Back to Work and the After Glow

Back to work today. Thanks for the extended layoff, it made this trip possible, Becks Employer helped a LOT too. The trip and everything is what we are still talking about. Actually we are still just now getting somewhat back to normal. We had over 900 pictures! We had prints made of them all. WOW! I dont expect anybody to look at all of them, but it is nice to have them.
All the indecision I had, go or not go,... about teardrop vs. Truck Camper. We made the right decision. The "Little Guy" and Vibe worked out wonderful together. We were not campers, but what I would call travelers. If we had more time maybe the Truck Camper would have been better.
Would I do it again? Not like this. I am glad we did it this way, it was the way that was ment to be and it was Great! If again, it will be different.
I really enjoyed traveling the Alaska Highway, Top of the World Highway, all the wildlife, just along the roads. The glaziers, whales, boat tour. The people also made it great. Both the Canadian's, and Alaskan's.
Just the adventure made it good. I think the naysayers on the RV.net that said that we should not drive if we only have three weeks made for a personal challenge made it better. We would have done it anyway, but to have them say that made it sweeter.
Anyway, its off to work today. I am thankful to have a job. Lots of my brothers have lost theirs jobs thru this and I am very midfull for them. Keep them in our prayers that they make it thru this. ...................... Gary (Zig)

Total #'s

Some numbers:
Total miles driven 8905.2
Total cost for gas $1,289.33 (US and Canadian dollars)
Total 6 nights boondocking
Total 12 nights campgrounds
Food was kind of expensive in Canada and Alaska. We ate out most of the time, just not enough time to cook. When we stopped at local restaurants it cost near $40 to eat. Campground were mid $25 range, I did not feel too bad about. 8 hour boat tour was not to bad either,... $123.00 for the both of us. No flats tires, we did get a small chip in the windshield. We did pay for WiFi several nights. Campgrounds had codes for WiFi and codes to use bathrooms. We had only one pay shower. $2.25 for 6 mins. at Dawson City.
SantaLand Campground (North Pole) had a free city tour, free car/camper wash, free WiFi, Free showers, nice! Millers Landing Campground (Seward Alaska) we had to share our electricity, run a long extension cord, Campsite was dirt, (mud) bathrooms were the pits, had to pay $20.00 for WiFi.
We could have stayed a few more days in Alaska, but really felt we had seen the highlights and was ready to start back. Done Alaska highway, Dawson City, Top of the World highway, Chicken Alaska, Tok, Seward and a wildlife boat tour, Anchorage twice, Denali National Park as much as they will let you see, without riding their buses. Fairbanks, Fairbanks Arctic Cam, The North Pole, Alaska. Got to see a lot of the pipeline. Valdez, Bear, coyote, Moose, Whales, glaciers, snow caped mountains, some ruff roads, a lot of really nice people.
Gas stations are not what we normally think of them around here. 30, 40 year old pumps stuck in the middle of nowhere are still gas stations. You will have to use them because they are the only pumps around. Just a little different way of doing things I really wanted to pick up a case of Diet Mt. Dew, but seemed no one sold any. I had to start drinking coffee to get my Caffeine.
I think somebody needs to build a "Welcome to Alaska" place at the Alaska highway border. Something big,... nice,... flags waving,... all lite up. There really isn't much till Tok.
Lots of driving, but it was fun! Alaska highway was great! For all the people that said three weeks was not enough time, well..... We think it was. I say poo to you!
........................................................................................... Gary

Home Sweet Home

Yes, we are home, safe and sound. Pulled in about 6:00pm Wednesday July 8, 2009. What a trip! Zack, our Siamese cat was really glad to see us. Zuma, well she hissed at me once we found her. Should have named her Houdini. Last but certainly not least, Lucky, she was whining because there was nothing in the food bowl. The car is still needs unpacked and all that good stuff. Tomorrow is another day. We still need to get our dogs too.

When I was in school, my Dad always ask my brother and I at the dinner table - "So, did you learn anything today?" Are answers were always sketchy and generalized, but today I could answer - "Yes, Dad, I did learn something on this trip." What I learned: there are seagulls in Alaska, Alaska residents think Sara Palin is "Hot", Puffins and sea otters don't like their pictures taken, Gary gets agitated driving through Chicago, reindeer are part of the caribou family, a Canadian 1 dollar coin is called a 'Loonie' and a Canadian 2 dollar coin is called a 'Toonie', people were curious about the Little Guy, Canadian Wal-Marts are small, I like halibut, and their are 5 species of salmon:pink, silver, king, sock-eyed or red, and chum or dog.

Hope everyone had a great time visiting our website, reading the blogs, and viewing the picture (I have plenty more to show).

USA

Hey friends !! We are finally back in the good, old US of A. We are in Minot N. Dakota to be exact. Eating at an Applebees to recharge and refresh. Should be home in a day or two. We are heading back the way we came. We decided it would be better to just get home. The dogs are missing us! We did get delayed about 15 min at the border again. We were randomly selected for an agricultural survey/search. Had to declare our beef bologna/jerky we bought in Canada. Didn't find anything else out of order.

Indiana here we come!

Weyburn - July 6, 2009

Well, I got us to Weyburn in one piece. We are fighting with the internet right now. Took me about 1/2 hour (more or less) to get this point. Gary doesn't think the internet works in Canada.

The scenery today has been Kansas like - flat farmland - pretty boring. We have been seeing fields of a bean-like crop that is dark green and flowers yellow. Don't know what it is - any farmer friends have any ideas? See picture at right.

Tomorrow will will enter the USA - don't know where at though. Still up in the air about what route to take home. Internet access might be sketchy; however, will try my best to keep the blogs coming

Saskatoon - July 6, 2009

We are sitting at another Flying J (because I can get wifi here) taking a rest break. We will probably stop in Weyburn for the night (so we can get a hot shower. Yes, it's been a few days!); about 1 hour from the border. We stopped there the first night we were in Canada. From there we will head home. For all those expecting phone calls, I'll be able to call tomorrow when we are in the states. Need to wake up so I can drive and give Gary a break at the wheel.

July 5, 09

It's 10:44 pm IN time and we are sitting in a Flying J truck stop eating. The last two days have been filled with driving. Yesterday we did see a lot of wildlife though: lots of bears, a moose, several deer & reindeer, a coyote, lots of mountain sheep, some buffalo, and a beaver.

Currently, we are in Edmonton Alberta, Canada. We might head south towards S. Dakota when we hit Regina, but we are still debating that idea. We are getting a little road weary and home is looking awful good. I think we are both a little homesick and miss our dogs. Tomorrow is another day and forward we will go.

Back in Whitehorse Canada

We are back in Whitehorse Yukon Canada. The last time we were here we stayed in the Walmart parking lot. This time we are staying at the Hi Country RV Park. It is raining here, so we put up one of those pop-up canopy tents over the Little Guy. We will take pics and post them so you know what I mean. Whitehorse is a small berg in the middle of know where, but yes they have a Walmart. The Walmart is sooooo small compared to ours back home. Gary commented that he thought he was in a K-Mart.

Right now I am doing laundry, probably the last time before we get home. Speaking of home, I think we are going to change course once we get to Regina Canada and head straight south to South Dakota. That way we can go through the Badlands on the way home. Highlight of today's trip was the lone bear we saw along the Alaska Hwy.

Back in Tok

Well, we are headed back toward Indiana. We went through Delta Junction to see the end of the Alaska Hwy. We saw 2 moose today and stopped by Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Now we are back in Tok about 150 miles from the Canadian border. I'm sitting at a picnic table getting eaten alive by pesky mosquitoes. Hopefully they won't detain us at the border again.

Will post pics when I can!!

July 1, 2009

Happy July 1st!!! We are still in Valdez. Decided to take a day to shop and chill out at the campsite. I just had a needed 3 hour nap while Gary is having fun on the computer, talking to friends back home, and talking to locals in the RV park. We have had lots of people stop by and comment on the Little Guy today. Even someone from Indianapolis!!!

Unfortunately, our trip is starting to wind down and we are thinking about the return trip home. Gary found out he does not have to go back to work until July 15 now. We will probably head out tomorrow and take our time heading back home. We have had a blast on this trip and we are glad we took the opportunity to go.

Valdez

We traveled along the Richardson Hwy from North Pole to Valdez, Alaska. We saw a moose before coming to Glenallen AK. We stopped at the visitor Center there and found out what to look for along the way. At Thompson Pass we saw (and Becky touched) the Worthington Glacier (it was free too). In Keystone Canyon we saw several water falls along the road. All day long the Alaska pipeline was spotted here and there.

We will spend a day or two in Valdez then decide what to do next. Well, a delicious smell keeps coming my way and I must follow.

North Pole - Night 2

Today is Monday, June 29 (I think). We spent the day wandering around Fairbanks and the city of North Pole. The campground we are staying at offers free tours of North Pole. So in 45 minutes or so we saw the sights. In Fairbanks we saw part of the Alaska pipeline and learned about 'pigs' in the pipeline. 'Pigs' help keep the inside of the pipeline clean. We also saw some Muskox in a big game research center. After eating at a good Chinese restaurant here in town, we decided to stay the night again. So we washing Little Guy and Vibe, are airing out the camper, doing laundry to get us ready for on the road again. Oh - we also waved hello to my brother and mom via the Fairbanks Arctic Cam at the newspaper building and signed their guest book as well.

I'm trying to also upload some pics from the day, but the internet connection is slow. Tomorrow we will head down toward Valdez and check that area out before heading back. Hope all is well back home.

North Pole

We started the day in Seward Alaska, stopped in Anchorage, and also stopped at Denali National Park before ending up at the North Pole (Alaska). What a long day. We were not able to see Mt McKinley at Denali because it was to cloudy. Again, it rained off and on all day.

Did you know the North Pole has a McDonalds?

Tomorrow we will check out Fairbanks and maybe go a ways on the Dalton Hwy.

Anchorage to Recharge

We are headed North again. Stopped at a Fred Meyer grocery store to restock. Cheap gas here $2.91!!!! Checked in with the parental units and big brother today. All is well at the home front. It's now time to replenish the body at Wendy's. Still have people checking out the Little Guy. Several of our family members have suggested selling the rig and flying home! We could probably do that and make money on the deal. Anchorage still has manic drivers, but we are having better luck getting things done and finding places. A word to the wise - don't totally depend on those GPS units, they certainly can lead you astray, especially if they do not have the current map updates.

Whales

We saw whales today (June 27) - Humpback whales. We also saw puffins, sea otters, sea lions, sea gulls, & glaciers. Most of my pictures were taken with my film camera because of the telephoto lens and because my digital camera died. I thought I had extra recharged batteries, but they were not charged. So you will have to wait for those photos. I got the famous back fin of the whale before it went under - it ought to be cool! I stayed out on deck most of the day while Gary chose to stay in the cabin. He did come out to see the whales though.

Tomorrow we will leave Seward and head toward Denali National Park. After that we will head toward Fairbanks. Then from there, who knows. Today's weather was perfect for whale watching. It did start to rain when we were returning and has rained on and off since. I'm going to try to upload some pictures Gary got with his camera. Hopefully I will have better success than last night.

Seward Alaska

It's Friday night and I'm sitting in the brisk Alaskan air by the Gulf of Alaska. Last night we stayed in Tok and today we traveled down to Anchorage then to Seward. We planned to stay in Anchorage tonight; however after a brief period of frustration, more on my part than Gary's, we headed south.

Why was I frustrated? We went to a Wells Fargo branch to get some more Canadian money for our return trip. We were directed to a branch down the road in a mall - parking across the street in a parking garage. With a trailer, parking garages are out. So we then decided to find a Jiffy lube to get the oil changed and most importantly, replace the air filter. After being cut off closely by several rude drivers we find the Jiffy Lube, but oh - they are out of air filters. So now we are looking for an auto parts store to do it ourselves and yes, sucess. Now to find a campground. I locate one via the GPS - we go to the address, but guess what - it's now a subdivision!

So here I am at Miller's Ferry campground watching the neighbors throw a frisbee for a stray dog to catch. Never mind their own dog is being neglected. I miss our dogs. Gary is in bed, but I guess I'm still too wired.

We had beautiful scenery on the way down, but the internet service here isn't the best so I'm having trouble uploading photos. You would think that if you have to pay for the service on top of the camping charge - it would be decent service.

If Gary is up to it we will try to take a day cruise to see marine wildlife and glaciers either tomorrow or Sunday. We did see a glacier today, but you had to pay to go see it up close. Needless to say my zoom lens got us close enough.

Despite the way the blog sounds, we are still having a good time. I just dislike mean/rude people. Why can't we all just play nicely together in the sandbox of life.

I will upload more photos when I can.

Chicken

Greetings from Chicken Alaska - Yes we finally made it. We are in the downtown Chicken Cafe eating. We are now 4 hours behind in time so it is only 3:12 pm. It stays daylight most of the day. and when it gets dark, it's only a dusky dark. It's weird having daylight at midnight (IN time).

From here we will go into Tok, Alaska. It is about 80 miles from Chicken. The Top of the World Hwy was 90% gravel so it has been slow going today. The Vibe and the Little Guy are holding strong (and so are the occupants).

A day in Dawson City

We made it to Dawson City today after spending the night at Walmart in Whitehorse. We traveled Hwy 2 (The Klondike Hwy) from Whitehorse to Dawson City. Ran into some road construction and got the rig pretty dirty. Saw a black bear and her cub and that was all the excitement for the day. We walked around Dawson City - I was kind of disappointed. I thought it would be more touristry than it was - not much happening up north in the Yukon. We might go to the casino a little later. Gary has given me a $20 spending limit!

Tomorrow we will travel the Top of the World Hwy into Alaska - YEA. The last 40 miles into Chicken Alaska is nothing but gravel so the rig will take another beating for sure. From Dawson City we cross the Yukon River by car ferry (the only way across) then the fun begins. We have to get across the border first, though.

We are having fun - getting a little road weary after traveling over 3000 miles, but still having fun. We haven't killed each other yet, but of course this is still only week 1. I have downloaded some more photos so enjoy!

Wish my parents a Happy 48 years tomorrow (June 25)!!!

Teslin, Yukon

Well, we are in Teslin, Yukon. Stopped to get a hot meal. We are about 114 miles from White Horse - our destination for the day. It has been raining off and on all day. We finally saw some bears today!

The car is doing well - avg about 24 MPG and we have traveled close to 2300 miles! Meeting a lot of nice people along the way. Most of them can't believe both of us fit in the Little Guy.

Toad River

Good Morning!

We are in Toad River British Columbia along the Alaskan Hwy! We started on the Alaskan Hwy yesterday and stopped and camp about midnight IN time. We are 3 hours behind here. We are going to head into White Horse today to restock supplies then from there we will head to Dawson City along Hwy 2. From Dawson City we take a ferry to the Top of the World Hwy.

We are both doing fine. The Little Guy is working out fine except for a minor detail - the doors are not completely waterproof. We have had some damp nights early on. Just part of the adventure!

We have seen moose, sheep, horses, and lots of cows! Getting into some good scenery (finely!). I'm going to try to add some pics now so I'll close for now.

Rain

.Hello again,

We are currently at a Flying J truck stop in Edmonton (Alberta) Canada. It is about 10:00pm IN time. Boy, did it rain all day! Finely got out of the rain a few hours ago. Canada so far has been flat and rainy. We are both doing well and we are making some good time despite the rain. We are going to push on to get a little further yet tonite. We have traveled over 1700 miles so far and figure we are about half way to Alaska. Will keep trying to keep everyone update as we hit WI-FI spots. Love to all.

Canada-eh?

Good morning. We made it into Canada last night - about 11:00pm IN time. We were delayed at the border for a time. Didn't inspect the rig, but had plenty of questions.

We spent the night in Weyburn Canada at a city RV park. It rained last night, but we were both too tired to notice or care.

Happy Father's Day to everyone! Gary is getting antsy to leave so I better close for now.

Sat. June 20 @ 3 pm

We left yesterday @ 4:30 pm. We made it to Portage WI before crashing for the night. Traffic through Chicago was compounded by rain. Today has been beautiful. Lots of traffic when we first got into Minn. We are now just entering N. Dakota. Hope to make it to the Canadian border yet today. The trip has been uneventful so far.

The Car is Packed

My drive to Mansfield was uneventful. I miss Jack and Moses already, my little shadow's. They are in good hands. Mom made us cookies to take on our trip, Becky checked them out already.
I have the Vibe 95% packed. There is really no room for the generator. I could squeeze it in , but really dont need the extra 50lbs. If we were taking the truck I would just throw it in, but the whole idea of the teardrop is to stay light,... so....
Just a little bit longer and we are ready to go...

Getting the house ready

Had to mow everything. Lots of stuff to do before we leave. One last trip to Walmart to get snacks and things. Busy day. I'm feeling back to normal after the Colonoscopy test. I don't wish that on anyone. But soon, we will be hitting the highway. Going to Ohio to drop off Jack & Moses at Grandma & Grandpa's house. Wish they were going with us. They are just not good traveling dogs. I'm gonna miss them. One step closer. I'm ready to go NOW!

Gary Survived

Gary survived his test and the vibe got an oil change. Still have some packing to do and last minute shopping. 4 days left and counting. Excited - very, very excited!

Becky

Still getting ready to go

I have finally decided to stick with the original plan and take the Vibe and teardrop (Little Guy). I have been agonizing with this for several weeks, but I believe that it is a good option and with gas prices the way they are, it is a better choice. Getting ready to go has been slightly hampered by the colonoscopy that is scheduled for today. First time I have ever been put out. So,... when I get this out of the way, I can go like gang busters getting ready. Still lots of last minute things to do. I want to mow the whole yard (weather permitting), get the house ready, take the dogs to Ohio, final packing and I still need to get the Vibe's oil changed. Cant wait to get started.

Gary