Alaska or Bust

[Barb]

We left Homer, and we are now a the Seward City Park with the Brewer's and Russ.  Very nice park.  E/W, 50A, back in for $25. 360d of beautiful view.  We enjoyed the SeaLife Center very much.  Great hands on place for the kids.  The movie we saw on Sperm Whale was educational, and well as enjoyable.  It's cool, damp and rainy, but there was a beautiful sunset the other nite.  And there is something mystic and romantic when the mountains are cloud covered like they were last night.  Our tour was canceled yesterday due to 11 foot seas.  So we're gonna try to do that today.  And take a ride up to exit glacier tomorrow. 

Here's a few pic from our travels.

Barb
Sperm Whale 1...Fisherman 0
the whales are learning to steal the fish off of the lines

[Lorna]

Great pictures.  Glad you enjoyed the Sea Life Center.  You are right it is great for kids.  Glad they cancelled the boat trip because eleven footers aren't fun at all for most people.  Hopefully when you go they will be able to take you out to Aialik Glacier because of all the glaciers we have seen that is my favorite. Look forward to seeing all of you at Kenai.

[Barb]

We were able to take the tour. Really Really Great!!!!!!!.  It was still raining, but the seas were calmer.  We saw humpback whales, sea lions, and otters.  And an eaglet in a nest.  Pretty Cool.  But best of all was the caving.  Fantastic..........The captain was pretty sure a section of the glacier was gonna fall, and we waited around till it did.  Just beautiful.  It rained the whole time we were in Seward, but we still had some great view of the mountains and water.  Very nice rv park.  City of Seward Waterfront Park.

We are in Kenai with Terry & Betty, Ned & Lorna, and Russ, at Beluga  Lookout Lodge. It has stopped raining. And the sun is a shinning.   Lorna and I went to the visitor center, and watch another version of the earthquake movie, and walked thru the museum, and art gallery.  I broke my vacuum, so we were off to Fred Meyers for a new one, and spotted a young moose grazing by the side of the road.

Betty and Terry told us how great the Burger Bus Burgers were, so we had them for dinner.  And pretty good they were too.

We had a ice cream social last niter. Down by the water. I think a very good time was had by all.  There was 2 eagles sitting in the grass enjoying the view, and the salmon were jumping about 10 feet from shore.

Ned, Lorna, Russ, Frank, and I went to Breakfast.  It was very good. Gonna work on getting some more of the gunk of the rig, from that horrible road. And maybe take a scenic drive today.  Frank and I are heading towards Denai tomorrow.

Gonna Miss Being With Framily

Barb

[Barb]

We left Bluga Lookout Fri, the 28th with Ned & Lorna. After a minor problem with their toad, and us fixing brakes and replacing a tire, had a beautiful drive to Palmer.  Lorna spotted some sheep on the hillside, and a mamma moose and calf by the side of road.  I was checking my lids for leaks. 

We are at the Elks Lodge with a 30A site.  Very nice lodge.  After happy hour we had dinner on the patio of the lodge.  Prime rib, and halibut was the specials, and the food was excellent.  It was a little cool, but what a view.  We sat overlooking the lake.  We watched the ducks swimming, fish jummping, and an eagle flying over.  We had a wonderful eveing, after a beaufilul shinny day.

We woke up to another rainy day. BoHoooo!...But i can see a swift flowing creek out my back window as i type this.  We have 5 tv stations, and thanks to Ned, internet.  Life is Good

Barb

[Lorna]

Yes Barb life is good.

[Barb]

We went to the Alaska Native Heritage Center yesterday July 29th. Which is in Anchorage.  A must do.   There's the Gathering Place, which the have dance performances, and storytelling. Theatre, which the movie start every 1/2 hr. and cover a variety of subjects.  In which the name of the movie and the showing time is posted.  There is a very well laid out small museum. The village sites, a self guided tour, or guided which has very well written signage and knowable students to answer questions at most sites. And restroom along the path, which is a very easy walk. There is an outside coffee shop, and a cafe.  Native Americans selling there wares. And inside has a small snack stand and typical gift shop.  There is a large parking lot around the back for buses and rv's.  It had stopped raining, so we did the village sites first.  Than watch the dancers for a while.  Walked the museum, than the movie about whales.  Had a snack. Spent money at the gift shop, and left.  It was a great experience, and a wonderful day.

We had happy hour at Ned & Lorna's. In which we saw a slide show of some of their travels.  Before we knew it, it was 8:00  and we hadn't eaten dinner yet.  To coin a phrase from Betty, we had the must-gos from the refrigerator

Currently at the Elks Club in Palmer,Ak
Barb.

[Barb]

Talkeentna,  cute tourists town.  We were at the Talkeetna RV Park.  Small park, but the sites are wide enough for 3 slide rv's, 30A w/e and a place to park the pu.  The Talkeetna depot of the Alaskan Railroad is behind the cg.  Very entertaining, and train noise is not a problem.  We took the evening boat tour.  With the sun still shinning, the clouds gave way, and guess what was behind  them standing very tall and very majestic........Mt McKinley........Amazing, what a site.

Next stop Riverside RV Park, a SKP'er park, Denali.  30A w/e. 0 TV, and RADIO stations. We were on the river.  We watcher rafter's every day.  We took the 53 mile afternoon trip into the park.  The mam ma grizzly and cub was the highlight of the trip.  The next day, we flew to the mountain.  I've only been on one very short plane ride, so this was quite an experience for me.  Indescribable!!!!!!!!  The beauty of the mountain is spectacular.  We was not  impressed with the world famous Salmon Bake, and I would give Rosie's Diner in Healy one *.

We are currently in Chena Marina RV Park, in Fairbanks. FHU, w/30A. and cable. Now that i have cable, i have realized i really didn't miss tv.  Just off the float plane pond. Wonderful view.  We grubbed up, hit walmart, and did some laundry yesterday. 

Today is Aug, 7, and it's Frank's birthday.  Gonna start the day making him a Cherry Pie, and more laundry.  Than we are off on a hunt for pocket t-shirts, and to the North Pole to be tourists again.

Barb

[Tom]

Happy birthday Frank!

[Lorna]

Happy Birthday Frank.  Glad you guys got to see the mountain and sounds like you are having a wonderful time.

[Betty Brewer]

.  We took the evening boat tour.  With the sun still shinning, the clouds gave way, and guess what was behind  them standing very tall and very majestic........Mt McKinley........Amazing, what a site.

Barb,
You lucky devils!  So glad  you got to see McKinley. Wish old bad boy Frank a very Happy Birthday from us  We are in Ninilchik  with sunny skies and blue seas.  Life is good.
Betty

[Barb]

Thanks all for the birthday wishes.  Life is good.

Frank

[Ron]

Happy Birthday Frank.

[Barb]

Thanks Ron. Went to the North Pole today.

Frank

[Ron]

Thanks Ron. Went to the North Pole today.

Frank

To Visit Santa Clause?

[Betty Brewer]

Went to the North Pole today.

Frank,
Did you get a "We B Tourin T shirt? We need the Alaska crew to make a showing at Quartzsite or anywhere else we gather together!

Betty

[Barb]

We didn't get to see Santa, but we did buy some we be tour'n shirts  And we've decided to come to qs for a couple of days.  We went to Arctic Circle yesterday (the 8th).  Stopped at the Arctic Circle General Store and got our official you've crossed the Arctic Circle Certificates, in Joy, AK, on the way back.  The AC is on the Dalton Hwy, at MM 115, and the road is in bad condition, with construction.  There's a visitor center by the Yukon River.  Lg pk lot and potties.  Observation deck and information plaques.  At MM 56.  At MM 115 is the Arctic Circle sign at the BLM wayside park.  With picnic facilities and dry camping.  Currently closed due to a wolf who bit a hiker. So we had our picnic in the truck.  The no see ums were bad anyway.  Lots of interesting info on the plaques.  It was worth the 4 hr drive from Fairbanks.  Beautiful 58d sun shinny day.

Barb

[Betty Brewer]

We didn't get to see Santa, but we did buy some we be tour'n shirts  And we've decided to come to qs for a couple of days.  We went to Arctic Circle yesterday (the 8th).  Stopped at the Arctic Circle General Store and got our official you've crossed the Arctic Circle Certificates, in Joy, AK, on the way back. 

Oh Barb,
 I'm so glad you got "the" shirts and that you will come to Quartzsite.  I'm also glad you stayed in truck for your picnic.  Recall when Terry and I crossed Arctic Circle in Canada we  had to sleep in the car.  But that trip remains a highlight of our travels.  Keep those stories coming!  I love adventures of those near and dear!

Betty

[Barb]

Thursday Aug. 10Th..
We left China Marina Rv Park, and Connected up with Ned and Lorna in Delta Junction.  Took Pics of the end of the highway sign.  And got official certificates at the Visitor Center.  The 4 of us toured the VC, and than hit the road.  Stopped at Gateway RV Park in Tok for a couple of nights. .  All of us went to Visitor Center.  And I hit the jackpot on T-Shirts.  I got my free fudge w/coupon.  That evening we had dinner at the Salmon Bake.  And later that night we have a mini datastorm rally with Bill and Diane Joyce at Ned & Lorna's MH.


Saturday Aug. 12Th...
We stopped at Destruction Bay RV Park for overnight

Sunday Aug.13 ...
We got sites next to one another at Gateway Rv Park.  And we got on line with our own equipment. Our direct tv works also.  We went on a wildlife drive.  We were successful with a mamma and cub, and a sub-adult.  Also several sightings of eagles.  Lorna was driving.  I will be better prepared for sudden stops, so soon as I get my neck fixed. (Just Kidding)

Monday Aug. 14Th...
The 4 of us went to breakfast, and than off to do the town.    We did a driving tour of Fort Seward.  With Ned providing a description of the buildings.  Next off to the Sheldon  Museum.    Very nice museum, about his life, and native American culture.   Bill and Diane arrive today, and the sun was out, and warm, so we had happy hour outside.  We took a drive in the opposite direction of last night, on the hunt for pics of glaciers, and mountains.  Frank, Ned, and Lorna got some great pics, and of course the eagles were the main attraction.
Wifi is $5.00 a day here at Hitch-UP Rv Park, Haines, AK.       

Betty,
We miss you guys

Barb

[Barb]

Another Pic

Barb

[Tom]

Thanks for the photos Barb. You're sure up late.

[Alaskansnowbirds]

Thanks for the photos Barb. You're sure up late.

Tom,

What time is posted on the messages. The time where the poster is or the time where the reader is?

[Tom]

Don,

I believe it's the reader's local time (Your profile has a setting to offset from the sever time; The servers are in Dallas). But now you're making me doubt myself and I'll have to go check 

[Alaskansnowbirds]

Don,

I believe it's the reader's local time (Your profile has a setting to offset from the sever time; The servers are in Dallas). But now you're making me doubt myself and I'll have to go check 

I noticed that my post time and yours are one hour faster than my local time but this time of year we're on the same time.

       It would help if I had my profile up to date. I forgot to change the offset when everyone else went to DST. I fixed that, now I'm not one hour fast anymore.

[Betty Brewer]

  Lorna was driving.  I will be better prepared for sudden stops, so soon as I get my neck fixed. (Just Kidding)Betty,
We miss you guys.

Hi Barb,
When you keep up your reports, it is just like being with you.  However I would not wish this weather on anyone! We have sudden stops too, for potholes!
Betty

[Barb]

Thanks Tom...Tho we are in Alaska, the puter is on Mich. time. I think.

Betty, I'm wishing you warm, sunny days.  And may the road be smooth before ye.

Barb

[Barb]

Tuesday Aug 15Th.

We woke up to some dreary skies this morning. Ned, Lorna, Frank and I went to breakfast and the sky cleared up.  It was a beautiful sunny day.  Were off to take more pics of the glaciers and eagles.  We went to the Eagle Preserve, and walked the boardwalk.  Lorna is the only who spotted an eagle.  No happy hour today.  We decided to have an early dinner, and head out to get more pics of the bears.  Well, Bill and Diane stopped by.  Than Ned and Lorna came over, and we got to chatting...........And then came the after dinner drinks and snacks.  Before we knew it, it was getting dark out.  Oh well, so much for a plan.  We had a great night.

Tomorrow we are heading for Skagway, with a overnight at Whitehorse.  Or maybe 2 nights........

Great  Food, Great Weather, and Great Friends, Makes for Great Times.
Who could ask for anything more.

Barb

p.s. Frank is the great photographer

[Lorna]

Barb

Good report of our day.  As Betty said "Life is good".

[Tom]

Don,

Follow-up ..... confirmed by observation, times posted are the reader's local time.

[Barb]

While in Skagway Lorna and I took the Fjord Express to Juneau.  It was a great trip. We saw Stellar sea lions, whales, harbor seals, and many, many eagles.  Lorna took the tour thru the state capitol, while i got to know her family.  We took a golf cart tour thru the Glacier gardens.  Very interesting, and a great tour.  We went to the Mendenhall glacier.  There is a very nice visitor center, and the 11 minute movie is a must see.  The glacier is spectacular.  Than back to the boat.  Thanks to Lorna's family we had a very excellent day.

On to Stewart and Hyder.  We stayed in Stewart, and drove to Hyder to the Salmon Glacier.  And the wildlife viewing area. There was a beaver building his winter lodge. A couple of blue herons, tons of eagles, and bears.  The road continues on forever after the glacier.  And there is a lot more glaciers and waterfalls to see.

I would grub up before going to steward/hyder, as there are small markets and they are very expensive.

Leaving Stewart, we are now in traveling mode. Today is Aug 29, and we have had three, 3 hundred mile days.  It's our last nite in Canada.  And we honored it by treating ourselves to a FHU site on a lake in Osoyoos, BC, and a wonderful happy hour.

Breakfast in the morning, and than off to Moses Lake for a visit with Gary and Nancy.

We made it through Canada, and Alaska and didn't bust.  What a RIDE!!!!!!!!!!!

Barb

[Lorna]

Barb

You are right it was a great ride with lots of memories.