The Road to Alaska

We crossed the Canadian Border at Sweet Grass, Montana.  Although it wasn't difficult, the Border Patrol did escort us into a large bay where we opened the RV completely, slides and all, for a brief search.  They seemed most interested in tobacco, alcohol and guns.  From Calgary, we made a quick two-day trip to Seattle to visit the doctor. Back in Calgary, we gathered our supplies...and we're finally on our way to Alaska!!

Al visited the Forest Interpretive Centre in Whitecourt, Alberta.  In between small towns, the road was, for the most part, ours.  Fuel stations were far and few between, and we stopped whenever an opportunity presented itself.  The extra fuel stored away for an emergency went untouched. 

After what seemed like a long time, and fists full of fuel receipts, we arrived in Dawson Creek, BC--the start of the Alaska Highway!!

Notice the flags flying straight out in the opposite direction of the way we are traveling--not conducive to high mpg...or miles per liter either.

We did see plenty of wildlife to keep us occupied along the way.  The caribou are just getting started on this year's antlers, but they still carry themselves like they are sporting a full-grown rack.

A nice soak in the awesome Liard Hot Springs--even though it required dry camping for one night.  In the morning we used the battery to run the furnace just long enough to warm our clothes up a bit.  We skipped breakfast in anticipation of the famous cinnamon rolls reported to be just a few miles up the road.  What luck!!  The tiny restaurant had Big Horn Sheep mounts just the right size for the rig.

When we passed through Toad River is was pretty much surrounded by fire, although no one seemed in the least bit concerned.  Maybe spending the night in the next town would be a good idea.

One is fairly sure home is a LONG way away, when the road sign says Yukon Territory!

Some days were snowy, and the bears were snowy too.

The snow kept us in Watson Lake, YT for a couple of days.  It was time to resupply, do the laundry and give the kitties a day of rest.  However, they are now in serious travel mode and are tolerating being in the truck everyday quite well.  We took in a show at the Northern Lights Centre about the Aurora Borealis and re-met folks we'd soaked with in the steamy Liard Hot Springs. 
There are not many people on the road, but most are headed to Alaska.  Many towns and RV Parks are small (very small) and most parks are not open yet or permanently closed.  The choices are few.  Hence, it is common to occasionally cross paths with the same people along the way. 

Watson Lake has an...interesting Sign Post Forest...last count 70,000 give or take a few.  There is at least one sign from almost anywhere you can think of--Auburn, Maine-Mobile, Alabama-Auckland, New Zealand-every European country I could think of was represented.

Whoever said, "The journey is sometimes the best part of the destination," is absolutely correct.

Beaver Creek, YT  has the smallest and most unique Catholic Church we have ever encountered.  There are 3 pews on each side.  Six of us attended Mass this Sunday evening.  The addition with the sloped roof  in the back houses the Priest overnight after he travels the 100 miles to say Mass.  Al met the good Father the next morning using the facilities at the RV Park across the street before making his return trip to Whitehorse.   After Mass we were just in time for an entertaining Alaska Musical Show at the Westmark Lodge.  At 11 p.m. it was still full daylight.  I love it!!!!

Onward we go...

The caribou, moose, even the buffalo were not eager to stick around when we stopped to take a photo.  Except for this guy, who was closing the distance between us at a brisk trot.  I guess we looked like old friends...or the lunch wagon. :)

We've arrived!  Not exactly--several hundred miles to go.  The Border crossing was quicker this time--no search.  We didn't even get out of the truck.  We're done with meters, liters and kilometers...and loonies!

The Matunuska Glacier.

The view from the Seward Highway.

Sometimes I go ahead to make sure the bridge is safe.   Yikes, sometimes I'm not so sure. :)

We are almost to Kenai!  Upon inquiry, Nightingale reports that, since leaving Phoenix shortly after Easter, we have driven +/-7,500 miles through 14 states and 3 provinces. The road has been good to us.  It was an unbelievable trip!! 

      

The MILEPOST served us well.

The Black Hills

What a shock it is to drive endless straight, flat miles across South Dakota's farm land, and come to the beautiful Black Hills--even though the map tells you they are there.  Mt. Rushmore is, in a word, awesome!  There are many points to view the Presidents from miles away, and many different angles from which to admire the monument from the park itself.

Crazy Horse is a work-in-progress, many times larger than Mt. Rushmore, promised to be completed in this millenium--and visible from the George Mickelson bike trail...if we had gone in the right direction--which we didn't.

Custer State Park must be the reality show for, where the buffalo roam and the deer and the antelope play all day--sometimes in the same field at the same time!

As nasty as the buffalo are, the babies are very cute.

We sat beside a field one evening and witnessed a most amusing display of turkey courting.  A dozen hens were pecking along seemingly unaware, unconcerned and certainly unimpressed by 3 toms in  glorious full fan of feather hopping around in circles!!  Those toms must be in a raggedy condition by the time the spring season has passed. :)

I think this area of South Dakota is on the short list of where our retirement home might be--it has everything:  mountains, wildlife, charming small towns, a bike trail and a nice low tax base.  We  lunched at the Kunckle Saloon biker bar in Sturgis, feasted on pie at The Purple Pie Place in Custer and tasted a bit of wine at Prairie Berry in Hill City. 

Although we could easily spend a lot more time here, it is time to continue our journey.  Alaska is calling us!!  

Badlands Nat'l Park

It occurs to me that we are indeed fortunate that so many wise people came before us to recognize and ensure protection for unique and special places across the U.S and the world.  The Badlands is such a place.  Geologists estimate that erosion will completely destroy the spires and buttes that are the Badlands in  +/-500,000 years.  Time is of the essence--don't delay.  Get to the Badlands while there is still time! :-)

We drove through the Park, walked some of the trails and watched the resident wildlife.  The fossil soils are carved into fantastic, multi-layered shapes that tower into the sky ending in what appear to be pencil points, knife edges and flat shelves, and all are completely surrounded by miles and miles of National Grasslands.   The Park deserved more time, but we were anxious to get to The Black Hills.

 For what it is worth, my astute observation of buffalo is this:  They are mean!  They push and shove each other and bang their heads together.  They have the whole damn prairie, and they're fighting over a blade of grass.

Elkhart, IN

The Bighorn is in need of major reconstruction to repair a "flexing" problem in the overhang and a new floor in the large slide-out.  We have arrived, donuts in hand, at Heartland's corporate headquarters for the necessary procedures.  While our house is out of commission, we'll use timeshare in South Bend--a vacation if you will. :)

Relaxing at the condo.

The weather was windy and cold, but we amused ourselves nonetheless.  We had dinner at Das Dutch Essenhaus with Bill and Jean who were in town having work done on their Redwood.  Al and Bill spent an afternoon at The College Football Hall of Fame--which meant neither Jean nor I had to go!
Notre Dame University was close enough to attend Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.  Northern Indiana is the RV mecca of the U.S. and home to all things RV, including The RV Hall of Fame and Museum.  We also took a tour through the Bighorn plant at Heartland's manufacturing facility.  

A room with a view...at ground level!

One last thing to do is drive to The Indiana Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore on Lake Michigan.

It was a wild and windy day on the shores of Lake Michigan, but Al climbed Mt. Baldy--the hill of sand, and I ventured down to the beach for a quick photo and a bit of sand for my clamshell.

This butterfly makes me remember that a few days ago, we stopped in Paducah, KY to tour the National Quilt Museum and visit with Al's high school friend Judy, who is the Curator.  What a great collection of modern art, using quilting as a medium, and conventional new and vintage quilts.  The Museum is in the cobblestoned, old port section of town adjacent to the muraled flood walls that provide protection from the mighty Ohio River.   

Finally, the Bighorn is restored to its former pristine condition by the very nice folks at Heartland. Westward ho!  This time, we'll take a northerly route across Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Montana.

It's Billy and Cheryl time!

When we find ourselves within a few hundred miles of Billy and Cheryl, the decision is a no-brainer.  We must see them!!  Mostly, there is marathon yaking, catching up and laughing when we are together, but in between they were gracious enough to tour us around Memphis a bit.

Of course, there was a mandatory evening on Beale St. where we were lucky enough to see the Memphis Flippers perform!  Our good friends treated us to a delicious dinner downtown ensuring the other thing we all do when we're together--eat good food!!

We spent an afternoon strolling through a most unique and beautiful cemetery accented with many wooden-looking benches, arches, gazebos, trees and bridges that are not made of wood at all, but cast in cement.  The ponds and fountains and gardens, curiously enough, draw people in want of formal photos.  In fact, a bridal party was in full pose as we were visiting.

Quite amazing, was the walk-in, cavern-like grotto with almost life-sized figures and scenes depicting Bible stories.

It was a perfectly delightful weekend with our old buddies, and Al had time to make a stop at the West Fraser office to visit with his friends and former co-workers. 

All on board!!  The Bighorn has an appointment in Elkhart, IN.