no photos...even though the scenery was spectacular.  The town is visited regularly by cruise ships--three were in the small Port when we arrived.  Towering rock cliffs surround everything except the Port.

The infamous Red Onion Saloon sits in the middle of town luring all (well, some) who meander by.
Only one of us succumbed to the temptation to pass through the scarlet doors.

Nearby is the Chilkoot Trail (on every backpacker's list To Do) the start of the Klondike Goldrush where, in 1897, thousands of gold seekers from the lower 48 started their trek in search of fortune...only to find they were too late--the gold had already been mined.

The bucolic, serene beginning, "Oh, this is going to be a great hike"........

QUICKLY

turned into this ~ straight up rock steps with no end in sight.  Time for the Tauses to go their separate ways.  My way was back to the nice bench at the trail head to await my adventurer's return.







Somehow, the dually and "the fearless" Nightingale pulled us safely back up the harrowing road, but we were all a bit edgy until we reached the top.

South Bound

July 2013

Chicken, AK
We chose to leave the RV at the Sour Dough Campground (the nice people shared their 1956 sourdough starter with us) in Tok and drive up to Chicken opting not to drive on the Top of the World Hwy.  Chicken needs no description really...

Fireweed

Next stop Skagway!

Out of Alaska

July 2013

Alaskans refer to leaving the State as "going outside."  It is time for us to "go outside."

In May, the Bighorn emerged unscathed from its winter confinement.










We have had such a wonderful time at the Diamond M Ranch, and we are sad to leave this place and these people we have come to love.  The Martin family will always be near and dear to our hearts.  But go we must!!

The freezer is full of halibut and salmon that my great fisherman caught in the wild Alaskan waters!  Our photo albums are full of memories for a lifetime, and our cupboards are full of souvenirs to cherish.  To the lower 48 we go!!

Adrienne arrived in Anchorage

June 2013
Adrienne's visit began with the Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage.

On to Denali Nat'l Park for some quality sightseeing.

                                                                                                                                                                     

An enormous blonde grizzly!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

A lucky day for a stunning view of Mt. McKinley.

A quick trip to Homer before we had to say good-bye to Adrienne!