It finally happened! On our way to Grand Prairie Barb spotted a black bear sunning itself next to route 43. I only got a quick glance.
The entire trip, 255 miles, was accompanied by 50mph cross winds that tried to blow us off the road. It took all my concentration to keep rig on road. Just to keep things interesting the road had S curves and 9% grades.
By the time we pulled into the campground we were both exhausted.
On Monday we get to Dawson Creek, the end of the first leg of or trip.
Grand Prairie is a boom town, has some of the largest natural gas reserves in North America. Add the huge logging, pulp and OSB plants and you have an exploding population.
Will do some last minute stocking up before we enter British Columba. We are told that prices for all the basics are much higher there.
We left Banff, driving north on the Banff / Jasper hwy 93. The route winds it way through both parks, reveling an entirely different view of the Canadian Rockies. The 160 mile route climbs and descends through couple thousand feet, at times the S curves are a little daunting. But the drive is well worth the trouble. Lakes that are between turquoise and deep blue. Rivers that bubble their way through the park, fed by snow melts. Waterfalls that descend from mountain tops. Mountain goats, sheep, a moose, but yet no bears. We saw hundreds of cyclists, brave souls, making the trip through the park, all 160 miles.
We are now in Hinton AB, the jump off point for Alaska. Route 40 runs northwest to our next destination, an overnight in Grand Prairie, then our Rendezvous in Dawson Creek with the Caravan.
This Sunday makes three weeks out, but seems like much less time.
We left Medicine Hat headed for Banff National Park.In Calgary we hit the mother of all traffic jams.Only way through Calgary is Rte 1, in the middle of town they had traffic down to one lane, took us nearly 1 ½ hours to make it through.
We were running low on propane, stopped in Canmore, just south of Banff when we spotted the only propane station we had seen for several days.It required us to unhook our tow car to gain access.When I went inside to ask for propane I was told the employee that knows how to pump it is not there, sorry.I blew my cork, “couldn’t you have a sign that says no service now” Answer was you must not be from around here, everyone knows when he is not here”.
We hooked back up and headed to Banff, the approach is beautiful and roads are good.To stay in the park we paid a daily access fee, about $10.00 per person per day, and the camping fee, $35.00 per day.It is well worth it.The campground, called Tunnel Mountain, is full hookup pull through.For those of you that have pulled a large RV pull through sites make set up much easier.With a backdrop of the “backbone of the continent” snow covered mountains and forests.
Only about 10% of the sites were occupied, I can only imagine what the summer season must be like, over 380 campsites full of families.
We watched mule deer and young elk near our campsite. Observed a coyote forage in front of our RV, and studied the ground squirrels in and around our site.In Denver we called them prairie dogs, these were a cross between the Denver prairie dog and the familiar tree squirrel that we see in South Carolina.They burrow and live in communities, but unlike the Denver variety, climb trees. Last night a pair of young elk grazed just a few feet from our campsite,Barbara has yet to see a bear.The park ranger said they had been spotted down by the river, wetraveled along it’s banks, no bears.
The Village of Banff reminds us of Vail Co, a ski vacation town, with overpriced food and trinkets. A better deal is to go south a few miles to Canmore.It is outside the park, and is a much better value for food and other shopping.It even has two bagel / coffee shops.We stopped and stocked up on bagels and food at the local Savemore.
We finally made it to Lake Louise. During our 1998 trip we bypassed Banff because the park was still snowbound in May. Here we are in the end of May and it was still frozen over. Nonetheless it was a beautiful setting.
Barb is getting around a little better using her cane.Leg swelling seems to be less, did some walking around Canmore,
We leave here on the 28th for Dawson Creek to join up with the Caravan.Will be spending a few days along the way to restock RV and more exploring.
We left Regina, traveling to Medicine Hat last evening, nice small town but hard to get around, too much traffic. The ride up, 350 miles was uneventful. Apparently no one in this area needs to rest or use the bathroom, not one rest station until we were about 25 miles outside of Medicine Hat.
The campground, city managed, a beautiful family oriented facility. On the edge of town it overlooks the city from shaded sites. Lots of people outdoors, campfires and quiet. They even let me wash my RV, which needed it after the dusty roads in Vergas MN.
We are off to Banff National park, staying in the park at a national campground. Looking forward to 4 days rest, then last leg to Dawson Creek, about 500 miles northwest.
Thursday morning we head over the border. First stop Regina (not pronounced as in the Queens name, but instead a part of female anatomy), overnight, then Medicine Hat.
Our current destination Banff National park for 4 days. We will be camping inside the public park run by the Canada government has all the bells and whistles. Full hookup, internet, and fantastic scenery.
We spent today with cleaning and maintenance, Barb is cooking a roast for dinner the next few nights.
All was going just great when... There are problems and then there are problems! Barb was emptying cabinets when she dropped my coffee maker, pieces scattered everyone. Y’all know that I am addicted to two things, bread and coffee. Without my morning coffee I am not fit company. The machine made the dark rich coffee that can't be duplicated in a regular coffee pot.
After cleaning up I began to put humpty dumpty back together again, plastic epoxy and super glue. It works, sort of, will have to live with it since Krupps no longer makes this model, and it's replacement can only be purchased over the net.
Barbs knee is still painful, filled her prescription for pain meds today, we are hoping that over the next several days we will see improvement. We discussed aborting the trip, but she is adamant that we continue.
Outside of Chicago we found a great little town, Woodstock, (no not that Woodstock). In a town of about 25,000 we found Gelato (Italian ice cream), fresh bakery with great pastries and a tavern that has been serving great food since the 40's. Now I like living in Fort Mill, with it's population of 35,000, but we have none of that. Maybe someday.
We then traveled to Vergas Mn to visit friends we met in Habitat, Bill and Peggy. They retired to this town on Lake Loon, a beautiful setting. The area has hundreds of clear lakes great for recreation and fishing. We parked our motor home in their cul de sac. The home can only be reached by a very narrow land bridge, we were a little nervous about making it across but managed to stay out of the water, don't think our rig would float very well.
Spent couple of days with them touring the area. Vergas is beautiful, but 40 degree below freezing winters would not suit us.
Again a great little town, with a old fashioned hardware store so filled with stuff that you would never find at a big box “home" store” . The owner knew were every nut and bolt was.
Local restaurant had pie and coffee for .99 and some amazing sweet rolls.
Yesterday we continued west, stopping in Bismarck ND for couple of nights to catch up on housecleaning, laundry, hair cuts, ect. We realized that none of the 12 volt systems in the coach were working, this controls the slides, lights, furnace, ect.
After couple of hours crawling around and below, cleaning terminals and cussing a lot, no progress. Barb said "call Monaco" and ask them. Well being a guy we feel the same way about that as asking directions, but given it was getting dark and we were cold it was the only option left. Called and a fellow named Bob said, "did you check the main shutdown switch near the passenger chair in the rig, flip the switch and see what happens". Well the rig came to life, said many thanks and as Barbara gleamed with "I told you so" After a few mea culpa I simply went about putting my tools away. Turns out Barb kicked the switch when she was snoozing as I drove, so I guess that makes us even in the great cosmic marriage equation.
Today the wind is blowing at 35mph and nights 38 degrees. Spring here is just taking hold, trees still budding out.
Have not quite decided where we will enter Canada, but will do so before Memorial day.
With the car, our motor home weighs out at about 29,000#. One would think that drivers of cars would be worried about a collision and go out of their way to avoid us.
Think again. Our day started with a left turn out of the campground. As you can imagine something 50' long requires some turning space. We checked both ways, no traffic, pulled out just as car crested hill doing about 60 in a 35 mph zone. As retribution for slowing him down he passed us in a no pass zone, then slammed on his brakes about 20' in front of us. I came within 3 feet from running his car over, he simply glared at us then took off like a bat out of -----.
The day went downhill from there. Another driver tried to pass me on the inside of a wide turn, and then a third driver ran a red light which almost resulted in a head on collision, I had the green turn arrow and was just beginning the left turn. she was holding a map in her right hand reading it as she drove. Of course she was mad at us.
Other than that we had a great day, drove 370 miles, both of us are exhausted. Tomorrow we should catch up with our habitat Buddy's and have couple of days downtime.
Barb's leg is still giving her grief, but we are hopeful with the brace she will be able to enjoy the trip.
Yesterday the skies opened up and last evening was thunderstorms and lots of rain, good time to see if RV leaks, thank goodness we stayed dry.
We spend day in Chicago with Verna. It's easy to forget the excitement of being in a busy urban area, endless choices restaurants and sites to see. Found a great New York style deli with real (boiled) bagels, lox, lots of cholesterol. Toured Astor street, named after the famous millionaire family, with restored 19th century homes. Aside from playing dodgem on the streets with some very aggressive drivers, we had a great day.
Today we prepare for next leg of trip, trying to catch up to our friends that live in Vergas Mn on the way to Winnipeg.
Barb is still having trouble with knee, bought her a knee brace and that seems to help quite a bit. I think once she gets used to it she should be able to walk with less discomfort.
We arrived in Chicago on Tuesday ready for a break. Our first night on the road was at a Knoxville Tn KOA. In the middle of the campground was a whiskey still that was in active use till the 1970's along with a history of moon shining in the state. It reminded us that the start of stock car racing was "rum runners" who souped up their cars to outrun the law. When that era ended, after WW2 we had a whole generation of men who loved fast cars, thus the hot rod.
The next night was spent at Wal-Mart parking lot in Columbus Indiana. Chance to shop and relax for a bit. Despite being within a 1/2 mile of the interstate there was very little noise, got a good night's sleep.
On Tuesday we battled our way through the turnpike that runs around Chicago, after two hours and $23.00 in tolls made it to the North Chicago KOA. Then back again on the turnpike to pick up our friend Verna in downtown. We had dinner out in "Little India" at a Indian / Pakistani restaurant. Another hour fighting our way through the city, turned out a Cubs game was just starting and it seemed like the whole city was on their way to the game.
Vern's condo is on the "Gold Coast" with a wonderful view of the lake front. Since it had been almost 4 years since we saw each other spent the evening catching up.
I am watching the beginning of rush hour on the lake front freeway thankful that my morning rush days are over.
Our first major stop will be in Chicago to visit Verna. She and I worked together in Cleveland at Stouffers and she has remained a good friend to Barbara and I.
Barb and I love to walk through the neighborhoods. One can find great restaurants at very reasonable prices.
From there out next major stop will be Calgary AB. During our last trip we missed Banff and Lake Louise because it was still snowing in May! Hopefully we will have better luck this time. The national park near Banff is rated as one of the best in North America
We will travel on our own from Fort Mill to Dawson Creek in the Yukon. Dawson is "mile zero" of the Alcan Hwy.
The attack on Pearl Harbor and beginning of the Pacific Theatre in World War II, coupled with Japanese threats to the west coast of North America and the Aleutian Islands, changed the priorities for both nations. On February 6, 1942 the construction of the Alaska Highway was approved by the United States Army and the project received the authorization from the U.S. Congress and President Franklin D. Roosevelt to proceed five days later.
The official start of construction took place on March 8, 1942 after hundreds of pieces of construction equipment were moved on priority trains by the Northern Alberta Railways to the northeastern part of British Columbia near Mile 0 at Dawson Creek. Construction accelerated through the spring as the winter weather faded away and crews were able to work from both the northern and southern ends; they were spurred on after reports of the Japanese invasion of Kiska Island and Attu Island in the Aleutians. On September 24, 1942 crews from both directions met at Mile 588 at what became named Contact Creek[2], at the British Columbia-Yukon border at the 60th Parallel; the entire route was completed October 28, 1942 with the northern linkup at Mile 1202, Beaver Creek, and the highway was dedicated on November 20, 1942 at Soldiers Summit.
In Dawson Creek we will join the Caravan of 16 RV's and travel about 4,500 miles in a loop that will take us as far north as Fairbanks, back down along the southern coast, ending up near Stewart - Hyder back in the Yukon.
You can see our itinerary and travel log at the end of this book
Once that portion of the trip is over we will head home, stopping at a few of the National Parks we missed in our "2008 Big Trip"
We will travel through Chicago Il, and Vergas MN to visit friends, then on to Dawson Creek in British Columbia. At “mile post zero” of the ALCAN highway we will join the tour. We expect 14 RVs to join us on the “Alaskan Wildlife Tour”. The group will spend 43 days with the tour director from Creative Travel. Creative hosts RV caravans all over the world.
Our tour will be led by an Alaska experianced “Wagon masters” a couple from California that will see to our safety, comfort, and act as tour director. In addition Creative provides “Tail gunners” . This couple will follow the caravan and make sure we get from “point A to point B” They will inspect all the RVs and cars/trucks to hopefully catch problems before they happen. If someone does have a problem or breakdown the Tail Gunners will see to it they get help required.
Took my driving test, yes driving a 29,000 lb vehicle with a car in tow requires a special drivers license. Not quite as involved as a commercial (CDL) license but involved both written and driving tests.
Was a little nervous but aced my written part and lost 6 points during the maneuvering and road test (miss 14 and you fail.)
More that half the states require special licensing. If you are caught without the correct endorsement it is the same as driving without a license, even though you may have a standard automobile endorsement.
Not a risk one wants' to take. ending up in a jail cell would probably spoil the trip.
