Sunday, July 31, 2011

Alaska Day 77 Whitehorse To ?

We know what direction we are going but just not sure how far. Our entire trip of the BC, Yukon and Alaska we made reservations only for Denali National Park that I can remember. We really didn’t need to make them not even for the six RV’s that were traveling in our “gang”.  Some places we stayed in different parks for different reasons.  It worked out well.

We decided to get fuel here at the Pioneer Campground for $1.30 a liter vice down the road. They will exchange U.S. dollar for 95 cents Canadian. That’s good.  I will top off further in the Yukon and that way I can by pass BC for fuel. Next fuel up afterwards would then be in Alberta at almost a $1 a gallon cheaper ($1.05 liter).

If this is posted late it’s because we were in the black hole of WiFi internet in the Yukon/BC.  There are northern  places in the Yukon on the Alaska Hwy that just isn’t good for getting out.  No explanation that I know of and I have asked. I guess it’s like the Bermuda Triangle of WifFi.

Update..We made it to Liard Hot Springs (393 miles) but no WiFi due to the black hole. We are staying across the street in a lot. It’s about 5 PM Sunday.  We fueled up ($1.28 liter) in Watson Lake at Tags across from the Sign Post Forrest. That makes it about 45 cents cheaper a galloon than when we came up. The road was real good.  Weather was rain/sunny/cloudy/rain. Very light traffic.  Saw 4 black bears and a big friggin heard of buffalo. The last bear we saw was out our front window at the Liard Hot Springs where we parked.  Here are some pics in the order taken. Click on to enlarge.

CSC_0011 DSC_0001 DSC_0006 DSC_0007  DSC_0021 DSC_0022 DSC_0026 DSC_0027 DSC_0030 DSC_0032 DSC_0034 DSC_0036  DSC_0047 DSC_0050 DSC_0039DSC_0051 DSC_0057 DSC_0059 DSC_0063 DSC_0070  DSC_0080 DSC_0086 DSC_0088 DSC_0089 DSC_0091  DSC_0100

 

Out our front window…watch the sign on the right.DSC_0106    DSC_0108DSC_0110DSC_0113DSC_0117

We have this slight front air problem…..stay tuned…DSC_0095

This is Sunday’s blog and will be posted Monday hopefully…….

5, 391 miles since leaving Sweetgrass, Montana. Day 77 since leaving Dawson Creek, BC and one day since leaving our friends….oink…oink…oink (it’s a term of endearment- had to be there).

See ya…..

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Alaska Day 76 Whitehorse

You know when I get around animals or birds I get very narrow in my thoughts/actions and that is getting that special picture.  So, we briefly met Karen & Fran in Haines while viewing bears at the time so I wasn’t very socialable – sorry. During our trip we have met others like so and so at that place – sorry…. also, Cool Judy and Luke and gang Frank/Gloria are here at Pioneer Park and we did socialize at the social hour.  No animals around if you don’t count the rental RV crowd. I couldn’t resist. DSC_0003-1

Today Carol & I went over our plans for exiting Canada and getting to Gillette on Monday 21 August. Our route will take us 2,400 more miles and 22 days.  We use Streets & Trips so it’s pretty easy. I also started putting destinations in our 2012 schedule. I had them on a paper calendar but I prefer Streets & Trips.

I put some country beef ribs in the crock pot this morning.  About 9 hours later I took them out. They just fell apart. Well, not grilling these things so it became hot beef BBQ  sandwiches for diner. They were good.

Marilyn & Larry……what a nice couple and the last couple we will depart from.  They were part of the “gang” and we will be departing them early tomorrow.  They were so gracious and thankful for being able to make this trip. Carol & I will miss their enthusiasm for adventure.  Thanks guys…

We lead the Loosey Goosey Last Frontier Gang and gave them the opportunity to do their own adventures. That was the job I volunteered for.  Now tomorrow we will be on our own after about 3 months.  It’s gonna seem sad and adventurous at the same time if that is possible.   It was friggin great.

It’s that time again - - - - - See ya……………

Friday, July 29, 2011

Alaska Day 75 Haines To Whitehorse

Toady started with goodbyes and ended with goodbyes.  RVers don’t say goodbye too often but they say See ya because they will sometime down the road see them again.  We said see ya to Pat & Jim  this morning.  It was sad.  We had fun with them and Jim was a blast at some of the 4 o'clocks/social hour too. Pat was comical too. They are getting on a ferry in their slide in camper truck and heading for new adventures via the waterway. This is something they planned.  Sharon & Don are staying in Haines and will catch the ferry over to Skagway Saturday and then drive to Whitehorse and meet up with Marilyn & Larry. They will then drive the Cassier Hwy together.  We will travel loosey goosey today with Marilyn & Larry and Mary & Gary. This means we don’t travel together but are going to the same area.

OK, here we go with pictures of the Haines Hwy then on to the Alaska Hwy to Whitehorse.DSC_0001

Bush aircraft down no details..It didn’t look good!DSC_0003

We had light rain during the early part of our 250 mile drive.DSC_0010

Construction for 13 miles which means no hard pavement.  About 40 miles MPH. DSC_0013

Here’s your worst enemy on this type of road. I pull over and stop.DSC_0016

Then it’s real nice roads.DSC_0022 DSC_0025 DSC_0030

In Haines Junction we get back on to the Alaska Hwy for smooth sailing.DSC_0033 DSC_0036

We arrive in Whitehorse and head for the Pioneer RV Park.  There we are greeted by one caravan already there and three came in while we where arriving.  What a zoo. I went to the RV self wash in the park and washed the RV and let the zoo straighten themselves out which they did. We got a back in site FHU (30AMP) with cable TV for $28 (Canadian).DSC_0038

Here’s are some pics of the caravans.  They went out of their way to places that we did not go nor want to.DSC_0039 DSC_0040 DSC_0041

We never got this dirty, not even close.

Marilyn & Larry arrived and came  over to socialize. Their on a site up the hill from us.  They plan to stay here until Sharon & Don arrive Sunday.DSC_0045

Where’s Mary & Gary.  About 9:30 PM Carol & I  decided to go looking for them.  We went to the brothels and they weren’t there. We went to the bars and they weren’t there, we went to the eateries and they weren’t there.  Then we went to Wal-Mart……duh. They  were amongst 30 or so other RVs. DSC_0046 DSC_0047

Here’s Gary & Mary. I’m sure you can see who’s who.DSC_0050

These two people have been with us since the very beginning of this trip. This was their first trip (driving) to Alaska and they enjoyed every minute as we did with them being along.  It was really great guys having you along.  See ya in January in Quartzsite….DSC_0049 DSC_0048

Our loosey goosey gang are separating and going down their own roads of new adventures. 

I was hesitant to lead 5 other RVs for 2 1/2 months and over 5,000 miles thru all sort of adventures including road conditions. I was warned and knew their would be problems with that many people traveling for that long and that many miles.  You know, there weren’t any problems of people getting along with each other. We all had all quirks but with the loosey goosey attitude – IT WORKED! I was glad that we lead this group and would not change the adventure that we all shared together for anything.  It was FRIGGIN great!…Thank you guys!……

See ya………………..