Alaska is in our rear view mirror, and we are back in British Columbia working our way north. We traveled 245 miles today and will go 150 tomorrow and another 350 over the following two days, working our way to Skagway, Alaska.
There's not much to report from this day of driving except that this has been the most amazing scenery either of us has ever seen. Rivers, mountains, valleys, glaciers, wildlife, tundra and everything was bigger than you have ever imagined.
Yesterday, we carpooled up to the Salmon Glacier. We met Keith Scott, better known as Bear Man. He is a 77 year old environmentalist that lives in a tent during the summer in an area overlooking the glacier. He spoke to us of his experiences with bears and hiking in and over the glacier. A really REALLY cool guy.
Last night, we had a group meeting in town at the Sealaska bar, and then we went to dinner with another couple we met....our Louisiana friends. Our big night out included driving to the town dump to view the bears! And there were several..
Remember if you want to follow us in pictures, go to www.AlaskaRV.net.
See you down the road!
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Friday, June 28, 2013
Caravan
Thursday was a travel day, and we are finally in Alaska...for two nights. After 29 days northbound, we have reached the southernmost part of Alaska on the Pacific coast. On Saturday, we will cross back into British Columbia for a few days before we head to Skagway. All in all, we cross back and forth 5 times while on the tour.
We wanted to share a few of the pictures of our caravan as we made our way down the highway. It's very well thought out, and Spike talks to us via our walkie talkies all the way, pointing out things to see and sharing information.
We are camped in Hyder, Alaska. Not much to see in Hyder...about 100 people live here.
There is a wonderful viewing deck over the river where you can watch the bears come down to feed on the spawning salmon, but we are about two weeks early to see that here. We are going up to the Salmon glacier this morning.
We wanted to share a few of the pictures of our caravan as we made our way down the highway. It's very well thought out, and Spike talks to us via our walkie talkies all the way, pointing out things to see and sharing information.
We are camped in Hyder, Alaska. Not much to see in Hyder...about 100 people live here.
There is a wonderful viewing deck over the river where you can watch the bears come down to feed on the spawning salmon, but we are about two weeks early to see that here. We are going up to the Salmon glacier this morning.
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| And we're off! |
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| All 22 rigs...northbound and down! |
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| Alaska at last! This is right on the Canadian border. |
Thursday, June 27, 2013
'Ksan
We have been camped for the past several days at 'Ksan, a campground where the Skeena and Bulkley rivers meet and the home of the Gitxan tribe. Yesterday, we toured Kispiox where about 12 totem poles have been placed and learned about the meaning of the totems and the stories and history behind them. Some of them are nearly 200 years old and can take a year or two to carve. The carver is commissioned by the family, and a red cedar tree is chosen. When complete, a feast is held to erect the pole and honor and pay the carver.
We also visited the museum on the grounds where we are camped. There are several longhouses there, and each of them represent the homes of the 4 different clans, or houses, that make up the Gitxan tribe that live here. It's a matriarchal society, and you would belong to the tribe of your mother...frog, wolf, fern or bear. The houses are filled with items that would have been used by the people who lived here.
After our "potlatch" supper last night where everyone brought a dish, we attended a special presentation of Native dances put on by people of the tribe, complete with costumes. It was wonderful. Our tour guide (Spike) explained to us that he has only seen it 5 times in the 19 years he has been leading the caravan, so it was a treat.
We have completely enjoyed our stay here at 'Ksan, but today is a travel day...we are headed to Hyder, Alaska.
If you want to follow us more closely in pictures, you can go to Spike's website where he is posting photos as we go along. Look closely....you might spot us in some of them! The website is www.AlaskaRv.net. Go to the pictures for 2103 tours, and we are on Tour Two.
We also visited the museum on the grounds where we are camped. There are several longhouses there, and each of them represent the homes of the 4 different clans, or houses, that make up the Gitxan tribe that live here. It's a matriarchal society, and you would belong to the tribe of your mother...frog, wolf, fern or bear. The houses are filled with items that would have been used by the people who lived here.
After our "potlatch" supper last night where everyone brought a dish, we attended a special presentation of Native dances put on by people of the tribe, complete with costumes. It was wonderful. Our tour guide (Spike) explained to us that he has only seen it 5 times in the 19 years he has been leading the caravan, so it was a treat.
We have completely enjoyed our stay here at 'Ksan, but today is a travel day...we are headed to Hyder, Alaska.
If you want to follow us more closely in pictures, you can go to Spike's website where he is posting photos as we go along. Look closely....you might spot us in some of them! The website is www.AlaskaRv.net. Go to the pictures for 2103 tours, and we are on Tour Two.
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| Spike explains the meaning and histories of the Totems at Kispiox. |
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| One of the older poles |
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| The newest pole erected last week. You can clearly see the frogs represented here. |
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| 'Ksan museum longhouses and Totems |
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| Totem pole at 'Ksan |
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| Entrance to the Wolf House |
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| Native dancers who performed for us in the Wolf House |
Monday, June 24, 2013
Hazelton
We made it to Hazelton, our starting point with RV Alaska tours. Another beautiful spot along the river with mountains all around us.
Coming into this, both of us had the unspoken fear that we would be spending the next 34 days with a group of "old" people doing cheesy touristy things, and we are both very relieved that we are with a group of folks mostly our age that seem to be just plain fun.
We are very impressed with how well organized this is. We had a two hour orientation tonight and another scheduled for tomorrow night. Hopefully, everything will run smoothly as we travel along...all 19 RVs of us (39 people).
The two campers parked next to us are from Texas....Sequin and Georgetown...and another couple is from Louisiana. Believe it or not, he graduated from Pt. Neches high school and was a year behind Butch! They didn't know each other, but what a coincidence. And then today, a new couple from Texas arrived. They now live in Kuntze, but were originally from Nederland, the town next to us.
We are at 'Ksan, an historical Indian village and museum with a gorgeous campground. Wednesday we will tour the village and museum and top off our day with a pot luck dinner.
We will be here until Thursday, getting to know everyone and preparing the vehicles for the trip. Then we are off, headed to Hyder, Alaska for two days, then cross back into BC, and then will spend several days in the Yukon.
Coming into this, both of us had the unspoken fear that we would be spending the next 34 days with a group of "old" people doing cheesy touristy things, and we are both very relieved that we are with a group of folks mostly our age that seem to be just plain fun.
We are very impressed with how well organized this is. We had a two hour orientation tonight and another scheduled for tomorrow night. Hopefully, everything will run smoothly as we travel along...all 19 RVs of us (39 people).
The two campers parked next to us are from Texas....Sequin and Georgetown...and another couple is from Louisiana. Believe it or not, he graduated from Pt. Neches high school and was a year behind Butch! They didn't know each other, but what a coincidence. And then today, a new couple from Texas arrived. They now live in Kuntze, but were originally from Nederland, the town next to us.
We are at 'Ksan, an historical Indian village and museum with a gorgeous campground. Wednesday we will tour the village and museum and top off our day with a pot luck dinner.
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| Our campsite setting at Ksan |
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| Preparing the RV with a protective screen |
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| Duke's new BFF, Molly. She's from Louisiana! |
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Fort Telkwa...and WiFi!
We have arrived at a campsite in Telkwa, BC and finally have WiFi! Our camp sits on a bluff overlooking the Bulkley River. Simply beautiful. And did I mention WiFi?
We have spent the past 4 days camped along Francois Lake, a 72 mile lake near Burns Lake, BC. Our site was wonderful...right on the water with no one else around us. Downside: low volt electricity so we had to be very careful with what we turned on, i.e. hairdryers. And no WiFi. But it was worth every bit of it.
Butch made a friend who took him fishing out on the lake in his boat. He got a great waterside tour...and 1 rainbow trout.
These pictures are of our campsite, ferry ride across the lake to Southside, and some of the pretty sites we saw.
Tomorrow we will join our tour at an RV park about 50 miles north of here and begin the Alaska adventure. So far, in 23 days, we have traveled 3200 miles. We won't reach Alaska until July 2nd when we arrive in Skagway.
We have spent the past 4 days camped along Francois Lake, a 72 mile lake near Burns Lake, BC. Our site was wonderful...right on the water with no one else around us. Downside: low volt electricity so we had to be very careful with what we turned on, i.e. hairdryers. And no WiFi. But it was worth every bit of it.
Butch made a friend who took him fishing out on the lake in his boat. He got a great waterside tour...and 1 rainbow trout.
These pictures are of our campsite, ferry ride across the lake to Southside, and some of the pretty sites we saw.
Tomorrow we will join our tour at an RV park about 50 miles north of here and begin the Alaska adventure. So far, in 23 days, we have traveled 3200 miles. We won't reach Alaska until July 2nd when we arrive in Skagway.
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| Our gorgeous campsite on the water |
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| Camp from the water |
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| Beautiful forest of birch trees |
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| Catholic Church on south side of lake, reached by ferry |
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| Southside |
Monday, June 17, 2013
Prince George, British Columbia
Today, we drove about 350 miles, traveling from Jasper to Prince George, crossing from Alberta into British Columbia. We have about that far left to go until Hazelton, BC where we meet our caravan group, spending a couple of days getting acquainted before leaving on June 26 heading to Alaska.
This drive was as beautiful as we have seen. Beautiful snow covered mountains, lots of rivers and rapids, forests for miles and miles, and lots of critters...a black bear and her two cubs and a moose! We tried to get pictures of them but didn't get good ones.
We are planning on spending a couple of nights here to wash clothes, go to Walmart, and just regroup. After hours on the road, it's nice to spend a day or two taking care of "normal" chores. Besides, we're low on staples, i.e. wine!
This drive was as beautiful as we have seen. Beautiful snow covered mountains, lots of rivers and rapids, forests for miles and miles, and lots of critters...a black bear and her two cubs and a moose! We tried to get pictures of them but didn't get good ones.
We are planning on spending a couple of nights here to wash clothes, go to Walmart, and just regroup. After hours on the road, it's nice to spend a day or two taking care of "normal" chores. Besides, we're low on staples, i.e. wine!
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| Jasper |
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| Totem Pole in Jasper |
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| Driving to Prince George |
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Jasper
We spent a quiet Father's Day in Jasper, strolling through town and browsing the cute shops. Our big purchase...Christmas cards to be mailed when we are in North Pole, Alaska. We had Bloody Marys and mimosas along with a bowl of soup at a cute restaurant overlooking the train station. Then back to camp for naps. Tonight...steaks on the grill. It is, afterall, Sunday!! Tomorrow, we will head further west toward Prince George. Only 600 more miles northwest to Hazelton, where we will meet our other RVers for the caravan tour to Alaska.
Lake Louise
We spent two nights at the campground at Lake Louise. It is such a beautiful place. On Friday, we drove to Moraine Lake and then to Lake Louise, planning to have a late lunch at the dining room at Chateau Lake Louise, the beautiful hotel overlooking the lake. We were so disappointed that the dining room was closed to non-guests, and much of the hotel was closed due to remodeling. So we took our pictures of the scenery and went back to the campsite. It is still as beautiful as we remembered it.
On Saturday, we drove the Icefields Parkway to Jasper, stopping at the Columbia Icefield.
I hope the photos give you some idea of just how beautiful that drive was.
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| Moraine Lake |
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| Lake Louise |
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| Duke enjoyed his walk along the Bow River |
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| Butch wants this caption to read: Yes, you can take a nap, read a book and drink wine at the same time. |
On Saturday, we drove the Icefields Parkway to Jasper, stopping at the Columbia Icefield.
I hope the photos give you some idea of just how beautiful that drive was.
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| Columbia Icefield |
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| Bridal Veil Falls |
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| Beautiful mountain scenery along the drive. |
We are camped for a few days near Jasper at the Whistlers campground.
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| An elk cow paid us a visit. Seemed just like home at the Circle T! |
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| Happy birthday to Betty! |
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Oh, Canada!
We crossed the border into Canada yesterday without any problems. Our steaks made it into the country fine! (We had been told they had to be marked USDA. Ours were unmarked in foodsaver bags, and I was NOT giving up my beef tenderloin!)
Our camp tonight is at Lake Louise. It's beautiful! We will get out and aboot tomorrow and head over to the hotel and lake. Butchie is buying lunch! We plan to spend two nights here chilling out with the bears before heading to Jasper,
Our camp tonight is at Lake Louise. It's beautiful! We will get out and aboot tomorrow and head over to the hotel and lake. Butchie is buying lunch! We plan to spend two nights here chilling out with the bears before heading to Jasper,
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| Entering Canada |
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| Lake Louise ahead |
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| Putting up the flag...Texas proud! |
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| Time to relax! |
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
R & R
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The RV has had an oil change and been checked over, and we are good to go to Canada in the morning. For tonight, we are camped at the nicest campsite ever...a KOA. Heavily wooded, very private campsites, and oh, so quiet.
I (Betty) took Maggie on the Nature Trail...about a two mile walk around the park and surrounding area. There were signposts and pictures along the trail explaining the flora and fauna (that's plants and animals to some of you) and the history of the area. We are in the heart of Lewis and Clark territory along the Missouri River. It's just beautiful here, and the views of the valley and surrounding mountains are spectacular.
While Butch takes a nap, I am catching up on laundry at the camp laundromat. Tonight, we are having steaks (thank you Chef Mike), then go on a "hayride" along the Nature Trail. And....S'Mores by the fire!
We aren't sure what our campsites over the next several days will have in the way of internet, so again...be patient if you don't hear from us. Just know we are having fun...wherever we are!
The RV has had an oil change and been checked over, and we are good to go to Canada in the morning. For tonight, we are camped at the nicest campsite ever...a KOA. Heavily wooded, very private campsites, and oh, so quiet.
I (Betty) took Maggie on the Nature Trail...about a two mile walk around the park and surrounding area. There were signposts and pictures along the trail explaining the flora and fauna (that's plants and animals to some of you) and the history of the area. We are in the heart of Lewis and Clark territory along the Missouri River. It's just beautiful here, and the views of the valley and surrounding mountains are spectacular.
While Butch takes a nap, I am catching up on laundry at the camp laundromat. Tonight, we are having steaks (thank you Chef Mike), then go on a "hayride" along the Nature Trail. And....S'Mores by the fire!
We aren't sure what our campsites over the next several days will have in the way of internet, so again...be patient if you don't hear from us. Just know we are having fun...wherever we are!
Monday, June 10, 2013
Back on the Grid...
We have spent the past 3 days in Yellowstone National Park, off the grid so to speak. No WiFi, no cell phone service.
Tonight we are camped in Great Falls, Montana. We will spend two nights here and have the oil changed in the RV tomorrow at the Ford dealership. We need a couple of days to regroup, and Wednesday morning, we will head 100 miles north to Canada!
There will be several days over the next few weeks that we will be without the luxury of the internet, so if there is no blog post, that is why.
Yellowstone was as spectacular as we remembered. There is so much beautiful scenery to take in and lots of wildlife to see. Critter count: we saw numerous herds of bison, a few elk, and finally today, a bear.
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| Bison herd |
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| Old Faithful |
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| Can you spot the bear? We would have missed it if cars weren't pulled over. |
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| Upper Falls-Grand Canyon of Yellowstone |
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| Speed bump! |
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| Gorgeous view of Lake Yellowstone and the Tetons |
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| On the road again.... |
Friday, June 7, 2013
We are camped for the night just east of Yellowstone. We will enter the park in the morning and spend the next 4 nights there.
We were without cell phone coverage and wifi last night and this morning. Betty went through major withdrawal without computer. This roughing it is hard!
After entering Wyoming, we went over the Bighorn Mountain range...and down said mountain range. Altitude 8200 feet. We pulled over to let the brakes cool down (smoke will do that to ya) and found snow!
We were without cell phone coverage and wifi last night and this morning. Betty went through major withdrawal without computer. This roughing it is hard!
After entering Wyoming, we went over the Bighorn Mountain range...and down said mountain range. Altitude 8200 feet. We pulled over to let the brakes cool down (smoke will do that to ya) and found snow!
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| Duke and snow. Butch was really excited about it. Duke...not so much. |
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