tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154488472024-03-05T06:21:37.438-08:00CLAUVAL'S TRAVELSClaude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.comBlogger864125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-38252695168347765182019-08-01T22:17:00.001-07:002019-08-12T11:05:48.516-07:00Alaska August 1-15<br />
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">AUG 1, Thursday, Pr.
Rupert<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">SUNNY!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got up at 8 am to clear sky and the sun
shining; wonderful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had showers then
we went to explore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had internet this
morning long enough to upload the blog and some pictures then it quit all of a
sudden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is it with the North that
they still are living in the early century!?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a busy day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, we went to the Info Centre then to
Walmart to pick up some groceries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
that, we went to KAL TIRE where I had an oil change done on the truck, it was 1,000
km overdue!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to <b>Port Edwards
</b>where we visited a Cannery (<b>North Pacific Cannery National Heritage site)</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the most interesting I’ve done in a
long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guide was really
interesting and brought the whole tour to an almost reality show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of the machineries were still working
and he operated everyone of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
really was one of the best tour I’ve been on (see pictures).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We went back to town and stopped at
the pub, the “<b>Breaker’s Loft</b>” then we headed to Save-on-Foods for vegetables
then home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>COW BAY</b>, where the pub was, was an
interesting area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More like <b>Granville
Island in Vancouver</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of interesting
looking houses and the harbor and Marina are right there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watched fishermen cleaning fish and sea
lions swimming to catch the left over. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
definitely got a different insight into Prince-Rupert.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So tomorrow, we head out and aim for
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is still sunny, we watched the
sun set and it is a warm evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">AUG 2, Friday; to Smithers
<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Well, what started as I thought to be
a quick job, turned out to be two hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We stopped at <b>KalTire</b> to repair the slow leak on the rear trailer
tire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fixed it, put the tire back on
and found another leak so off it went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally we were on the road by 11 am and the total price was $37. so I cannot be complaining too hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We had a beautiful sunny day and it
became warm quickly as we got away from the coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We followed the <b>Skeena river</b> all the
way to <b>Gitwanka</b> where it turned north and we began following the <b>Bulkley
River</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The highway was very quiet on
our side heading East but not the other way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We stopped for lunch at a roadside rest area beside the river then
continued to <b>Hazelton</b> where we stopped again at the Info Centre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The scenery is absolutely superb!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had forgotten how beautiful this part of the country is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We soon arrived in <b>Smithers</b> and
stopped at a campground about 10 minutes from town called <b>GLACIER <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>RV PARK</b>, so named because across from us
is this huge glacier on top of this gorgeous mountain with a valley forged by
the same receding glacier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After paying $38 and setting up, we
drove to town and looked around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
Val’s old stumping grounds so she was the guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then drove to <b>TELKWA </b>where Val actually
lived, 15 minutes from <b>Smithers.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We found the street she lived on but she couldn’t remember where exactly
the house was so we came back to town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was in interesting area with a great view of the surroundings mountains and
farms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped at a local pub, that
she remembers frequenting, so we went in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What an interesting and awesome place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had a beer and appy then came home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I caught up to the log and Val read
her book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have internet but it is
slower than the second coming!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I gased up in Terrace @ $1.32 and
again in Smithers @ $1.34<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We drove 213 miles in 4
hrs and 15 minutes @ an average 50 mph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stopped for 3 hrs including tire repair<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N: 54* 51.083’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W: 129* 13.275’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">ALT; 1685 ft</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">AUG 3, Saturday; to Wells/Barkerville<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We left at 9 am, drove through
Smithers and made our way East to Prince George.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t stop for breakfast until Vanderhoof
because everywhere else was closed and even then, we never had breakfast but
lunch!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also filled up here at $1.28/L<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After Vanderhoof, the drive was somewhat boring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finally reached PG and headed south on Hwy
97 for Barkerville/Wells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we didn’t
count on is the Musical Festival happening here this weekend and we were lucky
to get a spot at Nugget RV Park for $60 for 2 nights with full hook-ups.(We had
called but he never said anything about the festival)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We sat out for a while then Val cooked dinner and we ate out on the
picnic table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of young people but
so far they are well behaved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We have now completed a full circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What an incredible adventure!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
are 2 days max from home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We drove 353 miles in 6 hrs and 45 minutes @ an average 52 MPH.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were stopped for 45 minutes total.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N 53* 06.010’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W 121* 33.994’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Alt 4020 Feet<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">AUG 4, Sunday, Barkerville, Historical site<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Woke up to sunshine again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had
showers then went to town to explore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
stopped at this local restaurant which turned out to be a real
disappointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Service was slow and so
was the food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They ended up closing the
place because they ran out of hashbrowns!??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>SERIOUSLY!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did get our
breakfast eventually.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">From here we went to explore the town and tent city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The place is packed and there is no RV
campsite to be had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We explore some of
the stores then headed to Barkerville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was an interesting historic site, especially seeing it in the
summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last time I was here was in
the fall and nothing was open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway we
spent over 2 hours here then came back to Wells.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We went home then at 5 pm, we headed out for dinner to Barkerville then
noticed the Pub was opened so we stopped there and had dinner and a few drinks
instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It was a good day and one day is long enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can hear the bands playing in town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I really don’t know why this program indents my sentence !???<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">AUG 5, Monday; To Logan Lake<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">On the road by 9 am and on Hwy 97 about an hour later!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drove through Quesnel and stopped the other
side to fill up @ 1.30/L.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through Wms
Lake where the traffic became heavier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We were gonna come down to Cache Creek then at the last minute, we
decided to take HWY 24 to Little Fort on HWY 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a pretty drive and we stopped a couple times along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Down the “BIG HILL” at Little Fort with no
problems and stopped for another fill-up @ $1.28/L.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped in Kamloops for dinner then headed
on the Coquahalla to Logan Lake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We had a great reunion with the Kirkby’s and his grand-son was also
there so that was a bonus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was there
with his other grand-father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were in
bed by 10:30 pm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We travelled 344 miles in 6.5 hrs @ an average 52 mph<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N: 50* 29.897’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W: 120* 48.935’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">ALT: 3652 ft<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Aug 6, Tuesday; HOME, Oliver!<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We were up at 8 am and visited with everyone with coffee in hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s already warm so we sat
outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By 10 we were on the way to Merritt
via the back way after saying our goodbyes to all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I filled up in Merrit @ 1.32/L and had
breakfast at “HOME” Restaurant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Back on the road, it was the connector(97C) to Kelowna then down 97 to
Oliver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were met by a huge fire on
the hills just before our place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a
welcome!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>We did a total of 12,829 KM! Spent $3500 on gas; approx $2500 on
campground and a whole bunch more on entertainment, dining and souvenirs.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><i>Was it worth it? We both are glad we did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Highlights were the Artic Ocean and the viewing
of glaciers at different location.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><i>Would I do again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YEP! but not soon and I would not return to Alaska.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We are HOME, it is hot and smoky!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We travelled 195 miles in 3 hours<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N;49* 11.274’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W; 119* 32.201’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">ALT; 998 ft<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-28744261243561126762019-07-03T10:04:00.000-07:002019-08-08T22:24:51.648-07:00Alaska JULY 2019<br />
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 1, 2019, in INUVIK,
NWT…HAPPY CANADA DAY</span></u></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We got up this morning to a cloudy,
rainy day and windy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sky in the
south and west of here are very,very black.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is exploration day which we began with a drive through town then
onward to the Info Centre where we found out a lot about the local people,
their way of living and interacting with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are the Inuvickualiut and the G’wich’in
Natives (they used to be mortal enemies at one time).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are also Muslin and a few white
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are set in their ways
amongst the older generations but the young are more prone to get along and
open to various intereactions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marriage
have just begun being inter-tribal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
got a certificate about crossing the Artic Circle and a free poster of that
picture of the road in the McKenzie Mtns in the Fall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We went to the Community Hall to celebrate Canada Day with the community
and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">met some travelers we knew and new
ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One couple lived in Vancouver and
comes up here to work on the water systems so they were familiar with the
surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A kid was selling bags of
salty strips of smoky fish and he bought one and offered us a piece which was different
but good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took part in the BBQ (hot
dog and hamburger), listen to music and watch the young ones enjoy
themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We left soon after and went
to explore some more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw a Dome from
the DEW Line which was brought down from Tuk and is now being used for
communication services such as TV, cellular and the likes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rain, rain, rain…it never stopped all day so
we decided to come home after I stopped to take on gas then we came home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a nice dinner and relaxed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sky is grey with no chance of sunshine so
we won’t be seeing the midnight sun tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are planning to head to Tuk tomorrow for the day without the
trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The forecast is for sun!??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s only 144 km from here and we have been
told the road is in great shape. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So far our little trailer is serving
us well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is comfortable albeit small
in space but we are managing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 2, Tuesday, to Tuktoyaktuc<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Got up to more clouds and wind at 7:30
am local time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coffee is on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We were on the road by 8:30 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a drive this was, full of beautiful
vista, Artic tundra, lakes and the McKenzie Delta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road was like a mini roller-coaster
winding and weaving its way across the tundra and the lakes. Up and down with
quite a few spots with washboards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
started in with cloudy sky but the sun did come out eventually with temperature
of 9* C only and WINDY!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An Artic wind
to boot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We arrived at the “HAMLET” (that’s
what the village is called) and our first sight was the garbage dump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll never understand why they build the road
by this!??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, we drove in and
explore the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Typical Native
village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Noone was on the streets (too
early) and we found the place call “Granma’s Kitchen” which was recommended to
us but it was closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing here, there
are nearly no signage to let you know what the business is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to find out from the Info Centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We drove to the Spit where I finally dunk my
foot in the Ocean, it was too bloody cold to undress and the water was
freezing!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I had to chip the ice off my foot after dunking it!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We went and found a
“restaurant” (see pictures) that consisted of a kitchen, a dining room holding
about 5 tables sitting 4-5 people each and it took forever to get our
meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The place was packed with tourist
and about 8 young local teenagers who were using two tables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to make our own coffee pot as the
“server” didn’t know how to do it and made a mess so I took over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so funny!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> A</span>ll part of the adventure!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite a few locals on the streets now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We also explored the DEW LINE ( Defense Early Warning). Here we saw a hawk screeching like crazy and we assumed it was a female protecting her young. The nest was on top of the tower so it was getting excited over nothing. </span>We explored some more then it was time to
come home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drive back was the same
but with a view at a different angle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Traffic was light and the dust kept down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">At home, we had a glass of wine then
dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat out afterwards to watch
the “Midnight Sun” but Val gave up around 11 pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched it come down to the horizon then
went to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun slowly moves to the
East where it begins rising again around 4 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I woke up a few times throughout the night; it felt weird sleeping with
the sun shining!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I forgot to take note of the Latitude
and Longitude of Tuk, damn! But found it later on the net <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><i>N 69* 26.432</i></b></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><i>W 133* 02.304</i></b></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><i>Alt: 10 feet</i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As for big game animals, we saw none but we did see rabbits, marmots and Artic tern </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.6667px;">(beautiful birds) and a couple of hawks, one with what looked like a snake in its beak. </span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 3, Wednesday; laundry
day and sightseeing<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I was up by 6 am local time. Didn’t sleep much, don’t know why!? Anyway, I went out to wash the truck while
Val slept then came home and sat outside but the mosquitoes took care of
that. Val got up around 9 am and she did
the laundry while I went to the library for WIFI. Downloaded our mail and paid a few
bills. I came home and we went to town
to buy more souvenirs. We stopped at the
Hotel for lunch then completed our purchases.
The forecast is for rain tomorrow and having experienced that mess once,
I really don’t want to do it again so we decided to leave today. It was almost 2 o’clock when we left. The ride back was uneventful until we got to
Ft McLeod where some strange and loud metallic noise manifested itself. I checked everywhere but couldn’t find the
source. After gassing up we left again
and the noise subsided. I hope it’s not
the wheel bearings??? Anyway, we got no
more problems. We crossed the first
ferry at 15:40 pm and the second one at 17:15 pm. The scenery was fantastic as we had missed
most of it coming up in the rain. The
road was extremely dusty. The crossing
of the RICHARDSON MOUNTAIN RANGE was absolutely breathtaking. We had missed all of it because of the fog
and rain. We stopped at the border of
Yukon/ NWT for a break and to look around then drove through the Artic Circle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We arrived at EAGLE PLAINS at 19:50 PM
making it a 6 hours drive @ an average 44 MPH.
We went for dinner in the restaurant then parked in the RV Lots with
power. The forecast is for rain
tomorrow, YUCK!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N 66* 22.425’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W 136* 43.088’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Alt 2376 ft, <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 4, Thursday, to
Dawson City<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Raining, dam it! But it didn’t rain for long and soon cleared
up down the road. I gassed up before
leaving and also notice that one of my rear jacks was damaged when I got off
the Peel River ferry. I had heard a scrunching
but didn’t pay attention due to the low banks.
I had also lost the handle on my sewer tank and the guy fixed me a small
handle to pull the trap open at NO COST!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Back up the Olivigie Ridge and we
drove south along some of the most impressive and beautiful sceneries. I hadn’t realized this region was so
mountainous. We eventually reached the Seven
Miles Hill and went down and down, from 3000 to 1200 feet. We followed the Peel River for a while then
the Olivigie River and eventually the Red River (Sulphur and mineral full).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Soon we were in the Tombstone Park and
its majestic mountain range and Artic Tundra.
We crossed the last Pass at 4000’ and the Continal Divide for the last
time on this highway. We stopped at the
Lodge to return the pamphlet they had loaned us on the way up, and had lunch
here. I emptied the Jerry can of gas into
the truck so that I wouldn’t run out again. It is 15*C here<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What a relief to reached pavement on
Hwy 2 at 2:35 pm!!!! The drive back to
our campground was such a pleasure; no more washboards, potholes and dust. We arrived at our campground, BONANZA RV PARK,
just outside DAWSON around 3 pm, took time to power wash the trailer and truck
then park in Number 21 and set up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The canopy on the back of the truck has
moved back about one inch and created enough space to allow all the dust to
reach inside…what a mess! Will have to
clean this up. Made some calls to find a
place to get an oil change; no luck. To gas
up at $1.61 for $115 total<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Time to relax, dinner and I was in bed
by 9 pm. Val stayed up a bit later and
watched TV. We are here for two days. It is 27* C <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was an incroyable part of our voyage. I would definitely NOT do it again but I DON”T
regret any part of it. It was a
wonderful experience and a Life Time DREAM come true for me and Val too I’m
sure.<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N 64* 02.452’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W 139* 24.202’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Alt: 1098 feet<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We travelled 254 miles in 6 hrs @ an
average 46 MPH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 5, Friday; Dawson
City<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a busy day; first I emptied
the back of the truck, then loosen the canopy to reposition it to its proper
place. Then I took everything out, wiped
the equipment down and went inside and swept the box out which was filled with
dirt. I then reorganized everything back
in. I cleaned the windows both on the
truck and the trailer. Once this was
done, it was shower time. Val felt I
really needed it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We went to town, had lunch at a funky
place then went shopping but thank god, Val didn’t buy anything. We got some groceries then went for a beer at
our favorite bar, the Downtown Hotel. We
met a couple there that we chatted with then gave them a ride home as they were
from the same campground we were from.
Val watched her favorite program on TV and I sat outside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Tomorrow, we head for Alaska on the “Over
the Top Highway”! It’s been a warm day,
26*C, sunny and the A/C is on. The sun
is still shining at 10 pm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 6, Saturday, to
Alaska via the “over the top highway”<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We were on the road by 6:50 am. We drove through town to the Ferry. No line-ups, we only had to wait 10 minutes and were the
first of two on board. The crossing went
smoothly and we got on Hwy 9, a gravel road, climbed and climbed from 10 feet to 3500 feet in
20 km. Once on top we followed the ridge
and meandered through the mountains. The
road was gravel and in good shape except for washboard at some places. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE VIEW!!! We stopped quite a few times trying to take it
all in. Yukon is definitely the
best! We arrived at the Alaska Border
around 9:30 am, crossed with no problems/hassles then went down the road and
around a corner and came upon a herd of CARIBOO!! WOW!
WOW! We had to come to Alaska to
finally see big games. Took a few
pictures then went on. We arrived in “CHICKEN”,
a neat and awesome town. We had to come
down from 3500 feet to 1950 feet. The
road was tortuous and rough in this section We had to slow down to 40 km/hrs, a
few switch backs <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We stopped in CHICKEN (11:10 am) and
had breakfast and of course, got a couple souvenirs. This was really a funky place and all the food
was made from scratch. They even had their
own chicken and ducks. They had homemade
pies that demanded to be devoured but I resisted and homemade bread which we
had for toast. I tasted Reindeer sausage…very
good. We spent a good half hour here. Population about 50 going down to 15 in the
winter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A few miles later, another sighting, a
huge moose crossing the road.
Incredible! We were soooo
excited. Wouldn’t you know it, the
camera battery was dead so had to use my phone.
On we went and finally arrived on the Alaska Hwy # 2. We turned right and 10 minutes later we were
in TOK. The scenery also became much
more grandiose with the Rockies in the distance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We moved our clock one hour back once
we crossed into Alaska but we decided that our bodies were telling us
ENOUGH! So we got a campground, gassed
up, filled one propane tank, washed the truck and trailer then set up in site
95. We are here for one night only. This is a cross-road with # 2 and # 1 from
Anchorage and we will be back this way once we come from the south part. It is a balmy 27 *C<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Tomorrow, we will be sleeping in
Fairbanks!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We travelled 190 miles in
5 hours @ an average 37 mph.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N 63*20.124<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W 142* 57.795<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Alt: 1680 feet</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 7, Sunday, Tok to
Fairbanks, Alaska</span></u></b><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was the most disappointing driving
day due to the thickness of the smoke, we couldn’t see any of the mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only that, we missed a moose eating in a
small lake next to the road and I couldn’t stop fast enough due to traffic
behind me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Anyway, the Highway was straight with
a few lumps along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped in
DELTA JUNCTION, the end of the “ALCAN HIGHWAY”, took some pics and had brunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I expected a bigger town, it was kind of a
depress place from what we saw.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A few miles later, we stopped at road
side meat producer, tasted their sample of different sausages and ended up
buying a few of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I doubt we will
have them by the time we get home!??<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The ride went on with thick smoke and we
finally arrived in NORTH POLE, where we proceeded to spend a lot of money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a neat place!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grand and great grand kids would love
this place, so would the kids(mom and dad).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Fairbanks by 3:30 pm and we set up at
a campground Tanana RV Park that was not impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I had reserved and paid for it, we
stayed for one night only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a
very neat office, an old cabin and the door was only 4 feet high, so I had to
bend over but once inside, I could stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was so cool!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We set up and left to check another
place which was much nicer, got two days there then went to Safeway for gas,
$3.13/gallon and some wine ($20).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sat
outside once back at our site and relaxed and planned our stay at DENALI PARK.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We drove 216 miles in 4.5
hrs@ 49 MPH average. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped for 2
hrs.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N 64* 51.914’ <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W 147* 45.658<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">ALT: 453 feet<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 8, FAIRBANKS
sightseeing<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I was up at 5am (6 BC time).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still can’t sleep in!??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This morning, we moved to a new and nicer
campground, the RIVER’s EDGE about three miles from here (more expensive
too).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, we went to Costco but didn’t
get anything, off to Walmart to get groceries and buy a new camera, a PowerShot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards, Val did the laundry while I went
to get an oil change on the truck; it was overdue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is still quite smoky, but we can
see a bit further than yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People
we spoke with, tell us that it was smoky through the Park and they couldn’t see
anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The forecast is for slight
rain tomorrow morning so hopefully it will cleared up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I forgot to mention previously that
when we crossed the Border into Alaska, the guy stamped our Passports with a
Cariboo and the name of the crossing; what a neat thing to do and what a
souvenir!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After dinner, we went for a drive
through the downtown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seems to be some neat
things to explore and it is quite small, I was surprised!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The highest building is about 12 story up and
there are only a couple of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came
back and stopped at McDonald for ice cream, Val had a craving!???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At home, we sat out for a while then Val went
in to watch the tube and I remained out breathing the smoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were both in bed by 11 local time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 9, Tuesday, explore FAIRBANKS<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This is our last day here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to the University near here to their
Museum of the North.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was very
interesting and well done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent two
hours in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From here, we went to
downtown and had lunch at SOAPY SMITH, and funky place with the owner bragging
all the time about his grand-father and what her accomplished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fun and entertaining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterward, we went to the Info Centre and
they also had a museum which we checked out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day went by fast and it was time to head
back…we had enough!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found a neat pub
near our campground called “PIKE’s LANDING” where we had a couple beers and
appy’s and also met these two local guys and wife, Dave and Emily and Peter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had fun conversation and Peter ended
buying everyone a cocktail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They left as
they were going out for dinner and we went back to our camp then to RIVER’s EDGE
CHINA RIVER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a good meal but it was
bloody warm in there…no A/C.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The day was muggy and smoky of
course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still can’t see past our nose
(kidding but not by much)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came home
and were in bedasking <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by 10 pm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 10, Wednesday, to
DENALI PARK AND CANTWELL<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We were on the road by 8.15 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took us just about an hour to get out of
Fairbanks as there was construction on the # 3 HWY exit near our campground <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and it took me a while to find the right
directions, after asking three times for directions .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was confusing!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.6667px;">(confusion due to old age!???). </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">Anyway, smoke was the order of the day
although it did clear up some as enough to see somethings as we got into the
mountains and further south.</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">The highway
was not in the best of shape, lots of frost heave and a couple times, I had to
slam on the brakes because it was so bad.</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">We followed and crossed the TANANA and the NANANA Rivers a couple times;
Nanana empties in the Tanana river.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We went by the turn off to the DENALI
NP and drove on to Cantwell to our campground, a little place off the main Hwy
and 22 miles south of the Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
stopped numerous times to take pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once set up, we went back to the Park where we visited the Info Centre
and all the exhibits, then took a shuttle bus to the Husky dog pen and walked
among them and petted them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All were
very friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They put on a
demonstration show where they tied four dogs to a sled on wheels and had them
race around a specific track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
all very well behaved and appeared happy to be exercising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back at the info center, we took in a movie
about the dogs and the Park’s history then we came back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still couldn’t see the mountains
properly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really too bad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Tomorrow, we will be in anchorage
where I’ve made reservations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sky is
covering up and we even had a sprinkle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Windy too for the first time in a while.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Oh yeah, I fueled up @ $3.17/gal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We travelled 216 miles in
4.5 hrs (excludes time stop) at an average 49 MPH<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N 64* 51.914’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W 147* 48.658’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Alt: 453 feet</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 11, Thursday, To
Anchorage, Alaska<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We left under low cloudy skies and
headed south on Hwy 3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no
point going back to the Park as we were not going to see anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went through the lowest Pass in North America ( Bare Mountains) at 2400 feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's suppossed to be a beautiful area with surrounding mountains but we couldn't see anything. It is also an area with low tundra and few trees; also known as </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.6667px;">the Divide in the flow of water…on the right, it went to the Bearing</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">sea; to the left, it went to
the Yukon River and the </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Arctic</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We stopped for brunch at a road side café
about halfway through the State Park (95 miles long) then eventually reached
the MAT-SU VALLEY, a very busy area with a few crazy drivers (speed and cutting
you off).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We reached the Glenn Hwy (# 1, divided)
and headed for Anchorage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We began
seeing mountains but the clouds were still low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We saw the KNIK ARM connecting with Cook's Inlet and eventually the Pacific but again, fog was
present so we only saw partial areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We finally reached Anchorage, turned
onto SEWARD HWY and reached our campground just off the Hwy hence noisy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to call it quit, had dinner then
had a drink with our neighbours from Florida who called on us for a HH.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who are we to refuse!??<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We travelled 216 miles in 4.5
hrs with 2.5 hrs of stops @ an average 48 MPH<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N 61* 12.072’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W 149* 52.144’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Alt: 75 feet</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 12, Thursday,
Anchorage sightseeings<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The day began overcast and cool, we
had to wear a jacket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We first went to
the Info Centre, a neat log cabin with a sod roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people were informative and friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Val wasn’t feeling all that well so we hung
around for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Downtown is like
Fairbanks except they have a few highrises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We took a driving tour in a trolley (well worth the $20 we paid) and the
lady driver immediately proceeded to make us laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is/was an actress/singer and it
showed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tour was really interesting
and she showed us places that we went back to later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of them was the airport for small
airplanes, float and wheels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said
that statistically <u>one in ten possess</u> a flying license <b>however</b> <u>one
in twenty</u> actually fly an airplane!?!?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She also said that this airport has over 11000 small personal and
business planes!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After returning in town, we walked
around to settle Val’s stomach again then went to have a bite to eat and that
made her feel better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met people there
from New York State and a couple from St-Hilaire, Quebec.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We went over the route we took on the
tour and stopped at a couple local Parks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Took pictures of Cook Inlet where the tide is over 40 feet high then,
because the animals won’t come out of the forest, we decided to go to the Zoo
to see them even if in enclosures (seriously).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We stopped at a Bar & Grill on the way home (very nice place and
friendly people), had a beer and shared nachos then came home<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We sat with our new friends Steve and
Toni from Florida and basked in a beautiful sunny evening sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sure hope it’s there again in the morning!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 13, Saturday,
Anchorage to Seward, Alaska<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">FANTASTIC; INCREDIBLE; BREATH-TAKING
is the way I can only describe our drive to Seward!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WOW, what a scenic drive!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now this is the way we imagined Alaska!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But let's get back to the start.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We left at 8:40 am and headed south on
Hwy #1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It eventually turned into a freeway and back to two lanes at the Turnagain Arm. The sky began clearing and we could see the
surrounding mountains more and more as we headed towards TURNAGAIN ARM which
empties into the COOK INLET.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a breathtaking
drive with the water on one side with a railway track and sheer mountain sides
on the other side of the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
actually met two passenger trains headed for Anchorage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">At the end of the Arm, we encountered
the turn off to WHITTIER which we will take a look at on our way back but we did stop
at the Info Centre and got ourselves a pass on a touring boat in Seward (6
hours + meal for $300).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went on and
began turning towards the North-West around the end of the Arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We eventually turn south again and climbed
for 6 miles over the Turnagain Pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
stopped at the top at a lodge and had soup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have to say here that it was hard driving and keeping my eyes on the
road; the scenery was so spectacular!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After lunch, we drove on down from the
Pass and arrived at the turn-off for HOMER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Highway changed here to Hwy 9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The road was a bit rough but we were only travelling at 50 mph (75-80 km/h).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finally arrived in Seward around 1
pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found the Park, Resurrection RV
Park which is a city Park @ $40/night with water and electricity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The place is full with one or two sites empty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After setting up, (we are parked
across from the shower <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and right near the
water overlooking RESURRECTION BAY, on the East coast of Kenai Peninsula (pronounced
ken-na-i).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All along the water’s edge
there are campgrounds with no service and they are full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are surrounding by water and mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a beautiful setting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We went for a drive through and around
town, found a few shops and three bars!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We looked at different restaurant, drove around the Harbor where the
cruise ship come in (none here now) then went for dinner at RAY’s restaurant
which is supposed to be really good for seafood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a great dinner but Val had a miserable
time with hers, sending it back three times because it wasn’t hot!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They ended up no charging us for it and gave
her a free dessert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came home and
called it quit for the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><u><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">traveled</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 130 miles in 4 hrs @ 47
mph average. We were stopped for one
hour total.</span></span></u><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N 60* 06.379’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W 149* 26.096’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">ALT: 10 feet</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 14, Sunday,
sightseeing in Seward<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Two big cruise ships came into the
harbor overnight!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a nice shower,
we went exploring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It rained pretty well
the whole day, at times, heavy but mainly like a drizzle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We first went to the Info Centre then
headed for the “EXIT GLACIER”, about 8 miles from here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We parked the truck and walked up the trail
to the first look-out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took lots of
pictures, read all the plaques along the way, watched the “Resurrection River”
flow down from the Glacier and read the history about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Glacier has rescinded about 4-5 miles
since 1899, an amazing distance when you think about it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an awesome sight and I am glad to have
seen it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We drove back to the Harbor and had
lunch at a railway car from the earlier days and turned into a restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today being Sunday, they only served
breakfast and they were wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
a Burrito with eggs, sausage, potatoes and a few other items…it was
delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Val had a crab egg benedict
which she regretted later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then went
to the Harbour and made arrangement to be picked up tomorrow for our boat
cruise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then went exploring
campgrounds around the area and felt we made a good choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We came home and got our dirty laundry
and went to the laundromat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An hour
later we were back home, put the clothes away then sat out with a drink and
called daughter Rochelle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It stopped
raining but still a heavy overcast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Having soup and sandwich for dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 15, Monday, Boat
Cruise<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We were picked up by the cruise bus at
10:45 am and taken to the boat, a huge catamaran.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There had to be at least 100 people and each
of us were assigned a seat and table to be shared with two other person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a father and son sit across from us
from Mexico.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids had just turned 13
and could speak really good English and when he learned I was French, he began
talking to me in francais!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow and only
13!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Puts us to shame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We left at 11:30 sharp and headed out
into Resurrection Bay, so name because of Russian ship having lost its rudder,
drifted in to the Bay and missed all the hazards, back in the 1800’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The captain brought to different areas where
we saw sea life such as otters, puffins, harbor seals, stellar sea lions,
kittywake birds, cormorants, orcas, but the highlight was the glacier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We first had to traverse a part of the
Alaskan Gulf and that was a rough ride with swells well over 10 feet high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finally entered the Bay with the glacier
and the water calmed down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They served
us a marvelous meal then we went out on deck to admire this marvel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got right into the floating ice and saw a
few seals on the ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We spent a good 20 minutes or more
there then headed back towards the Gulf and rough seas then back into
Resurrection Bay and home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The captain
brought right in to some cliffs and I swear we could have reached out and touch
them…that’s how close we were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really
was a great day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We got home around 5:30 pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a long but worthwhile day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Tomorrow we leave this area for Haines
via Anchorage, Palmer, the Glenn Hwy and Tok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I doubt we will make it that far but we’ll take a big chunk out of the
trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I figure we will be in Haines in 2-3
days<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 16, Tuesday, BIG
PROBLEMS<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Once again, we were on the road by
7:30am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We dumped our tanks then headed
to the garage where I topped up the tires on the trailer before heading out on
Hwy 9 out of town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was cloudy but no
rain until Mooses Pass where we had some drizzle but not for long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our next Pass was Summit Pass then Turnagain
Arm Pass where the scenery began to change and we came into view of TURNAGAIN
ARM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First the sky cleared and the sun
came out; then it got clearer and clearer as we neared Anchorage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going through the City was no problems except
for this knocking whenever we hit a bump or crack on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This began as we headed out and kept persisting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stopped a couple times to check things out
but couldn’t see anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">On the East side of town, I began
suspecting my suspension and when we got to Palmer, it was confirmed by a
mechanic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rubber shocks that I had
installed before departing finally gave out on the right side and the bolts
were banging on the springs whenever I hit a bump or crack on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy at the garage checked out a couple
places to find out if anyone could install new air bags but not before next
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a discussion, we agreed on
spring chocks, so he ordered them and we went looking for a campsite for the
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is only one pm so a whole
afternoon of travelling time wasted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
find myself lucky that he was willing to fit me in his busy schedule first
thing tomorrow morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We got a site about 6 miles down the
road and here we are, in a pretty setting relaxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is going to be an expensive breakdown,
but I guess, after all this banging and mileage, it was bound to happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">They have a little restaurant here on
site and the chef cooked spareribs all afternoon (we could smell them) so we
went and splurged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is sunny and very warm here; what a
change from this morning and yesterday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N 61* 33.111’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W 149* 13.747’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Alt 250 feet<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We travelled 173 miles in 3.5 hours driving
time @ an average 49 MPH.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
stopped for 3 hours due to break down<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Today is my son’s Birthday so HAPPY
BIRTHDAY JEFF!<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 17, Wednesday;
repairs and onward to Tok cut-off hwy<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">FOOTNOTE:</span></u></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw a lynch on the side of
the road yesterday on our way from Seward!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So, here we are in Grizzly RV Park
near Slana on the TOK CUT-OFF (Hwy 1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We arrived here at 5 pm local time after 6 hrs of driving and stopping.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Our day or I should say, my day began
at 7 am; after a cup of coffee, I drove back to Palmer to MIDAS Garage to have
two new spring loaded shocks installed on the truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was there at 8:15 and left at 10 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The back of the truck is now at least a
couple inches higher. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I went back to the campsite, picked up
leisurely Valerie, hooked up the trailer and we were on the road by 10:40
am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped in Palmer at McDonald for
breakfast then topped up on gas @ $3.09.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Headed North-East on Hwy 1 and follow the MATANUSKA river along the
CHUGACH Mountains Range on our right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is a Range of mountains with many glaciers, some of which we saw
from the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really was
BREATHTAKING, and it was PHENOMENAL!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once again it was hard keeping my eyes on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a sunny day and did stop a few
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw Mt Marcus Baker (13,176
feet) a dormant volcano, MT SANFORD with a huge glacier on it and Mt Witherspoon
(12,012 feet) also covered with a glacier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We hit a couple showers on the way but nothing too serious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We arrived in GLENALLEN, the junction at
Hwy 4 to Delta Junction on the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Richardson
Hwy and Valdez if we turned north and followed the WRANGELLS Mountains with MT
DRUM (12010 ft), Mt WRANGELL (14113 ft) and Mt SANFORD (16237 ft) as the main
sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking the TOK CUT-OFF, North
East on Hwy 1 was a HORRIBLE HWY! (We had been warned about it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of frost heaves, poor pavement, gravel
section and construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some spot,
I couldn’t go any faster than 30 MPH.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anyway, by 5 pm I had enough and we stopped at this Road side campground
which turned out to be very nice by a lake, 65 miles from TOK. Two BC’ers and
an Albertan came in too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now it is time to recoup and relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are camped at Grizzly RV Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had a shower then sat outside until the sun
went down ( 10pm and up again at 4 am)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We travelled 211 miles in
4.5 hrs(Driving time) @ an average 46MPH<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N 62* 42.796’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W 144* 11.927’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Alt: 2474 feet<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 18, THURSDAY, To TOK
then Resurrection Bay, Yukon<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />I went to bed early tonight, I was filthy tired! This is being written the next day. <br /><br />I was up at 7:30 am local time. I needed the extra hour! We were on the road by 8:30 am local time on a cloudy day however the clouds were high enough to allow us a good view of the mountains. We once again hit construction but only twice and the road eventually improved where I was able to speed up some. <br /><br />The mountain range changed from the Wrangell’s St-Elias Range to the Mentasta Range and the forest became denser although we could still see some mountains and their glacier. We began following the Tok River and the road became less tortuous and the last 10 miles to Tok was pretty well straight. We arrived in Tok 9:30 am, had a good breakfast, gased up($3.39) then headed East on the Alaska Hwy # 2. <br /><br />We have now completed a circle from our previous time here (Tok, Fairbanks, Denali Park, Anchorage, Seward, Glen-Allen, Tok). We passed the turn off to Chicken and were soon in view of the Wrangell’s St-Elias mountain range on our right. This is the North-East side of the National Park with just as spectacular sights as previously and of course, we took dozen’s of pictures. The road had quite a bit of rough section and lots of frost heaves. We reached the American border, stopped for photo-op for the signs and border line then continued on and arrived at the Canadian border just before Beaver Creek, Yukon, approx. 18 miles further than the actual border line (turned our clock back one hour). Amazingly the road improved tremendously, and I was able to relax some. We soon reached Kluane Lake (pronounce klu-ann-nee), a huge and beautiful lake with gorgeous vistas. It is the second largest lake in Yukon with an area of 154 sq miles. We passed Burwash Landing, a first Nation Burlough. There was supposed to be a campground here but it’s closed so we travelled a further 17 miles to another campground, Cottonwood RV Parks, which turned out to be an excellent choice. We had a fantastic view of the lake and its surroundings; the owners were extremely friendly. Cash only which depleted my wallet of any ($48cdn). This area is call “Destruction Bay”. We were able to go for a walk and take pictures of course. <br /><br /><b><u>N: 61* 05.262 <br />W: 138* 31.964 <br />ALT: 2580 ft <br />We travelled 313 miles in 6hrs 25 min. @ an average 49mph. We stopped for three hours sightseeing and breaks. </u></b><br /><br /> <br /><b><u>JULY 19, Friday, to Haine’s Junction Yukon and Haines Alaska </u></b><br /><br />On the road by 9 am, we passed SOLDIER’s SUMMIT, a place where an American soldier partially climbed the nearby mountain for a spectacular view of the lake and area. It was so named in his honor. We reached the end of the lake, went around the far side and headed back for a bit before turning south-east again. We climbed Boutillier summit to 3293 ft (second highest pass between Whitehorse and Fairbanks) and tried to get a view of Mt Logan to the West of us but no luck, too cloudy. Mt Logan is the highest mountain in Canada. We could, however, partially see Mt Sleece and Luciana with their huge and beautiful glaciers. <br /><br />We arrived in Haines Junction where we stopped for breakfast and gas up ( $1.48/litre) and continued south, now on Hwy #3 for Haines. Of course, we began climbing again and stopped at a viewpoint with little luck, the clouds were low and hiding most view. We were still following the St-Elias Mountain range (west side of it). We went by the Dezadeash Lake, very shallow reaching temperature of 18* C in the summer. <br /><br />We soon crossed into BC where the Yukon had a beautiful sign but BC, just a small sign that one could barely see or notice. We went over the CHILKAT PASS (3510 ft) and drove through a valley with high mountains on both side and a beautiful meadow reaching the THREE GUARDSMAN PASS(3015 ft). These were Pass used by gold seekers back in the 1890’s. It would have been a harsh environment especially in the winter! As we got nearer the end of the Pass, the clouds became thicker and we were soon going down and down, driving through the clouds, finally reaching the US/CANADA Border near the bottom. No problems crossing here, then began frost heaves following the Chilkat River and road construction/repair. <br /><br />HAINES came into sight; we drove through town and found our campground on the water overlooking the Chilkat Inlet. We are here until Monday when we take the Ferry across to Skagway, our reservations are already made. <br /><br /><b><i>N: 59*14.140’ <br />W: 135* 26.501’ <br />ALT: 61 ft <br />We drove 199 miles in 4 hrs @ 47 mph average </i></b><br /><br /> <br /><b><u>JULY 20, Saturday, Haines </u></b><br /><br />We woke up to low clouds and fog and only 12*C but it did warm up as the day went on. We went to farmer’s market at the fair grounds and found the set used in the movie “WHITE FANG”. We bought kale lettuce and some local relish. As we searched for a sewer cap and a level (both lost on the rough road somewhere), we explored the town. This is a very small place so it was quickly explored. I did find a sewer cap at a Parts Store!!! We stopped at the Info Centre and Val asked about where to buy fresh fish and was told of a Cannery to go so we proceeded to find it. We bought shrimp, halibut and rock fish. We also bought a really neat clock of a trailer with a red truck as a pendulum in their souvenir store. We stopped at the legion for a drink and then drove to the ferry terminal and beyond where the Inlet ends and a river flows into it. It was packed with fishermen so it must be a good place. No bear sighting unfortunately. <br /><br />It’s been a dreary day and we are back into our little cozy trailer having a glass of wine and catching up to battery charging, the blog and just relaxing. Val cooked a jumbalaya with the shrimps we bought today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Later in the evening, we watched two cruise ships coming from Skagway, slowly going by. One was all lit up because of the lateness in the evening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 21, Sunday, Haines.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">DO I DARE HOPE!??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is sunny
albeit still lots of clouds but we are beginning to see the top of the
mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called this morning and
made reservations at PULLEN RV PARK which is situated by the harbour in Skagway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other campground north of town is full!?
WOW!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We went for a drive exploring the surroundings of Haines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First we checked the Native Heritage about 12
miles north of town but unfortunately it was closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way back, we stopped to check out
these fishwheels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We actually saw a salmon
being caught and dropped into a side bag catcher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite ingenious!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came back to town and explored Fort Seward
built in the late 1800’s after Russia sold Alaska to the USA and Canada was
contesting some of the borderlines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was the only military force for that purpose in all the history of Alaska.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also found a restaurant called PILOT HOUSE
that was so appealing that we went back for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to get some groceries and stopped at
a local café/bar where we had delicious soup.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We came home, put the stuff away and sat outside in the sunshine, YES,
SUNSHINE!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The local mountains were
quite spectacular too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course,
pictures were taken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have new
neighbours and are very friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
went out for a very delicious seafood dinner then sat out for a while
longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun finally went behind the
mountains by 9 pm so we went for showers then home to watch the tube and blog.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Tomorrow, we take the ferry to Skagway, about an hour and a half away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 21, Sunday, Haines.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">DO I DARE HOPE!?? It is sunny
albeit still lots of clouds but we are beginning to see the top of the
mountains. I called this morning and
made reservations at PULLEN RV PARK which is situated by the harbour in Skagway. The other campground north of town is full!?
WOW!!! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We went for a drive exploring the surroundings of Haines. First we checked the Native Heritage about 12
miles north of town but unfortunately it was closed. On the way back, we stopped to check out
these fishwheels. We actually saw a
salmon being caught and dropped into a side bag catcher. Quite ingenious! We came back to town and explored Fort Seward
built in the late 1800’s after Russia sold Alaska to the USA and Canada was
contesting some of the borderlines. It
was the only military force for that purpose in all the history of Alaska. We also found a restaurant called PILOT HOUSE
that was so appealing that we went back for dinner. We went to get some groceries and stopped at
a local café/bar where we had delicious soup.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We came home, put the stuff away and sat outside in the sunshine, YES,
SUNSHINE!!! The local mountains were
quite spectacular too. Of course,
pictures were taken. We have new
neighbours and are very friendly. We
went out for a very delicious seafood dinner then sat out for a while
longer. The sun finally went behind the
mountains by 9 pm so we went for showers then home to watch the tube and blog.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Tomorrow, we take the ferry to Skagway, about an hour and a half away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 22, Monday, To SKAGWAY, AK<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I was up at 6 am and discovered we ran out of propane. I figured it would last to Skagway but no
luck. We woke up to a beautiful sunshine
and two cruise ship anchored in the harbour. One big and one small! Coffee is on.
We slowly packed and got ready to leave.
At 10 am, we drove out to the ferry terminal where we sat until 12:30 pm
when we began loading on the boat. As it
turned out, I got a refund of $33 because my length was shorter than previously
stated, 41 feet rather than 50! We got
in the ferry from the side and with the tide being low, it was eerie as to wether
we would do damage to the rear of the trailer but we made it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We got underway by 1 pm and made our way up the Inlet to Skagway. An hour later we were there and hence began
the unloading. I had to back up all the
way to the front then turn and get out the same way we came in. No wonder it took so long to unload in
Haines!!! Anyway, on this side, the dock
was floating so it went down with tide making it easier to get out and the ramp
was not as steep. We found our
campground about 500 meters up the road.
It was a nightmare driving there as the roadway was full of tourist from
the Cruise ship (make that 2) walking down the road. We got in our spot, set up then went to find
propane ($40 for two tanks). No problems,
then we went into town for a nightcap! Came home, had dinner then relaxed outside
and met some of our neighbours and watched the two cruise ships leave.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The ride in was very pretty and we saw a couple of beautiful waterfalls
but no animals. The surrounding
mountains were breathtaking as expected.
It was quite noisy earlier but it’s quiet now (8 pm local time).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N: 59* 27.026’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W: 135* 19.036’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Alt: 15 feet<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We travelled 6 miles by road and just over one hour by ferry<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 23, Tuesday, Skagway<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I thought we were going to have a quiet day but it’s not to be…Two more
cruise ships docked in the night and the harbour is once again busy. We have a mixture of sun and high clouds. Two more cruise ships are docked at the other
side of the Harbor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">First thing we did is visit the info centre housed in the "ARTIC BROTHERHOOD HALL", to find out a few things about this
town. This is a neat building; the whole facade is covered in drift wood pieces, 8,833 pieces to be exact, arranged in a mosaic pattern. We walked the Main street and must
have stopped in every store there was. We bought a
pair of runners for me as mine were in ruin, a hoody for Val and a couple of
other items. We stopped at the RED
SALOON for soup and salad and I admired the waitresses dressed in the 1800
era. This is where there is a “ladies of
the night” museum. The food was good and
so was the views. The place was packed. We continued our walking and ran into rain
that lasted about 10 minutes than the sun came out for good. After visiting every store, we went back to the truck and to IGA to
pick up some groceries and wouldn’t you know it, there was a bar across the
street that we hadn’t notice before. Of
course we had to try their beer. They
had this game that had a ring attached to a line nailed to the ceiling and you
had to swing the ring and line towards this fish on the wall that had a
hook. The end game was to hook the line
to the hook. Tried it but no luck.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We came home, put everything away and sat outside soaking the sun and
watching everyone coming back to the cruise ships. We met some very nice people in town who were
on the ship and had a few laughs. Val is
now cooking dinner. When we came home,
our neighbours in Haines were parked two sites over so we reunited.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">All four cruise ships are now gone (9 pm). The place is quiet once again but till
when??? We’ll find out tomorrow!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 24, Wednesday, last
day in Skagway<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">More ships at the dock! Another busy day. Rained overnight and early this morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This concludes our trip through
ALASKA! Tomorrow, we will be back in the Yukon and Friday, B.C. for the
Cassiard Hwy with one stop in Hyder,AK.
We have driven 9018 KM or 5,006 miles since we left…AMAZING! I don’t even want to look at what we spent on
gas. Alaska was expensive overall but we
did save on the price of gas. We are
looking forward to this last part of our trip and hopefully the weather will
hold for us. We certainly cannot
complain about it; we had minimal rain, considering!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We walked into town and went to see
places we missed before such as the museum at City Hall. We found this neat little vest for Renn so of
course we had to buy it. At 2:30 pm, we went
to the Theatre to watch “THE DAYS OF 98” show about SOAPY SMITH, a character of
ill repute back in the days in Skagway. It was a
musical and story telling show. It was
an hour and 15 minutes long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We took a drive to the far side of the
valley afterwards to a viewpoint, took some pictures of the city and harbour then drove on to the State
Park on the same road to have a peek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">On our return, we parked the truck and
walked over to a restaurant near us on the dock, recommended to us and called “FISHCO”. Famous for their crab and halibut. They had a Special consisting of a Alaska King Crab leg and a “Jumbo
Klaw” for $99 US! We stuck with Halibut! We met this young couple (in their 40’s) next
to our table and chatted with them for a while before they had to board their
ship. Val had the lady taste a piece of her
fish and she was amazed how good it was and wished she had ordered that
instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After paying the bill, we came home
and relaxed for the rest of the evening.
It is cloudy and windy. We have
two new neighbours camped beside us. It is dark now by 11 pm local time (12 am Yukon)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 25, Thursday, to
Tagish, Yukon via the White Pass.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As soon as we left Skagway, we began
climbing. The road took us up one side
of the mountain into a short canyon then it opened up. We did more stops on this short ride to just
under 3000 feet than anywhere else. The
scenery was awesome and at the top, it was surreal. It looked like the surface of the moon with
rocks everywhere and every sizes. There
were dozens of small lakes captures among that jumble of rocks with short
conifers growing amidst it all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">On the way up, we passed the US Border
buildings, approx.. 10 miles south of the actual border line. It was the same on the Cdn side except 10
miles further north. There was a rest
area where we could take pictures at the actual border line. Of course, we took pictures of it all. We are now in B.C.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We began going down slowly and into
dense forest. We crossed into the Yukon
and arrived in Carcross around 11 am. We
explored this Native village. They had a
new display of shops of all kinds, a coffee shop and a restaurant. We had lunch here which turned out to be not
only expensive but disastrous on our stomach as we found out about 5 miles out
of town. Anyway, we arrived in TAGISH
and found our friends’ house, parked and hooked up to power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We had a great visit with Louise; Ron
was gone to Calgary to pick up a new truck they found on line. Louise cooked us a marvelous meal of chicken
and moose meat…yum…yum! We had an entertaining
evening than it was time for bed. It was
a great day overall<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N: 60* 18.997’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W: 134* 16.245’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">ALT: 2192 ft<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We travelled 86 miles in 2
hrs and 15 minutes @ an average 39 MPH<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 26, Friday, to Atlin,
BC. Then to Hwy 37, Cassiar Hwy<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We got and visited with Louise for a
bit then I partially filled the water tank, put the power cord away, said our
goodbyes to Louise and were on our way after she gave us a package of Elk
sausage. We drove to Hwy 1, Alaska Hwy,
Jake Corner and filled up ($100) then headed south on Hwy 7. We crossed into BC and soon arrived in Atlin,
98 KM from the turn off. This is a
really old and neat village. It is also
the most north-westerly town in BC according to MILEPOST book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We explored the place, had lunch at
the local restaurant and explored some more.
Came home and sat out watching the seagulls chasing this poor eagle
while he tried to fish. The sky has been
menacing all day but so far, no rain and we do have blue sky. We are camped at NORSEMAN PARK on a point all
by ourselves and by this very small marina.
We have a spectacular view and paid only $30 with power and electricity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N: 59* 34.146’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W 133* 42.237’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">ALT: 2198 feet<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We travelled 81miles in 2
hrs @ an average 45 MPH.<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 25, Thursday, to
Tagish, Yukon via the White Pass.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As soon as we left Skagway, we began
climbing. The road took us up one side
of the mountain into a short canyon then it opened up. We did more stops on this short ride to just
under 3000 feet than anywhere else. The
scenery was awesome and at the top, it was surreal. It looked like the surface of the moon with
rocks everywhere and every sizes. There
were dozens of small lakes captures among that jumble of rocks with short
conifers growing amidst it all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">On the way up, we passed the US Border
buildings, approx.. 10 miles south of the actual border line. It was the same on the Cdn side except 10
miles further north. There was a rest
area where we could take pictures at the actual border line. Of course, we took pictures of it all. We are now in B.C.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We began going down slowly and into
dense forest. We crossed into the Yukon
and arrived in Carcross around 11 am. We
explored this Native village. They had a
new display of shops of all kinds, a coffee shop and a restaurant. We had lunch here which turned out to be not
only expensive but disastrous on our stomach as we found out about 5 miles out
of town. Anyway, we arrived in TAGISH
and found our friends’ house, parked and hooked up to power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We had a great visit with Louise; Ron
was gone to Calgary to pick up a new truck they found on line. Louise cooked us a marvelous meal of chicken
and moose meat…yum…yum! We had an entertaining
evening than it was time for bed. It was
a great day overall<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N: 60* 18.997’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W: 134* 16.245’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">ALT: 2192 ft<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We travelled 86 miles in 2
hrs and 15 minutes @ an average 39 MPH<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 26, Friday, to Atlin,
BC. Then to Hwy 37, Cassiar Hwy<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We got up and visited with Louise for a
bit then I partially filled the water tank, put the power cord away, said our
goodbyes to Louise and were on our way after she gave us a package of Elk
sausage. We drove to Hwy 1, Alaska Hwy,
Jake Corner and filled up ($100) then headed south on Hwy 7. We crossed into BC and soon arrived in Atlin,
98 KM from the turn off. This is a
really old and neat village. It is also
the most north-westerly town in BC according to MILEPOST book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We explored the place, had lunch at
the local restaurant and explored some more.
Came home and sat out watching the seagulls chasing this poor eagle
while he tried to fish. The sky has been
menacing all day but so far, no rain and we do have blue sky. We are camped at NORSEMAN PARK on a point all
by ourselves and by this very small marina.
We have a spectacular view and paid only $30 with power and electricity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N: 59* 34.146’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W 133* 42.237’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">ALT: 2198 feet<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We travelled 81miles in 2
hrs @ an average 45 MPH.<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<br />
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 27, Saturday, to
Cassiar Hwy #37<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Once again I was up at 5:30 am!?? I don’t know why but it’s really bothering me
because by early afternoon, I am ready for a snooze which is what happened
today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We left Atlin at 8 am. Norm, the owner, came out to say goodbye;
nice gesture. We drove through town one
last time and got on Hwy 7 heading North to the Alaska Hwy # 1. The scenery was wonderful and we got a
different angle. Drove by “Little Atlin
Lake” and saw a small black bear crossing the road. We saw another one on Hwy 1 by the side of
the road eating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We stopped for gas at Johnson’s
Crossing@ $1.47 and for breakfast. Nice
place and we had a good view of the bridge (I took pictures on our way through
previously). We left there, crossed the
bridge and soon were in TESLIN; didn’t stop this time! Once again, the scenery was spectacular and
different. It’s amazing what one misses
when going into one direction only.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We stopped a couple time including at
the “CONTINENTAL DIVIDE” for coffee. We
had stopped here on our way up to Whitehorse.
At that time it was raining and we had met 6 bikers who were soaked to
the bones and trying to dry out. This
time around, it was sunny and warm (18*C).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We finally arrived at the Cassiar
Junction and stopped at Nugget City RV Park.
It was expensive at $58., another $10 for WIFI (no thanks) and $5 for
air to put in your tires (again no thanks).
I have a tire on the trailer that has a slow leak, I’ve been
procrastinating in getting fix, always thinking I will get it done at the next
stop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Anyway, it is only 3 pm but I was
starting to fall asleep at the wheel so it was time. We had shower and it’s very nice out and
warm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N 60* 01.706<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W 129* 05.103’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">ALT: 2404 feet<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We travelled 267 miles in
5 hrs @ 52 MPH. We were stopped for an
hour and a half.<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 28, Sunday, Cassiar
Hwy # 37<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Yeah, I slept in to 8 am. We were on the road by 9:15 am after
dumping. We headed East on Hwy 1 for
about one KM then turn right on HWY 37, the Cassiar HWY. The road was tortuous to begin with lots of
curves and ups and downs but we soon reached new pavement and the road became
straighter. We began making out the
Cassiar Mountain Range which we soon reached.
We saw the remnants of a huge fire back in 2011. We drove through Good hope which was a little
Native village than stopped in JADE CITY where there used to be a mine but is
now closed. It was pricey and didn’t buy
anything but it was a neat place. We
crossed the Continental Divide and reached a spot where we stopped to have
lunch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We arrived in DEASE LAKE around 1:30
pm and stopped here for the night and a GOOD THING IT WAS!!!! As I unhooked, I noticed that the pin on the
hitch receiver was loose. I had lost the
lock on it somewhere on the way down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It could have been a real disaster!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So we went to town and I found a
locking pin and installed it. I’ll have
to keep an eye on that. I fuelled up at
$1.59/liter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It was a great relaxing day. It was sunny with cloudy period and the road
was in good shape albeit narrow and no shoulder. We are camped at Dease Lake RV Park @ $35.
Cash. We have power and water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We drove 147 miles in 3
hrs and 15 minutes @ an average 46 MPH.<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N 58* 25.977’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W 129* 59.136’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">ALT: 2657 feet<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 29, Monday, to Stewart,
BC/Hyder, AK<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We left Dease Lake under sunny and
partially cloudy day by 8:30 am. Within,
20 km we came face to face with a black bear around a particularly tight
turn. He just looked at us and
nonchalantly continued crossing the road as if he owned it! What a sight!
We carried on and found the road to be excellent. We travelled between the Skeena mountains and
the Coastal Mountains and they offered us some wonderful sceneries. Along the way, we saw three more adult bear
and 4 young ones, all on separate occasions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We crossed the Artic Divide and went
over the Gnat Pass at 4032 feet, the highest pass on this highway. We saw some beautiful lakes that looked
inviting to be fished. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We stopped at the Meziadin Junction where
we had lunch and fueled up @ $1.59.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">From here, we took a turn West on Hwy <b>37A</b>
and headed for Stewart. This Hwy offered
us the most scenic scenery in terms of peaks and glaciers. We even got to see one, Bear Glacier, that
came down to the river beside us. WHAT A
SIGHT!!! The road was tortuous at times
but we were going so slow that it didn’t matter. We arrived in Stewart around 3PM, found our
campground, a Municipal Park @ $29 for electricity, water and free shower. We have cellular coverage finally and WiFi
although it is extremely slow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After setting up, we went to explore
the town and to find a laundromat which we found but the Municipality is
working on a water main so there is no water!!?? We also found the Info Centre and the Museum
which we will explore tomorrow. We took
a drive to HYDE, AK to find a restaurant recommended but it was closed on
Monday’s. Such is our luck. We did find a Bar where we were “HYDERIZED”. It consist of a 2 oz moonshine alcohol that
you have to down in one shot, put the glass down on the bar upside down then drink
a glass of water or a beer. We both did
it, have a picture for it and a card certifying us as “HYDERIZED”. Things we do for fun!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We came back to BC after going through
the Cdn border (that is the ONLY border service, NO USA), and stopped at a
local hotel where we had dinner then came home to relax. We are told that there are a few bears including
grizzly at the viewing point…looking forward to that!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We drove 245 miles in 5
hrs plus an hour and a half of stopping time</span></u></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N: 55* 56.349’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W: 129* 59.993’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<b style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Alt: 10 feet</span></i></b><br />
<b style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b>
<br />
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 30, Tuesday, Stewart/Hyde<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We had a lazy morning as it should
be! We went into town and did the
laundry which is at the local King Edward Hotel and we had coffee while waiting
at the restaurant next door. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We walked into town
and went through a couple shops. Afterwards,
we drove back to Hyder and went up to the Bear observation platform but no bear
to be seen although quite a few salmon making their way up the creek. We were charged $10 each to go on the
platform so we will be back later. We
continued up the road which turned to gravel and saw a couple mine sites. At 2600 feet, we saw the “toe” (end or foot)
of the glacier which in itself was quite impressive. We climbed to 3600 feet where we had the MOST
MAJESTIC VIEW we ever had. A full glacier
making its way down between two mountains and turning down towards the valley. This area had a large parking area and picnic
tables. It is just too bad it wasn’t
sunny! I took a dozen pictures if not more
then we had lunch which I had bought earlier at a bakery in Stewart. What an incredible view! We got there in time because as we were
leaving, the clouds began covering the view.
We were up there a good half hour just feasting our eyes with such incredibly
beauty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We slowly made our way down and as we
got into HYDER, a young bear was on the road but soon disappeared into the bush. He probably was heading for garbage!? We stopped at GLACIER INN and had a couple
drinks and delicious halibut appies (deep fried). We came back to BC and I washed the truck as
it was raining (lightly) when coming down and it got filthy on the gravel road. We came home, put the laundry away, relaxed for
a while then went out for dinner at a local Café, the "SILVERADO" then back to the Bear
Observation Platform. We were there for
over an hour but to no avail, no bear came into view. Everyone left disappointed including us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">By the time we got back to our site, it
was raining steadily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">JULY 31, Wednesday, to Prince
Rupert<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Last day of the month, going by too
fast. Soon we will be home. We were planning on going to Terrace but once
on Hwy 16, we changed the destination to Prince Rupert.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We left by 9 am and soon were on Hwy
37 south. The drive from here was boring
so there ain't much to say about it. We
did hit construction where a single lane bridge was being replaced. That was the only excitement. We had a sunny day so it was pleasant with
temperature of 13 to 17*C.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We arrived in Kitwanga where we
visited a National Monument consisting of a hill used by the Gitwangak Native
and a huge war happened here between Native tribes. We stopped for lunch at a local restaurant
but the service was extremely slow. We
made it through although another couple cancel and left, and we hit the road
with full bellies. On Hwy 16, we headed
for Terrace where I filled up @ $1.32 (pretty cheap) and we decided here to go
for Prince Rupert. Once committed it
began raining in earnest and we thought we really had made a big mistake but by
the time we reached Rupert, the sun came out and all was well. We set up at the RV Park in town near the
ferries and went out to investigate a couple places we were told about. We chose the “the Breakers” Pub and the food
was excellent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We came home, read for a while then
went to bed. We are here for two nights
only.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We travelled 286 miles in
5 hrs and 50 minutes @ an average 49 MPH.
We stopped for a total of one hour and 25 minutes</span></u></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">N: 54* 17.948’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">W: 130* 20.555’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Alt: 40 feet</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-11052509637610345932019-06-17T07:06:00.000-07:002020-03-25T11:58:00.478-07:00Alaska Trip, June 2019<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Alaska June, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">June 15,Saturday<o:p></o:p></span></u></b><br />
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This
is it, our departure day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was up at 7
am but kind of loaf around the house for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We packed the balance of our stuff in the
trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were on the road by 10 am
and as you have it when you think things are organized, Murphy gets in there somehow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were just about at OK Falls when Val asked
if I had loaded my insulin!????<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Screeching brakes, fast U-Turn and back to the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally we were off!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We
stopped for coffee at Tim Horton then went on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once at Peachland, we turned West on the CONNECTOR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was sunny and hot and my transmission
heated up almost at the top so we stopped and let it cooled down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I am a bit overloaded!!!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, we went on with out further problems
and arrived in Merritt where I topped up on gas as it was only $1.18.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrive at Rick and Pat’s place around 4
pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We parked at the back of the house,
hooked up power then went in for Happy Hour!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joanne and Don came over and we had a really nice reunion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Pat cooked a marvellous dinner for all then we were served
desert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a feast!!! We chatted the
whole evening catching up on news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
finally went to bed by 11 pm after saying our goodbyes to Don and Joanne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Travelled 172 miles in 4.5 hrs at average 46 MPH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">N-50*29.643<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">W-120*48’.801<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Elevation:
3600 ft<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">JUNE
16, SUNDAY; TO P.G.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
was awake at 5 am and again at 6 when I got up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At 7, we went inside where Rick had coffee made up for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We chatted for a while and finally hit the
road by 8 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove on 97C to
Ashcroft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is one nice drive; very
scenic and the Mine was very active.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
made it to the bottom, across the Fraser then up and over to Cache Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had our mugs filled and both got a
breakfast wrap at "Subway".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We continued on North on
Hwy 97 and stopped again at 100 miles House where we topped up @ $1.39.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Onward we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve driven this part a few times so it was
a bit of a repeat but we did noticed a lot of changes in the towns and
villages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove through Williams Lake
where we got our sight of the mighty Fraser river than Quesnel and stopped here
at a Rest Area for lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rochelle
called us to wish me a Happy Father’s day which was really nice!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">I gased
up again in Prince George for $1.35.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
saw a few places on the way at a $1.18 and 1.28, of course we didn’t need any
then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We by-passed the town centre and
arrived at our campground; HARTWAY RV PARK, located north of town @ $40 for the
night for full hook-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where I
realized we don’t have a spare cable to hook up connection to the TV.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">The truck
is performing well but is goggling gas like it was candy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I keep it at no more than 95 Km/hr.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow, we enter new territory!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">N-54*00.059<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">W-122*48.145<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Alt: 2510
ft<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">We
travelled 327 miles @ 51 mph average in 8 hrs</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">==============================================</span><br />
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">JUNE 17,
’19; Monday to Dawson Creek</span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Up at
6:30 am under a warm sunny sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coffee
is on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We left at 8:45 AM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first hour or so was somewhat
boring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of trees and not much else
to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then, we arrived at McLeod
Lake where we stopped for a Point of Interest:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was a cairn in front of the General Store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This place was first occupied by Simon Fraser
in 1805 and it became the first longest occupied place in BC by Europeans and
named “McLeod” by Fraser.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">From here
on, it became more interesting in terms of scenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got closer to the Rockies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove down and up the “Rocky Mountain
Trench” then over the Pine Pass, the highest point on Hwy 97 @ 3000 ft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Came down and reached the turn off to McKenzie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We followed the Pine River for a long
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the junction of Hwy 29 and 97,
we decided to turn off and go visit McKenzie town, 20 miles north on Hwy 29.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were not impressed with this town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very small and the downtown consisted
of a couple small Malls where we had brunch in one of restaurant..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took a few pictures of the town then we drove
back to Hwy 97.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Heading
North on 97 again, we eventually reached the “Bijoux Falls”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a really nice place and the Falls
were impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We carried on and
reached the “Azouzetta Lake Resort”, a beautiful lake with the Rockies
surrounding it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped here to take
on $50 of gas as I didn’t think we could make it to Chetwynd with what we had
left (it was a good choice).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally we
made it to Chetwynd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an interesting
town this was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had carving figures
along the Highway and of course we took lots of pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually so much so that the battery in the
camera went dead.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">From
here, we left the mountains behind as we turned East and the landscape became
flat and plenty of farming fields.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
reached Dawson Creek around 4 pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our
drive the last 20 KM, we saw TWO MOOSE (female or youngster) which was quite an
excitement for us considering how many times we were warned about wild lives <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>near or on the highway and wouldn’t you know
it…. both camera and the phone had dead batteries!!!!.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">The
highway so far has been excellent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
encountered highway construction in only 3 places.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">We are
camped at MILE ZERO Park, paid $82 for two nights (full hook-up) and set-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we went to town and had dinner out at Mr
Mikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is now 9 PM and the sun is
still shining!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got to Love it!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are here for two days<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">N <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>55* 46.166’<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">W 120* 15.638’<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Elev:
2201 Feet<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">We
travelled 281 miles (472 KM) in 7.5 hrs at an average 52 MPH<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: double windowtext 2.25pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">JUNE 18,
Dawson Creek<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Woke up
at 6AM under sunny sky and warm outside but it really got windy in the latter
part of the morning and the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Today was
a day of relaxation and sightseeing. We
went to the Info Centre which turned out to be really interesting as it had a
museum inside. We also watched a movie
on the construction of the Alaska Highway, very interesting. We took pictures of MILE ZERO Monument then
went to Walmart and Canadian Tires to pick up a few items. We stopped at McDonald for lunch then went
walking into the town center and looked at all the murals that were available. Found a bar where we had a beer then we drove
to Pouce Coupe, a suburb of Dawson Creek.
Not much there except an old Pub/hotel from the war days. Drove back to our lot and had a glass of wine
before I installed a couple hooks Val wanted for towels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">After
dinner, we relaxed. It is 9:05 pm and
the sun is still up on the Horizon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Gas here
is at $1.26. Just goes to show how much
we are getting gouged down south!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">June 19,
Wednesday, off to Ft Nelson<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">We left
Dawson Creek under sunny skies and windy (from the North) at 8:15 AM. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">The highway
was busy with trucks of all kinds and RV’s.
It is a beautiful drive…rolling hills and highway, big open fields. 28 KM down
the road we turned off and drove on the “old Alaska Hwy” to <u>cross the
historic Kiskatinaw River on the original curved wooden bridge on the Alaska
highway still in use to this day.</u> Further
along, we crossed the Mighty Peace River on the longest water span bridge on the
Alaska Highway. What a feast!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">We
stopped in Ft St-John at a Humpty restaurant for brunch; good food and cheap. We carried on and now the scenery became more
forestry, road becoming curvy and hilly.
We drove through some wonderful areas and stopped for gas at Pink Mountain
@ 1.61/ltr. I also finally filled the
gas can that I have been carrying empty all this time. This was an interesting stopped with an old
log cabin and room for overnighter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">The
truck is sure having a hard time on hills and slows right down. Maybe the trailer is too heavy!??? Or maybe I am just too critical!?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">The rain
finally caught up to us and we had it, on and off, all the way to Fort Nelson
but it stopped by the time we arrived here. Just before arriving in the town itself, we crossed the Muskwa River which is the lowest point on the Alaska Hwy at 1000 feet. According to "MILEPOST", <o:p></o:p></span>the river can reach heights of 20 feet above its banks in the spring. WOW!!!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">We SAW
THREE BEARS along the highway and got a couple pictures. We also saw a nice big beaver dam. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">We stopped for lunch at a road side rest area
and finally arrived in Fort Nelson around 3:30 pm. , <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">We are
camped at Tripe G Hideaway for 47.25 including taxes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">N 58*
48.239’<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">W 122*
43.166”<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Alt 14 15
FT<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">We drove 282
miles in 7hrs and 15 minutes at an average 52 MPH<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">JUNE 20, Thursday
to Liard Hot Springs<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">I forgot
to mention that after setting up, we walked next door to a museum of sort, next
door to us. It was really cool. Lots of cars from the 20’s,30’s and up. It was laid out like a small village with
each building having a theme of its own.
One was full of pelts of all kinds, wood clubs, old rifles and
things. One was a church from the early
years which was transported here. They
even had a guide who was full of stories.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">We then went
to the reception building at our campsite which had a bar and restaurant, sat
on saddles at the bar and had a drink.
Met a woman from Quebec, Joliette, who was going to the Yukon. Her husband doesn’t want to go into Alaska;
too expensive she says. We came home
after one drink and had dinner then relaxed on the computer, reading and
knitting (Val).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">From
here, the road curved and we drove West towards and into the Rockies. We left around 9 am after going into town for
milk, wine and gas (necessities of life)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">The drive
was fairly straight forward with lots of forest and not much else to see. Past Hwy 77 junction, we began climbing
slowly until we reached 4200 feet at the Summit Lake Pass (highest point on the
Alaska Hwy). The road became curvy,
narrow and lots of areas where it was only gravel. We saw a total of eight (8) bears feeding on
this stretch and Val claims having seen a coyote or fox (not sure). We even encountered construction by Tetsa
Lake. We stopped at the Lodge there by
the same name and had their home made soup and a bun. It was delicious. They are known for their cinnamon bun but we
didn’t have any.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">The
Rockies here are quite different then ours in the south but all the same, they
were quite impressive. Took lots of
pics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">We drove
on to Toad River (very wide and fast moving) and the lodge here has all the
services needed. We stopped and looked
around. Scenery is absolutely gorgeous!! After this, it was Muncho Lake, huge and
very green and deep. The road is between
the lake and a sheer mountain side. The
story says that a lot of equipment was loss during the construction in ’43 and
sunk to the bottom of the lake which is very deep just feet from the shore. I stopped at the lodge to take on gas.
Big mistake, $1.89/litre so only took on what I needed to reach Watson
Lake. The lodge was quite impressive and
I took some pics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">We
carried on and eventually came upon a juvenile caribou on the road. He was quite confused and we stopped near
him/her, took pictures and let it decide where it wanted to go. WHAT A NEAT SIGHT!!! We went on and just before arriving at Liard Hot
Spring, we saw a herd of bison feeding on the grass beside the highway with
their young.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">We
finally arrived at Liard Hot Spring and took our spot at LIARD SPRING
LODGE. We paid $38 for the night with
full hook-up. After setting up, we drove
across the highway to the hot spring in the Provincial Park, walked the
boardwalk (approx. 7 minutes), got changed and soaked in the hot water. That was wonderful!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Afterwards,
we drove back to our site, had a glass of wine and dinner. The sun has finally come out and we have blue
sky everywhere. We also have two
visitors in our campsite…two big male bison feeding on the grass. Got a couple pictures of them. The place was almost empty when we got here
but is now filling up fast. (8 pm). I
went to bed at 11PM and the sun just set down!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">N 59*
25.495’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">W 126* 06.474’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">EL: 1620
feet<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">We
travelled 193.7 miles in 6 hrs at an average 46 MPH</span></i></b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">JUNE 21,
Solstice day, to WATSON LAKE, Yukon<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">I woke up
at 6 to fog!!! Val was up at 7. We
hooked up and were on the road by 8:30 am.
The fog has lifted which is a good thing. We stopped at Coal River for breakfast. In the MILEPOST, it states they make the best
bison burger but we didn’t try it. Got
back on the road and soon hit rain for a while.
Scenery was very nice and we saw a bison, a brown bear (not sure if it
was a grizzly) and a couple of black bears on the side of the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">I stopped
at Contact Lake where we took on gasoline @ $1.36/ltr. We went on to drive through a rain pocket
then soon arrived at the first crossing into the Yukon. I say the first because we crisscrossed the
border six times and were soon definitely into the Yukon. Another 40 Km and we arrived in Watson
Lake. We are camped at Downtown RV Park
for $46/night. After setting up and
unhooking, we drove to the Sign Post area…WOW!!! That is one impressive area. It is much, much bigger than I imagine and it
covers a whole block. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Today is Indigenous
Day which is a holiday here so we couldn’t see the Northern Light show as it
was closed. We went for dinner at a
Chinese Restaurant. There are only three
restaurant in town, no pub. We came park
to the Park which is now almost full. I
had booked two nights here but we cancelled that and are going to White Horse
tomorrow. This place is depressed…remind
us of Geraldton in a way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">We drove 193.7
miles in 6 hours@ an average 46 MPH.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">N 60*
03.811’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">W 128*
42.433’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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</span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Elev:
2258 feet</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">J</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">UNE 22, Friday, to White Horse </span></b></div>
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<br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We left under a cloudy sky around 8:30 am. I had a shower this morning which felt really great. We weren’t 10 minutes on the road that it began to rain, at times heavy. This is getting a bit much and very disappointing. We passed Hwy 37 (Cassiar Hwy) and continued west. Scenery consisted mainly of forest and the road was pretty straight. We encountered constructions at different locations but no one working. We stopped at the Continental Divide where there was a restaurant and gas. A few bikers were already here drying themselves. I had one egg, sausage and one toast and Val had two pancakes only for $30. That included two coffees…how can people afford living here!?? Service was not the greatest nor was it expected looking at the place but the food was good. </span><br />
<br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The continental Divide separates the flow of water and where it goes. To the East, the rivers go North and the Artic. To the west, they go to the Pacific and Beauford sea. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We began following the Swift river and headed slowly southwest where we eventually crossed into BC for the seventh and last time. We left the Swift River and headed North-West back into the Yukon. Our next town was Teslin. This is Indian country and the lake by the same name actually begins in BC. Stopped here for gas; $1.419. We followed the Teslin Lake north to Johnson Crossing where we made a sharp left and crossed over. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We left Teslin behind and headed South West to Jake’s Corner where it meets the Junction to Tagish. We will be going through there on our way back when we go to Atlin. I should mention that it finally stopped raining and the sky appears to be clearing </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The scenery became more interesting too. The Rockies came into view once again. We came into view of Marsh Lake and followed it North to the Yukon river which we crossed at a narrow point. We followed the Yukon River to Whitehorse where we arrived at our campground…High Country RV Park. We were assigned lot 15 but when we got there, someone was already there. Back to the office only </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">to discover they made a mistake an double booked. The owner assigned us an overflow spot with water and electricity with the promise to find us a permanent spot in the morning. We are here for three nights. We have made arrangement with our friends Louise and Renald to meet in town Monday. They live in Tagish near here. </span><br />
<br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have been on the road 8 days!!! </span><br />
<br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>N 60* 40.976’ </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>W 135* 03.646’ </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>ELEV: 2427 ft </i></span><br />
<i><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" /></i>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>We travelled 303 miles in 7.5 hrs @ an average 52 mph</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>JUNE 23, Sunday, sightseeing Whitehorse, Yukon</b> <br /><br />First thing we did this morning was drive to the Info Center to find out about the town and Inuvik. The lady at the desk was not very helpful, complaining of this and that and we felt rushed but we did get good info from a German visitor who <br />had just come down from Inuvik. He said hotels at EAGLE are fully booked well in advance and he suggested we take the trailer with us as the road are really good. Prices for hotel in Inuvik are around $200 to 300/night so I think this has <br />definitely influence our choices. We will take the trailer up! <br />We drove around to orient ourselves. We saw and visited the McBride Museum, all about Whitehorse, communication, gold history and the Alaska highway. It was really interesting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> We drove around some more and found CANADIAN TIRE <br />where I bought some items to repair the leaky lockers then it was off to the KLONDIKE RIB & SALMON where we had delicious halibut chowder and a halibut burger, all for the reasonable price of $80. (kidding about reasonable). As I said before, how can people afford living here!?? After lunch, we went to see the SS KLONDIKE but were disappointed as we could not see the upper decks. We were told it wasn’t safe!? Good thing it was free! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> We then went to the “Canyon drive” which turned out to be very interesting. This was where the paddle steamers would come through to reach Whitehorse. It is narrow gorge with rapids which would have been really dangerous and challenging in the early days, to come through. From here we came back to our site for Happy Hour. It was sunny and warm all day then when we got home, it began raining in earnest as our luck would have it. We even got lighting and thunder. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">JUNE 24,
Monday, St-Jean Baptiste (Quebec).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is quite a French community here and all the signs on the highways and info, are both in French and English. Our friend Louise confirmed that when we had lunch with them. Anyway, I am getting ahead of myself. First thing this morning, I drove to the local RV Repair shop and picked up proper locker sealant/caulking, came home and installed it. <br /><br />When Val was ready, we drove to the airport to look at the Museum of Transportation which was all about the North and air transport and also about transport by dog sled, skidoos and vehicle. It was well done. We also saw the famous airplane that serves as a wind vane too. We drove to town <br />from here and went to look at the “old church” but it was time to meet Louise and Renald at a local restaurant which was closed so we went to “Burnt Toast Café”, a very quaint place and very popular. We were asked to leave soon after we finished our meal so that they could sit others who were in a line-up. We walked in downtown and kept catching up to each other’s stories. We soon had to say our goodbyes and went our separate ways after making plans to meet again on our way back. We learned that they live in TAGISH which will be on our way from Skagway. <br />We went back to the “old church” and finished our tour there. <br />From here we went to the grocery store to pick a couple things, gas up at $1.379/ltr then it was time to come home. It was a wonderful sunny, warm day. After putting the groceries away, we sat outside for a drink. Val cooked the last of our salmon steaks…DELICIOUS!!!!! We sat outside for a while but soon had to go in as it began raining again…still is as I am writing this but not as hard as yesterday. <br /><br />Tomorrow, we leave for DAWSON CITY.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">JUNE 25, Tuesday, to
Dawson City<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We
were on the road by 8:30 AM after dumping the tanks. We drove 10 minutes outside of town and turn
North on Hwy 2 to Dawson. We were soon
along side LAKE LABERGE, a huge lake, part of the Yukon River. We saw lots of signs about watch out for
moose, elk and bears but the only thing we saw was a squirrel running across
the highway, a bald eagle and its two young ones flying around and a rabbit
running across the road (he almost got run over).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, the scenery made
up for the lack of animals. The road was
superb except for the section past PELLY-CROSSING (First Nation town) for about
10 to 15 km. We stopped at different
view point to look at the scenery or read about the history. We stopped in CARMACKS, 150 km from
Whitehorse, for brunch. A neat place and
the food was good. I topped up my tank here @ $1.51 which turned
out to be a good thing. Scenery from here
became monotonous with straight narrow road and forest everywhere. We saw places where there were fires in the
past and birch and poplar trees just overran the conifers afterwards conifers
were getting shorter and shorter. Maybe
I was getting tired but I remember reading about how the conifers get shorter
up here!??? We stopped to view the “TINTINA
TRENCH” which extend hundreds of miles across Yukon and Alaska and is a route
followed by migratory birds in the spring and fall. It was caused by the Glacier Age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We
finally arrived at the Dempster Hwy junction and 40 km later, entered Dawson
Creek. Stopped for gas as I swear we
were running on fumes (took in 80.309 liters), then to our campsite at Golden
RV Campground, paid for 4 nights, parked and set up. We sat out under warm sunny skies and had a
glass of wine then chili for dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tomorrow
we will do some explorations. Right now,
it’s 11 PM and the sun is still shining albeit low on the horizon. There are no more nights, just twilights. It feels funny to go to bed in daylight!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We travelled 334 miles in 8.5 hrs @ an average 51 mph<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">N-64* 03.815’<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">W-139* 25.587’<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ALT: 1065 ft<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal !msorm; text-decoration: none !msorm; text-underline: none !msorm;"><b><u><span style="mso-prop-change: "Claude Pauze" 20190627T0910;"><span class="msoIns" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:00">JUNE 26, WEDNESDAY;
Sightseeing<o:p></o:p></ins></span></span></u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:01">What an interesting,
awesome town this is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything I heard
about it is true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No streets</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:02"> are
paved and all sidewalk throughout the town are boardwalks</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:03">; so
neat and clean too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only street that
is paved is the main highway going through and to the </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:04">ferry.</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:05"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:06">We walked just about
every streets, tried on a couple pub in the afternoon</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:07">,
explored every nook and cranny and took lots of pict</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:08">ures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw Pierre Berton’s </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:09">house
when he was a youth (didn’t know he lived here) and </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:11">log
cabin replicas of </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:09">authors like </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:10">Robert
Service and Jack L</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:11">ondon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you know that London’s cabin was taken
apart and moved to Oakland California?</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:12"><o:p></o:p></ins></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:12">WE also visited the Vi</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:13">sitor’s
offices for both Dawson and the North-West Territory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The latter was </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:14">really
interesting because this is where one gets info on the conditions of the
Dempster Highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lady we talked to</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:15">,
who is a native from there, was very funny and informative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She couldn’t tell us enough about the place
and the places to stay, camp and what to </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:16">take up as basic
necessary things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is even a log of
people writing their </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:17">impressions and
experience of the road condition and weather. (It snowed up there yesterday</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:18"> and
there was so much fog that the highway was closed)</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:19">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hard to phantom considering it was warm and
sunny here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t wait to </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:20">get
there!!!<o:p></o:p></ins></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:20">We drove to the
“Dome”, an area above the town where the town gathers on Solstice Day to watch
th</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:21">e sun set and get right back up an hour later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The view was absolutely incredible and my
pictures don’t do it ju</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:22">stice</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:23">.</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:25"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way down,</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:26"> we
took a side road and came upon an area that I had observed on the way up that
consisted of a clear cut track going up</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T09:12">, I</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:26"> </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:27">decided
to go down it as the trail was getting rough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>WHAT A RUSH, 4WHEELING!!!!</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:28"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got back on the road OK and came home to have
dinner</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:29">.</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:30"><o:p></o:p></ins></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:30">After dinner, we went
to the CANC</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:31">AN Theatre</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:34">, and watched the show
</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:35">consisting of a singer and 4 girls dancing like
back in the 1800’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have three
shows a night, serve food and </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:36">alcohol of course and
the place was packed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also have gambling
table</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:37">s with blackjack and roulettes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We caught the </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:38">7:30</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:37">
o’clock one which last </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:38">just over an hour.</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:39"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fun and they involved the crowd.</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:41"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently the midnight one is more
“daring”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Val wants to go!</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:43"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards, we went to the </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T09:02">“BOMBAY
PEGGY</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T09:04">”</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T09:02">, a</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T09:03">
local pub and had a drink then went to the </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:43">Hotel’s bar to get
initiated in the “SOURTOE” club</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:44">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This consist of kissing a petrified human
toe,</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:48"> (true!)</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:49">,</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:44">
kiss it the</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:49">n</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:44"> dunk in a one oun</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:45">ce
of Yukon Whiskey Jack and down it </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:46">in one shot without
swallowing the toe ($2500 fine if you do); they then provide </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:47">you
with a certificate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T09:14">each
</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:47">have one.</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:50"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The place was </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:51">full
and the girl doing the Sourtoe was very busy, this went on to past 11 pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stayed till midnight th</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:52">en
left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was hungry so we went to a pizza
joint that was still open which tu</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:53">rned out to be very
good, one of the best I dare say!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
Val agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then went home under</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:54">
daylight as if the sunset had just happened which it did actually</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:55">.<o:p></o:p></ins></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:55">The only downer was
that at the hotel, I se</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:56">t a glass of beer down
on our table and while we were doing the sourtoe</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:58"> th</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:59">ing</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:56">,
someone</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:57"> took my glass of beer!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know who it was but couldn’t confront him
as I wasn’t 1</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:58">00% sure (didn’t see h</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:59">i</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:58">m do
it and he was drunk)</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T08:59">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He left as soon as it was finished</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T09:00">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well, part of the adventure.</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T09:15"><o:p></o:p></ins></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span style="mso-prop-change: "Claude Pauze" 20190627T0916;"><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T09:15">JUNE </ins></span></span></b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span style="mso-prop-change: "Claude Pauze" 20190627T0916;"><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-27T09:16">27, Thursday, more
exploration.<o:p></o:p></ins></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T11:07">We went visiting the
local Native Cultur</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T11:08">al Centre in the
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was well done and very
informative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:27">We
also watched a film about</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:28"> the lo</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:30">ca</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:28">l
native </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:30">tribes</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:28">; again one of the
best I’ve seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T11:08">The
attitude of the native and white here are quite cooperative but its not t</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T11:09">o
say that discrimination is not happening.</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:27"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:28">We decided to go see
the “Tombstone National Park</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:29">” up the Dempster
highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove was awe-inspiring with
beautiful sceneries and the foliage which slowly change to meadow style </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:30">landsca</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:31">pe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Park’s lodge was also incredible with
friendly and informed staff</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:32"> and lots of artifacts
laying about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They even had a playroom
for kids, little and big! We were served a herb tea made </ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:33">of
local pine needle and other things</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:34">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We won’t have to stop here Saturday</ins></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:35"> on
our way up to Inuvik!!<o:p></o:p></ins></span></span></div>
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<span class="msoIns" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:35">Back home we had a
drink and wings at the local hotel then came home and relaxed<o:p></o:p></ins></span></div>
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<b><span class="msoIns" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:36">JUNE 28, Friday, last
day<o:p></o:p></ins></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Claude%20Pauze" datetime="2019-06-28T14:36">A day too many but
that’s OK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did some grocery shopping
and </ins></span>the laundry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also
checked out the NWT Info Center for the forecast and it’s a go!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is cloudy today and very warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to the Dawson Info Center to use their
WIFI but its not much better than the RV Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I did manage to upload a couple pictures on Facebook but cannot download
Instagram program…too slooowww!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
stopped at a side street food server and had a sandwich that was delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course we took a picture!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came home and Val did the wash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I filled the water tank, folded and loaded
the outside carpet and packed our chairs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went out for dinner at the
AURORA INN and had a wonderful dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The staff were really friendly too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While driving home, we saw a crowd by the peer so we stop and found out
that the canoe race from Whitehorse was arriving in Dawson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the “YUKON QUEST”, a big race held
yearly by canoe, 730 KM and it takes them two to four days depending on how
fast or slow they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met a few of
them including the winners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
exciting!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow, we head North to
EAGLE PLAINS, Yukon near the Artic Circle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">JUNE 29, Saturday; to
Eagle Plains, Yukon<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were on the road by
8:15 am, stopped at the garage to put air in the trailer tire then headed
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drive to the lodge at the Park
was a repeat of yesterday but once past and over the hill. WOW! WOW!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an amazing change in scenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like a meadow up here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Low shrubs and very few conifers and not very
tall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like landing on a new
planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the mountains…out of this
world!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road twisted and turned up
and down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I impressed or
what!???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, the road was good for a
while but then got pretty rough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
driving 40 to 60 Km/hr depending on the conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually the road got better and we speeded
up to 60 to 70 km/hr.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We eventually got to the
OGILIVIE River and followed it for quite a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped for lunch at a rest stop beside
the river and the mosquitoes were really bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had to stay inside and as soon as you opened the door they would rush
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here the scenery had changed to
thick forest of conifer,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>willows and
birch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to a sign that said “14
miles hill” and it was just that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a
steep grade but steady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the top we
crossed the Continental Divide and had an amazing view, we stopped at a
look-out view point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were on top of a
ridge and could see both sides for miles and miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was absolutely incredible!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road twisted in every direction of the
compass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One minute we were headed north
then south then east then west then back to North.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kid you not!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We drove along this ridge
for well over 25 KM then began a slow descent to EAGLE PLAINS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The surrounding hills were covered with a
thick but not too tall conifers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just
before Eagle Plain (about 20 km) I literally ran out of gas!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got
our extra jerry can which I had filled earlier and poured it in the tank and it
allowed us to reach Eagle Plain where I was able to fill up @ $1.61; not bad
considering the isolation this place is in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thank God it exist!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got a
campsite with power but no sewer or water. This stop is self reliant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also found out that our water tank is
nearly empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I filled it
yesterday, I forgot to close the empty valve….DUH!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They import their water, produce their own
power and are totally self sufficient yet they have a restaurant and bar and a
hotel with WIFI, showers and comfy rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It reminds me of some places we stayed at in Mexico.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By 6 pm the place was full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went out for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we are home relaxing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We heard that the road
forward is quite rough until but the North-West Territories. <span style="text-indent: -0.5in;">Providing it doesn’t rain,
it should be a dry road.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.5in;">We are very
close to the Artic </span><span style="text-indent: -0.5in;">Circle yet it’s a balmy
22* C</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">N 66* 22.421’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">W 136* 43.082<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ALT 2401 ft<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We travelled 749 miles in
7 hrs @ an average 44 mph<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">JUNE 30, Sunday, to INUVIK,
YUKON!<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well we woke up this
morning to a wet surrounding. It rained
all night on and off. Right now, I am
sitting in the restaurant where I paid $5 for a connection to the net to update
my blog and check e-mail and the weather.
The sky is clearing on the North and west side so we still have hopes as
the road is closed right now; it has a gate across it and there doesn’t seem to
be any way to find out if and when it will open. The front desk doesn’t seem to want to
cooperate much when people ask!???<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We finally hit the road by
10:30 am after I saw a truck leaving for the North. The gate was opened! The road was very muddy and it was slow
going…40-50 KM/HR. It did improve some
and we got speeds of 60 KM but not much faster.
We made it to the “Artic Circle”, stopped and took some pictures then
left under a rainy sky. The road
improved some but not by much. The
scenery was really fantastic and would have been even greater had it been
sunny. We were looking at true northern
tundra with very low shrubs, no trees and one could see for miles…visibility
had improved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We arrived at the NWT
border under a light rain and fog so thick, we could see no more than 50 feet
ahead of us. We had been following a
ridge and finally started going down and out of the fog. Here the vista opened up and we got a view
out of this world. The rain finally
stopped and the road was a 100% improvement.
Mountains, the McKenzie range was in front of us, the tundra was
brilliant and rich in green. We still
could see some conifers but they were small and meager due to the ground’s
permanent frost. We entered a canyon
surrounded by the mountains which was incredibly beautiful. As a matter of fact, this road is an advertising
poster taken in the fall with colorful tundra everywhere. Of course, we are in the summer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually we arrived at
the PEEL RIVER where we took the first of two ferries. Across the river, we soon arrived in Ft
McMurray, a native village where we took gas at $1.65. This is a very poor village compare to our
standards but rich in family togetherness as we witnessed while driving
through. We continued on and the scenery
became monotonous with low forest of conifers, lakes and lots of shrubs. We then reached our second ferry and got on
almost right away with one semi and two other vans. The ferries here run 24 hours/day with one
hour maintenance in the morning. It was
tight and rough to get on and off but we made it and stopped on the other side
for lunch. There is a village across a
river joining with the mighty McKenzie and the ferry went there after leaving
our shore, picked up a pick-up truck then went across to the far side where we
unloaded. The pick-up stayed on and was
taken across from where we came from. From
here, the road was straight as an arrow, dusty and almost as good as some of
our paved road. The scenery was pretty
well the same so it soon became boring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We finally reached INUVIK,
found our campground, $22/night, checked in then drove to the carwash where I
washed down the trailer. Man was it ever
filthy and crusted with a stubborn mud.
It cost us almost $20 to wash it @ $2. for 3 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here we are, in the
“Midnight Sun Country”. We had a glass
of wine to celebrate then cook dinner at 10 pm (local time, we are on Mountain
time now) with the sun still high in the sky; it doesn’t set here!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<b><i><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-32304490561164546712019-06-14T22:42:00.003-07:002019-06-14T22:44:19.863-07:00June 14, 2019; Last day of preparations<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><b>JUNE 14, 2019; Last day of preparations</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our last evening at home! The day went by fast. washed the truck, picked up the last of our meds; loaded the trailer with our clothes, food, and a bunch of stuff, trying not to forget anything. Kevin, our son-in law, called this morning to wish us safe travel. We just have a couple things to load in the morning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We went to Happy Hour at our neighbors' place then out to Gallagher Lake Pub for dinner. We came home to load a few more things then relaxed. It was to bed early, 10:30 pm.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-76766661861377016902019-05-09T12:08:00.000-07:002019-05-25T15:46:23.186-07:00Alaska preparation<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>May 9, 2019, 37 days to go!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I took the truck in to have it check out and all is in good shape. I bought some shock extender and had those install. So far so good. We went to Chase to visit our friend Jack and Mim and they gave us their 2018 copy of "MILEPOST" so have been reading that and planning our trip. The trailer is going in next week to have it checked out, install scissor jacks (2) and install bracket for a tv. It's a busy time and I am loving it. I feel revitalized!😅</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">May 25,
Saturday: 21 days to go!<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These
past couple weeks, I had some maintenance done on the trailer and the
truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First I had installed new suspension
block to enhance the shocks and springs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It acts like air bags but without air and it's suppose to improved the
stability of the truck and trailer while going through curves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
then took the trailer to a local shop where I had the suspension checked (all
good), had the wheel bearings services, installed a new TV wall mount for our
new 24” TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also bought 4 new tires
for the trailer and had those installed. The trailer is de-winterized and ready to go<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So
now we are awaiting the departure date of June 15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am getting excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh yea, we are shopping for medical insurance
but it is bloody expensive even for just one month in Alaska. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-22105240892951113382019-04-06T15:42:00.001-07:002019-04-06T15:42:25.369-07:00Alaskan Trip via Tuktoyaktuk, North West Territories<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">April 6, 2019:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wow, it has been a long time since I wrote on this blog! If you have followed our adventures, you know that we have travel in every States except Alaska and Hawaii. You also know that we have visited every Provinces except the Yukon and North West Territories. It has been a dream of mine to complete this segment and it will finally happened this summer. Our plans are to leave around the 15 of June so stay tune as we prepared for this "Grand" adventure</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-14760839550455934792016-12-08T08:43:00.001-08:002016-12-08T08:43:23.136-08:00October 19 to December 8, 2016<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">We had doctor’s appointment on Wednesday in Salmon
Arm. This was our last visit with Dr
Bonthuys. He was a good doctor and we
enjoyed his professionalism. Now we have
to find a new one in Oliver.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">Here we are finally once again. This is Dec 8<sup>th</sup>!!! It has been
a very busy time since October.
We got a mortgage, decided on a final place to live, open a new account
at Interior Savings in Oliver (closing Royal Bank), got house insurance, took possession of our new
home on November 26<sup>th</sup> then went to Gateway and brought two loads of
boxes back to our house and proceeded to unload and unpack (each load was about
an eight hours drive return trip). We still have
about two more loads to pick up. We had
our new furniture delivered and now we are pretty well settled in at<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">#29-6601 Tucelnuit Dr, Oliver, BC, V0H 1T3. Our phone number is still the same at 250 -515-0922.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">About two weeks ago, I got a call from my brother asking
if I was interested in joining 5 of them (all brothers) for a trip to
Cuba! After a quick discussion with Val,
I called him back and said YES! I am
leaving on the 13<sup>th</sup> of this month and returning the 25<sup>th</sup>.
Really looking forward to that, it will
be first time we are together (just the boys) on a holiday!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">That’s it for now!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-42408135668375947832016-10-31T16:20:00.001-07:002016-11-21T16:23:02.451-08:00November 11 to 18, 2016<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;">Boy,
am I ever behind in my blog!</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;">I kind of
lost interest in it, especially since we are not travelling.</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;">We are presently living in Osoyoos waiting
for our all financing to be in place and our move to our new home in Oliver on
the 26</span><sup style="font-family: Papyrus;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;">!</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;">Yesterday we bought
our new furniture at CITY FURNITURE here in Osoyoos.</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;">Marcel and Audrey came with us; paid cash
which was nice.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">Today
the 18<sup>th</sup>, we had our medical exam for the purpose of purchasing Life
Insurance for the mortgage and later we signed the papers for the mortgage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-8235758650184682972016-10-31T16:20:00.000-07:002016-11-21T16:21:43.366-08:00October 19, 2016<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 18.0pt;">We had
doctor’s appointment on Wednesday in Salmon Arm. This was our last visit with Dr
Bonthuys. He was a good doctor and we
enjoyed his professionalism. Now we have
to find a new one in Oliver.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-86644021839684724652016-10-18T19:30:00.003-07:002016-10-18T19:30:45.580-07:00October 11 to 18, 2016; Chilliwack<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">We
went to Salmon Arm to shop and stopped at Bob and Gail’s house for a short but
nice visit. It is sunny again on this
Tuesday!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">Wednesday
was also sunny but became very cloudy by the end of the day. The nights are VERY COLD, freezing actually
-2, -4 C. Charlene came over for a visit
from Logan Lake and stayed the night.
Lynden is gone hunting with the boys.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">On
Friday, we drove to Kamloops for Val’s contacts at Costco, had brunch then
headed south to Chilliwack. We had nice
weather until the top end of the Coquihalla when it began to rain for the rest
of the way. We had a great visit with
great-grand-daughter Elena, mom and gram-ma on Saturday then on Sunday, the
four of us met Doreen and Gord at a local restaurant for breakfast then in the
afternoon, we went to the theatre to watch “The Accountant” (very good), came
home, ordered Pizza and watched more movies on TV. The storm that we had been warned about never
materialized and as a matter of fact it was a decent day with no rain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">Monday,
the kids came over for dinner then later, the rest of the family showed up for
cake and ice cream (Sean’s birthday). It
was a success. Rochelle and Kevin are marvelous
host and made sure everyone was looked after.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">Tuesday,
we were back home in Gateway after saying goodbye to Rochelle and Graeme at the
office; Kevin was out on a job. It was
raining when we left but cleared up past Merritt and we had a dry run home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-40172430501633417262016-10-10T13:42:00.001-07:002016-10-10T13:42:34.255-07:00OCTOBER 2 to 10, 2016; Last days of work for Val; Offer on townhouse in Oliver<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">Up
early again this morning. This is Val’s
Friday. I spent the day working around
our yard preparing for the winter and putting everything away that needs to be
stored. We sure been lucky with the
weather, it’s been sunny for the past two weeks. Cold mornings but warms up quickly once the
sun is out. Oh yeah, also got things started
for a pre-approved mortgage amount with Interior Savings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">Monday
and Tuesday, we did laundry, some shopping in Chase and more clean-up of the
yard. I loaded stuff in the trailer,
getting stuff that we think we may need while in Osoyoos. Tuesday was a cloudy day after a couple weeks
of sunshine and a relaxing day doing nothing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">Back
to sunshine on Wednesday, I went to Vernon for my appointment with the
Specialist about my nose. Driving back,
I took Hwy 97 then at Falkland, I took the road to Chase. It is a very interesting and picturesque
drive with a section on gravel which I don’t remember being there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">Thursday,
I drove to Oliver to check out a couple places and upon my return home, Val and
I discussed what I saw and decided to put an offer on a two bedrooms single
level townhome in a triplex. It is
presently empty. Now we wait!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">Yesterday,
Saturday, it rained heavily all day! My
grand-son’s birthday. We had a
Thanksgiving dinner at the “clubhouse” (actually the old sales office) and had
a feast. Turkey, Ham and all the
fixings. There were about 30-40 people
there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">Today,
Sunday, is Val final day at work and it is sunny. She came home and took the uniform off for
the last time, she is happy that it has finally come to an end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">HAPPY
THANKS-GIVING EVERYONE! We have snow on the higher mountains tops and
it is cloudy on this Monday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-42112182771724544622016-10-02T09:03:00.001-07:002016-10-02T09:03:36.784-07:00October 1, 2016; Our little Beaver is GONE!!!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;"><b>Saturday,</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;">I was
up early again; just can’t seem to be able to sleep past 6 am without tossing
and turning.</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;">Ron and Cindy were out with
friends by 12:30 am and we went over the operations of the motorhome.</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;">Then, it was drive a short drive to Sorrento to meet Val at the insurance office and have the
ownership transferred over to the new buyers/owners and cancel our insurance and plates on the motorhome.</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;"><i>Our little home is GONE</i>!!!</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;">Val went back to work and once home at 4 pm, w</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;">e sat out and had a glass of wine and
reminisced over the past three years.</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;">Called the kids to let them know.</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;">Now we turned our mind to our move to Osoyoos and the purchase of a
smaller trailer.</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18pt;">Our vagabond life is
not over yet!</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-91697074664342200082016-09-30T23:30:00.000-07:002016-10-01T06:30:08.681-07:00September 19 to 30, 2016; Visit to Keremeos, Packing and Moving<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;">It was
a busy week!</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;">First I went to Judy and
Ed’s house and de-winterized it, got everything working then began packing our
stuff and taking it to our Sea-Can storage and to the house.</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;">Amazing what we had packed in this little
motorhome.</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;">I got boxes from U-Haul.</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;">Called TV providers and cancelled them all as
of October 1.</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;">The rush is on; not many
days left.</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;">Thank God it is sunny and
somewhat warm out.</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;">We bought Denis and
Ruth’s utility trailer.</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;">I figure I will
need it for our move and I am sure I can resell it at a small profit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">On
Monday, the 26<sup>th</sup>, I drove the Beaver to Tri-Crown in Salmon Arm, dropped
it off to have the locker door repaired.
Val followed me in the Santa Fe and we drove to Oliver and Osoyoos to
look at placed for rent. The one in
Osoyoos really appealed to us, fully furnished, two bedrooms so we put a
deposit on it for November first. We
stopped at a local pub for lunch and ran into Jeff and Donna, previous workers
from the Park. What a small world! We drove back home via the Connector to
Kamloops, picked up our mail then home, sweet home. A long day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Tuesday,
we spent doing laundry, get some groceries, insurance and new plate for the
trailer then generally worked around the shed and pad. At two pm, we drove to Tri-Crown to pick up
the Beaver only to find out that they hadn’t installed the camera. I suspect that they forgot to order it bit of
course, they won’t admit to that!?? So,
back home disappointed. Had a glass of
wine to bury our sorrows, dinner then the tube for a while. Val is back to work tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">I
spent Wednesday cleaning the yard and some of the stuff out of the shed. I also got the jeep wired so that it can be hitched
legally. Thursday, Mascon came to hook
up our internet only as we have TV programs already. I also found out that they can’t do anything
in time for Saturday so after Val got off work, we drove down and picked up the
motorhome. I am really disappointed in
Tri-Crown’s service and lack thereof.
Now I have to call Ron to let him know.
Hopefully it will be well received as I am going to give him money to
fix it on his time. I cleaned and washed
the inside and outside of the Beaver and the Santa-Fe on Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-87063705145097137672016-09-19T07:44:00.000-07:002016-09-19T07:44:04.418-07:00September 8 to 18, 2016; Motorhome is SOLD!<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">SEPT 8 to 18; Work BBQ; CT-Scan; Chilliwack;
Repairs & sell of our Beaver Monterey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Today,
Thursday, was our Park Employee Appreciation Day. Val got home at 3:45 pm, showered and changed
into regular clothing then at 5 pm, we drove to the Park into the “group site
area” where we had steak, baked potatoe, salad and all you can drink however
everyone was reasonable in their consumption.
We sat around the fire and had a great time. There were about 20 people including
guests. It lasted till dark then
everyone called it quit. We had a good
time and were glad to have gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Earlier
in the day, I began cleaning out junk out of the shed, stuff that I have hung
on but have not used in years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Friday
morning, I was up with Val at 6 am and left for Salmon Arm to have a CT Scan on
my nose once again. I have a specialist
appointment in October in Vernon. The
rest of the day was doing chores around the yard. The sun was out in the morning but that soon disappeared!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">We had
a couple come back to look at the Beaver for a second time. This time they went through stem to stern,
top to bottom literally. (He crawled under the Motorhome). After some discussion, we agreed on a price
but first I have to repair a panel underneath and replace the back-up which
quit on me a week ago. I also have to
repair the leaky storage bin (replace the seal) and once this is all done, our
little home for the last 3 years will be gone!
Boo hoo! A sad day but yet happy
that the uncertainty is over. I have an
appointment with the shop on Thursday.
Now we have to look for a temporary place until our plans are all
finalized i.e.; buying a place to live.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Monday
the 12<sup>th</sup>, we went to Chilliwack overnight to see our great
grand-daughter, Elli-Bun (3 months old now) and the kids. It was a short but lovely visit. Eliana sure smiles a lot. We came back Tuesday after stopping at Super Store
for some groceries. Val was back to work
on Wednesday and I woke up being dizzy and a feeling of stomach sickness. I felt lousy all day!??<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">On
Thursday, I took the Beaver to TRI-CROWN to have the back-up camera fix, the door
panel repaired, the under carriage cover repaired and the leaky lockers. I have to go back for the body work and the
camera (on order) on the 26th.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Sunday
the 18<sup>th</sup>, Ron and his wife came out once again and this time we took
the Beaver out for a drive; to Jade Mtn to take on some fuel and back. He drove it this time. <b>Our
Beaver is SOLD</b>!!! We got a deposit
on it and the delivery date is October 1!
Mix emotions!!! Now we have to
pack. I called Ed& Judy and rented
their place for a month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">A new
adventure begins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-61828542621193778022016-09-07T21:43:00.002-07:002016-09-07T21:43:26.095-07:00September 1 to 7, 2016; End of work<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">SEPT </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">1</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">to 7, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Back
to work on the first and I was asked if I would work on Monday the 5<sup>th</sup>
as they are short on staff so guess what I am doing on my supposedly first day
off! It was cooler on the first and it
rained on Friday the 2<sup>nd</sup>.
Autumn has arrived!!! Rain on
Saturday and it was so quiet at the Park that we both left early and only put
in 4 hrs each. Same thing on Sunday
although Val worked a full shift and I came home after lunch. The sun came out in the afternoon and warmed
things up a bit. Our Resort has a lot of
the empty lots rented, busy week-end here too.
Some people are here to winterize their Park Model or trailer already.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Monday
was my last day of work and a busy one it was.
Except for 7 lanes, the Park is closed for the season. We had over 180 campers leave today but only
had to clean the first seven lanes. The
rest was shut down after making sure no fires were left smoldering. The gate house was also shut down and it is
self-registering from now to the end of October. It will be Val’s job for the next 6 weeks to
ensure everyone has paid their dues. She
is off today!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Tuesday,
we went to Kamloops for shopping and met friends Lynden and Charlene for lunch
at Harold’s. They had a surprise for us…Phil
and Betty were also there so we really had a nice reunion. We left an hour later and shopped at Costco
and Superstore then came home to put everything away. I was up early again this morning (6 am).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Val went
to work on Wednesday and I did a load of laundry (my uniform) then got dinner
ready. I made Chop Suey! We had HH then dinner then watched the tube.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-70432248583369548222016-08-30T19:22:00.003-07:002016-08-30T19:22:42.298-07:00August 25 to 31, 2016; Two more days off; Work coming to an end<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">AUG 25 to 31; Work soon ending for
me but continuing for Val<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Rochelle
and Kevin called us at 4 pm on Friday.
They were having HH on their deck and we were on our patio having a
drink so we had HH together over the phone line…How neat is that? Huh? Very warm again today. Shower felt good! I open an account with FLICKR.COM and posted
pictures of the motorhome on it so that I can share them with potential buyers. Now all I have to do is figure out how to do
it. We had rain Saturday and Sunday but
nothing heavy or lasting, more like drizzles.
It sure has been a weird summer weather wise… no fire ban to date!?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">On the
29<sup>th</sup>, we went to Salmon arm to shop for groceries and doctor’s
appointment for both of us and renew our meds.
We had lunch at HOME in S.A. On
our return, we put the groceries away then had a nice HH with George and
Paulette at their lot then dinner consisting of Haddock fish and rice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Tuesday
the 30<sup>th</sup>, was sunny and warm.
Val did laundry and chores in the yard for me. I also bottled our wine in Chase and picked
up our meds in Sorrento. HH at 3:30 pm
and got ready for tomorrow…back to work for the last 5 days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Back to
work on Wednesday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-67917321430725786812016-08-25T06:40:00.001-07:002016-08-25T06:40:32.334-07:00August 11 to 25, 2016; visit from brother Johnny<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">AUG 11 to 24; Visit from Johnny<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Work
week over, we have two days to relax and enjoy.
It is hot out and the A/C is working double time lately. I shudder at the thought of our next Hydro
bill. Had a couple more inquiries for
the Beaver but nothing serious. It would
be so nice to sell the Beaver and/or the Lot before the winter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Monday
was spent doing chores and laundry. It
was a hot day so we didn’t much heavy stuff and found shade everywhere we
could. I got a call later in the day
from a couple wanting to see the motorhome tomorrow around 2 pm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Tuesday
was again hot and the night was unpleasantly warm too. I drove to Kamloops to pick the new pump for
the washer which arrived in our mail on Monday then drove back home after a
light sandwich and coffee at Timmy.
Traffic was heavy again as usual with holiday tourist and truckers. Back home, I took the old pump out and put
the new one in then our guests arrived around 3 pm and we gave them the
tour. They sat around for a while and
declared that they really liked it but wanted to talk it over first and they
left. Keep our fingers crossed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Back to
work on Wednesday! Hot, hot, hot and very dusty raking the sites but thank
goodness for the trees as they give us shade and keep things a bit cooler than
in the sun. Three weeks of work left.
Val has been offered an extension past September 3 to do registration as
the Park is staying open but on a skeleton crew. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">On
Sunday, Brother Johnny and his girlfriend, Gabe, showed up for a 3 days
visit. We had been invited to Ed and
Judy for one last HH before they depart for the season so we all went
over. Present were Jack and Mim, and Bob
& Gail. We had a great visit then
came home and had a light dinner as we were all full from the goodies Judy
served. We were sitting under the Gazebo
when the wind picked up and the leaves were flying and a branch broke and fell
on the gazebo. Needless to say we got
the heck out of there and into the motorhome.
It began raining and rain most of the night. Johnny and Gabe went to the Quaout Lodge for
the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Monday,
they arrived around 11 am and we all went to Blind Bay for a drive and also
stopped at a funky house on the highway that we see every time we drive to
Salmon Arm but unfortunately they were closed and no, I didn’t take any
pictures. We went back to Blind Bay to a
local Pub and had a drink and nachos and wings.
We stopped at Jade Mountain where Johnny got a room for two nights. Back home, we cooked dinner; steak, salad and
a sweet mushroom that Gabe cooked, made in brown sugar and whiskey. Yum, Yum but extremely sweet. We sat around the fire and had a nice visit. J&G left around 11 pm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Tuesday
was laundry day in the morning and I went to Chase for my blood test! It is sunny and supposed to go up to 23-24*C. We took a drive to Margaret Falls near Salmon
Arm then drove through Notch Hill back roads to home. We had chicken for dinner then sat out until
9 pm when our company left and we went to bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Back
to work on Wednesday. 10 days left! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-58998129120349695302016-08-10T16:35:00.003-07:002016-08-10T16:35:49.457-07:00August 1 to 10, 2016; Kamloops shopping and new photo web link<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">AUGUST 1 to 10<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">This
month started with two days off, great stuff!
Washed the vehicles then worked around the yard and Beaver. Cleaned the batteries and checked them. We got a call from another potential
buyer. They are coming Wednesday
afternoon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">For
some unknown reasons, we have been catching a lot of mice in our rig this past
while. Maybe we sit here just too
long!?? Caught 4 so far this past month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">On
Tuesday, we went to Kamloops for some shopping at Costco and Superstore. Checked our mail, stopped for a beer at
DUFFY’s Pub (it’s been a long time) then came home. It poured rain on the way to Kamloops, at
times very heavy but it did soon clear up.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Back
to work Wednesday for another 5 days.
Those people from Victoria never showed up. Got a call from brother Gaetan and when I
called back, he was at Pierre’s house so got to talk to Gilles, Christiane,
Pierre and Gaetan of course. Good
hearing from them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">The
weather has been crazy this past week, sunny most of the day then heavy rain
and lighting & thunder in the evening.
It sure refreshes the nights though!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Sunday,
our Friday and glad it’s here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">We did
chores on Monday; it is cloudy but the sun did eventually make its way out. PICASA is no longer supported by Googles so
all our pictures on the web have been archived with a new link <a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/115214550175198904444?source=pwa">https://get.google.com/albumarchive/115214550175198904444?source=pwa</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">That’s
very frustrating but as usual when something works good, they are bound to make
changes. Everyone should be able to see
our pictures once again as I have updated the link in our Blog. Let me know if it doesn’t work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Tuesday
was a trip to Costco in Kamloops for Val’s eye contacts, she had to get an exam
too. Of course, we bought a few things
there then off to Superstore for groceries.
We stopped for lunch at a new pub in the new Mall across from
Superstore. Food was good, I had a
burger and Val, soup and salad. Back home
to unload and put everything away then relax before going to work
tomorrow! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-80020248635605448222016-07-31T19:19:00.001-07:002016-07-31T19:19:21.971-07:00July 18 to 31, 2016; Change of address<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">JULY 18 to 31<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Our
first day off was sunny and warm although it did rain heavily overnight. We went to Kamloops today to open an account
at UPS store since the one in Salmon Arm is closing its doors as of July 27. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Our <i><u>new MAILING address</u></i> is now: <b><u>230-1210
Summit Dr, Suite 255, Kamloops, V2C 6M1</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">We
shopped for groceries at SUPERSTORE and COSTCO then we drove home. After putting everything away, we had a drink
then dinner. Watched some tube but I was
in bed by 9:30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Our
second day off was cloudy and rainy, of course!
Val did some laundry and I spent time updating our new mailing address
to all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">Back
to work by Wednesday and it got sunny and hot!
No complaining yet!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;"><b>July
25-26</b>, two more days off spent driving to Salmon arm to pick the last of mail
at UPS store (shut down) then to the Post Office to give them a change of
address; $55 for 4 months! Grocery
shopping then home in time for a weird storm, the sky was totally orange/yellow
but absolutely awesome! Work was busy
and hot; a shower afterwards was mandatory and refreshing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">It was
a busy day at Gateway this last Saturday of the month; there was a BBQ put on
by the social committee which was a success.
More people came in yesterday.
Sure can tell it’s the BC Day long week-end and a hot one to boot!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">End of
another month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-30256586162804188752016-07-18T08:25:00.002-07:002016-07-19T09:26:14.606-07:00July 11 to 17, 2016; UPS closing in Salmon Arm<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 16.0pt;">JUL 11 to 17; Shuswap <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 16.0pt;">First
day off was to relax. I went to Chase to
bottle our wine, stopped at the Bank to deposit a refund from the Insurance and
mailed a birthday card. It is cloudy but
the sun is shining through from time to time and it’s warm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Second
day off, I went to Salmon Arm to get a medical exam for my driver’s
license. It has to do with my
diabetes. Another tax grab!!! It is sunny and warm. It is now confirm, UPS store where our mail is delivered is closing forever so we have to look for alternative option.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Upon my return, Val went to Chase while I did
some chores around here. Almost had
another disaster with overfilling the black tank while rinsing it. GOT TO BE MORE CAREFUL!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Back
to work on Wednesday! We had a deluge
downpour this week. Is this rain ever
going to stop!? We had more people come out to look at the Beaver but no offers as yet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-51754792298609073982016-07-11T08:21:00.000-07:002016-07-11T08:21:04.248-07:00July 1 to 10, 2016; Shuswap<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">JULY </span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">1-5,</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;"> 2016<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">HAPPY
CANADA DAY!! Busy at work, we are full! And wouldn’t you know it, it rained on
Sunday, heavy in the evening. 160
campers left and 120 came in… The holiday season has begun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">HAPPY
FOURTH OF JULY to all our American friends!
Our first day off and cloudy. We
went to Salmon Arm to pick up our mail, some groceries and check out prices on
tires for the Beaver; the front ones are showing cracks and they are over 5 yrs
old. Drove to Salmon Arm and picked up a
clothes washer from Bob. He found it at
a store for free, checked it out and called us to come pick it up as ours quit
a while back. Rain and more rain for our
whole two days off! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16pt;">JUL 6
to 10</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 16.0pt;">I am
way behind on the blog. It has been an
uneventful week except for the amount of rain we’ve had. It feels like FALL on the Coast! Busy at work even though the weather is not
cooperating. I feel for those camping in
tents!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-47827048795159288072016-06-30T15:53:00.001-07:002016-06-30T15:54:31.924-07:00June 20 to 30, 2016; Visit from Ontario<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 18.0pt;">JUN 20 to 30</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 18.0pt;">A
beautiful sunny day on our first day off so I spent some of it on the roof of
the Beaver cleaning and washing the vent covers, they were overdue! Val did the laundry and then worked on her
flowers. HH at 4 pm then dinner
consisting of baked potatoe, ceasar salad and a deliciously thick steak
BBQ’ed. After dinner we had a fire and
our neighbor Carlos joined us for a while.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Second
day off, we went to Salmon Arm for a follow up on my insulin injections. After we did our groceries shopping, picked
up our mail and bought a couple things for the yard and Beaver. Back at home, we put it all away, relaxed for
a few minutes then dinner and made our lunches for tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Wednesday
was back to work. The jeep wouldn’t
start because I left the ignition on last night so we had to use the Hyundai. Got it going once back home after work. I bought LED lights for the rear lights on
the Beaver and got that installed; much brighter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Rain
on Thursday and heavy on Friday…Boring!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 18.0pt;">On
Sunday the 26<sup>th</sup>, Val’s sister Kathy and Louie arrived from Ontario
for a visit. We had a nice reunion by
the campfire and a glass of wine or two!
They rented our neighbours’ house across the road for two nights. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Monday,
I had to stay home to wait for MASCON to installed cable TV and internet (a
saving of almost $100/month) while Val and company drove to Kamloops for shopping;
We all went out for dinner in Sorrento then came home and sat by the fire for a
while but the mosquitos took all the fun out of it and chased us in the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Tuesday,
sunny and very warm, Louie and Kathy were gone when I got up for the bathroom at
5 this morning! Good thing we said our
goodbyes last night, in case! Washed the motorhome and both vehicles and Val
did laundry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Back
to work on Wednesday. Hot, hot, hot! Up
to 34*C on Thursday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 18.0pt;">End of
another month!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-43893964290792917902016-06-20T09:08:00.002-07:002016-06-20T09:08:20.208-07:00June 14 to 19, 2016; Back to Chilliwack<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">JUN 14 to 19; Back to Chilliwack<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">Two
days off. We went to Salmon Arm to pick
up our mail and I had an appointment at the Hospital for my diabetes. That went ok and I am now on insulin. This has been coming for quite a while so no
surprise there! After the appointment,
we drove to Chilliwack stopping in Kamloops for brunch. We were in Chilliwack early enough to go to
Vanessa and Sean’ house and have a visit and hold our great-grand-daughter,
Eliana, in our arms. She is absolutely
gorgeous! We spent the night at Rochelle
and Kevin’s house then the next day, after breakfast and shower, we went back
to Vanessa and Sean for an hour or so to hold our little girl one more time. Parents are OK but tired from all the
excitement and ordeal of giving birth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">We headed
back to the Shuswap after our short visit; it was a wonderful two days and the
weather cooperated for us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">Back
to work on Thursday under sunny sky. I
only worked 4 days as we are changing our days off to Monday and Tuesday for
the rest of the summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-52918779698247599912016-06-14T10:33:00.000-07:002016-06-14T10:33:00.272-07:00June 7 to 13, 2006; Chilliwack and Welcome Eliana<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">JUN 7 to 13; Chilliwack and GREAT
GRAND-PARENTS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">My first
day off, Val did laundry and worked around the yard while I worked on the
motorhome washing and organizing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">On
Wednesday, we drove to Chilliwack overnight to hopefully witness Grand-Daughter
Vanessa’s baby birth due today or Thursday.
We saw Vanessa and Sean Wednesday evening at the Abbotsford hospital and
had a nice visit. She is staying in a
very nice and private room with everything at her finger-tip. We drove back to our hotel with promises to see
them tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">We had
breakfast at I Hop restaurant on Thursday, <i>JUNE
</i></span><i><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 24.0pt;">9</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;"> then drove to Abbotsford. We
walked in the hospital at 12:11 and that’s when we got the text that<b> Eliana</b> came in to this world this exact time</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtZnQEwAht7C_F0AchRA2wEzmLWk0ILaQNyNcptsf3f9xG7VUSIlChvU12ElcEU-ckwRbtWPCQISElng907CDNkypAo4Ejy6Kc-cgv1oJ5zfGZj5QmYk4AUokMdFagdETvp7O/s1600/Elena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtZnQEwAht7C_F0AchRA2wEzmLWk0ILaQNyNcptsf3f9xG7VUSIlChvU12ElcEU-ckwRbtWPCQISElng907CDNkypAo4Ejy6Kc-cgv1oJ5zfGZj5QmYk4AUokMdFagdETvp7O/s320/Elena.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 24px;">She is 15 minutes old in this picture!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">Rochelle asked us to wait for a while so we
had coffee in the cafeteria then went upstairs only to find out that the baby
was down at NICU so there was no visiting anymore. We all left (us, R&K and Hayley). This is when we found out that Rochelle cut
the umbilical cord and Hayley helped in the delivery of the baby under the
supervision of the Doctor, of ourse.
What an experience for both of them!!!
We went to Mr MIKE for dinner then we said our goodbyes, drove to
Superstore to pick up some groceries and drove back home in Lee Creek. We got here around 9 pm, made our lunches
then went to bed! Back to work on Friday to show off our new Great
Grand-Daughter!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 24px;">There was a wedding at the Park on Saturday….Life goes on!!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448847.post-34993963714149264222016-06-07T09:52:00.002-07:002016-06-07T09:52:30.600-07:00June 1 to 6 2016<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt;">JUN 1 to 6, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Not much to report except that the weather has
improved and by the end of week, we were looking at 24 to 28*C I
temperature. Work was busy getting
things ready for the grand opening on the 18<sup>th</sup>. Val has been busy with her garden and walks
in the evening with friend Donna</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">We are a "young" couple of 67 years.
We have been on the road full-timing since October 11, 2005. Join us in our adventure and the good times with us.
See you all on the road, Claude & Val, Logan Lake, B.C.</div>Claude & Val Pauze/ Heathmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220653544652545683noreply@blogger.com0