June 28th – Thurs – Wasilla/Anchorage
I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast but we had too many electric things running – fireplace, hot water tank, fridge & microwave – so first we blew a breaker and even after we turned off all but the microwave it took a long time to heat the convection oven and we were late finishing our breakfast. We all left just after 9 to sightsee in Anchorage.
Pat wanted to go to a film about the 1964 earthquake here so we headed there first. We walked through a lot of pictures & text about the earthquake and then attended a 15 minute film where the seats shook when the earthquake hit. The quake and tsunamis caused an incredible amount of damage including Valdez sliding into the ocean and having to be completely rebuilt. Several blocks of downtown Anchorage sank and had to be rebuilt after scraping out the sand layer that liquefied and caused so much earth movement.
We walked several blocks of a couple of streets downtown and visited 3 gift shops that offered free gifts in our coupon book. We drove to an Ulu (curved knife) factory and then watched people fishing as we walked along a river – Ship Creek - and across a couple of pedestrian bridges. We had a little drizzle but otherwise it was cloudy and quite cool. We went to Costco for lunch and no one bought anything else! We went to a Best Buy where Rick got a Garmin GPS and then we drove back to our RV park.
We got together at Rick & Pat’s for happy hour and tried to figure out what we are doing when we leave here on Saturday. We all headed to home for dinner.
June 29th – Fri – Wasilla area
We all drove about 12 miles back towards Anchorage and to a trailhead for Thunderbird Falls. There is a wide 1 mile long path with a viewing platform over the canyon at the halfway point and a stretch of boardwalk just before the viewing platform for the falls. We were the only vehicle parked when we started the walk but we passed a lot of people near the end as we were going back and there were many vehicles in the parking lot. It was a lovely walk to pretty but uninspiring falls.
Next we headed to Hatcher Pass but ran into road construction and a closed bridge. We decided to just return to Palmer and a Friday farmers’ market. On the way we stopped at a viewpoint to take pictures of the Matanuska River and stopped at the Musk Ox farm but only Margo really wanted to take a tour so we carried on to Palmer.
There were a lot of vendor tents set up for the 10th anniversary of the farmers’ market and a trio of women provided music. We all had something to eat for lunch and wandered around. We discovered that an unusual colonization effort during the depression brought 203 families from Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin to settle in Palmer. A lot of items around town – museum, plaques, signs – provide a lot of information about this event. Pat & I enjoyed walking through a large garden by the museum and taking pictures of flowers.
After a brief stop at the park, we went with Rick & Pat to get fuel, booze and a few groceries at the nearby WalMart. Then we both did laundry before happy hour. Margo did laundry when we were shopping so they went for groceries and joined us – of course – for happy hour.
The clouds have cleared and we are getting to see the tops of mountains around us.
We are leaving here tomorrow and are not sure if we will get wifi for a few days so I will post the blog tonight.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
June 25th to 27th - Denali to Wasilla
June 25th – Mon – to Denali
We barely had enough water for very quick showers this morning. The mosquitoes were really out when we dumped our tanks and put in fresh water. We checked the rear truck tire that was low in Tok and found that it was low again. Terry dug out his fairly new air pump and it would not work! So we had to find somewhere with an accessible air hose before we hit the Parks Highway. We finally found a lube business, aired up the tire and headed out about 9:30 for the 2 hour drive.
The clouds did not cooperate so we didn’t see Mt McKinley – aka Denali – from the highway. Dave & Margo had just finished checking into Denali Park RV and Motel when we arrived. They could not reach the power box from the first site they tried so we are parked together with Rick & Pat a few sites away.
It is quite a bit cooler here than the last couple of hot days in Fairbanks so we changed to long pants before going to check things out. We drove into the park, stopped at the visitors’ center, watched part of a film and looked at nicely done exhibits. Then we went back to the Wilderness Access area where Dave & Margo booked a trip into the park for tomorrow. We drove up a very steep, winding road to a large hotel complex (Grande Denali) where we wandered through a gift shop and took pictures from a beautiful viewing deck. We stopped at one touristy store in Denali village before deciding it was time to head back for happy hour.
At 8 we all left for “Dinner Nite” back at the village. It was a family style, all-you-can-eat salmon & ribs dinner with a musical “play” performed by the servers after dinner. Attendees are taken by a shuttle bus from a hotel to the log “cabin” on a “treacherous” road. Terry had to check this out earlier when we were driving and had to back out of a dead end to get out of the labyrinth of cabins as one road was blocked by an incapacitated truck being loaded onto a trailer by a forklift. We all enjoyed the evening and got back in full daylight at 10:45.
June 26th – Tues – Denali
Rain, rain, rain!! Dave & Margo left early for their bus trip. Pat ran over in the rain and invited us to have waffles & bacon for breakfast. Her new waffle iron was not working too well but we ended up with a lovely breakfast. It was still pouring rain so Terry went to our place and came back with the card shuffler so we could play a game of Ponytail canasta. The guys won a hard fought game.
We then went into Denali village and had lunch. We were heading for a place that advertised “fish & chips” but it was little & cold so we went to a larger place that advertised “halibut & chips”. None of us had the halibut but we had very good, late lunches. We wandered through a couple of tourist shops and then headed back to the RV park but first we drove to Healy so Rick could get diesel at $4.60 a gallon.
I made a batch of brownies so when Pat & Rick came over (after Rick had a nap), Pat, Terry & I had brownie sundaes for dinner. Shortly after Rick & Pat left, Dave & Margo returned from their 12 hour bus tour. We spoke with them long enough to see how their trip went – they were glad they went – and they were ready to call it a day. We watched TV for a while and headed for bed.
June 27th – Wed – to Wasilla
Our truck tire was low again when we were ready to leave so we borrowed Dave’s air pump to fill it and pulled out about 9. It was cloudy the entire way to Wasilla so we did not get to see Denali (Mt McKinley). We did not have enough fuel so we stopped at Cantwell and got $50 of diesel at $4.90 a gallon!! We also got a sandwich for an early lunch at Subway.
We were right behind Rick & Pat checking in at the Big Bear RV park between Wasilla & Palmer. The address is Palmer but it is close to Wasilla?! Dave & Margo were not too far behind. Once we set up, we decided that maybe we should stay for 3 days rather than the 2 that we paid for. So we checked with the others and all went to the office to pay for another day.
We all went our own way for a few hours. We went to a tire shop where they found a screw in the leaky tire and repaired it. Pat went to a chiropractor and then Rick got an oil change. Dave & Margo found a Mexican restaurant for a late lunch. We and Rick & Pat also stopped at a large WalMart for a few items. When we got back, I made a salad for us and then we went to Dave & Margo’s for HH. Rick & Pat had just returned as we were leaving so they joined us.
Back to our own rigs for dinner. We got General Tsao chicken at WalMart so I added teriyaki noodles from a mix for an easy dinner. There are still high clouds and we have the fireplace on but it is not raining.
We barely had enough water for very quick showers this morning. The mosquitoes were really out when we dumped our tanks and put in fresh water. We checked the rear truck tire that was low in Tok and found that it was low again. Terry dug out his fairly new air pump and it would not work! So we had to find somewhere with an accessible air hose before we hit the Parks Highway. We finally found a lube business, aired up the tire and headed out about 9:30 for the 2 hour drive.
The clouds did not cooperate so we didn’t see Mt McKinley – aka Denali – from the highway. Dave & Margo had just finished checking into Denali Park RV and Motel when we arrived. They could not reach the power box from the first site they tried so we are parked together with Rick & Pat a few sites away.
It is quite a bit cooler here than the last couple of hot days in Fairbanks so we changed to long pants before going to check things out. We drove into the park, stopped at the visitors’ center, watched part of a film and looked at nicely done exhibits. Then we went back to the Wilderness Access area where Dave & Margo booked a trip into the park for tomorrow. We drove up a very steep, winding road to a large hotel complex (Grande Denali) where we wandered through a gift shop and took pictures from a beautiful viewing deck. We stopped at one touristy store in Denali village before deciding it was time to head back for happy hour.
At 8 we all left for “Dinner Nite” back at the village. It was a family style, all-you-can-eat salmon & ribs dinner with a musical “play” performed by the servers after dinner. Attendees are taken by a shuttle bus from a hotel to the log “cabin” on a “treacherous” road. Terry had to check this out earlier when we were driving and had to back out of a dead end to get out of the labyrinth of cabins as one road was blocked by an incapacitated truck being loaded onto a trailer by a forklift. We all enjoyed the evening and got back in full daylight at 10:45.
June 26th – Tues – Denali
Rain, rain, rain!! Dave & Margo left early for their bus trip. Pat ran over in the rain and invited us to have waffles & bacon for breakfast. Her new waffle iron was not working too well but we ended up with a lovely breakfast. It was still pouring rain so Terry went to our place and came back with the card shuffler so we could play a game of Ponytail canasta. The guys won a hard fought game.
We then went into Denali village and had lunch. We were heading for a place that advertised “fish & chips” but it was little & cold so we went to a larger place that advertised “halibut & chips”. None of us had the halibut but we had very good, late lunches. We wandered through a couple of tourist shops and then headed back to the RV park but first we drove to Healy so Rick could get diesel at $4.60 a gallon.
I made a batch of brownies so when Pat & Rick came over (after Rick had a nap), Pat, Terry & I had brownie sundaes for dinner. Shortly after Rick & Pat left, Dave & Margo returned from their 12 hour bus tour. We spoke with them long enough to see how their trip went – they were glad they went – and they were ready to call it a day. We watched TV for a while and headed for bed.
June 27th – Wed – to Wasilla
Our truck tire was low again when we were ready to leave so we borrowed Dave’s air pump to fill it and pulled out about 9. It was cloudy the entire way to Wasilla so we did not get to see Denali (Mt McKinley). We did not have enough fuel so we stopped at Cantwell and got $50 of diesel at $4.90 a gallon!! We also got a sandwich for an early lunch at Subway.
We were right behind Rick & Pat checking in at the Big Bear RV park between Wasilla & Palmer. The address is Palmer but it is close to Wasilla?! Dave & Margo were not too far behind. Once we set up, we decided that maybe we should stay for 3 days rather than the 2 that we paid for. So we checked with the others and all went to the office to pay for another day.
We all went our own way for a few hours. We went to a tire shop where they found a screw in the leaky tire and repaired it. Pat went to a chiropractor and then Rick got an oil change. Dave & Margo found a Mexican restaurant for a late lunch. We and Rick & Pat also stopped at a large WalMart for a few items. When we got back, I made a salad for us and then we went to Dave & Margo’s for HH. Rick & Pat had just returned as we were leaving so they joined us.
Back to our own rigs for dinner. We got General Tsao chicken at WalMart so I added teriyaki noodles from a mix for an easy dinner. There are still high clouds and we have the fireplace on but it is not raining.
Monday, June 25, 2012
June 22nd to 24th - Fairbanks
June 22nd – Fri – Fairbanks
Some of us who don’t sleep as soundly had a terrible night. There was a large group camped beside Rick & Pat (across from us) and the kids played & screamed until after 2am! The parents were also outside with one female who laughed very loudly. Apparently Pat hollered at them to “shut up” about 10:30 but they ignored her or couldn’t hear her for all their noise. Terry & Dave didn’t hear a thing!!
We got a call early this morning from Neil & Robin wondering where we were and if we would be in Anchorage when they are going to be there in July. Dave & Margo were going for a walk so Terry convinced them to come in for coffee first. I was still in my PJs making reservations for a boat tour this afternoon.
After breakfast we all went to Pioneer Park only to find out that almost nothing opens before noon. We decided to go on a walking tour of downtown and were detoured when we saw a sign for the Morris Thompson museum which I thought Barb told us to see if we could. Turns out it was the wrong place but we all enjoyed the beautifully done exhibits and then walked a short path into town, checked out one store (where Rick finally found shoelaces that he has been looking for) and returned to the truck.
We went back and walked around Pioneer Park. Not all buildings are being used this year and some businesses were still not open so we went to a Denneys for lunch. We finished at the right time to go on our riverboat tour. The weather was wonderful – even hot – and everyone enjoyed the paddle wheel boat trip and presentations in the native “village”.
We dropped everyone off at the park and went to check out the huge Fred Meyer store nearby and to buy rolls & dessert for dinner. Dave & Margo made salmon for all of us for dinner and we sat outside to eat. There are some mosquitoes but we all had bug repellant on and weren’t bothered. Dave burned the firewood that he brought from Liard Hot Springs and I think that helped deter the bugs.
July 23rd – Sat – Fairbanks
We all headed in different directions this morning to do laundry and wash trucks. Pat & Margo went to the same laundromat but after they left I found a different one that just happened to have a car wash right beside it so Terry could wash the truck. I was waiting for the laundry so I could feed quarters into the car wash to keep it going.
After lunch, Dave & Margo went kayaking while we and Rick & Pat went on a “gold mine tour” that had a little train and went past a dredge. We did the tour 5 years ago but didn’t really recognize the area when Rick’s GPS led us to a closed road and then the tour seemed quite different. The tour moved from the Eldorado gold claim to Dredge 8 so of course we didn’t remember it! Rick got quite a few flakes of gold when we tried gold panning but Pat only got 2 so she received another little sack of concentrate and got more flakes. Their gold was valued at $42 but we didn’t stand in line to get ours weighed. After we wandered through the buildings & gift shop and ate cookies, we went back to the panning troughs, scooped up gravel from the bottom, worked it again and all got more flakes of gold.
We stopped at Papa Murphy’s pizza on the way back to get some breadsticks to add to Pat’s deep fried shrimp & chicken for dinner. We had finished eating and were chatting when raindrops sent us all inside. Pat came by later and asked if I wanted to go for a walk so we went to see a 10k run that was supposed to close the entrance to the RV park from 9 to 11. Turns out the race didn’t even start until 10. We watched a lot of runners go by and then raindrops and enough standing sent us home about 10:45.
July 24th – Sun – Fairbanks
The day dawned bright and sunny and we actually slept in until 8:30! Dave & Margo and Rick & Pat went kayaking. They put their kayaks in right here at the park and went upstream a ways. We did a little checking to see why we were getting so much dust in the 5th wheel and why a section of carpet was wet a few days ago. Turns out that when we blew a tire in Colorado last year, the repair shop did not replace a section of waterproof/dustproof fabric under the floor. Terry figured that spray caulking would seal it up so we went in search of the product. Of course the only empty slot in Fred Meyer was the one we wanted. We picked up a few groceries, found what we needed at another store and Terry made the repair just as the others were returning from their paddle.
After lunch we all went downtown to check out the Summer Solstice Festival. There were lots of vendor tents lining the streets, large crowds and three entertainment stages. We wandered around for a couple of hours enjoying the sunshine, entertainment and people watching.
We all made our own dinners. Dave & Margo had gone shopping and then stopped by for a bit before Rick & Pat came over to play cards. Pat & I broke the pattern by shuffling the cards by hand once instead of using the shuffler and we ended up winning.
Some of us who don’t sleep as soundly had a terrible night. There was a large group camped beside Rick & Pat (across from us) and the kids played & screamed until after 2am! The parents were also outside with one female who laughed very loudly. Apparently Pat hollered at them to “shut up” about 10:30 but they ignored her or couldn’t hear her for all their noise. Terry & Dave didn’t hear a thing!!
We got a call early this morning from Neil & Robin wondering where we were and if we would be in Anchorage when they are going to be there in July. Dave & Margo were going for a walk so Terry convinced them to come in for coffee first. I was still in my PJs making reservations for a boat tour this afternoon.
After breakfast we all went to Pioneer Park only to find out that almost nothing opens before noon. We decided to go on a walking tour of downtown and were detoured when we saw a sign for the Morris Thompson museum which I thought Barb told us to see if we could. Turns out it was the wrong place but we all enjoyed the beautifully done exhibits and then walked a short path into town, checked out one store (where Rick finally found shoelaces that he has been looking for) and returned to the truck.
We went back and walked around Pioneer Park. Not all buildings are being used this year and some businesses were still not open so we went to a Denneys for lunch. We finished at the right time to go on our riverboat tour. The weather was wonderful – even hot – and everyone enjoyed the paddle wheel boat trip and presentations in the native “village”.
We dropped everyone off at the park and went to check out the huge Fred Meyer store nearby and to buy rolls & dessert for dinner. Dave & Margo made salmon for all of us for dinner and we sat outside to eat. There are some mosquitoes but we all had bug repellant on and weren’t bothered. Dave burned the firewood that he brought from Liard Hot Springs and I think that helped deter the bugs.
July 23rd – Sat – Fairbanks
We all headed in different directions this morning to do laundry and wash trucks. Pat & Margo went to the same laundromat but after they left I found a different one that just happened to have a car wash right beside it so Terry could wash the truck. I was waiting for the laundry so I could feed quarters into the car wash to keep it going.
After lunch, Dave & Margo went kayaking while we and Rick & Pat went on a “gold mine tour” that had a little train and went past a dredge. We did the tour 5 years ago but didn’t really recognize the area when Rick’s GPS led us to a closed road and then the tour seemed quite different. The tour moved from the Eldorado gold claim to Dredge 8 so of course we didn’t remember it! Rick got quite a few flakes of gold when we tried gold panning but Pat only got 2 so she received another little sack of concentrate and got more flakes. Their gold was valued at $42 but we didn’t stand in line to get ours weighed. After we wandered through the buildings & gift shop and ate cookies, we went back to the panning troughs, scooped up gravel from the bottom, worked it again and all got more flakes of gold.
We stopped at Papa Murphy’s pizza on the way back to get some breadsticks to add to Pat’s deep fried shrimp & chicken for dinner. We had finished eating and were chatting when raindrops sent us all inside. Pat came by later and asked if I wanted to go for a walk so we went to see a 10k run that was supposed to close the entrance to the RV park from 9 to 11. Turns out the race didn’t even start until 10. We watched a lot of runners go by and then raindrops and enough standing sent us home about 10:45.
July 24th – Sun – Fairbanks
The day dawned bright and sunny and we actually slept in until 8:30! Dave & Margo and Rick & Pat went kayaking. They put their kayaks in right here at the park and went upstream a ways. We did a little checking to see why we were getting so much dust in the 5th wheel and why a section of carpet was wet a few days ago. Turns out that when we blew a tire in Colorado last year, the repair shop did not replace a section of waterproof/dustproof fabric under the floor. Terry figured that spray caulking would seal it up so we went in search of the product. Of course the only empty slot in Fred Meyer was the one we wanted. We picked up a few groceries, found what we needed at another store and Terry made the repair just as the others were returning from their paddle.
After lunch we all went downtown to check out the Summer Solstice Festival. There were lots of vendor tents lining the streets, large crowds and three entertainment stages. We wandered around for a couple of hours enjoying the sunshine, entertainment and people watching.
We all made our own dinners. Dave & Margo had gone shopping and then stopped by for a bit before Rick & Pat came over to play cards. Pat & I broke the pattern by shuffling the cards by hand once instead of using the shuffler and we ended up winning.
Friday, June 22, 2012
June 20th to 21st - to Tok & Fairbanks
June 20th – Wed – to Tok
We left early and were 3rd in line for the ferry just before 7 which was making its first run after the weekly 5am to 7am maintenance. Dave was right behind us and hadn’t hooked up his car as he thought he would be waiting in the ferry line. So Margo got on the ferry with the car and Dave ended up waiting for 2 more trips as some tour buses were allowed on first.
The road was quite good on the Top of the World Highway to Chicken and the scenery was as wonderful as the first time we drove the road. It rained a bit now and then which kept the dust down somewhat. Again, we were 3rd in line – different rigs ahead of us! - when we reached the border crossing a couple of minutes before it opened at 9. We stopped at Chicken to check out the gift shop and have some breakfast. We were eating when Dave & Margo stopped so we waited for them while they ate and then we all drove into “old” Chicken before continuing down the road.
With an hour time change to Alaska time, we arrived in Tok at 1:20. We had selected an RV park last night which was on the far end of town so we drove through. We needed diesel and saw a station that advertised “free wash with fill up” so we pulled in. They also had an accessible air hose and Terry checked all the tires. Then we lined up for the wash area which had 2 spots with high pressure wash wands. The guy ahead of us had a large 5th wheel and was being very meticulous about spraying it which took a long time. When it was our turn, one of us sprayed while the other used a bucket & brush which made it go much faster. Dave was already done and on to the RV park (Tundra RV) when we finished. Rick made the mistake of filling up as he got into town and missed the wash so they were also at the RV park when we arrived.
Terry put out a couple of chairs to enjoy a drink in the sun but then we all went to Rick & Pat’s. The chairs were filled with water not too much later when a heavy rainstorm passed through. Terry unhooked so we could all go back to a large gift/souvenir shop in Tok. He bought a favorite jacket there 5 years ago and the zipper started to tear about a week ago. Unfortunately they had only one style of men’s jacket and it wasn’t quite right. We got a propane tank filled on the way back.
We all did our own thing for dinner and retired early. The RV sites are set in trees which help dim the late sunshine.
Jun 21st – Thurs – to Fairbanks
We had lovely sunshine with just a few rain showers to mess up our vehicles on the 189 mile trip to Fairbanks today. There are big mountains beyond the wide highway clearing at first but then it is pretty much the same, straight roads most of the rest of the way. We stopped at Delta Junction for the obligatory pictures at the “end of the Alaska Highway” marker at the visitor center, continued about 8 miles and stopped at Big Delta State Historical Park and Rika’s Roadhouse for a bite to eat. We wandered around the grounds and checked out old & restored buildings before eating – cinnamon buns again for most, rhubarb pie for Margo and a sandwich for me as I had cookies for breakfast. Then it was on to North Pole and Santa Claus House (after one wrong turn!) where Terry found a jacket and Pat & Margo sent postcards so they would be postmarked from the North Pole.
As we were following the GPS to the Elks’ club where we were going to stay, we ran into road construction and the road we needed was closed. After a slight detour through awful bumps, we found the Elks facility and decided we did not want to stay in the narrow spots with the noise from some plant nearby for company. I was trying to call a park that I called last night when we remembered Pioneer Park in town allows overnight camping. As we were driving there, I found the number for Chena Wayside RV in a state park, changed the GPS and immediately led us all into a dead end road!! We all managed to turn around, drove past Pioneer Park without being able to turn across traffic into it and stopped on a residential street to figure out what to do next. A lady told us how to get back on the street in the correct direction and we headed to Chena RV but this was definitely not our day. This time, we drove past an RV park and arrived at the address almost in the middle of the river. Terry pulled into a business to turn around, Rick couldn’t get into the left lane to follow us but Dave made it in behind us. I called the RV park again for directions to find the entry at the address in the Milepost is closed! She gave me instructions so once Rick was heading back in our direction, we pulled out, formed our convoy again and found the park. Keep in mind that we are in the city with traffic & stop lights and trying to get 3 long rigs through left turn lights!
We managed to find 3 sites close to each other and pulled in. The sites don’t have electric or water but we all have generators, full water and empty holding tanks so all is good. After walking up to register & pay, we and Rick & Pat went shopping at Safeway and picked up a coupon book for 2-for-1 activities in Alaska. We got Papa Murphy pizzas for dinner and beer to go with the pizza. Pat & I didn’t know how we were going to fit family size pizzas in our little ovens but I just had to squish in the sides and trim off a bit to square up the round baking sheet that they come with. Rick & Pat brought drinks over and then Pat went to get her pizza so we could bake it here as well and share the 2 different selections.
We tried to get our wifi to work with limited success. After Rick & Pat left, I tried the park wifi and it works great so I will post this long rambling blog.
We left early and were 3rd in line for the ferry just before 7 which was making its first run after the weekly 5am to 7am maintenance. Dave was right behind us and hadn’t hooked up his car as he thought he would be waiting in the ferry line. So Margo got on the ferry with the car and Dave ended up waiting for 2 more trips as some tour buses were allowed on first.
The road was quite good on the Top of the World Highway to Chicken and the scenery was as wonderful as the first time we drove the road. It rained a bit now and then which kept the dust down somewhat. Again, we were 3rd in line – different rigs ahead of us! - when we reached the border crossing a couple of minutes before it opened at 9. We stopped at Chicken to check out the gift shop and have some breakfast. We were eating when Dave & Margo stopped so we waited for them while they ate and then we all drove into “old” Chicken before continuing down the road.
With an hour time change to Alaska time, we arrived in Tok at 1:20. We had selected an RV park last night which was on the far end of town so we drove through. We needed diesel and saw a station that advertised “free wash with fill up” so we pulled in. They also had an accessible air hose and Terry checked all the tires. Then we lined up for the wash area which had 2 spots with high pressure wash wands. The guy ahead of us had a large 5th wheel and was being very meticulous about spraying it which took a long time. When it was our turn, one of us sprayed while the other used a bucket & brush which made it go much faster. Dave was already done and on to the RV park (Tundra RV) when we finished. Rick made the mistake of filling up as he got into town and missed the wash so they were also at the RV park when we arrived.
Terry put out a couple of chairs to enjoy a drink in the sun but then we all went to Rick & Pat’s. The chairs were filled with water not too much later when a heavy rainstorm passed through. Terry unhooked so we could all go back to a large gift/souvenir shop in Tok. He bought a favorite jacket there 5 years ago and the zipper started to tear about a week ago. Unfortunately they had only one style of men’s jacket and it wasn’t quite right. We got a propane tank filled on the way back.
We all did our own thing for dinner and retired early. The RV sites are set in trees which help dim the late sunshine.
Jun 21st – Thurs – to Fairbanks
We had lovely sunshine with just a few rain showers to mess up our vehicles on the 189 mile trip to Fairbanks today. There are big mountains beyond the wide highway clearing at first but then it is pretty much the same, straight roads most of the rest of the way. We stopped at Delta Junction for the obligatory pictures at the “end of the Alaska Highway” marker at the visitor center, continued about 8 miles and stopped at Big Delta State Historical Park and Rika’s Roadhouse for a bite to eat. We wandered around the grounds and checked out old & restored buildings before eating – cinnamon buns again for most, rhubarb pie for Margo and a sandwich for me as I had cookies for breakfast. Then it was on to North Pole and Santa Claus House (after one wrong turn!) where Terry found a jacket and Pat & Margo sent postcards so they would be postmarked from the North Pole.
As we were following the GPS to the Elks’ club where we were going to stay, we ran into road construction and the road we needed was closed. After a slight detour through awful bumps, we found the Elks facility and decided we did not want to stay in the narrow spots with the noise from some plant nearby for company. I was trying to call a park that I called last night when we remembered Pioneer Park in town allows overnight camping. As we were driving there, I found the number for Chena Wayside RV in a state park, changed the GPS and immediately led us all into a dead end road!! We all managed to turn around, drove past Pioneer Park without being able to turn across traffic into it and stopped on a residential street to figure out what to do next. A lady told us how to get back on the street in the correct direction and we headed to Chena RV but this was definitely not our day. This time, we drove past an RV park and arrived at the address almost in the middle of the river. Terry pulled into a business to turn around, Rick couldn’t get into the left lane to follow us but Dave made it in behind us. I called the RV park again for directions to find the entry at the address in the Milepost is closed! She gave me instructions so once Rick was heading back in our direction, we pulled out, formed our convoy again and found the park. Keep in mind that we are in the city with traffic & stop lights and trying to get 3 long rigs through left turn lights!
We managed to find 3 sites close to each other and pulled in. The sites don’t have electric or water but we all have generators, full water and empty holding tanks so all is good. After walking up to register & pay, we and Rick & Pat went shopping at Safeway and picked up a coupon book for 2-for-1 activities in Alaska. We got Papa Murphy pizzas for dinner and beer to go with the pizza. Pat & I didn’t know how we were going to fit family size pizzas in our little ovens but I just had to squish in the sides and trim off a bit to square up the round baking sheet that they come with. Rick & Pat brought drinks over and then Pat went to get her pizza so we could bake it here as well and share the 2 different selections.
We tried to get our wifi to work with limited success. After Rick & Pat left, I tried the park wifi and it works great so I will post this long rambling blog.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
June 17th to 19th - Dawson City
June 17th- Sun – to Dawson City
You may begin to see a pattern here – about 60 miles down the road this morning we all stopped for HUGE cinnamon buns. We saw them in a film that we viewed yesterday and asked at the visitor center where we could find them. For anyone interested, they were at Braeburn Lodge and would nearly have fed the 4 people as advertised. We took some with us and we are big eaters! We stopped to view Five Fingers rapids but didn’t walk down the 219 stairs to get closer to the river. Terry & I stopped for an excellent lunch at Moose Creek Lodge as we felt it was time for something besides sweets.
We got diesel at Dawson City RV Park before we parked. We were really watching the gas gauge as it was right on the bottom. The price of diesel is very high here - $1.59 per liter – and it cost $199 to fill the tank! We were kind of expecting that but it is still a shock.
Pat called last night to make reservations and they and Dave & Margo ended up having to get different sites as there was someone in the sites that they were originally assigned. Then it turned out that there was no cable TV as advertised so Terry wasn’t too happy. We had dinner and were all going to go into Dawson City but it ended up being only us and Pat in the pouring rain. Of course the sun is high in the sky until after we go to bed – sunset about 11:30 or later – so you don’t feel like it is bedtime.
June 18th – Mon – Dawson City
We all headed to the visitor center this morning. Since it wasn’t raining, we decided to take a walking tour of town that started at 9:30. We had a wonderful tour guide and the one hour tour was loosely based on “Weird ways to make money in Dawson City”. We had a good lunch before heading out of town a few miles to tour Dredge #4. After the tour we viewed an old film of gold dredging and drove a little further out to see a small gold mining operation.
Back to town to the Native cultural center where visited the gift shop but decided not to pay to tour the center. We leaned on a railing for some time and enjoyed watching traffic on the Yukon River in the lovely sunshine.
Rick, Pat, Margo & I went to the Commissioner’s House for yet another informative tour & film. There were some very strong women playing a part in the development of the Yukon. Dave & Terry had elected to have a beer so we joined them after the tour. Then it was back to the RV park for everyone to have dinner.
About 7:30ish we all loaded into the truck again to go back into town – less than a couple of miles – to watch a show at Diamond Tooth Gertie’s which is a show hall & casino. Before we watched the 8:30 show, Pat, Terry & I did a little gambling. When the show was over, we had to get rid of the rest of our tokens while the others finished a drink. Then it was only a short wait until the 10:30 show. After that show, we drove up to Midnight Dome which is a hill with a view over the whole city & surrounding area. It was 11:30 when we were up there and we would have had to wait another hour to see the sun set. It is a big deal here to celebrate the summer solstice (June 21st) on the Dome to watch the sun set and come back up shortly after.
June 19th- Tues
Rick brought over a chicken for me to put in the crock pot before he & Pat left for a trip to Tombstone Park about 25 miles up the Dempster Highway. I got laundry ready and we headed to town where we were going to wash clothes and meet Dave & Margo who were riding their bikes to town. The lovely, new laundry facility was closed due to construction when we got there so we shopped a bit until Margo called us. We met them and continued wandering down the main street in the beautiful sunshine. We eventually had lunch and went back to check the laundry as it was supposed to open at noon. Nope, guess Yukon time is different!! So we came back to use the tiny laundry facilities in the park – 3 washers & driers. We finally got it done, put away and the bed made. Then we picked up Dave & Margo and went back to town for an ice cream cone which we enjoyed on a bench outside the shop. When we got back, Rick & Pat had returned and it was time for happy hour and dinner. Pat made roasted veggies to go with the chicken and I made a salad. Then we introduced Dave & Margo to 3-2-1 cake for dessert.
We did some research for campgrounds in Tok & Fairbanks as we are leaving tomorrow for Alaska. Terry dumped the tanks while I caught up the blog so we can leave early in the morning to beat the line at the ferry across the Yukon River.
You may begin to see a pattern here – about 60 miles down the road this morning we all stopped for HUGE cinnamon buns. We saw them in a film that we viewed yesterday and asked at the visitor center where we could find them. For anyone interested, they were at Braeburn Lodge and would nearly have fed the 4 people as advertised. We took some with us and we are big eaters! We stopped to view Five Fingers rapids but didn’t walk down the 219 stairs to get closer to the river. Terry & I stopped for an excellent lunch at Moose Creek Lodge as we felt it was time for something besides sweets.
We got diesel at Dawson City RV Park before we parked. We were really watching the gas gauge as it was right on the bottom. The price of diesel is very high here - $1.59 per liter – and it cost $199 to fill the tank! We were kind of expecting that but it is still a shock.
Pat called last night to make reservations and they and Dave & Margo ended up having to get different sites as there was someone in the sites that they were originally assigned. Then it turned out that there was no cable TV as advertised so Terry wasn’t too happy. We had dinner and were all going to go into Dawson City but it ended up being only us and Pat in the pouring rain. Of course the sun is high in the sky until after we go to bed – sunset about 11:30 or later – so you don’t feel like it is bedtime.
June 18th – Mon – Dawson City
We all headed to the visitor center this morning. Since it wasn’t raining, we decided to take a walking tour of town that started at 9:30. We had a wonderful tour guide and the one hour tour was loosely based on “Weird ways to make money in Dawson City”. We had a good lunch before heading out of town a few miles to tour Dredge #4. After the tour we viewed an old film of gold dredging and drove a little further out to see a small gold mining operation.
Back to town to the Native cultural center where visited the gift shop but decided not to pay to tour the center. We leaned on a railing for some time and enjoyed watching traffic on the Yukon River in the lovely sunshine.
Rick, Pat, Margo & I went to the Commissioner’s House for yet another informative tour & film. There were some very strong women playing a part in the development of the Yukon. Dave & Terry had elected to have a beer so we joined them after the tour. Then it was back to the RV park for everyone to have dinner.
About 7:30ish we all loaded into the truck again to go back into town – less than a couple of miles – to watch a show at Diamond Tooth Gertie’s which is a show hall & casino. Before we watched the 8:30 show, Pat, Terry & I did a little gambling. When the show was over, we had to get rid of the rest of our tokens while the others finished a drink. Then it was only a short wait until the 10:30 show. After that show, we drove up to Midnight Dome which is a hill with a view over the whole city & surrounding area. It was 11:30 when we were up there and we would have had to wait another hour to see the sun set. It is a big deal here to celebrate the summer solstice (June 21st) on the Dome to watch the sun set and come back up shortly after.
June 19th- Tues
Rick brought over a chicken for me to put in the crock pot before he & Pat left for a trip to Tombstone Park about 25 miles up the Dempster Highway. I got laundry ready and we headed to town where we were going to wash clothes and meet Dave & Margo who were riding their bikes to town. The lovely, new laundry facility was closed due to construction when we got there so we shopped a bit until Margo called us. We met them and continued wandering down the main street in the beautiful sunshine. We eventually had lunch and went back to check the laundry as it was supposed to open at noon. Nope, guess Yukon time is different!! So we came back to use the tiny laundry facilities in the park – 3 washers & driers. We finally got it done, put away and the bed made. Then we picked up Dave & Margo and went back to town for an ice cream cone which we enjoyed on a bench outside the shop. When we got back, Rick & Pat had returned and it was time for happy hour and dinner. Pat made roasted veggies to go with the chicken and I made a salad. Then we introduced Dave & Margo to 3-2-1 cake for dessert.
We did some research for campgrounds in Tok & Fairbanks as we are leaving tomorrow for Alaska. Terry dumped the tanks while I caught up the blog so we can leave early in the morning to beat the line at the ferry across the Yukon River.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
June 14th to 16th - Watson Lake to Whitehorse
June 14th – Thurs – to Watson Lake
We all left about 8:30 this morning with overcast skies. Shortly after leaving Liard, we saw a couple of large herds of bison and then a few smaller groups. We also saw 6 bears and a fox. We made one stop to take pictures of the huge Liard River and pulled into Downtown RV park just before lunch. Margo & Pat both headed for the laundry room before the park filled up.
After we had lunch, went looking for a bulb for our kitchen pendant light and filled up with diesel. We helped Dave & Margo make a sign for the signpost forest and then we all went for a nice walk around Wye Lake which is right across the road. We got back in time for happy hour at our place.
After dinner, we played Ponytail Canasta with Rick & Pat. I am sorry to report that the guys won.
June 15th – Fri – Watson Lake
We were just about ready to eat breakfast when Dave stopped in this morning so we chatted with him while we ate. He and Margo had already been out for a walk and stopped at a little café with fresh baked goodies. At 10 we all went to the signpost forest to put up our signs. We put one up when we were here 5 years ago but couldn’t remember exactly where it was. We found a small spot, put up our sign and took pictures. As I walked away I saw our old sign 3 posts down from the one we just put up. You have to know the size of the place and the number of signs to realize how weird that was. After the others put up signs, we found Dennis & Gloria’s sign (she had told me where it was) and took pictures. We all went to the visitor center and watched a short film on the Yukon and then came back to make lunch.
At 1 we went to the Northern Lights center (planetarium) to see a 50 minute presentation on the sky and on aurora borealis (northern lights). We stopped at “Hougen’s Department Store” and the grocery store and then decided to drive to the actual Watson Lake which is out by the airport. It is a very large lake without much development around it.
Once again it was time for happy hour. I did some dinner prep as I had put a roast in the crock pot and invited the others for dinner. We were only 5 for dinner as Rick had a nasty headache and went to bed. After dinner we taught Dave, Margo & Pat to play Wizard and we played 3 games.
June 16th – Sat – to Whitehorse
We left shortly after Dave & Margo about 7:30 in drizzly weather. We stopped at Rancheria Falls and took a quick walk to the falls, passing Dave & Margo on their way back. We tried to get some breakfast at 10:45 at Teslin but they had just stopped serving breakfast so we carried on and ended up stopping for another cinnamon bun which was good but not as good as the one we had a couple of days ago. We chatted a bit with 2 couples from Cheyenne WY.
When we got to Whitehorse, we looked for a tire dealer as one of our 5th wheel tires was wearing quite badly on one edge. We had to try twice to get into Fountain Tire who sells Goodyear and then they didn’t have the right size. We had to wiggle our way out through a parking lot and found a Kal Tire who did have the same tire that we bought in Prince George for our spare. We passed Dave & Margo on the way to the tire store and they and Rick & Pat wondered where we were by the time we got the tire on and joined them at WalMart where we had planned to stay overnight. They were in the main parking lot but we saw a large empty area towards the back of the store so we all moved there.
Terry unhooked our truck so we could all go sightseeing. We drove through town, stopped at the visitor center and watched a film, went to a park with a large sternwheeler – S.S. Klondike – watched another good film and took a tour of the boat. We filled up with diesel before hooking back up. We all went shopping at Canadian Tire next door and at WalMart before Rick & Pat joined us for a drink. Dave & Margo passed on HH as Margo was cutting their hair.
After dinner, Rick & Pat came over for more canasta. I guess Pat & I are just keeping our guys happy and/or we cannot figure out how they are cheating to win every time!!
We all left about 8:30 this morning with overcast skies. Shortly after leaving Liard, we saw a couple of large herds of bison and then a few smaller groups. We also saw 6 bears and a fox. We made one stop to take pictures of the huge Liard River and pulled into Downtown RV park just before lunch. Margo & Pat both headed for the laundry room before the park filled up.
After we had lunch, went looking for a bulb for our kitchen pendant light and filled up with diesel. We helped Dave & Margo make a sign for the signpost forest and then we all went for a nice walk around Wye Lake which is right across the road. We got back in time for happy hour at our place.
After dinner, we played Ponytail Canasta with Rick & Pat. I am sorry to report that the guys won.
June 15th – Fri – Watson Lake
We were just about ready to eat breakfast when Dave stopped in this morning so we chatted with him while we ate. He and Margo had already been out for a walk and stopped at a little café with fresh baked goodies. At 10 we all went to the signpost forest to put up our signs. We put one up when we were here 5 years ago but couldn’t remember exactly where it was. We found a small spot, put up our sign and took pictures. As I walked away I saw our old sign 3 posts down from the one we just put up. You have to know the size of the place and the number of signs to realize how weird that was. After the others put up signs, we found Dennis & Gloria’s sign (she had told me where it was) and took pictures. We all went to the visitor center and watched a short film on the Yukon and then came back to make lunch.
At 1 we went to the Northern Lights center (planetarium) to see a 50 minute presentation on the sky and on aurora borealis (northern lights). We stopped at “Hougen’s Department Store” and the grocery store and then decided to drive to the actual Watson Lake which is out by the airport. It is a very large lake without much development around it.
Once again it was time for happy hour. I did some dinner prep as I had put a roast in the crock pot and invited the others for dinner. We were only 5 for dinner as Rick had a nasty headache and went to bed. After dinner we taught Dave, Margo & Pat to play Wizard and we played 3 games.
June 16th – Sat – to Whitehorse
We left shortly after Dave & Margo about 7:30 in drizzly weather. We stopped at Rancheria Falls and took a quick walk to the falls, passing Dave & Margo on their way back. We tried to get some breakfast at 10:45 at Teslin but they had just stopped serving breakfast so we carried on and ended up stopping for another cinnamon bun which was good but not as good as the one we had a couple of days ago. We chatted a bit with 2 couples from Cheyenne WY.
When we got to Whitehorse, we looked for a tire dealer as one of our 5th wheel tires was wearing quite badly on one edge. We had to try twice to get into Fountain Tire who sells Goodyear and then they didn’t have the right size. We had to wiggle our way out through a parking lot and found a Kal Tire who did have the same tire that we bought in Prince George for our spare. We passed Dave & Margo on the way to the tire store and they and Rick & Pat wondered where we were by the time we got the tire on and joined them at WalMart where we had planned to stay overnight. They were in the main parking lot but we saw a large empty area towards the back of the store so we all moved there.
Terry unhooked our truck so we could all go sightseeing. We drove through town, stopped at the visitor center and watched a film, went to a park with a large sternwheeler – S.S. Klondike – watched another good film and took a tour of the boat. We filled up with diesel before hooking back up. We all went shopping at Canadian Tire next door and at WalMart before Rick & Pat joined us for a drink. Dave & Margo passed on HH as Margo was cutting their hair.
After dinner, Rick & Pat came over for more canasta. I guess Pat & I are just keeping our guys happy and/or we cannot figure out how they are cheating to win every time!!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
June 11th to 13th - to Ft. Nelson & Liard Hot Springs
June 11th – Mon - Ft Nelson
We and Dave & Margo pulled out a little before Rick & Pat as we fueled up before hitting the highway. We stopped in Ft. St. John for breakfast, Dave & Margo stopped on the far side of Ft. St. John for pie and Rick & Pat stopped at the Pink Mountain for diesel. Rick has a short bed truck so his fuel tank is only 26 gallons compared to ours which is 36 gallons. The roads that we will be travelling have sporadic gas stations with unreliable hours so you don’t want to run short or count on a certain spot for fuel.
We saw Rick & Pat pulled over about 60 miles from Fort Nelson so we, and then Dave & Margo, pulled in to chat and stretch our legs. Rick had picked up a young man who was hitchhiking as his truck broke down. Pat was making lunch so we took the very nice, polite hitchhiker into Fort Nelson with us and dropped him off at an auto repair store. We fueled up at $1.50 a litre – ran the tank way too far down!! – and checked into the Three G’s RV park.
Employees at the park were very busy so the owner (Glenda) showed Terry where we were going to park and then Terry showed Rick & Dave. Rick drove into a long site and then we backed in behind him. Rick saw that there wouldn’t be enough room for both of us to stay hooked up to the trucks so he pulled his rig ahead and unhooked – what a guy!
We had coupons for 2-for-1 appies at the restaurant/bar in the RV park so after one drink we all went there. We & Rick & Pat returned for light dinners while Dave & Margo stayed for another drink and to watch the Stanley Cup hockey game.
We all retired to our own rigs for the rest of the evening. A temporary road, first for trucks only, is supposed to open tonight or early tomorrow.
June 12th – Tues - Liard Hot Springs
The weather was nice this morning and we had reservations at Liard Hot Springs so we didn’t leave at the crack of dawn like many others in the park. Instead, we all walked to the museum just down the road. We saw it when we were here previously, Rick & Dave didn’t really want to go and Margo & Pat decided not to walk there in the rain yesterday. Today everyone went and we were all happy that we did. We toured inside the main building and then went to the “garage” where an old guy with long white hair & beard had just opened the building. He was riding a bicycle with a rear wheel that turned like the front wheel but just by shifting your weight. He gave us a guided, private tour of the vehicles in the building and then followed us to a Hudson’s Bay employee residence where we had another tour. He demonstrated a wood splitting contraption – actually worked – and opened a trapper’s cabin for yet another Q&A session. Turns out he was Marl Brown who started the museum.
We left about 11 and stopped for cinnamon buns about 12:30. They were fresh, very good and expensive. I had been looking at our blog for our previous trip and we had seen way less wildlife this time. But that was about to get changed. We saw 3 bears, 13 stone sheep, 2 moose and 2 buffalo.
Liard Hot Springs provincial park campground was very full when we arrived about 3. We couldn’t get into our assigned site as it dropped off from the road and our 5th wheel would hit the sides of the truck. The employee mentioned that it might be a problem and if so we should take site 34 which turned out to be occupied. We went back to the entrance where Rick & Pat were just registering as they had stopped for fuel. The employee was a little frazzled and told us to take any empty spot so we took one that had a ticket on the post saying “One night only”. Terry walked back to tell her and she said no problem.
We went to Rick & Pat’s for happy hour at 4:30. Pat made nachos which spoiled our appetites but we knew we needed something more to eat before going to the hot springs. I made a smaller than usual amount of stir fry and we were ready to join the others to walk on the boardwalk to the hot springs at 7:30. We had a nice, long, hot soak which left us very relaxed and ready for bed – early!
June 13th – Wed
Terry fell asleep earlier than I did so he was up at 7 when he could start the generator to make coffee & start the furnace as it got quite cold last night. I got up shortly after but uncharacteristically stayed in my PJs to have coffee & read. Dave & Margo knocked on the door not too long after (they had been for a long walk!) to ask if we wanted to go to their place for coffee. I think after they saw me in PJs they agreed to go get their blueberry muffins-in-a-cake-pan and join us for coffee. After they left and I dressed, I was looking out the window and saw a big buffalo wandering down the side of the road. I took one picture through the window and then Terry went out to take more pictures. Later we heard 5 gunshots as a park ranger ran the animal out of the park and across the road.
At 11 we went to the hot springs again. Rick & Pat didn’t join us in the water but walked there and took pictures. We were going to make baby back ribs for dinner but decided to have them for a late lunch instead. We had a salad while they boiled and then ate some cookies pieces (Terry dropped the bag!) before finally putting the ribs on the BBQ and finishing our meal.
We all went to Dave & Margo’s for happy hour. On an earlier walk we picked up leftover firewood and planned to have a fire. We barely got the fire started when it began to rain and we moved under the awning. Then it got too cold so we gave up and moved inside.
When we got back to our rig I made 3-2-1 cake for dinner since we had snacks at Dave & Margo’s. Since we had the generator on we ran the furnace which made it nice enough to stay up to read & play games on the computer.
We and Dave & Margo pulled out a little before Rick & Pat as we fueled up before hitting the highway. We stopped in Ft. St. John for breakfast, Dave & Margo stopped on the far side of Ft. St. John for pie and Rick & Pat stopped at the Pink Mountain for diesel. Rick has a short bed truck so his fuel tank is only 26 gallons compared to ours which is 36 gallons. The roads that we will be travelling have sporadic gas stations with unreliable hours so you don’t want to run short or count on a certain spot for fuel.
We saw Rick & Pat pulled over about 60 miles from Fort Nelson so we, and then Dave & Margo, pulled in to chat and stretch our legs. Rick had picked up a young man who was hitchhiking as his truck broke down. Pat was making lunch so we took the very nice, polite hitchhiker into Fort Nelson with us and dropped him off at an auto repair store. We fueled up at $1.50 a litre – ran the tank way too far down!! – and checked into the Three G’s RV park.
Employees at the park were very busy so the owner (Glenda) showed Terry where we were going to park and then Terry showed Rick & Dave. Rick drove into a long site and then we backed in behind him. Rick saw that there wouldn’t be enough room for both of us to stay hooked up to the trucks so he pulled his rig ahead and unhooked – what a guy!
We had coupons for 2-for-1 appies at the restaurant/bar in the RV park so after one drink we all went there. We & Rick & Pat returned for light dinners while Dave & Margo stayed for another drink and to watch the Stanley Cup hockey game.
We all retired to our own rigs for the rest of the evening. A temporary road, first for trucks only, is supposed to open tonight or early tomorrow.
June 12th – Tues - Liard Hot Springs
The weather was nice this morning and we had reservations at Liard Hot Springs so we didn’t leave at the crack of dawn like many others in the park. Instead, we all walked to the museum just down the road. We saw it when we were here previously, Rick & Dave didn’t really want to go and Margo & Pat decided not to walk there in the rain yesterday. Today everyone went and we were all happy that we did. We toured inside the main building and then went to the “garage” where an old guy with long white hair & beard had just opened the building. He was riding a bicycle with a rear wheel that turned like the front wheel but just by shifting your weight. He gave us a guided, private tour of the vehicles in the building and then followed us to a Hudson’s Bay employee residence where we had another tour. He demonstrated a wood splitting contraption – actually worked – and opened a trapper’s cabin for yet another Q&A session. Turns out he was Marl Brown who started the museum.
We left about 11 and stopped for cinnamon buns about 12:30. They were fresh, very good and expensive. I had been looking at our blog for our previous trip and we had seen way less wildlife this time. But that was about to get changed. We saw 3 bears, 13 stone sheep, 2 moose and 2 buffalo.
Liard Hot Springs provincial park campground was very full when we arrived about 3. We couldn’t get into our assigned site as it dropped off from the road and our 5th wheel would hit the sides of the truck. The employee mentioned that it might be a problem and if so we should take site 34 which turned out to be occupied. We went back to the entrance where Rick & Pat were just registering as they had stopped for fuel. The employee was a little frazzled and told us to take any empty spot so we took one that had a ticket on the post saying “One night only”. Terry walked back to tell her and she said no problem.
We went to Rick & Pat’s for happy hour at 4:30. Pat made nachos which spoiled our appetites but we knew we needed something more to eat before going to the hot springs. I made a smaller than usual amount of stir fry and we were ready to join the others to walk on the boardwalk to the hot springs at 7:30. We had a nice, long, hot soak which left us very relaxed and ready for bed – early!
June 13th – Wed
Terry fell asleep earlier than I did so he was up at 7 when he could start the generator to make coffee & start the furnace as it got quite cold last night. I got up shortly after but uncharacteristically stayed in my PJs to have coffee & read. Dave & Margo knocked on the door not too long after (they had been for a long walk!) to ask if we wanted to go to their place for coffee. I think after they saw me in PJs they agreed to go get their blueberry muffins-in-a-cake-pan and join us for coffee. After they left and I dressed, I was looking out the window and saw a big buffalo wandering down the side of the road. I took one picture through the window and then Terry went out to take more pictures. Later we heard 5 gunshots as a park ranger ran the animal out of the park and across the road.
At 11 we went to the hot springs again. Rick & Pat didn’t join us in the water but walked there and took pictures. We were going to make baby back ribs for dinner but decided to have them for a late lunch instead. We had a salad while they boiled and then ate some cookies pieces (Terry dropped the bag!) before finally putting the ribs on the BBQ and finishing our meal.
We all went to Dave & Margo’s for happy hour. On an earlier walk we picked up leftover firewood and planned to have a fire. We barely got the fire started when it began to rain and we moved under the awning. Then it got too cold so we gave up and moved inside.
When we got back to our rig I made 3-2-1 cake for dinner since we had snacks at Dave & Margo’s. Since we had the generator on we ran the furnace which made it nice enough to stay up to read & play games on the computer.
Monday, June 11, 2012
June 9th & 10th - Dawson Creek
June 9th – Sat
Terry woke early this morning so he got up and played games on the computer to let me go back to sleep – or just doze on & off. Rick & Pat came over with a cup of coffee and we all decided to go to town to see a movie of the building of the Alaska Highway, wander around town, shop and visit the casino. It started to rain so we went for lunch after the informative movie and passed on walking around town. Rick & Pat went shopping, Dave & Margo got a couple of tires for their tow car and Terry & I went to the casino. Rick dropped Pat off at the casino after they finished shopping. I managed to not lose my allowance but Terry lost his.
Shortly after we got back we went to chat with Dave & Margo. Rick & Pat showed up with drinks in hand for happy hour so Terry went to make our drinks and Margo put out some nuts & veggies. Dianne came over to give us the bad news that there are washouts on some of the roads north that we will be travelling. We made reservations for the provincial park at Liard Hotsprings earlier today so we don’t know what is going to happen.
We were just finishing dinner when Ernie & Dianne came over to play Ponytail canasta. In the first hand, the women went out before the men even got one canasta. But the men rallied and made it a very close game before the women won.
June 10th – Sun
Rick & Pat and Dave & Margo left at 8 this morning for a trip to Tumbler Ridge & Kinuseo Falls while we got to be lazy since we have been to the falls previously. We went to Safeway, then stopped at the casino and finally at the visitor center to check the road conditions. They were expecting the washout between Watson Lake and Teslin to be open on Wednesday and they said Fort Nelson had cars & RVs parked everywhere.
Back at the park, I put together a potato casserole for tonight and Terry found an RV park & made reservations for all of us in Fort Nelson for tomorrow night. He also checked on our reservations at Liard Hot Springs and they said if we had reservations that we would get our spots. For those unfamiliar with this area, Liard Hot Springs is before Watson Lake and the closed roads.
Rick & Pat and Dave & Margo got back about 2:30 and loved the drive & the falls. I made a marinated carrot dish to put in the fridge for somewhere down the road and got the potatoes in the oven so we could attend a music jam and pot luck dinner here in the park. Our friends Ernie & Dianne were playing & singing with 7 others in a nice “party room” in a new building with restrooms, showers & laundry. They broke for dinner about 5:30 and went back to playing afterwards. We sat outside listening to them for a while and then came back to the rig. Terry wasn’t feeling really well so he went to bed to watch TV just after 8.
I was talking to Marg when Dianne came over and told me to grab my camera to take pictures of a lovely sunset. She invited us over for a cup of tea so after I finished my phone call I joined them and another couple - Don & Doreen - from the jam session. As I was walking over to have tea, I noticed the sunset was even prettier so I told Dianne and then got my camera again.
Terry woke early this morning so he got up and played games on the computer to let me go back to sleep – or just doze on & off. Rick & Pat came over with a cup of coffee and we all decided to go to town to see a movie of the building of the Alaska Highway, wander around town, shop and visit the casino. It started to rain so we went for lunch after the informative movie and passed on walking around town. Rick & Pat went shopping, Dave & Margo got a couple of tires for their tow car and Terry & I went to the casino. Rick dropped Pat off at the casino after they finished shopping. I managed to not lose my allowance but Terry lost his.
Shortly after we got back we went to chat with Dave & Margo. Rick & Pat showed up with drinks in hand for happy hour so Terry went to make our drinks and Margo put out some nuts & veggies. Dianne came over to give us the bad news that there are washouts on some of the roads north that we will be travelling. We made reservations for the provincial park at Liard Hotsprings earlier today so we don’t know what is going to happen.
We were just finishing dinner when Ernie & Dianne came over to play Ponytail canasta. In the first hand, the women went out before the men even got one canasta. But the men rallied and made it a very close game before the women won.
June 10th – Sun
Rick & Pat and Dave & Margo left at 8 this morning for a trip to Tumbler Ridge & Kinuseo Falls while we got to be lazy since we have been to the falls previously. We went to Safeway, then stopped at the casino and finally at the visitor center to check the road conditions. They were expecting the washout between Watson Lake and Teslin to be open on Wednesday and they said Fort Nelson had cars & RVs parked everywhere.
Back at the park, I put together a potato casserole for tonight and Terry found an RV park & made reservations for all of us in Fort Nelson for tomorrow night. He also checked on our reservations at Liard Hot Springs and they said if we had reservations that we would get our spots. For those unfamiliar with this area, Liard Hot Springs is before Watson Lake and the closed roads.
Rick & Pat and Dave & Margo got back about 2:30 and loved the drive & the falls. I made a marinated carrot dish to put in the fridge for somewhere down the road and got the potatoes in the oven so we could attend a music jam and pot luck dinner here in the park. Our friends Ernie & Dianne were playing & singing with 7 others in a nice “party room” in a new building with restrooms, showers & laundry. They broke for dinner about 5:30 and went back to playing afterwards. We sat outside listening to them for a while and then came back to the rig. Terry wasn’t feeling really well so he went to bed to watch TV just after 8.
I was talking to Marg when Dianne came over and told me to grab my camera to take pictures of a lovely sunset. She invited us over for a cup of tea so after I finished my phone call I joined them and another couple - Don & Doreen - from the jam session. As I was walking over to have tea, I noticed the sunset was even prettier so I told Dianne and then got my camera again.
Saturday, June 09, 2012
June 6th to 8th - 100 Mile to Dawson Creek
June 6th – Wed – 100 Mile
Marg made a new recipe for breakfast – cinnamon waffles baked with eggs/milk/sugar custard – which was good enough to eat but not good enough to make again. Terry took Rick & Pat to town to do some shopping while Marg & I puttered around doing this & that. Pat made soup last night using the juice from the pulled pork roast. It made a very tasty lunch.
Rick transferred Marg’s phone numbers from her old phones to the new system. The old phones did not automatically share contacts from one handset to the others but her new system does. Marg & I took a ride on the ATV looking for a bear that a neighbor reported in Marg’s property. Yesterday Marg & Pat opened a couple of gates to let the bear out and they tied some thread across the gates so we could tell if the bear went out the gate. Neither thread was broken and we saw trails in the wet grass and bear droppings so guess it is around somewhere.
Our cousin Bill Mitchell and his wife Carol arrived around 3:00 to stay overnight. Shortly after, our brother Bob showed up so we all sat around and had a great gabfest & a drink.
The reason for the company is a birthday dinner for Dad who turned 88 today. Also at dinner were Bill & Janet, Ralph & Gina, Jane, Quille & Micheal. We had a good turkey dinner and a very nice evening.
It rained on & off all day so Rick is apprehensive about getting his 5th wheel out of the yard.
June 7th – Thurs – to McLeod lake
Marg & I made breakfast for everyone this morning. There was no rain last night and the sun was out today to dry up the yard a bit. We were hooked up and ready to go so just before breakfast, Terry & Rick put the trucks in 4 wheel drive and easily pulled the rigs out to the gravel driveway.
We left before 10. We went to town to dump the tanks while Rick & Pat headed north. Pat had made turkey bunwiches for our lunches and we put ours in the fridge. When we caught up to Rick & Pat, we hadn’t had lunch yet and our CBs weren’t working so we passed them and then pulled into a store that advertised a big parking lot thinking that they would follow. Rick didn’t know what we were doing so he kept on going. We grabbed our lunch and moved on.
Sixteen miles before Prince George we had a flat on the 5th wheel. I had suggested – strongly – that Terry air up the tires but he didn’t want to take the time & make the effort. So he got to change a tire on the side of the road instead!! We stopped for diesel in PG and drove back a couple of miles to get a new tire. Terry had looked forward to stopping at the casino so even though we still had 70 miles to the campground we chose, we did stop. The casino let us play for quite a while and I had to pry Terry out.
When we drove into picturesque Whiskers Point Provincial Campground, Pat was just taking a walk and led us to the nice big spot across from them that they had picked out for us. They weren’t upset that we took so long to show up and even made dinner for us – true friends! We played Ponytail canasta after dinner and we let the guys win so they would play cards with us again!
June 8th – Fri – to Dawson Creek
It wasn’t raining when we left at our agreed time of 8:30 after a nice quiet night. It did rain hard for a while but somehow all the dirt on the truck did not get washed off. We stopped at one turnout to take pictures and were slowed but not delayed by many work crews & flaggers on the road. We stopped for fuel in Chetwynd and then found the visitor center as we wanted to see some of the chainsaw carvings in the self proclaimed “Chainsaw Carving Capital”. There was also a chainsaw competition going on this weekend. It was raining so we dug out rain jackets & hats to walk to the visitor center. We decided to check out the competition instead of walking around town to take pictures in the rain. We stopped at Tim Hortons for Rick’s coffee fix and we all had a sweet roll. We had to walk a bit to the community center to see carvers doing their thing and we saw competitors from Wisconsin & Japan as well as B.C. The few vendors in the area were huddled under cover with few customers. When we were walking back to our rigs, we ran into Garry & Stephanie who also winter in Mesa and live here in the summer.
As we continued driving, the rain stopped and the sun came out sporadically. We are staying in Dawson Creek at Northern Lights RV which is owned by Mike & Annette who are the daughter & son-in-law of Ernie & Dianne. Our friends Dave & Margo from Walla Walla were already here. They were at their son’s place in Minnesota and are joining us for the Alaska trip. We set up & I did quite a bit of cleaning. Even though we only sleep & shower in here while we are at Marg’s, everything gets really dusty.
It was quite sunny & warm just before 3 so the six of us went to town to take pictures at the Alaska highway tourist spots. When we got back, we made appetizers and all got together at our rig for drinks & appy dinner. Ernie & Dianne are also staying here and dropped in for a while with a promise to come back later.
They did come back with Annette and their 9 month old grandson Zayden who they were babysitting. Two granddaughters (6 and 7 year old cousins Kiernan & Kayah) popped in & out. Garry & Steph came by for a quick visit and then Mike joined us for a while. Zayden’s mom & dad – Cheryl & Mark – came back from bowling to pick up their son & daughter. Phew!
Since we are further north, the daylight fools you into thinking it is not very late. Everyone left at 9:45 and we quickly put the dishes in the sink and went to bed.
Marg made a new recipe for breakfast – cinnamon waffles baked with eggs/milk/sugar custard – which was good enough to eat but not good enough to make again. Terry took Rick & Pat to town to do some shopping while Marg & I puttered around doing this & that. Pat made soup last night using the juice from the pulled pork roast. It made a very tasty lunch.
Rick transferred Marg’s phone numbers from her old phones to the new system. The old phones did not automatically share contacts from one handset to the others but her new system does. Marg & I took a ride on the ATV looking for a bear that a neighbor reported in Marg’s property. Yesterday Marg & Pat opened a couple of gates to let the bear out and they tied some thread across the gates so we could tell if the bear went out the gate. Neither thread was broken and we saw trails in the wet grass and bear droppings so guess it is around somewhere.
Our cousin Bill Mitchell and his wife Carol arrived around 3:00 to stay overnight. Shortly after, our brother Bob showed up so we all sat around and had a great gabfest & a drink.
The reason for the company is a birthday dinner for Dad who turned 88 today. Also at dinner were Bill & Janet, Ralph & Gina, Jane, Quille & Micheal. We had a good turkey dinner and a very nice evening.
It rained on & off all day so Rick is apprehensive about getting his 5th wheel out of the yard.
June 7th – Thurs – to McLeod lake
Marg & I made breakfast for everyone this morning. There was no rain last night and the sun was out today to dry up the yard a bit. We were hooked up and ready to go so just before breakfast, Terry & Rick put the trucks in 4 wheel drive and easily pulled the rigs out to the gravel driveway.
We left before 10. We went to town to dump the tanks while Rick & Pat headed north. Pat had made turkey bunwiches for our lunches and we put ours in the fridge. When we caught up to Rick & Pat, we hadn’t had lunch yet and our CBs weren’t working so we passed them and then pulled into a store that advertised a big parking lot thinking that they would follow. Rick didn’t know what we were doing so he kept on going. We grabbed our lunch and moved on.
Sixteen miles before Prince George we had a flat on the 5th wheel. I had suggested – strongly – that Terry air up the tires but he didn’t want to take the time & make the effort. So he got to change a tire on the side of the road instead!! We stopped for diesel in PG and drove back a couple of miles to get a new tire. Terry had looked forward to stopping at the casino so even though we still had 70 miles to the campground we chose, we did stop. The casino let us play for quite a while and I had to pry Terry out.
When we drove into picturesque Whiskers Point Provincial Campground, Pat was just taking a walk and led us to the nice big spot across from them that they had picked out for us. They weren’t upset that we took so long to show up and even made dinner for us – true friends! We played Ponytail canasta after dinner and we let the guys win so they would play cards with us again!
June 8th – Fri – to Dawson Creek
It wasn’t raining when we left at our agreed time of 8:30 after a nice quiet night. It did rain hard for a while but somehow all the dirt on the truck did not get washed off. We stopped at one turnout to take pictures and were slowed but not delayed by many work crews & flaggers on the road. We stopped for fuel in Chetwynd and then found the visitor center as we wanted to see some of the chainsaw carvings in the self proclaimed “Chainsaw Carving Capital”. There was also a chainsaw competition going on this weekend. It was raining so we dug out rain jackets & hats to walk to the visitor center. We decided to check out the competition instead of walking around town to take pictures in the rain. We stopped at Tim Hortons for Rick’s coffee fix and we all had a sweet roll. We had to walk a bit to the community center to see carvers doing their thing and we saw competitors from Wisconsin & Japan as well as B.C. The few vendors in the area were huddled under cover with few customers. When we were walking back to our rigs, we ran into Garry & Stephanie who also winter in Mesa and live here in the summer.
As we continued driving, the rain stopped and the sun came out sporadically. We are staying in Dawson Creek at Northern Lights RV which is owned by Mike & Annette who are the daughter & son-in-law of Ernie & Dianne. Our friends Dave & Margo from Walla Walla were already here. They were at their son’s place in Minnesota and are joining us for the Alaska trip. We set up & I did quite a bit of cleaning. Even though we only sleep & shower in here while we are at Marg’s, everything gets really dusty.
It was quite sunny & warm just before 3 so the six of us went to town to take pictures at the Alaska highway tourist spots. When we got back, we made appetizers and all got together at our rig for drinks & appy dinner. Ernie & Dianne are also staying here and dropped in for a while with a promise to come back later.
They did come back with Annette and their 9 month old grandson Zayden who they were babysitting. Two granddaughters (6 and 7 year old cousins Kiernan & Kayah) popped in & out. Garry & Steph came by for a quick visit and then Mike joined us for a while. Zayden’s mom & dad – Cheryl & Mark – came back from bowling to pick up their son & daughter. Phew!
Since we are further north, the daylight fools you into thinking it is not very late. Everyone left at 9:45 and we quickly put the dishes in the sink and went to bed.
Wednesday, June 06, 2012
June 3rd to 5th - 100 Mile House
June 3rd – Sun
We got to mostly rest today. Marg went fishing in the big boat with Quille while Terry & I went to Williams Lake. We went shopping first – wireless mouse & keyboard for Marg’s new computer, exchange slippers for Dad, a mat for the back door & groceries at WalMart. Then Staples for a phone & answering machine system for Marg and flash drives for Marg & us. We stopped for lunch before going to the casino. We got to play for quite a while before Terry lost his allowance and I didn’t lose all of mine – but didn’t come out ahead.
It was wet when we came out of the casino but the rain had stopped. We unloaded all our purchases and started hooking up the computer pieces. We had imported contacts for Marg’s email but something had gone wrong so Terry deleted them all and I figured out the correct way to export & import. Terry removed Marg’s old computer system from her computer desk & set up the new system. We set up just the basics of her old computer so we can see if we missed anything.
I luckily didn’t count on fish for dinner. Marg arrived home – with no fish - just before the scalloped potatoes & ham casserole was done. After dinner I made a batch of our favorite Everyday Cookies and trimmed the new mat to fit its spot by the door.
June 4th – Mon
Marg & Terry hooked up a trailer and went to town to buy a riding lawn mower. I had decided that I wanted to finish 2 things before we leave on Thursday so I got everything set up to put a second coat of stain on the back of the chicken house. By the time I let the 2 ewes & babies out to graze, it had started to drizzle. I decided to paint anyhow and got pretty wet. The wall I was painting was protected by the eave overhang but I was in the drips quit a bit.
I was just starting to make lunch when Marg & Terry got back with the mower. Unfortunately, the rain continued so Terry just unloaded the mower and parked it in the carport. We worked on Marg’s computer until it looked like the rain quit. We got ready to work outside and the rain started again. Marg & I decided that we would not melt and we put the “artwork” back on the wall of the chicken house that I painted. Marg did the chores a little early and we retreated to the house to watch it rain.
June 5th – Tues
We did some cleaning & laundry this morning and Terry did some mowing even though the grass was wet & it started to drizzle – the new mower works great. Then Marg, Terry & I went to town for groceries & alcohol. We had lunch at A&W, stopped at another grocery store for a couple of items and headed home to separate & put everything away. Terry hooked up Quille’s trailer, Marg put on her rain pants and warm jacket and she rode Quille’s ATV while we loaded up some firewood for Quille and returned the trailer. We waited a short time for Marg to get to Quille’s and then we went to Francis & Nicole’s where we cut flowers off plants (Nicole does not want them to seed everywhere) and cut more asparagus.
When we got back, cousin Pat and her husband Rick had arrived and were trying to find a level spot to park their 5th wheel. We found them a couple of boards, they parked behind us and Terry ran an extension cord from the shop for them.
We had unexpected visitors – Elmer Hellevang & his son Dave from Pemberton where we grew up. Elmer & Dad are great friends and Dad had recently commented that he would like to see Elmer again. Elmer & Dave were just on a road trip and stopped long enough for a drink – coffee for Dave who is driving – and a short visit.
Pat & I were shredding pulled pork for dinner so Marg did the chores – in the rain. We enjoyed a drink, a good dinner and good company. I made a rhubarb cake after dinner so it would be ready for tomorrow. We did a little planning for our Alaska trip and everyone retired early.
We got to mostly rest today. Marg went fishing in the big boat with Quille while Terry & I went to Williams Lake. We went shopping first – wireless mouse & keyboard for Marg’s new computer, exchange slippers for Dad, a mat for the back door & groceries at WalMart. Then Staples for a phone & answering machine system for Marg and flash drives for Marg & us. We stopped for lunch before going to the casino. We got to play for quite a while before Terry lost his allowance and I didn’t lose all of mine – but didn’t come out ahead.
It was wet when we came out of the casino but the rain had stopped. We unloaded all our purchases and started hooking up the computer pieces. We had imported contacts for Marg’s email but something had gone wrong so Terry deleted them all and I figured out the correct way to export & import. Terry removed Marg’s old computer system from her computer desk & set up the new system. We set up just the basics of her old computer so we can see if we missed anything.
I luckily didn’t count on fish for dinner. Marg arrived home – with no fish - just before the scalloped potatoes & ham casserole was done. After dinner I made a batch of our favorite Everyday Cookies and trimmed the new mat to fit its spot by the door.
June 4th – Mon
Marg & Terry hooked up a trailer and went to town to buy a riding lawn mower. I had decided that I wanted to finish 2 things before we leave on Thursday so I got everything set up to put a second coat of stain on the back of the chicken house. By the time I let the 2 ewes & babies out to graze, it had started to drizzle. I decided to paint anyhow and got pretty wet. The wall I was painting was protected by the eave overhang but I was in the drips quit a bit.
I was just starting to make lunch when Marg & Terry got back with the mower. Unfortunately, the rain continued so Terry just unloaded the mower and parked it in the carport. We worked on Marg’s computer until it looked like the rain quit. We got ready to work outside and the rain started again. Marg & I decided that we would not melt and we put the “artwork” back on the wall of the chicken house that I painted. Marg did the chores a little early and we retreated to the house to watch it rain.
June 5th – Tues
We did some cleaning & laundry this morning and Terry did some mowing even though the grass was wet & it started to drizzle – the new mower works great. Then Marg, Terry & I went to town for groceries & alcohol. We had lunch at A&W, stopped at another grocery store for a couple of items and headed home to separate & put everything away. Terry hooked up Quille’s trailer, Marg put on her rain pants and warm jacket and she rode Quille’s ATV while we loaded up some firewood for Quille and returned the trailer. We waited a short time for Marg to get to Quille’s and then we went to Francis & Nicole’s where we cut flowers off plants (Nicole does not want them to seed everywhere) and cut more asparagus.
When we got back, cousin Pat and her husband Rick had arrived and were trying to find a level spot to park their 5th wheel. We found them a couple of boards, they parked behind us and Terry ran an extension cord from the shop for them.
We had unexpected visitors – Elmer Hellevang & his son Dave from Pemberton where we grew up. Elmer & Dad are great friends and Dad had recently commented that he would like to see Elmer again. Elmer & Dave were just on a road trip and stopped long enough for a drink – coffee for Dave who is driving – and a short visit.
Pat & I were shredding pulled pork for dinner so Marg did the chores – in the rain. We enjoyed a drink, a good dinner and good company. I made a rhubarb cake after dinner so it would be ready for tomorrow. We did a little planning for our Alaska trip and everyone retired early.
Saturday, June 02, 2012
June 2nd - 100 Mile House - Amazing Challenge
June 2nd – Sat
We had a big day today. A lot of the work we have done lately – cutting wood, power washing, weed eating – has been in preparation for the Amazing Challenge held in 100 Mile which is a “race” based on the Amazing Race from TV. Marg volunteered her farm as a “road block” for the race. There were 4 challenges that the contestants could choose from. “Stack” was using an ATV & wagon to pick up a load of firewood and stack it, “Stick” was pick up sticks from a designated area onto burn piles, “Brush” was paint either the chicken house or corral fences and “Shovel” was clean the chicken house. We started the day by splitting more wood as we knew that possibly 10 teams would pick up wood. The pile had very large rounds that Terry had to put onto the splitter and it was destined for the small stove so we had to split it smaller. Marg & I were marking areas to pick up sticks when Terry came out at 10:30 to say that the volunteers to man the “road block” had arrived.
The first team of 4 contestants arrived about 11:30. The teams did not know what each category entailed but 7 of the 16 teams that made it here picked “Stack”. We had 2 ATVs and wagons to haul the wood. Marg – on Quilles ATV - led them to the wood piles and escorted them back so she was kept busy. Terry directed the ATVs to the stacking area and returned ATVs to the yard. I worked with the people who were painting and also made sure that some of the teams were stacking the wood correctly. Marg also gave rides to teams that were picking up sticks.
The last team left about 1:30 and I was already in the house making lunch with Terry & Dad. After lunch, Marg & I cleaned the second half of the chicken house. It really didn’t take very long but I was certainly glad that we had masks and hair coverings as it was really dusty. Then Marg & I decided that we would paint some fence panels since we had brushes with paint on them. Only 3 groups selected “Brush”, so only 3 sides of the chicken house and 4 fence panels got painted. Marg & I painted nearly 3 panels before we ran out of paint in our little buckets at the same time that it started to thunder – must be time for happy hour!
When we were sufficiently recovered we made spaghetti & salad for dinner. Somehow 1 1/3 bottles of wine disappeared with dinner so we are all relaxed. It was a lot of fun with the “challenge” but it is nice to have it over with.
We had a big day today. A lot of the work we have done lately – cutting wood, power washing, weed eating – has been in preparation for the Amazing Challenge held in 100 Mile which is a “race” based on the Amazing Race from TV. Marg volunteered her farm as a “road block” for the race. There were 4 challenges that the contestants could choose from. “Stack” was using an ATV & wagon to pick up a load of firewood and stack it, “Stick” was pick up sticks from a designated area onto burn piles, “Brush” was paint either the chicken house or corral fences and “Shovel” was clean the chicken house. We started the day by splitting more wood as we knew that possibly 10 teams would pick up wood. The pile had very large rounds that Terry had to put onto the splitter and it was destined for the small stove so we had to split it smaller. Marg & I were marking areas to pick up sticks when Terry came out at 10:30 to say that the volunteers to man the “road block” had arrived.
The first team of 4 contestants arrived about 11:30. The teams did not know what each category entailed but 7 of the 16 teams that made it here picked “Stack”. We had 2 ATVs and wagons to haul the wood. Marg – on Quilles ATV - led them to the wood piles and escorted them back so she was kept busy. Terry directed the ATVs to the stacking area and returned ATVs to the yard. I worked with the people who were painting and also made sure that some of the teams were stacking the wood correctly. Marg also gave rides to teams that were picking up sticks.
The last team left about 1:30 and I was already in the house making lunch with Terry & Dad. After lunch, Marg & I cleaned the second half of the chicken house. It really didn’t take very long but I was certainly glad that we had masks and hair coverings as it was really dusty. Then Marg & I decided that we would paint some fence panels since we had brushes with paint on them. Only 3 groups selected “Brush”, so only 3 sides of the chicken house and 4 fence panels got painted. Marg & I painted nearly 3 panels before we ran out of paint in our little buckets at the same time that it started to thunder – must be time for happy hour!
When we were sufficiently recovered we made spaghetti & salad for dinner. Somehow 1 1/3 bottles of wine disappeared with dinner so we are all relaxed. It was a lot of fun with the “challenge” but it is nice to have it over with.
Friday, June 01, 2012
May 30th to June 1st - 100 Mile House
May 30th – Wed
We got a slightly different system going to cut up logs today. We lifted the log and cut it without moving the tractor. The next log was cut right alongside the first so we ended up with a long row of rounds from many logs. Then we backed in the log splitter on the tractor and split the rounds. Terry packed the rounds to the splitter, I ran the lever to move the splitting wedge back & forth and Marg positioned the rounds to be cut and threw the cut pieces on a pile. Do you notice a pattern on who gets the easiest job?! We cut a lot of wood in a short time, then moved to another pile and made short work of it. We cut more logs into rounds before quitting for lunch.
We spent time setting up Marg’s new computer before I hit the shower. Marg & I golfed this evening and had to leave early to run a couple of errands first. We returned a 5 gallon bucket of paint that had chunks in it and bought 6 gallons of stain instead to use on the chicken house and fences. We ran out of time at the hardware store when they had to replenish the color mixing machine so will have to pick up 2 gallons of stain tomorrow.
We got to golf together today. Our mediocre games rubbed off on each other and we got the same score. The restaurant at the golf course is open now so we had dinner and both won decent door prizes.
May 31st – Thurs
We headed back out this morning to cut up logs & split wood. We got all the logs in one area done just in time for lunch. After lunch Marg took Dad to get his hearing aid checked as he was saying his ear was sore. They also got Dad’s eyeglasses adjusted. While they were gone, Terry & I worked on Marg’s new computer and backed up our computer. Also while they were gone it poured rain.
Marg had to go back to town almost immediately for more errands. The rain had stopped so I went out to use the weed eater to cut grass by the corral fences that are going to be painted. The line wouldn’t feed so that job didn’t last too long. I went to fill the water troughs (2 old bathtubs) and decided they needed to be cleaned. I didn’t know how to start water siphoning with a piece of hose kept by the troughs for that reason so I got Terry to help. We scrubbed out the junk with a broom, bailed out the last of the water and filled them with clean water. Then we installed a tongue jack on Marg’s utility trailer, pulled her boat out of the hay barn so she could park her motor home, put the boat back beside the motor home and stored some portable fence sections. By the time the chores were done and we were ready to make dinner, it was 6:30.
After dinner Marg & I decided to do a couple of small jobs outside. We cleaned leftover hay from the sheep manger and dumped the wagon load on a pile that we started earlier. The lambs had obviously been playing on the pile and scattered it so we had to rake & fork it back into a pile. We took a couple bales of hay to a small hay shed, took off the sides of the wagon, picked up a pile of sticks that we had thrown over a fence a week ago and checked the electric fence. We also repaired a couple of loose boards in the corral and fixed the weed eater. It’s a good thing that it stays light late here as we didn’t finish until 9:30.
Terry & Dad were both snoozing when we got in.
June 1st – Fri
Just as we were ready to get to work after breakfast, it started to rain. So we called Marg’s email provider (xplornet) to get help setting up email on her new computer. However, they couldn’t provide any information on moving her contacts. I played around with exporting & importing until the rain quit but with no luck.
It was already 11 but we went back to cutting wood. The wood was much harder to split today so it took us until 1 to finish – and then it was lunch time of course.
Then we turned a quick job into one that took the rest of the afternoon. Marg went to start cleaning the outhouse – kept for parties & power outages – and when I joined her she had pulled out the floor as it was rotten. We took measurements, found a piece of plywood, made the cuts and it wouldn’t slide into place. Terry applied some pressure and it went in but was not the right fix – the plywood didn’t have enough support and rocked up & down. Now we couldn’t get the plywood out to figure out how to support it!! Terry ripped out a board and got it out so we could put in some support boards. Of course while we were doing all this, we pulled up the decaying seat portion and had to make a new one. The roof also had a hole (corrugated plastic to provide light) so we sent Terry to the store for material to replace it. It wouldn’t fit in the truck and it was too windy to put it in the back so we had to wait until the hardware store manager (Marg’s neighbor) finished work and delivered it on his way home.
By now it was time for chores & dinner. After dinner, Terry took Marg to her friend Quille’s so Marg could borrow her trailer & ATV. Terry towed the trailer back and Marg drove the ATV mostly off the main road. While they were gone, I finished some weed eating. By the time Marg got back, Terry & I were putting the roof on the outhouse. Marg put bands on the 2 youngest lambs to dock their tails and we were finally done for the day.
We got a slightly different system going to cut up logs today. We lifted the log and cut it without moving the tractor. The next log was cut right alongside the first so we ended up with a long row of rounds from many logs. Then we backed in the log splitter on the tractor and split the rounds. Terry packed the rounds to the splitter, I ran the lever to move the splitting wedge back & forth and Marg positioned the rounds to be cut and threw the cut pieces on a pile. Do you notice a pattern on who gets the easiest job?! We cut a lot of wood in a short time, then moved to another pile and made short work of it. We cut more logs into rounds before quitting for lunch.
We spent time setting up Marg’s new computer before I hit the shower. Marg & I golfed this evening and had to leave early to run a couple of errands first. We returned a 5 gallon bucket of paint that had chunks in it and bought 6 gallons of stain instead to use on the chicken house and fences. We ran out of time at the hardware store when they had to replenish the color mixing machine so will have to pick up 2 gallons of stain tomorrow.
We got to golf together today. Our mediocre games rubbed off on each other and we got the same score. The restaurant at the golf course is open now so we had dinner and both won decent door prizes.
May 31st – Thurs
We headed back out this morning to cut up logs & split wood. We got all the logs in one area done just in time for lunch. After lunch Marg took Dad to get his hearing aid checked as he was saying his ear was sore. They also got Dad’s eyeglasses adjusted. While they were gone, Terry & I worked on Marg’s new computer and backed up our computer. Also while they were gone it poured rain.
Marg had to go back to town almost immediately for more errands. The rain had stopped so I went out to use the weed eater to cut grass by the corral fences that are going to be painted. The line wouldn’t feed so that job didn’t last too long. I went to fill the water troughs (2 old bathtubs) and decided they needed to be cleaned. I didn’t know how to start water siphoning with a piece of hose kept by the troughs for that reason so I got Terry to help. We scrubbed out the junk with a broom, bailed out the last of the water and filled them with clean water. Then we installed a tongue jack on Marg’s utility trailer, pulled her boat out of the hay barn so she could park her motor home, put the boat back beside the motor home and stored some portable fence sections. By the time the chores were done and we were ready to make dinner, it was 6:30.
After dinner Marg & I decided to do a couple of small jobs outside. We cleaned leftover hay from the sheep manger and dumped the wagon load on a pile that we started earlier. The lambs had obviously been playing on the pile and scattered it so we had to rake & fork it back into a pile. We took a couple bales of hay to a small hay shed, took off the sides of the wagon, picked up a pile of sticks that we had thrown over a fence a week ago and checked the electric fence. We also repaired a couple of loose boards in the corral and fixed the weed eater. It’s a good thing that it stays light late here as we didn’t finish until 9:30.
Terry & Dad were both snoozing when we got in.
June 1st – Fri
Just as we were ready to get to work after breakfast, it started to rain. So we called Marg’s email provider (xplornet) to get help setting up email on her new computer. However, they couldn’t provide any information on moving her contacts. I played around with exporting & importing until the rain quit but with no luck.
It was already 11 but we went back to cutting wood. The wood was much harder to split today so it took us until 1 to finish – and then it was lunch time of course.
Then we turned a quick job into one that took the rest of the afternoon. Marg went to start cleaning the outhouse – kept for parties & power outages – and when I joined her she had pulled out the floor as it was rotten. We took measurements, found a piece of plywood, made the cuts and it wouldn’t slide into place. Terry applied some pressure and it went in but was not the right fix – the plywood didn’t have enough support and rocked up & down. Now we couldn’t get the plywood out to figure out how to support it!! Terry ripped out a board and got it out so we could put in some support boards. Of course while we were doing all this, we pulled up the decaying seat portion and had to make a new one. The roof also had a hole (corrugated plastic to provide light) so we sent Terry to the store for material to replace it. It wouldn’t fit in the truck and it was too windy to put it in the back so we had to wait until the hardware store manager (Marg’s neighbor) finished work and delivered it on his way home.
By now it was time for chores & dinner. After dinner, Terry took Marg to her friend Quille’s so Marg could borrow her trailer & ATV. Terry towed the trailer back and Marg drove the ATV mostly off the main road. While they were gone, I finished some weed eating. By the time Marg got back, Terry & I were putting the roof on the outhouse. Marg put bands on the 2 youngest lambs to dock their tails and we were finally done for the day.
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