View Summer - 2009 in a larger map
We made it all the way to Alaska from Oregon in just over a week.
We left Malheur after work on May 27th. On the 28th, we finally got our hydraulic jacks fixed at Truline RV in Spokane. We had thought that the problem was related to having our battery changed out. Turns out we had a broken wire - it only took an hour to get us fixed and on the way. Thanks, Chad!. While we were there, we saw some nice work Truline has done on fixing up RV interiors. We have been thinking about replacing our carpet with linoleum tiles - this might be the spot to get it done. Maybe next year.
That night we stayed at the River Walk RV Park in Coeur d'Alene Idaho. We used our Chili's gift certificate for dinner - a Christmas gift from Tom's dad and Melanie. Really enjoyable meal - our last in the US for at least a week.
We crossed into Canada on the 29th. It finally happened after many border crossings- our RV got searched at the border. We had everything prepared - reduced our fresh fruit and veggie supply, listed our wine and packed it up so it could be sealed up for transit. The agent at first was going to charge us duty on the extra wine and liquor. We asked if they could just seal it up instead since we were only driving through. She said she would ask her supervisor and had us pull over and wait. In a few minutes three agents came out to search for contraband.
We got the cats out and into their carriers, unlocked everything and waited out in the sunshine for about 10 minutes and...that was that! No duty, no sealed boxes of wine. It was relatively painless, except that in the process the mechanism that holds one of the basement doors open broke. It wouldn't close until Tom unbolted it and pulled the whole mechanism off. No pictures yet – you can’t take pictures of customs. Google Maps even has the area blurred out in the satellite view.
We left Malheur after work on May 27th. On the 28th, we finally got our hydraulic jacks fixed at Truline RV in Spokane. We had thought that the problem was related to having our battery changed out. Turns out we had a broken wire - it only took an hour to get us fixed and on the way. Thanks, Chad!. While we were there, we saw some nice work Truline has done on fixing up RV interiors. We have been thinking about replacing our carpet with linoleum tiles - this might be the spot to get it done. Maybe next year.
That night we stayed at the River Walk RV Park in Coeur d'Alene Idaho. We used our Chili's gift certificate for dinner - a Christmas gift from Tom's dad and Melanie. Really enjoyable meal - our last in the US for at least a week.
We crossed into Canada on the 29th. It finally happened after many border crossings- our RV got searched at the border. We had everything prepared - reduced our fresh fruit and veggie supply, listed our wine and packed it up so it could be sealed up for transit. The agent at first was going to charge us duty on the extra wine and liquor. We asked if they could just seal it up instead since we were only driving through. She said she would ask her supervisor and had us pull over and wait. In a few minutes three agents came out to search for contraband.
We got the cats out and into their carriers, unlocked everything and waited out in the sunshine for about 10 minutes and...that was that! No duty, no sealed boxes of wine. It was relatively painless, except that in the process the mechanism that holds one of the basement doors open broke. It wouldn't close until Tom unbolted it and pulled the whole mechanism off. No pictures yet – you can’t take pictures of customs. Google Maps even has the area blurred out in the satellite view.
However, from here on out, we have lots of pictures. We have so many animal pics, we are planning a separate post for them. Coming in a couple of days....
Heading onto the Icefields Parkway
Our route north took us through Kootenay National Park. This was a surprise - we knew we would be driving up the Icefields Parkway again, but did not realize we also would drive through Kootenay. Within the five miles, we saw a mother big horn sheep with baby and a black bear. The area is beautiful, though portions had been affected by a fire in 2004. The damage is similar to the fires in Yellowstone.
Next we headed onto the Icefields Parkway. We were excited to travel this way again - it is beautiful country. Since we are three weeks later in the spring this time, there is much less snow and much more water. The waterfalls were spectacular.
First signs of construction - building an animal crossing on Canada 1
Strange sight - how did they do that?
The Weeping Wall on Icefields Parkway
More waterfalls
Sunset on our first night in Canada
As Tom got out of the RV at the visitor center parking lot, the part that raises and lowers the step sheared off. Fortunately, he didn't fall. But he had to use bungie cords to keep the step in a retracted position so we can drive. Ah well - we are on the way.
Setting out on the Alaska Highway again.
We stopped again at Toad River for “lunch”. We stayed here the last time we traveled the Alaska Highway and really enjoyed ourselves. Really good food. We got here earlier than expected - in time for a great breakfast. I couldn't persuade Tom to donate a hat to the collection hanging on the ceilings - maybe on the way back. We did eat our first cinnamon bun of the trip. We hope to limit consumption this time a little better this time.
Liard Hot Springs. That's Tom in near the boardwalk.
Return to Toad River - and our first cinnamon bun this year.
Liard Springs was THE one “must stop” on our trip. The springs are gorgeous. Very hot water comes in from one spring (140 degrees) and very cold water from at least one other. They mix in the pool to form a great bathing experience.
We stayed the night and soaked three times. I like it best in the morning, when the cold water and hot water layers are quite distinct. A very different experience.
We did have one concern during our stay. During the evening they had to close the highway about 15 Kilometers north due to a wildfire. We could hear the helicopters carrying those great big water buckets. Fortunately, they reopened the road overnight so we were able to travel straight through after our morning soak.
Liard Springs was THE one “must stop” on our trip. The springs are gorgeous. Very hot water comes in from one spring (140 degrees) and very cold water from at least one other. They mix in the pool to form a great bathing experience.
We stayed the night and soaked three times. I like it best in the morning, when the cold water and hot water layers are quite distinct. A very different experience.
We did have one concern during our stay. During the evening they had to close the highway about 15 Kilometers north due to a wildfire. We could hear the helicopters carrying those great big water buckets. Fortunately, they reopened the road overnight so we were able to travel straight through after our morning soak.
Liard Hot Springs. That's Tom in near the boardwalk.
Sally in the hot springs - note her red face.
Aftermath of wildfire on the Alcan.
We stopped for lunch at Watson Lake and found our sign from 2007. It's still there. We have plans for a real good sign on the way home, but it's a secret.
Aftermath of wildfire on the Alcan.
Rolling through BC and into the Yukon
We found the sign we posted in 2007 at Watson Lake
We spent the night at Teslin Lake – another repeat stay. It’s a gorgeous place. Plus they had a little bar where we could watch the playoff game on CBC.
This time we were on a roll and bypassed Whitehorse. Got gas and ate lunch at the Village Deli in Haines Junction and just kept rolling. Once you get past Haines Junction, the road gets worse. There is still construction in the Sheep Mountain area. And then you hit the frost heaves, assorted road damage and construction between there and the border. We stopped about 40 miles short of the border at the Snag River Yukon Government Campground on Wednesday the 3rd. Too tired to enjoy the area – we just ate supper and went to bed. Too bad, it was a nice campground on a little lake. Lots of mosquitos though...
We spent the night at Teslin Lake – another repeat stay. It’s a gorgeous place. Plus they had a little bar where we could watch the playoff game on CBC.
This time we were on a roll and bypassed Whitehorse. Got gas and ate lunch at the Village Deli in Haines Junction and just kept rolling. Once you get past Haines Junction, the road gets worse. There is still construction in the Sheep Mountain area. And then you hit the frost heaves, assorted road damage and construction between there and the border. We stopped about 40 miles short of the border at the Snag River Yukon Government Campground on Wednesday the 3rd. Too tired to enjoy the area – we just ate supper and went to bed. Too bad, it was a nice campground on a little lake. Lots of mosquitos though...
Lots of construction this time. This bridge is being resurfaced.
This one was in the same shape 2 years ago. Much better now.
And this stretch sure needs some help! Some places you can only go 15-20 mph safely.
Got up the next morning and drove less than 50 miles to the border. It took us about 2 hours! Had a nice uneventful border crossing. Had fun in Canada but glad to be back in the US!
Just about 2000 miles in Canada
We made it - but we brought lots of Canadian dust with us!
No comments:
Post a Comment