Leslie Saturday, May 31, 2008
We had discussed taking a float plane out to see Misty Fjords National Monument, a nature preserve. Yesterday in Ketchikan we had discussed the prices with a representative from a float plane operator. The stated price is $229 per person for a 1 1/2 hour trip. We met some people in town who had just come off the trip and they raved about how wonderful it was. The representative of the float plane said that if we were willing to be flexible and go on an "as called" basis, she could make us a better deal. The plan takes 6 passengers and if we were willing to go as fill-ins for another group, we’d get a better deal. After thinking about it overnight we decided that $500 was beyond our budget just to see waterfalls and maybe some bear (especially since we’ll see lots of bears later in Katmai).
The weather was wonderful today, 65 degrees and sunny. After watching many fishing boats leave from the harbor below our windows, I suggested that we should rent a little skiff and go sightseeing independently. We rented a 18 ft. aluminum open boat for $50 for two days. The boat came with a new type of life jackets. Initially the life jackets are small and unobtrusive. If a sensor gets wet, the jacket automatically inflates. There is a pull cord as back-up in case the auto-inflation fails to work. Because the jackets so small, they are far more comfortable, encouraging people to actually wear them.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/305504966_BKwzc-M.jpg
The dock crew couldn’t believe that we weren’t going fishing. This weekend is Salmon Derby and every fisherperson in the area is out competing. Just before we left the dock a successful fisherman was weighing his catch. This King Salmon weighed a little over 25 lbs.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/305518399_2MSGx-M.jpg
We took off for sightseeing. There was a little chop in the water but it wasn’t too bad. We spent 4 hours on the water and saw some pretty waterfalls, a US Sub base (very anonymous) and lots of bald eagles. I was trying very hard to capture a picture of an eagle in flight. That is a difficult picture because the auto-focus on the camera has a difficult time focusing when the background is infinity.
View of Carpe Diem from the water:
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/305505227_M23oH-M.jpg
Waterfalls:
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/305505432_XwWDu-M.jpg
Sub Base:
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/305505118_guCEK-M.jpg
Eagles in Flight:
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/305504250_7CdSW-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/305504333_X9b6a-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/305504558_bGFpQ-M.jpg
Eagle poses for his picture.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/305504439_BbCFq-M.jpg
Unlike places like Annapolis, MD, boaters here pretty much have the ocean to themselves.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/305504863_rKjAh-M.jpg
And finding a private beach isn't hard.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/305504743_wPLTH-M.jpg
This crazy family at the state park was even swimming -- although I always test the water whenever I travel, even I wouldn't consider going in this water. The air temperature reached a high of 65; I'm guessing the water temperature wasn't out of the 40's.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/305504631_iQgXQ-M.jpg
We enjoyed more wonderful fish for dinner.
more later,
Leslie
Saturday, May 31, 2008
On the Water
Robert, Saturday, May 31
Ketchikan gets something like 13 feet of rain a year! That means if you visit here you need to bring rain gear. Since we got here it has been cloudy every day (but no rain yet). Today was different; the sun was out, the sky was blue, and the temperature was warm–even hot in the sun. We had talked about taking a float plane trip to an area about 40 miles to the northeast to see something called Misty Fiords. The reason for going there is to see waterfalls, wildlife, and beautiful scenery. However, the cost would have been almost $500 for the two of us and seems just too pricy. So, we asked about renting a small boat where we are staying. The price was right so that is what we did. We went out for about 4 hours and saw waterfalls and beautiful scenery. The only wildlife we saw were bald eagles. We probably saw 50 or so. About 10 miles to the northwest of here, there is a submarine base. We checked that out although the local advice is that if you get too close, the Coast Guard arrives and tells you to leave. We didn’t see the Coast Guard so I guess they were either asleep, the local information is wrong, or we didn’t get too close. After our boat ride, we went into town to buy some more fresh fish–halibut this time. When we bought the salmon, we asked about king crab. We were told that they had none and the chances of getting any was slim. Well, we asked again and this time the word was that they were getting 6 on Monday. These will be live crabs; not frozen. We asked how many pounds of crab you get from one crab. The answer was a crab weighs about 10 pounds and you get about 8 pounds of crab meat. We got our name on a list for one. We asked about cooking it as we don’t have a huge pot with us to boil the meat. The response we got was to wrap each leg in aluminum foil, add a little garlic and butter and then put it on the grill. When we pick the crab up on Monday we need to ask how long it should be grilled. After we got the fish, we eat dinner at one of the recommended restaurants in town. The food was good and we both get fish. After dinner we parked across the street from the Best Western and used their Wifi. We bought an inverter before we left home and it was enough to power both laptops at the same time. The inverter is rated for 400 watts and it has a readout showing how much power is being used. With both laptops running it read 80 watts. We posted to the blog, got our email, and I downloaded software for our Garmin GPS. I suppose people seeing us sitting in the truck in the parking lot for an hour and a half wondered what we were doing but so what? If you are reading this post, it will probably be via Best Western’s wifi. (Well I was wrong. We are doing laundry and the laundromat has wifi!)
Ketchikan gets something like 13 feet of rain a year! That means if you visit here you need to bring rain gear. Since we got here it has been cloudy every day (but no rain yet). Today was different; the sun was out, the sky was blue, and the temperature was warm–even hot in the sun. We had talked about taking a float plane trip to an area about 40 miles to the northeast to see something called Misty Fiords. The reason for going there is to see waterfalls, wildlife, and beautiful scenery. However, the cost would have been almost $500 for the two of us and seems just too pricy. So, we asked about renting a small boat where we are staying. The price was right so that is what we did. We went out for about 4 hours and saw waterfalls and beautiful scenery. The only wildlife we saw were bald eagles. We probably saw 50 or so. About 10 miles to the northwest of here, there is a submarine base. We checked that out although the local advice is that if you get too close, the Coast Guard arrives and tells you to leave. We didn’t see the Coast Guard so I guess they were either asleep, the local information is wrong, or we didn’t get too close. After our boat ride, we went into town to buy some more fresh fish–halibut this time. When we bought the salmon, we asked about king crab. We were told that they had none and the chances of getting any was slim. Well, we asked again and this time the word was that they were getting 6 on Monday. These will be live crabs; not frozen. We asked how many pounds of crab you get from one crab. The answer was a crab weighs about 10 pounds and you get about 8 pounds of crab meat. We got our name on a list for one. We asked about cooking it as we don’t have a huge pot with us to boil the meat. The response we got was to wrap each leg in aluminum foil, add a little garlic and butter and then put it on the grill. When we pick the crab up on Monday we need to ask how long it should be grilled. After we got the fish, we eat dinner at one of the recommended restaurants in town. The food was good and we both get fish. After dinner we parked across the street from the Best Western and used their Wifi. We bought an inverter before we left home and it was enough to power both laptops at the same time. The inverter is rated for 400 watts and it has a readout showing how much power is being used. With both laptops running it read 80 watts. We posted to the blog, got our email, and I downloaded software for our Garmin GPS. I suppose people seeing us sitting in the truck in the parking lot for an hour and a half wondered what we were doing but so what? If you are reading this post, it will probably be via Best Western’s wifi. (Well I was wrong. We are doing laundry and the laundromat has wifi!)
Friday, May 30, 2008
Ketchikan Alaska & A Beautiful Eagle
Leslie May 30, 2008
We spent part of the morning trying to get internet access. Eventually we learned from VerizonWireless that they don’t provide any data service in Alaska. So much for the elaborate WIFI based system Robert configured for the 5th wheel. We’ll have to rely on campground services when available or public sites. Someone in the campground told us that you can park across the street from the Best Western in Ketchikan and use their wireless. We may try that tomorrow.
This afternoon we visited downtown Ketchikan. The US Forest Service runs a Discovery Center on the animals and rain forest of south-eastern Alaska. We visited the information centers to try to determine which tourist venues we’ll visit. Although there are areas on the island where bear are common, we’re probably too early in the season to see a significant number.
We were lucky, the sun shone most of the day. Ketchikan is known for receiving an average of 12 ½ feet of rain every year!
Rain gauge
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920650_WRwMD-M.jpg
We took the opportunity to walk the old areas of town. Creek Street, buildings built on stilts, is now an area of tourist shops. Until 1953 the old wooden buildings housed brothels.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920435_poNEE-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920470_C4Put-M.jpg
Ketchikan is known for totem poles. From my reading totem poles were never intended to last. They were built to commemorate some event. Through Ketchikan they have built replicas of the old totem poles.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920815_YWhPN-M.jpg
We asked several natives where we should go to buy fresh fish to cook for dinner. Other than just walking along the docks and accosting fishermen, several people suggested the same place along the docks. After finding out that this store is open every day, we bought just enough King salmon for tonight’s dinner. We came back and grilled the salmon while looking out over the water. We also stopped by a grocery store, "Alaska and Proud". What was most funny was that tehy carried a large number of Kirkland products. For those of you who don’t frequent Costco, Kirkland is the house brand for Costco. I really don’t think that is an Alaskan made product. As Robert was grilling, I took more pictures of the bald eagles. This adult bald eagle was most cooperative; he or she saw on the fence for nearly an hour while I tried to move a bit closer for a good picture. Enjoy!
Bald Eagle - adult.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920332_aNGYV-M.jpg
and another juvenile eagle
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920969_sUDm7-M.jpg
and I think I missed posting yesterday, a float plane coming in over Ketchikan. They land every few minutes.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920618_3YBye-M.jpg
more later,
Leslie
We spent part of the morning trying to get internet access. Eventually we learned from VerizonWireless that they don’t provide any data service in Alaska. So much for the elaborate WIFI based system Robert configured for the 5th wheel. We’ll have to rely on campground services when available or public sites. Someone in the campground told us that you can park across the street from the Best Western in Ketchikan and use their wireless. We may try that tomorrow.
This afternoon we visited downtown Ketchikan. The US Forest Service runs a Discovery Center on the animals and rain forest of south-eastern Alaska. We visited the information centers to try to determine which tourist venues we’ll visit. Although there are areas on the island where bear are common, we’re probably too early in the season to see a significant number.
We were lucky, the sun shone most of the day. Ketchikan is known for receiving an average of 12 ½ feet of rain every year!
Rain gauge
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920650_WRwMD-M.jpg
We took the opportunity to walk the old areas of town. Creek Street, buildings built on stilts, is now an area of tourist shops. Until 1953 the old wooden buildings housed brothels.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920435_poNEE-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920470_C4Put-M.jpg
Ketchikan is known for totem poles. From my reading totem poles were never intended to last. They were built to commemorate some event. Through Ketchikan they have built replicas of the old totem poles.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920815_YWhPN-M.jpg
We asked several natives where we should go to buy fresh fish to cook for dinner. Other than just walking along the docks and accosting fishermen, several people suggested the same place along the docks. After finding out that this store is open every day, we bought just enough King salmon for tonight’s dinner. We came back and grilled the salmon while looking out over the water. We also stopped by a grocery store, "Alaska and Proud". What was most funny was that tehy carried a large number of Kirkland products. For those of you who don’t frequent Costco, Kirkland is the house brand for Costco. I really don’t think that is an Alaskan made product. As Robert was grilling, I took more pictures of the bald eagles. This adult bald eagle was most cooperative; he or she saw on the fence for nearly an hour while I tried to move a bit closer for a good picture. Enjoy!
Bald Eagle - adult.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920332_aNGYV-M.jpg
and another juvenile eagle
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920969_sUDm7-M.jpg
and I think I missed posting yesterday, a float plane coming in over Ketchikan. They land every few minutes.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920618_3YBye-M.jpg
more later,
Leslie
First Full Day in Ketchikan
Robert, Friday, May 30
We took care of a number of "house keeping" matters this morning. We needed to cancel the cell phone coverage we had for Canada, we needed to contact the trailer manufacturer to get a replacement water valve sent to us, and we needed to find out while our internet connection wouldn’t work. As it turns out, Verizon data service does not work anywhere in Alaska so we suspended that until we get back in the lower 48. Once we finished all of this, got showers, straightened up the trailer, and got lunch, we headed for town.
We first stopped at tourist information. One of the first order of business was to find a vet for Molly. The lymph node in her neck just hasn’t gone down and we wanted to make sure she is OK. The best we could do is to get a Monday morning appointment. The information center is right next to the cruise ship dock. There were four cruise ships there. As each cruise ship has 2,000-3,000 tourists, when there are four here the population can swell by about 10,000 people. The population of Ketchikan is only about 7,500 so right at the cruise ship dock are many, tacky tourist gift and t-shirt shops. However, once you get beyond walking distance of the cruise ships, Ketchikan is a pretty normal town.
We got information about the town and proceeded to walk around. We went to the Discovery Center and got in for free with my National Parks Golden Age Pass. Not only was the display interesting but there was a staff member who answered many questions about Ketchikan. After our walking tour, we stopped at a fresh fish store and bought a fillet of king salmon. Then we got some groceries and returned to the campground. The salmon went on the grill and it was great! There is a huge difference between fresh and frozen fish. There is also a similar different between wild and farmed fish. We will take fresh, wild fish any day. We did ask at the fish store if they had any king crab but the answer was no. We have never tried cooking king crab but we will at some point on this adventure.
We took care of a number of "house keeping" matters this morning. We needed to cancel the cell phone coverage we had for Canada, we needed to contact the trailer manufacturer to get a replacement water valve sent to us, and we needed to find out while our internet connection wouldn’t work. As it turns out, Verizon data service does not work anywhere in Alaska so we suspended that until we get back in the lower 48. Once we finished all of this, got showers, straightened up the trailer, and got lunch, we headed for town.
We first stopped at tourist information. One of the first order of business was to find a vet for Molly. The lymph node in her neck just hasn’t gone down and we wanted to make sure she is OK. The best we could do is to get a Monday morning appointment. The information center is right next to the cruise ship dock. There were four cruise ships there. As each cruise ship has 2,000-3,000 tourists, when there are four here the population can swell by about 10,000 people. The population of Ketchikan is only about 7,500 so right at the cruise ship dock are many, tacky tourist gift and t-shirt shops. However, once you get beyond walking distance of the cruise ships, Ketchikan is a pretty normal town.
We got information about the town and proceeded to walk around. We went to the Discovery Center and got in for free with my National Parks Golden Age Pass. Not only was the display interesting but there was a staff member who answered many questions about Ketchikan. After our walking tour, we stopped at a fresh fish store and bought a fillet of king salmon. Then we got some groceries and returned to the campground. The salmon went on the grill and it was great! There is a huge difference between fresh and frozen fish. There is also a similar different between wild and farmed fish. We will take fresh, wild fish any day. We did ask at the fish store if they had any king crab but the answer was no. We have never tried cooking king crab but we will at some point on this adventure.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Ferry to Ketchikan
Robert, Thursday, May 29
The alarm sounded at 4:30 am. We had to check the small alarm clocks we had along to be sure the alarm worked. One did and one didn’t. Usually we use my cell phone as an alarm clock but with no cell phone service, we didn’t want to count on it. Pulling out of the campground was pretty simple as we had done most of the work the day before. We parked in line by 5:30 and got the rig measured. I had measured the length before we left home and my result was 54 feet. The official measurement was 52 feet. This was good news as the fare is determined by the length. I took the measurement and walked about 100 yards to the terminal to get the tickets. It took forever to get the tickets printed. The clerk said the system was very slow that morning. I was there for at least 45 minutes. In the meantime, Leslie drove the rig to the line to clear US customs and immigration. Fortunately I got the tickets before she got to the checkpoint. Once we got through the checkpoint, it was into another line to get on the ferry. As the ferry was going beyond the first stop of Ketchikan, this line was actually multiple lines as the loading was by destination. We were the second vehicle to load. On the ferry there are six lanes, three on each side of the center were the stairs and elevators are located. The trip took about six hours. Although a crew member told Leslie that they had seen multiple whales on the trip from Ketchikan to Prince Rupert, we didn’t see any on the trip back. When we got to Ketchikan, we off loaded on the starboard (right) side of the ship. As we had loaded in the stern it meant that we didn’t have to back off. The lanes on the ship are very narrow and there isn’t a lot of room to maneuver a 52 foot rig.
The campground where we had reservations, is about 15 miles north of town. We got here and set up by about 2:30 pm. The campground has rooms to rent, a restaurant, and a boat dock with boats to rent for fishing. There are people in their RVs who spend the entire summer here fishing. They have freezers under the nose of their fifth wheels where they keep their catch. We walked around the campground to check what is here. Shortly after were arrived, an RV pulled in and parked immediately next to us. We had met the occupants while waiting in line at the ferry. While Leslie and I were down on the dock, the people next to us started jumping up and down and yelling, "Whale!" We hurried back up to where the RVs were parked and watched a humpback whale about 100 yards away. It would blow about every 100 feet as it slowly swam along the shore. Another way that it is obvious that we are in Alaska is that the bald eagles are all around us–both juveniles without the white heads and adults.
As we had pretty much depleted our meat and vegetables, we decided to eat out. As the restaurant here at the campground doesn’t open until after we leave, we went back into to town to eat. The restaurant was recommended by one of the people in the campground and the food was great.
For the day we only towed 15 miles and most of those were from the ferry to the campground here in Ketchikan. After we arrive in Haines, the point at which finish riding the ferry, I plan to figure what we saved in fuel cost. Our total distance traveled today was 105 miles as it is 90 miles from Prince Rupert to Ketchikan.
The alarm sounded at 4:30 am. We had to check the small alarm clocks we had along to be sure the alarm worked. One did and one didn’t. Usually we use my cell phone as an alarm clock but with no cell phone service, we didn’t want to count on it. Pulling out of the campground was pretty simple as we had done most of the work the day before. We parked in line by 5:30 and got the rig measured. I had measured the length before we left home and my result was 54 feet. The official measurement was 52 feet. This was good news as the fare is determined by the length. I took the measurement and walked about 100 yards to the terminal to get the tickets. It took forever to get the tickets printed. The clerk said the system was very slow that morning. I was there for at least 45 minutes. In the meantime, Leslie drove the rig to the line to clear US customs and immigration. Fortunately I got the tickets before she got to the checkpoint. Once we got through the checkpoint, it was into another line to get on the ferry. As the ferry was going beyond the first stop of Ketchikan, this line was actually multiple lines as the loading was by destination. We were the second vehicle to load. On the ferry there are six lanes, three on each side of the center were the stairs and elevators are located. The trip took about six hours. Although a crew member told Leslie that they had seen multiple whales on the trip from Ketchikan to Prince Rupert, we didn’t see any on the trip back. When we got to Ketchikan, we off loaded on the starboard (right) side of the ship. As we had loaded in the stern it meant that we didn’t have to back off. The lanes on the ship are very narrow and there isn’t a lot of room to maneuver a 52 foot rig.
The campground where we had reservations, is about 15 miles north of town. We got here and set up by about 2:30 pm. The campground has rooms to rent, a restaurant, and a boat dock with boats to rent for fishing. There are people in their RVs who spend the entire summer here fishing. They have freezers under the nose of their fifth wheels where they keep their catch. We walked around the campground to check what is here. Shortly after were arrived, an RV pulled in and parked immediately next to us. We had met the occupants while waiting in line at the ferry. While Leslie and I were down on the dock, the people next to us started jumping up and down and yelling, "Whale!" We hurried back up to where the RVs were parked and watched a humpback whale about 100 yards away. It would blow about every 100 feet as it slowly swam along the shore. Another way that it is obvious that we are in Alaska is that the bald eagles are all around us–both juveniles without the white heads and adults.
As we had pretty much depleted our meat and vegetables, we decided to eat out. As the restaurant here at the campground doesn’t open until after we leave, we went back into to town to eat. The restaurant was recommended by one of the people in the campground and the food was great.
For the day we only towed 15 miles and most of those were from the ferry to the campground here in Ketchikan. After we arrive in Haines, the point at which finish riding the ferry, I plan to figure what we saved in fuel cost. Our total distance traveled today was 105 miles as it is 90 miles from Prince Rupert to Ketchikan.
Ferry to Ketchikan
Leslie May 29, 2008
We started out very early this morning to wait in line for the ferry from Prince Rupert to Ketchikan. Ketchikan, like many of the towns on the southeastern coast of Alaska, is accessible only by air or by ship. (Technically one could say that Ketchikan is only accessible by ship because the airport is located across the channel from the town. If you fly into the airport, you have to take a short ferry to the main island.) We took the 6 hour car ferry from Prince Rupert. Because there is limited room for vehicles as large as our 5th wheel, reservation have to be made when the schedule is first released at the beginning of the year.
All the vehicles waiting for the ferry line up several hours in advance. The men who load the vehicles organize the vehicles by size and ultimate destination (the ferry continues on to other small towns after Ketchikan). At Prince Rupert you can drive the vehicle forward on to the ferry. At some other ports, it is possible that you have to back the vehicle down the ramp and onto the ferry.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920545_wunGV-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920596_ftbZC-M.jpg
The ferry is fairly utilitarian. There are 5-6 different areas for passengers. (Animal have to ride in the vehicle. Molly & Cody spent the trip in the bedroom of the 5th wheel.) There are no reserved seats. Passengers can choose the observation deck which is a large, glass enclosed room at the front of the ferry.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920705_tXTBf-M.jpg
Robert at front of observation lounge.
Alternatively passengers can ride on the top deck out of doors. Because the sun deck is at the rear of the ferry, it is fairly well sheltered from the wind. In the sun deck portion there are overhead heaters.
There is also an outside deck portion behind the sundeck where some people choose to pitch tents (and tape them to the deck) on overnight passages.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920726_pLej6-M.jpg
There is also a cafeteria, TV room, and some smaller lounges with chairs that recline slightly.
Although people report that it is common the see whales on the voyage, we didn’t see any. The weather was quite chilly and almost rainy.
As we came in to Ketchikan, we got a good view of the Wrangell Narrows.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920863_G6pZt-M.jpg
Because the safe passage in the Wrangell Narrows is so tight, cruise ships don’t pass through that close to land. Next week we will be taking the ferry through the Wrangell Narrows to Wrangell.
Other interesting sights in the Ketchikan harbor: car on top of the pile?
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920361_huvCg-M.jpg
Our campground is the Clover Pass Fishing Lodge about 14 miles north of Ketchikan. There is only one road up the north side of the island, so it wasn’t difficult to find. A number of the people come here every summer to spend the entire summer fishing for salmon. It was like the beginning of summer camp season to watch the men greeting each other. The man in the 5th wheel next to us told us that he is the first to arrive in late April and he stays until the end of September. He has a big chest freezer plugged in under the nose of his 5th wheel. Another summer fisherman told us that the company that owns this lodge also owns a lodge on an island a few miles from here. They fly "city fishermen" to the island by float plane from Ketchikan and then unbeknownst to the fishermen, they return by boat just off shore from here to fish (but they pay big bucks because they fly in to a private island.
Our campsite looking out on to the water. Within the first hour we were here we saw more than a dozen bald eagles soaring and landing nearby.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920493_5Z85L-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920518_qJ5UJ-M.jpg
The view out the picture window is beautiful. Cody thinks so as well. It was funny to watch him watching the eagles soar past.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304929565_k4Jk7-M.jpg
We saw a whale diving just off shore but I wasn’t able to catch a good picture yet.
We asked one of the summer fishermen for a recommendation for dinner in town. He sent us to Annabelle’s, a fish place that has been in continuous operation since 1929. Fresh fish is really very different than previously frozen fish. We both had great fish dinners.
More later,
Leslie
We started out very early this morning to wait in line for the ferry from Prince Rupert to Ketchikan. Ketchikan, like many of the towns on the southeastern coast of Alaska, is accessible only by air or by ship. (Technically one could say that Ketchikan is only accessible by ship because the airport is located across the channel from the town. If you fly into the airport, you have to take a short ferry to the main island.) We took the 6 hour car ferry from Prince Rupert. Because there is limited room for vehicles as large as our 5th wheel, reservation have to be made when the schedule is first released at the beginning of the year.
All the vehicles waiting for the ferry line up several hours in advance. The men who load the vehicles organize the vehicles by size and ultimate destination (the ferry continues on to other small towns after Ketchikan). At Prince Rupert you can drive the vehicle forward on to the ferry. At some other ports, it is possible that you have to back the vehicle down the ramp and onto the ferry.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920545_wunGV-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920596_ftbZC-M.jpg
The ferry is fairly utilitarian. There are 5-6 different areas for passengers. (Animal have to ride in the vehicle. Molly & Cody spent the trip in the bedroom of the 5th wheel.) There are no reserved seats. Passengers can choose the observation deck which is a large, glass enclosed room at the front of the ferry.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920705_tXTBf-M.jpg
Robert at front of observation lounge.
Alternatively passengers can ride on the top deck out of doors. Because the sun deck is at the rear of the ferry, it is fairly well sheltered from the wind. In the sun deck portion there are overhead heaters.
There is also an outside deck portion behind the sundeck where some people choose to pitch tents (and tape them to the deck) on overnight passages.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920726_pLej6-M.jpg
There is also a cafeteria, TV room, and some smaller lounges with chairs that recline slightly.
Although people report that it is common the see whales on the voyage, we didn’t see any. The weather was quite chilly and almost rainy.
As we came in to Ketchikan, we got a good view of the Wrangell Narrows.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920863_G6pZt-M.jpg
Because the safe passage in the Wrangell Narrows is so tight, cruise ships don’t pass through that close to land. Next week we will be taking the ferry through the Wrangell Narrows to Wrangell.
Other interesting sights in the Ketchikan harbor: car on top of the pile?
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920361_huvCg-M.jpg
Our campground is the Clover Pass Fishing Lodge about 14 miles north of Ketchikan. There is only one road up the north side of the island, so it wasn’t difficult to find. A number of the people come here every summer to spend the entire summer fishing for salmon. It was like the beginning of summer camp season to watch the men greeting each other. The man in the 5th wheel next to us told us that he is the first to arrive in late April and he stays until the end of September. He has a big chest freezer plugged in under the nose of his 5th wheel. Another summer fisherman told us that the company that owns this lodge also owns a lodge on an island a few miles from here. They fly "city fishermen" to the island by float plane from Ketchikan and then unbeknownst to the fishermen, they return by boat just off shore from here to fish (but they pay big bucks because they fly in to a private island.
Our campsite looking out on to the water. Within the first hour we were here we saw more than a dozen bald eagles soaring and landing nearby.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920493_5Z85L-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304920518_qJ5UJ-M.jpg
The view out the picture window is beautiful. Cody thinks so as well. It was funny to watch him watching the eagles soar past.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/304929565_k4Jk7-M.jpg
We saw a whale diving just off shore but I wasn’t able to catch a good picture yet.
We asked one of the summer fishermen for a recommendation for dinner in town. He sent us to Annabelle’s, a fish place that has been in continuous operation since 1929. Fresh fish is really very different than previously frozen fish. We both had great fish dinners.
More later,
Leslie
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Small Rig
Leslie Later on May 28th
I couldn't resist this post. As we were sitting at our dining room table working on our computers a neighbor pulled in to the site next to us.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/303260700_uuibS-M.jpg
The very tiny rig is being pulled by an Outback Subaru. She has two medium-sized dogs. The rig is just a bed. Because the dogs need space in the car, she had all her stuff stored on top of the bed. She had to move the stuff back to the car to make dinner. If we were having a real dinner I would have invited her to join us. Alas, we're just finishing left-overs.
Pint-sized trailer!
I couldn't resist this post. As we were sitting at our dining room table working on our computers a neighbor pulled in to the site next to us.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/303260700_uuibS-M.jpg
The very tiny rig is being pulled by an Outback Subaru. She has two medium-sized dogs. The rig is just a bed. Because the dogs need space in the car, she had all her stuff stored on top of the bed. She had to move the stuff back to the car to make dinner. If we were having a real dinner I would have invited her to join us. Alas, we're just finishing left-overs.
Pint-sized trailer!
Last Day in Prince Rupert
Robert, Wednesday, May 28
Today was overcast and damp. It wasn’t raining but the relative humity must have been 100%. There was a low overcast that looked like it was about 200 feet overhead. The high temperature was in the mid 50s.
I did get the valve stems put on the truck today. That provides a little piece of mind that the stems won’t fail due to the pressure sensors on them.
We drove into town to do some sightseeing today. We did find the tourist area when we saw a cruise ship at the dock. There is all of one block on one side of the street of gift shops. We walked around, stopped at the Safeway to get some juice for Leslie, and something for breakfast tomorrow morning. Tonight I’ll hook up, fill the fresh water tank, and drain the waste water tanks. In the morning the only thing will be to unhook the power and put the slides in.
We have to decide what we are going to carry on the ferry. We will carry things like water bottles and cup of noodles. As the ferry may be cold we will wear our fleece and Gore-tex jackets. We only spend about six hours on this first ferry trip so we may learn what to bring on the next leg. Cody and Molly have to stay in the trailer. We have a way to confine them to the front of the trailer. Our reason is that if they get in the main part of the trailer they would be hard to get out with the slides in. If they get behind the slides, they would be crushed when the slides go out. We could leave them in the truck but we are going to try the front of the trailer for this first leg. In any case we won’t put the slides out until we have them in our hands.
Today was overcast and damp. It wasn’t raining but the relative humity must have been 100%. There was a low overcast that looked like it was about 200 feet overhead. The high temperature was in the mid 50s.
I did get the valve stems put on the truck today. That provides a little piece of mind that the stems won’t fail due to the pressure sensors on them.
We drove into town to do some sightseeing today. We did find the tourist area when we saw a cruise ship at the dock. There is all of one block on one side of the street of gift shops. We walked around, stopped at the Safeway to get some juice for Leslie, and something for breakfast tomorrow morning. Tonight I’ll hook up, fill the fresh water tank, and drain the waste water tanks. In the morning the only thing will be to unhook the power and put the slides in.
We have to decide what we are going to carry on the ferry. We will carry things like water bottles and cup of noodles. As the ferry may be cold we will wear our fleece and Gore-tex jackets. We only spend about six hours on this first ferry trip so we may learn what to bring on the next leg. Cody and Molly have to stay in the trailer. We have a way to confine them to the front of the trailer. Our reason is that if they get in the main part of the trailer they would be hard to get out with the slides in. If they get behind the slides, they would be crushed when the slides go out. We could leave them in the truck but we are going to try the front of the trailer for this first leg. In any case we won’t put the slides out until we have them in our hands.
Prince Rupert Eagles & Rainwear
Leslie Wednesday, May 28, 2008
For many miles approaching Prince Rupert we saw billboards for "Slickers, the Largest Warehouse for Rain Wear". Of course, I had to find it. Slickers is a small store that carries nothing but rainwear. (Think of the foul weather gear that the crew on Dangerous Catch wear.) You could buy hip-waders, tall rubber boots, waterproof gloves, old fashioned yellow hats and coats, even children's rubber rain suits. You might guess as to how a store could succeed devoted entirely to rainwear -- but if you were here you wouldn't guess for long.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/303195611_xfSCG-M.jpg
After visiting Slickers we went exploring down along the coast. The bald eagles were everywhere! Because we tend to lose our internet connection in the evening, I'm uploading the eagle pictures without organizing them in any particular fashion. You'll see sole bald eagles along the coast and three at the top of a pine tree. The ones without the telltale white heads are juvenile bald eagles. Notice how large they are.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/303198384_LRKg2-M.jpg
sole eagle
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/303198401_gW9oX-M.jpg
eagle family frame - see both parents and two juveniles
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/303198426_HWbjh-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/303198464_2BbKo-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/303198502_w22Ai-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/303198527_KihYa-M.jpg
I didn't have my long camera lens along so the pictures that are fairly distant were taken with the Nikon DSLR 18-70mm lens. The ones that appear closer were taken with my little Nikon coolpix using digital zoom. I'm pleasantly surprised at how well the little camera captured the eagles.
We also found the tourist area of town. There was a large Celebrity Rhapsody cruise ship in port. The tourist area is really only two blocks of shops. (I would not be pleased at a shore excursion to Prince Rupert.) They may have had shore trips out in whalewatching boats.
Tomorrow we board the Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) to travel to Ketchikan. We have to be in line at 5:30 AM. Weather in Ketchikan is supposed to be better but we don't know if we'll have internet access. June 4th we'll move on to Wrangell where we do expect to have internet access.
more later,
Leslie
For many miles approaching Prince Rupert we saw billboards for "Slickers, the Largest Warehouse for Rain Wear". Of course, I had to find it. Slickers is a small store that carries nothing but rainwear. (Think of the foul weather gear that the crew on Dangerous Catch wear.) You could buy hip-waders, tall rubber boots, waterproof gloves, old fashioned yellow hats and coats, even children's rubber rain suits. You might guess as to how a store could succeed devoted entirely to rainwear -- but if you were here you wouldn't guess for long.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/303195611_xfSCG-M.jpg
After visiting Slickers we went exploring down along the coast. The bald eagles were everywhere! Because we tend to lose our internet connection in the evening, I'm uploading the eagle pictures without organizing them in any particular fashion. You'll see sole bald eagles along the coast and three at the top of a pine tree. The ones without the telltale white heads are juvenile bald eagles. Notice how large they are.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/303198384_LRKg2-M.jpg
sole eagle
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/303198401_gW9oX-M.jpg
eagle family frame - see both parents and two juveniles
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/303198426_HWbjh-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/303198464_2BbKo-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/303198502_w22Ai-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/303198527_KihYa-M.jpg
I didn't have my long camera lens along so the pictures that are fairly distant were taken with the Nikon DSLR 18-70mm lens. The ones that appear closer were taken with my little Nikon coolpix using digital zoom. I'm pleasantly surprised at how well the little camera captured the eagles.
We also found the tourist area of town. There was a large Celebrity Rhapsody cruise ship in port. The tourist area is really only two blocks of shops. (I would not be pleased at a shore excursion to Prince Rupert.) They may have had shore trips out in whalewatching boats.
Tomorrow we board the Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) to travel to Ketchikan. We have to be in line at 5:30 AM. Weather in Ketchikan is supposed to be better but we don't know if we'll have internet access. June 4th we'll move on to Wrangell where we do expect to have internet access.
more later,
Leslie
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Prince Rupert Reprovisioning
Leslie Tuesday, May 27, 2008
We drove around Prince Rupert today. It appears to be an old working town (rather than a tourist town). The industries appear to be ferries that leave from Prince Rupert to Alaska, other ports in BC, and Vancouver and sawmills. We stopped down at the ferry dock to confirm the arrangements for Thursday. We have to be in line with the rig at 5:30 am! Ouch! They will measure the rig, then issue our tickets. The ferry doesn't depart until 8:30 but we will clear US Customs here in Prince Rupert so it takes quite awhile to process everyone.
The weather has turned to typical cool, rainy, Pacific coast weather. It isn't great weather for exploring so we've been trying to catch up on traveling duties. I did see an interesting place to check out tomorrow.
We had planned to eat dinner out and we were challenged to find a place. Choices seemed to be restaurants affiliated with old hotels. We ended up at an Italian place. We both ordered fish (have to start somewhere). Robert had fish and chips that was wonderful. I had the fried halibut cheeks which is something I ususally like. My vote would go with the fish and chips. It was amazingly light and flaky.
more later,
Leslie
We drove around Prince Rupert today. It appears to be an old working town (rather than a tourist town). The industries appear to be ferries that leave from Prince Rupert to Alaska, other ports in BC, and Vancouver and sawmills. We stopped down at the ferry dock to confirm the arrangements for Thursday. We have to be in line with the rig at 5:30 am! Ouch! They will measure the rig, then issue our tickets. The ferry doesn't depart until 8:30 but we will clear US Customs here in Prince Rupert so it takes quite awhile to process everyone.
The weather has turned to typical cool, rainy, Pacific coast weather. It isn't great weather for exploring so we've been trying to catch up on traveling duties. I did see an interesting place to check out tomorrow.
We had planned to eat dinner out and we were challenged to find a place. Choices seemed to be restaurants affiliated with old hotels. We ended up at an Italian place. We both ordered fish (have to start somewhere). Robert had fish and chips that was wonderful. I had the fried halibut cheeks which is something I ususally like. My vote would go with the fish and chips. It was amazingly light and flaky.
more later,
Leslie
Robert, Tuesday, May 27
We drove into Prince Rupert Today. It is clearly not a tourist town. I would describe it as "gritty." There are saw mills just on the other side of town. Although it is on the water I didn’t see fishing boats so I don’t know if there is a fishing industry here or not. We did eat dinner in town tonight. It was good but not great. We went to the ferry terminal to check it out before we show up Thursday morning with the trailer attached. The schedule we got when we made reservation said the ferry left at 9:00 am. Turns out that the time is 8:30 am. The schedule we got said we needed to be at the terminal 2 hours before departure. At the terminal they said it was 3 hours prior. That means we need to pull out of the campground at 5:20 am! I guess we will be hooked up and ready to roll Wednesday night. We will need to check that we have an alarm clock that works for Thursday!
We got fuel and paid the most ever–$5.44 per gallon! Takes your breath away, doesn’t it? I did compute milage and fuel consumption so far on this trip. We have driven just a little over 2,500 miles since we left home. Of that, 2,315 miles were towing and 190 miles not towing. We are getting 9.25 miles per gallon. We normally get about 10.5 miles per gallon when towing and 18 mpg when not towing but that is when we are on fairly level ground. So far we have towed quite a bit in the mountains and over mountain passes and that reduces the mpg a lot.
Prince Rupert is the first town we have stayed in with absolutely no cell phone service. Just before we entered Canada we added Canada to our calling plan. If we had not it would have cost a bundle to make calls in Canada. We have had pretty good cell phone service while along the major highways and in the cities here. The cell phone coverage has been spotty along the less than major highways and in the mountains. I do know that there is cell phone coverage in Prince Rupert as the manager of the campground has and uses his cell phone. I guess that Verizon just hasn’t signed an agreement with whoever is the cell phone provider here. We expect to have cell phone coverage when we get to Ketchikan.
Just before we left on this trip, we drove back east to see Leslie’s parents and to try to time it so that we could see newest grandchild. Unfortunately, grandson Henry was born while we were in Kansas driving back home. We left Cody and Molly with Leslie’s parents while we when to see friends in the Washington, DC area and to see John and Emily who were on the verge of Henry being born. While Cody and Molly were staying with Leslie’s parents, Ann, Leslie’s mother, taught Cody to try to catch the end of his leash while she swung it back and forth. Cody really liked the game and he would howl for Ann (or anyone else for that matter) to play the game with him. Well, he now has a new game and he has forgotten (almost) the leash game. I brought along a laser point that I had had for a long time to use when giving presentations. Now Cody howls to have someone shine the pointer on the ground while he chases it. Even Molly, who normally sleeps a lot, will get up and chase the red dot on the floor. As the space in the trailer is nowhere as large as the three story house they can and do run in when they are home, we use it to help them get some exercise.
We drove into Prince Rupert Today. It is clearly not a tourist town. I would describe it as "gritty." There are saw mills just on the other side of town. Although it is on the water I didn’t see fishing boats so I don’t know if there is a fishing industry here or not. We did eat dinner in town tonight. It was good but not great. We went to the ferry terminal to check it out before we show up Thursday morning with the trailer attached. The schedule we got when we made reservation said the ferry left at 9:00 am. Turns out that the time is 8:30 am. The schedule we got said we needed to be at the terminal 2 hours before departure. At the terminal they said it was 3 hours prior. That means we need to pull out of the campground at 5:20 am! I guess we will be hooked up and ready to roll Wednesday night. We will need to check that we have an alarm clock that works for Thursday!
We got fuel and paid the most ever–$5.44 per gallon! Takes your breath away, doesn’t it? I did compute milage and fuel consumption so far on this trip. We have driven just a little over 2,500 miles since we left home. Of that, 2,315 miles were towing and 190 miles not towing. We are getting 9.25 miles per gallon. We normally get about 10.5 miles per gallon when towing and 18 mpg when not towing but that is when we are on fairly level ground. So far we have towed quite a bit in the mountains and over mountain passes and that reduces the mpg a lot.
Prince Rupert is the first town we have stayed in with absolutely no cell phone service. Just before we entered Canada we added Canada to our calling plan. If we had not it would have cost a bundle to make calls in Canada. We have had pretty good cell phone service while along the major highways and in the cities here. The cell phone coverage has been spotty along the less than major highways and in the mountains. I do know that there is cell phone coverage in Prince Rupert as the manager of the campground has and uses his cell phone. I guess that Verizon just hasn’t signed an agreement with whoever is the cell phone provider here. We expect to have cell phone coverage when we get to Ketchikan.
Just before we left on this trip, we drove back east to see Leslie’s parents and to try to time it so that we could see newest grandchild. Unfortunately, grandson Henry was born while we were in Kansas driving back home. We left Cody and Molly with Leslie’s parents while we when to see friends in the Washington, DC area and to see John and Emily who were on the verge of Henry being born. While Cody and Molly were staying with Leslie’s parents, Ann, Leslie’s mother, taught Cody to try to catch the end of his leash while she swung it back and forth. Cody really liked the game and he would howl for Ann (or anyone else for that matter) to play the game with him. Well, he now has a new game and he has forgotten (almost) the leash game. I brought along a laser point that I had had for a long time to use when giving presentations. Now Cody howls to have someone shine the pointer on the ground while he chases it. Even Molly, who normally sleeps a lot, will get up and chase the red dot on the floor. As the space in the trailer is nowhere as large as the three story house they can and do run in when they are home, we use it to help them get some exercise.
Made It to Prince Rupert
Leslie Monday, May 26, 2008
We’ve made it to Prince Rupert, BC. We’re really quite far north. This morning I looked out at 4:15 am and the sun was already up. I was looking to see if any of those mythical moose were grazing on the golf course. They weren’t!
Today was more driving westward, mostly along the river. The mountains were on our right, the river on the left.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/302117085_S67rD-M.jpg
There were some beautiful waterfalls coming out of the mountains.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/302117147_iDB6B-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/302117186_QCKFo-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/302117255_fwYNC-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/302117287_Ekn5Y-M.jpg
About 30 miles east of Prince Rupert we could see mud flats in the river, likely a result of tidal movement. We assumed that we would not be crossing another mountain pass since it was likely that the road would follow the river. At 20 miles out of Prince Rupert we started climbing. Although we only climbed to 500 ft of elevation, it was a steep hill to haul.
By the time we had reached Prince George we were too far north to pick up the satellite radio so we won’t have CNN any longer. We’ve put the XM radio away until September.
We’re staying at the Park Avenue RV park just up the hill from the ferry dock. Considering that most areas around a working waterfront are a bit seedy, we weren’t expecting much. Actually this park is very nice. The rows are on a hillside and there are only 10 rigs here although the park would hold over 300 during busy season. And finally, we seem to have reliable WIFI service.
There are some funny sites here. Okay gentlemen: what year is this?
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/302117038_vCokn-M.jpg
The occupant is one man in a cowboy hat.
And then there is another neighbor who appears to be waiting for his rig to show up. He’s been sitting here since 4:00 pm and it’s now almost 9:00 pm and he doesn’t appear to have a place to sleep. Mmm? Who knows?
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/302117119_FYsxe-M.jpg
(We seeemed to lose our internet connection last night as I was trying to post this so I can update you a bit. Sometime around mid-night many rigs showed up. I'm guessing that they came off a ferry. I think the man who was rig-less was joined by a rig later. Most of the late arriving rigs left early this morning.)
We were outside about an hour after we got set up and noticed that water was flowing from the front of the rig. That’s not good. Further investigation revealed that we have a leak in our water system. Robert ended up drenched as he investigated. The weather here is beautiful (sunny and mid-60s) so that wasn’t too much of a problem (for me:-) ). His diagnosis of the water problem is that a brass fitting in the water control center had broken. I didn’t know that something made of brass would "break". The temporary solution is that we have to use water from our 100 gallon fresh water holding tank and not from the city water connection. This isn’t a huge deal because we can fill the fresh water holding tank and then pull from the tank with our new water pump. (I sure am glad the water pump is now working...) We’ll talk with the factory tomorrow about shipping the fitting to us in Ketchikan.
When we left Colorado the freezer unit of our 10 cubic foot refrigerator was completely packed. Because the rules on how much and what types of meat you are permitted to bring into the US are complex and constantly changing, we’ve been trying to eat our way through the freezer. I’m happy to report that we have only 2 packages of stew beef yet to consume. I’ll likely make one batch for lunch/dinner tomorrow so that at most we’ll have one beef item to carry back into the US. (When we board the ferry on Thursday, we’re headed for Ketchikan, AK.) The last time we went to Alaska I promised myself that I would eat only fish for the entire trip. Really suffering, huh? I don’t know that I can pull that off this trip but I might give it a good try.
More later,
Leslie
We’ve made it to Prince Rupert, BC. We’re really quite far north. This morning I looked out at 4:15 am and the sun was already up. I was looking to see if any of those mythical moose were grazing on the golf course. They weren’t!
Today was more driving westward, mostly along the river. The mountains were on our right, the river on the left.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/302117085_S67rD-M.jpg
There were some beautiful waterfalls coming out of the mountains.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/302117147_iDB6B-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/302117186_QCKFo-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/302117255_fwYNC-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/302117287_Ekn5Y-M.jpg
About 30 miles east of Prince Rupert we could see mud flats in the river, likely a result of tidal movement. We assumed that we would not be crossing another mountain pass since it was likely that the road would follow the river. At 20 miles out of Prince Rupert we started climbing. Although we only climbed to 500 ft of elevation, it was a steep hill to haul.
By the time we had reached Prince George we were too far north to pick up the satellite radio so we won’t have CNN any longer. We’ve put the XM radio away until September.
We’re staying at the Park Avenue RV park just up the hill from the ferry dock. Considering that most areas around a working waterfront are a bit seedy, we weren’t expecting much. Actually this park is very nice. The rows are on a hillside and there are only 10 rigs here although the park would hold over 300 during busy season. And finally, we seem to have reliable WIFI service.
There are some funny sites here. Okay gentlemen: what year is this?
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/302117038_vCokn-M.jpg
The occupant is one man in a cowboy hat.
And then there is another neighbor who appears to be waiting for his rig to show up. He’s been sitting here since 4:00 pm and it’s now almost 9:00 pm and he doesn’t appear to have a place to sleep. Mmm? Who knows?
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/302117119_FYsxe-M.jpg
(We seeemed to lose our internet connection last night as I was trying to post this so I can update you a bit. Sometime around mid-night many rigs showed up. I'm guessing that they came off a ferry. I think the man who was rig-less was joined by a rig later. Most of the late arriving rigs left early this morning.)
We were outside about an hour after we got set up and noticed that water was flowing from the front of the rig. That’s not good. Further investigation revealed that we have a leak in our water system. Robert ended up drenched as he investigated. The weather here is beautiful (sunny and mid-60s) so that wasn’t too much of a problem (for me:-) ). His diagnosis of the water problem is that a brass fitting in the water control center had broken. I didn’t know that something made of brass would "break". The temporary solution is that we have to use water from our 100 gallon fresh water holding tank and not from the city water connection. This isn’t a huge deal because we can fill the fresh water holding tank and then pull from the tank with our new water pump. (I sure am glad the water pump is now working...) We’ll talk with the factory tomorrow about shipping the fitting to us in Ketchikan.
When we left Colorado the freezer unit of our 10 cubic foot refrigerator was completely packed. Because the rules on how much and what types of meat you are permitted to bring into the US are complex and constantly changing, we’ve been trying to eat our way through the freezer. I’m happy to report that we have only 2 packages of stew beef yet to consume. I’ll likely make one batch for lunch/dinner tomorrow so that at most we’ll have one beef item to carry back into the US. (When we board the ferry on Thursday, we’re headed for Ketchikan, AK.) The last time we went to Alaska I promised myself that I would eat only fish for the entire trip. Really suffering, huh? I don’t know that I can pull that off this trip but I might give it a good try.
More later,
Leslie
Monday, May 26, 2008
Finished First Part of Adventure
Robert, Monday, May 26
Happy Memorial Day! Of course this is just another Monday in Canada. We finished the first part of our adventure today; we drove from Smithers to Prince George. This is where we get on the ferry and start up the southeast coast of Alaska. We don’t get on the ferry until Thursday morning so we have two days to explore Prince George. That’s a good thing as we need to get the metal value stems installed on the truck. We also discovered that we have a water leak. We went back to the office where we registered for our campsite to find out how to get on the internet. When we returned to the trailer Leslie pointed to water dripping from the front corner of the trailer. It turns out that there is a brass fitting that is used to switch the incoming water to either the fresh water tank or directly into the trailer water lines. Somehow it appears to have cracked and was leaking water. I tried to tighten it and got a shower. It does work when sending water into the fresh water tank so we put water in the tank and we can use the water pump (the one we just got replaced!) to supply water. I’ll call the factory tomorrow and have them send a replacement part to campground where we are staying in Ketchikan. It doesn’t look like it is too hard of a job to replace it–just a little cramped in the space where the fitting is located.
The drive today was an easy one–only about 222 miles. We left the Smithers at 10:00 am and I drove half-way until our lunch stop and Leslie drove the rest of the way. We stopped for lunch at a roadside rest area and fixed sandwiches. This is our normal routine as long as we have bread and some kind of lunch meat. The route took us through some beautiful mountains. The weather was sunny and warm and we got some views of waterfalls coming down from the snow fields. We expected rainy and cold along the coast so the weather is a welcome surprise. The southeast coast of Alaska is known for its rain. We decided to take the ferry north bound as the weather gets rainier later in the summer. Also going this way we hope the road repairs are completed by the time we start the drive back south in September.
Molly is getting better. The lymph node that was swollen is much smaller. Through this all she hasn’t shown any signs of feeling any worse for wear. She and Cody still howl every time we put them in the truck to hit the road. Some days they howl for an hour; other days they don’t let up. The second they get back in the trailer they settle down.
We’ll see how the mosquitoes are in this campground. They were horrible at the last campground. We do have a lot of insect repellent with us but I hate to put it on unless it is absolutely necessary. We also have mosquito nets that fit over our heads and come down to our shoulders. They look goofy but when they mosquitoes are as large and numerous as they can be in Alaska, I’ll take goofy over a million mosquito bites.
Prince Rupert looks like a real town. Tomorrow we will go exploring. To get to the campground meant we drove right through the downtown. There were a lot of shops and restaurants; in others words our kind of town. The campground is about a half mile from the ferry terminal so it should be easy on Thursday morning. The scheduled time for the ferry is 9:00 am and we have to be in line two hours early. This means an early start on Thursday.
Happy Memorial Day! Of course this is just another Monday in Canada. We finished the first part of our adventure today; we drove from Smithers to Prince George. This is where we get on the ferry and start up the southeast coast of Alaska. We don’t get on the ferry until Thursday morning so we have two days to explore Prince George. That’s a good thing as we need to get the metal value stems installed on the truck. We also discovered that we have a water leak. We went back to the office where we registered for our campsite to find out how to get on the internet. When we returned to the trailer Leslie pointed to water dripping from the front corner of the trailer. It turns out that there is a brass fitting that is used to switch the incoming water to either the fresh water tank or directly into the trailer water lines. Somehow it appears to have cracked and was leaking water. I tried to tighten it and got a shower. It does work when sending water into the fresh water tank so we put water in the tank and we can use the water pump (the one we just got replaced!) to supply water. I’ll call the factory tomorrow and have them send a replacement part to campground where we are staying in Ketchikan. It doesn’t look like it is too hard of a job to replace it–just a little cramped in the space where the fitting is located.
The drive today was an easy one–only about 222 miles. We left the Smithers at 10:00 am and I drove half-way until our lunch stop and Leslie drove the rest of the way. We stopped for lunch at a roadside rest area and fixed sandwiches. This is our normal routine as long as we have bread and some kind of lunch meat. The route took us through some beautiful mountains. The weather was sunny and warm and we got some views of waterfalls coming down from the snow fields. We expected rainy and cold along the coast so the weather is a welcome surprise. The southeast coast of Alaska is known for its rain. We decided to take the ferry north bound as the weather gets rainier later in the summer. Also going this way we hope the road repairs are completed by the time we start the drive back south in September.
Molly is getting better. The lymph node that was swollen is much smaller. Through this all she hasn’t shown any signs of feeling any worse for wear. She and Cody still howl every time we put them in the truck to hit the road. Some days they howl for an hour; other days they don’t let up. The second they get back in the trailer they settle down.
We’ll see how the mosquitoes are in this campground. They were horrible at the last campground. We do have a lot of insect repellent with us but I hate to put it on unless it is absolutely necessary. We also have mosquito nets that fit over our heads and come down to our shoulders. They look goofy but when they mosquitoes are as large and numerous as they can be in Alaska, I’ll take goofy over a million mosquito bites.
Prince Rupert looks like a real town. Tomorrow we will go exploring. To get to the campground meant we drove right through the downtown. There were a lot of shops and restaurants; in others words our kind of town. The campground is about a half mile from the ferry terminal so it should be easy on Thursday morning. The scheduled time for the ferry is 9:00 am and we have to be in line two hours early. This means an early start on Thursday.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
On the Yellowhead Highway
Robert, Sunday, May 25
Drove from Prince George to Smithers today. Total distance of about 232 miles. Canadians give their major highways names. We were driving on the Yellowhead Highway. We keep thinking of it as Highway 16. We saw countless signs to watch out for moose. I decided that moose stands for "Mythical Object Observed Scarcely Ever." We saw absolute none. We did see a coyote and several deer but no moose. It’s probably something dreamed up by the Chamber of Commerce to keep the tourists coming back. Along the way there were beautiful lakes that were along the highway for miles. They looked to be a mile wide but as much as 10-15 miles long. The drive went from mountains to hills with farmland. Then as we approached Smithers we started seeing mountains again–mountains with a lot of snow on them. I am guessing that they are the start of the coastal mountains as we are about 220 road miles from Prince Rupert which is on the coast. Tomorrow we will drive to Prince Rupert and spend 3 nights before getting on the ferry. As I am sitting at a picnic table fighting off the mosquitos, this will be short. It is hard to type and swat mosquitos at the same time.
Drove from Prince George to Smithers today. Total distance of about 232 miles. Canadians give their major highways names. We were driving on the Yellowhead Highway. We keep thinking of it as Highway 16. We saw countless signs to watch out for moose. I decided that moose stands for "Mythical Object Observed Scarcely Ever." We saw absolute none. We did see a coyote and several deer but no moose. It’s probably something dreamed up by the Chamber of Commerce to keep the tourists coming back. Along the way there were beautiful lakes that were along the highway for miles. They looked to be a mile wide but as much as 10-15 miles long. The drive went from mountains to hills with farmland. Then as we approached Smithers we started seeing mountains again–mountains with a lot of snow on them. I am guessing that they are the start of the coastal mountains as we are about 220 road miles from Prince Rupert which is on the coast. Tomorrow we will drive to Prince Rupert and spend 3 nights before getting on the ferry. As I am sitting at a picnic table fighting off the mosquitos, this will be short. It is hard to type and swat mosquitos at the same time.
Bulwinkle?
Leslie Sunday, May 25, 2008
We’ve had such poor internet connections that I haven’t been able to write much of the interesting or funny things we’ve seen or to educate those of you unfamiliar with RVing on some of the facets of this lifestyle.
I always like to visit grocery stores when I travel. It seems to give a good impression of real life in the locale. Throughout Canada we’ve noticed that bulk food sections of grocery stores are really large. I’m guessing it is part of the "go green" movement. Yesterday in Prince George we saw what was the largest and most varied bulk food section I’ve ever seen. They had an entire row of spices. They had jams and fruit preserves and lemon, Boston cream, and cherry pie fillings in tubs. There was more candy than you can imagine, especially fruit slices (such as spearmint leaves, peach circles, and more), many types of rice, pastas, grains, soup mixes, baking ingredients, etc.
Today we drove Route 16 from Prince George to Smithers, BC. We had several more long hills with 8% grades both up and down. There were signs after signs warning to beware of moose. And we saw:
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340612_P32ed-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340627_oenAH-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340657_QSKjN-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340677_emhrp-M.jpg
signs after signs to beware of moose, but not one moose did we see.
As we dropped out of the mountains, it appeared that the major industry is logging.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340601_aGdD9-M.jpg
We traveled along the Frazer River which is famous for fishing. There are cabins, RV sites, and fishing lodges along the lakes but mostly it is pretty desolate.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340577_TK9go-M.jpg
A bit further we cam across fields and fields of dandelions. One would think that they were farming dandelions but alas it appeared as the dandelions just grew wherever — (and wouldn’t you think that if you were a moose you’d enjoy munching on all those dandelions?) No such luck!
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340556_tjF6V-M.jpg
About an hour out of Smithers we first saw the coastal mountains come in to view.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340718_tYTuM-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340736_qJ79k-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340750_f6SSW-M.jpg
And of course, more signs to beware of moose. Yeah, Bullwinkle where are you?
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340702_yBXfp-M.jpg
We’re staying at the Riverside Golf and RV Park in Smithers, BC. Our view out the front is the golf course and the coastal mountains, out the picture window we see an empty site along the river.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340769_kjW7k-M.jpg
The sites are mostly side-by-side which means that our patio would face the patio of another unit (or another way of looking at it is that two units share one space) . That is less desirable because you have less privacy if you choose to sit out. We’re pretty certain that another unit will not be placed next to us because the remaining space is less than 5 feet wide. It’s very early in the season and the campground is not very busy so this shouldn’t be a problem. The sites are pretty and this would be a nice place if they laid it out with half as many sites.
Tomorrow we’re on to Prince Rupert. Although we don’t like to travel two days in a row, we want to have two full days in Prince Rupert to have some needed work done on the truck tires. (Tires and brakes are important; they take precedence over our comfort wishes.)
Oh, and as I try to post this, I'm sitting at a picnic table with hords of mosquitoes attaching me! OUCH! OUCH!!! These are terrible mossies!!!!
More later,
Leslie
We’ve had such poor internet connections that I haven’t been able to write much of the interesting or funny things we’ve seen or to educate those of you unfamiliar with RVing on some of the facets of this lifestyle.
I always like to visit grocery stores when I travel. It seems to give a good impression of real life in the locale. Throughout Canada we’ve noticed that bulk food sections of grocery stores are really large. I’m guessing it is part of the "go green" movement. Yesterday in Prince George we saw what was the largest and most varied bulk food section I’ve ever seen. They had an entire row of spices. They had jams and fruit preserves and lemon, Boston cream, and cherry pie fillings in tubs. There was more candy than you can imagine, especially fruit slices (such as spearmint leaves, peach circles, and more), many types of rice, pastas, grains, soup mixes, baking ingredients, etc.
Today we drove Route 16 from Prince George to Smithers, BC. We had several more long hills with 8% grades both up and down. There were signs after signs warning to beware of moose. And we saw:
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340612_P32ed-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340627_oenAH-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340657_QSKjN-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340677_emhrp-M.jpg
signs after signs to beware of moose, but not one moose did we see.
As we dropped out of the mountains, it appeared that the major industry is logging.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340601_aGdD9-M.jpg
We traveled along the Frazer River which is famous for fishing. There are cabins, RV sites, and fishing lodges along the lakes but mostly it is pretty desolate.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340577_TK9go-M.jpg
A bit further we cam across fields and fields of dandelions. One would think that they were farming dandelions but alas it appeared as the dandelions just grew wherever — (and wouldn’t you think that if you were a moose you’d enjoy munching on all those dandelions?) No such luck!
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340556_tjF6V-M.jpg
About an hour out of Smithers we first saw the coastal mountains come in to view.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340718_tYTuM-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340736_qJ79k-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340750_f6SSW-M.jpg
And of course, more signs to beware of moose. Yeah, Bullwinkle where are you?
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340702_yBXfp-M.jpg
We’re staying at the Riverside Golf and RV Park in Smithers, BC. Our view out the front is the golf course and the coastal mountains, out the picture window we see an empty site along the river.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/301340769_kjW7k-M.jpg
The sites are mostly side-by-side which means that our patio would face the patio of another unit (or another way of looking at it is that two units share one space) . That is less desirable because you have less privacy if you choose to sit out. We’re pretty certain that another unit will not be placed next to us because the remaining space is less than 5 feet wide. It’s very early in the season and the campground is not very busy so this shouldn’t be a problem. The sites are pretty and this would be a nice place if they laid it out with half as many sites.
Tomorrow we’re on to Prince Rupert. Although we don’t like to travel two days in a row, we want to have two full days in Prince Rupert to have some needed work done on the truck tires. (Tires and brakes are important; they take precedence over our comfort wishes.)
Oh, and as I try to post this, I'm sitting at a picnic table with hords of mosquitoes attaching me! OUCH! OUCH!!! These are terrible mossies!!!!
More later,
Leslie
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Last Provisions
Leslie Saturday, May 24, 2008
We took the RV to the repair facility this morning. Molly & Cody had to wait in the truck. Although they were annoyed, the weather was a beautiful, sunny day with temps in the upper 50's. I used the opportunity to finish some client work on my laptop.
Today was the first sunny day since last Sunday. We were happy for the opportunity to do some outside things. Prince George is the last town of any size we’re likely to see until early July when we’ll get to Anchorage. We replenished our provisions. Our one funny was that we saw and visited a COSTCO -- yeah! The organization of COSTCO was exactly the same as Fairfax, VA or Arvada, CO. After we had unloaded our cart and I had begun to write the check suddenly Robert remembered that a check would be in US dollars (not good). A quick look at our Canadian cash told us that we couldn't pay cash so we resorted to the COSTCO AmEX card. Not a big problem but we laughed at our forgetting what kind of dollars we're transacting. (Right now the US dollar and the Canadian dollar are at about par so it doesn't make much difference.)
Here is the welcome to Prince George.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300826337_LgW2S-M.jpg
Because we're relying on campground WIFI we're having significant trouble getting emails out. While we sit here in the campground laundry room (longest time I've spent in a luandry room in many a year) we seem to be able to receive emails and we can post to the blog but we can't send any direct emails. Sorry about that.....
perhaps connections will be better tomorrow as we head west on Hwy 16 toward Smithers, BC.
more later,
Leslie
We took the RV to the repair facility this morning. Molly & Cody had to wait in the truck. Although they were annoyed, the weather was a beautiful, sunny day with temps in the upper 50's. I used the opportunity to finish some client work on my laptop.
Today was the first sunny day since last Sunday. We were happy for the opportunity to do some outside things. Prince George is the last town of any size we’re likely to see until early July when we’ll get to Anchorage. We replenished our provisions. Our one funny was that we saw and visited a COSTCO -- yeah! The organization of COSTCO was exactly the same as Fairfax, VA or Arvada, CO. After we had unloaded our cart and I had begun to write the check suddenly Robert remembered that a check would be in US dollars (not good). A quick look at our Canadian cash told us that we couldn't pay cash so we resorted to the COSTCO AmEX card. Not a big problem but we laughed at our forgetting what kind of dollars we're transacting. (Right now the US dollar and the Canadian dollar are at about par so it doesn't make much difference.)
Here is the welcome to Prince George.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300826337_LgW2S-M.jpg
Because we're relying on campground WIFI we're having significant trouble getting emails out. While we sit here in the campground laundry room (longest time I've spent in a luandry room in many a year) we seem to be able to receive emails and we can post to the blog but we can't send any direct emails. Sorry about that.....
perhaps connections will be better tomorrow as we head west on Hwy 16 toward Smithers, BC.
more later,
Leslie
Old Water Pump is History
Robert, Saturday, May 24
Got the water pump replaced today. When it quit working I called the factory and they said to get it replaced, send them the old pump, and they would send me a check for the cost. I’ll wait until we get to Alaska to send it as the cost to send it from Canada would be out of sight. It cost us $1.01 Canadian to send a letter to the US so I imagine the cost to send the pump from here would be prohibitive. The reason we picked the campground we are staying in is that it is literally across the road from the dealership that replaced the pump. After we got the pump replaced, we hauled the trailer back to the campground, set-up, and had lunch. Then we went into town to get a few things. We read on the web that there is a $20 vacuum cleaner that is small and works well so we wanted to get one. The vacuum we have been using is almost useless. The new one really does work far better than the old one. I have been trying to get the valve stems replaced on the truck tires. The ones that came with the truck are rubber and I want to replace them with metal. I bought the metal stems at a NAPA store and had one replaced a week ago. At the time I could only find one stem. We have pressure sensors installed on all of the tires on the truck and the trailer. The sensors are about the size of a marshmallow. The replace the regular valve caps. With rubber valve stems, they cause the valve stems to flex leading to early failure. Unfortunately, every place I checked said they couldn’t do the work until tomorrow. We plan on two or three days in Prince Rupert before we get on the ferry so maybe I can get them replaced there.
Got the water pump replaced today. When it quit working I called the factory and they said to get it replaced, send them the old pump, and they would send me a check for the cost. I’ll wait until we get to Alaska to send it as the cost to send it from Canada would be out of sight. It cost us $1.01 Canadian to send a letter to the US so I imagine the cost to send the pump from here would be prohibitive. The reason we picked the campground we are staying in is that it is literally across the road from the dealership that replaced the pump. After we got the pump replaced, we hauled the trailer back to the campground, set-up, and had lunch. Then we went into town to get a few things. We read on the web that there is a $20 vacuum cleaner that is small and works well so we wanted to get one. The vacuum we have been using is almost useless. The new one really does work far better than the old one. I have been trying to get the valve stems replaced on the truck tires. The ones that came with the truck are rubber and I want to replace them with metal. I bought the metal stems at a NAPA store and had one replaced a week ago. At the time I could only find one stem. We have pressure sensors installed on all of the tires on the truck and the trailer. The sensors are about the size of a marshmallow. The replace the regular valve caps. With rubber valve stems, they cause the valve stems to flex leading to early failure. Unfortunately, every place I checked said they couldn’t do the work until tomorrow. We plan on two or three days in Prince Rupert before we get on the ferry so maybe I can get them replaced there.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Travel to Prince George
Robert, Friday, May 23
Hit the road to Prince George this morning. It is in British Columbia. Tomorrow morning we have an appointment to get the water pump replaced. Along the road there were countless signs warning of moose. Well I saw as many abominable snowmen as I saw moose–absolutely zero of both! The best we could do is a few mule deer along the road.
As we get further north and as we get closer to the summer solstice, the daylight lasts longer and longer. I am never awake to see when it gets light in the morning but it is still light until almost 10:00 pm. The weather has been cool and cloudy since last weekend. My guess is that as we get closer to the coast, it will stay this way for the month of June.
Today is the start of our second week on the road. In one way it seems like we just started and in another it seems like so long ago that we started this adventure. We are both having a great time.
Hit the road to Prince George this morning. It is in British Columbia. Tomorrow morning we have an appointment to get the water pump replaced. Along the road there were countless signs warning of moose. Well I saw as many abominable snowmen as I saw moose–absolutely zero of both! The best we could do is a few mule deer along the road.
As we get further north and as we get closer to the summer solstice, the daylight lasts longer and longer. I am never awake to see when it gets light in the morning but it is still light until almost 10:00 pm. The weather has been cool and cloudy since last weekend. My guess is that as we get closer to the coast, it will stay this way for the month of June.
Today is the start of our second week on the road. In one way it seems like we just started and in another it seems like so long ago that we started this adventure. We are both having a great time.
Prince George, Bristish Columbia
Leslie Friday, May 23, 2008
We’ve been on the road for two weeks. Today was another travel day. I drove west from Jasper to Prince George. As we drove west we came through several more Canadian national parks. The route climbed through a mountain pass (with a view of Mount Robson at 12292 ft.), and then dropped precipitously. The road dropped at an 8% grade, which is significant, especially towing 16,000 lbs. loaded. We saw signs every few miles warning traffic to slow down for moose – and of course we didn’t see a single moose. After dropping out of the mountains we passed through grazing countryside.
We’ve been told that Prince George is a real town but the campground where we’re located is in the country.
We’re in Prince George to resupply before making the last trek towards Prince Rupert. Prince George is the last town of any significance before the Pacific coast. Our water pump hasn’t worked since the beginning of our trip and we have an appointment tomorrow morning to have it replaced. The RV repair facility is just across the street from this campground.
Molly’s swollen lymph node seems to be getting smaller.
more later,
Leslie
We’ve been on the road for two weeks. Today was another travel day. I drove west from Jasper to Prince George. As we drove west we came through several more Canadian national parks. The route climbed through a mountain pass (with a view of Mount Robson at 12292 ft.), and then dropped precipitously. The road dropped at an 8% grade, which is significant, especially towing 16,000 lbs. loaded. We saw signs every few miles warning traffic to slow down for moose – and of course we didn’t see a single moose. After dropping out of the mountains we passed through grazing countryside.
We’ve been told that Prince George is a real town but the campground where we’re located is in the country.
We’re in Prince George to resupply before making the last trek towards Prince Rupert. Prince George is the last town of any significance before the Pacific coast. Our water pump hasn’t worked since the beginning of our trip and we have an appointment tomorrow morning to have it replaced. The RV repair facility is just across the street from this campground.
Molly’s swollen lymph node seems to be getting smaller.
more later,
Leslie
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Whistler's Campground Jasper
Leslie Thursday, May 22, 2008
Whistler’s Campground in Jasper National Park is another wonderful Canadian government campground with widely spaced full hook-up site (30 amp) amid lodgepole pines. We were pleased to find all three of our immediately past campgrounds.
Here’s picture of our campsite.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300367287_9x4dL-M.jpg
And the view out our picture window.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348535_pbfrj-M.jpg
It didn’t rain today but the weather remained chilly and cloudy. The cats are now sharing Molly’s heated bed.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300351195_9tzcr-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348535_pbfrj-M.jpg
We spent several hours setting up our campground reservations for southeast Alaska. Because we have ferry reservations and therefore know when we’ll be at each stop, we decided that we might as well make campground reservations.
Later we drove to Jasper to get diesel and check out the town. The town of Jasper has only 4000 residents; it appears to be mostly a tourist town. We try to fill up on diesel after setting up camp so that we don’t have to maneuver the rig in a tight gas station. Diesel was actually slightly less expensive in Jasper than in Banff, only (ha, ha) $1.329 per liter).
More later,
Leslie
Whistler’s Campground in Jasper National Park is another wonderful Canadian government campground with widely spaced full hook-up site (30 amp) amid lodgepole pines. We were pleased to find all three of our immediately past campgrounds.
Here’s picture of our campsite.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300367287_9x4dL-M.jpg
And the view out our picture window.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348535_pbfrj-M.jpg
It didn’t rain today but the weather remained chilly and cloudy. The cats are now sharing Molly’s heated bed.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300351195_9tzcr-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348535_pbfrj-M.jpg
We spent several hours setting up our campground reservations for southeast Alaska. Because we have ferry reservations and therefore know when we’ll be at each stop, we decided that we might as well make campground reservations.
Later we drove to Jasper to get diesel and check out the town. The town of Jasper has only 4000 residents; it appears to be mostly a tourist town. We try to fill up on diesel after setting up camp so that we don’t have to maneuver the rig in a tight gas station. Diesel was actually slightly less expensive in Jasper than in Banff, only (ha, ha) $1.329 per liter).
More later,
Leslie
Exploring Jasper
Robert, Thursday, May 22
We did a number of chores around the trailer today. We made reservations for all of the stops we will make when going up the southeast coast of Alaska. Some of the stops are small towns with few choices of places to camp. One of the campgrounds was actually filled but the manager said he would fir us in somehow. As a comparison, the campground where we are now has something like 350 sites. The one where the manager said he would fir us in has 7 sites.
The tires needed air. Before we left home, we bought a CO2 tank to inflate tires. It looks like a scuba air tank except it is filled with carbon dioxide. Using a small air compressor can take 10 minutes to put air in one tire. With this tank, it takes 10 seconds. The other great advantage is that our air compressor needs 110 vac; the tank needs no power so it is much easier to use in the middle of nowhere.
After that we went into town. The population of Jasper is something like 4,000. There is one station that has a diesel pump, one small grocery store, a bunch of tourist gift shops, and that is about all.
We did a number of chores around the trailer today. We made reservations for all of the stops we will make when going up the southeast coast of Alaska. Some of the stops are small towns with few choices of places to camp. One of the campgrounds was actually filled but the manager said he would fir us in somehow. As a comparison, the campground where we are now has something like 350 sites. The one where the manager said he would fir us in has 7 sites.
The tires needed air. Before we left home, we bought a CO2 tank to inflate tires. It looks like a scuba air tank except it is filled with carbon dioxide. Using a small air compressor can take 10 minutes to put air in one tire. With this tank, it takes 10 seconds. The other great advantage is that our air compressor needs 110 vac; the tank needs no power so it is much easier to use in the middle of nowhere.
After that we went into town. The population of Jasper is something like 4,000. There is one station that has a diesel pump, one small grocery store, a bunch of tourist gift shops, and that is about all.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Icefield Parkway
Robert, Wednesday, May 21
We drove north to Jasper today. The road from Lake Louise to Jasper is called the Icefield Parkway. According to the brochures, it is a beautiful drive with views of mountains and glaciers. We will have to take what the brochures say as the word as it rained with low hanging clouds all of the way. And it was cool. The temps got down in the 30s and we had snow rather than rain when we were going over one of the two passes. It wasn’t sticking but it was snow.
When we got to Jasper, we stayed in the Whistler National Park campground. It has full hook-ups which is unusual for any government run campgrounds. Our site is in the trees and this is a campground we would return to visit. As it was still spitting rain, we didn’t do much except get set-up.
We drove north to Jasper today. The road from Lake Louise to Jasper is called the Icefield Parkway. According to the brochures, it is a beautiful drive with views of mountains and glaciers. We will have to take what the brochures say as the word as it rained with low hanging clouds all of the way. And it was cool. The temps got down in the 30s and we had snow rather than rain when we were going over one of the two passes. It wasn’t sticking but it was snow.
When we got to Jasper, we stayed in the Whistler National Park campground. It has full hook-ups which is unusual for any government run campgrounds. Our site is in the trees and this is a campground we would return to visit. As it was still spitting rain, we didn’t do much except get set-up.
Banff to Jasper
Leslie Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Our day started with a herd of elk visiting our campsite. This view is out our picture window.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348780_sPsFn-M.jpg
We traveled along the Icefields Parkway, along the glaciers to Jasper. Unfortunately the weather was raining/snowing and in the low 40's. I’m sure that if the sun was shining the view would have been impressive but as it was, we really couldn’t see much.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348688_8Zpgx-M.jpg
We did stop at the Visitor’s Center at the Icefield Center. Because of the low clouds, the views of the glaciers were mostly obscured.
We did visit with a Bear Mounty. He graciously posed for pcitures.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348752_VCCYU-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348833_sB4sh-M.jpg
Because there were few people at Tunnel Mountain in Banff, we decided to skip reservations (and saved the $11.00 reservation fee) as we proceeded to Jasper National Park. We showed up at Whispers Campground around 3:00 pm. There was no problem getting a full-hook up site (30 amps).
We were warned that the elks are calving and are very aggressive. We didn’t see a single elk! We were warned that this is bear country and that it is very important to keep an absolutely clean camp.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348433_Ema6b-M.jpg
We didn’t see any bear either. We did notice this very large bear trap located near the entrance. I wonder if it was placed there to intimidate the campers or the bears?
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348473_abAHe-M.jpg
Because of the bear danger, if you camp in a tent or soft-sided trailer, you have to keep all your food and other "people smelling products" in a bear-proof food locker. To open the food lockers (and the trash dumpsters) you have to push a locking mechanism and lift the lid at the same time.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348657_THrDd-M.jpg
More later,
Leslie
Our day started with a herd of elk visiting our campsite. This view is out our picture window.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348780_sPsFn-M.jpg
We traveled along the Icefields Parkway, along the glaciers to Jasper. Unfortunately the weather was raining/snowing and in the low 40's. I’m sure that if the sun was shining the view would have been impressive but as it was, we really couldn’t see much.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348688_8Zpgx-M.jpg
We did stop at the Visitor’s Center at the Icefield Center. Because of the low clouds, the views of the glaciers were mostly obscured.
We did visit with a Bear Mounty. He graciously posed for pcitures.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348752_VCCYU-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348833_sB4sh-M.jpg
Because there were few people at Tunnel Mountain in Banff, we decided to skip reservations (and saved the $11.00 reservation fee) as we proceeded to Jasper National Park. We showed up at Whispers Campground around 3:00 pm. There was no problem getting a full-hook up site (30 amps).
We were warned that the elks are calving and are very aggressive. We didn’t see a single elk! We were warned that this is bear country and that it is very important to keep an absolutely clean camp.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348433_Ema6b-M.jpg
We didn’t see any bear either. We did notice this very large bear trap located near the entrance. I wonder if it was placed there to intimidate the campers or the bears?
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348473_abAHe-M.jpg
Because of the bear danger, if you camp in a tent or soft-sided trailer, you have to keep all your food and other "people smelling products" in a bear-proof food locker. To open the food lockers (and the trash dumpsters) you have to push a locking mechanism and lift the lid at the same time.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348657_THrDd-M.jpg
More later,
Leslie
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Molly Sees a Vet
Robert, Tuesday, May 20
We got the weather forecast this morning. It was for rain and cooler for the rest of this week. The high temperatures have been in the 50s for the past several days so I guess this means we will see highs in the 40s.
Last night, we discovered that Molly had an enlarged lymph node under her chin. While she seems to be fine, we decided to get her to a vet today. We went into town to the information center for where the closest vet was. There was one in Banff but when we went to the office, I was not impressed so we drove to Canmore. There we got fuel, a few groceries, a can of pressurized air to blow some dirt out of the camera, and an appointment for Molly. The vet confirmed that Molly probably had an infection and that it was localized rather than systemic. We got an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory for her. Hope this clears it up!
We drove around one of the local golf courses to try to see animals. There were a lot of elk and we also saw a coyote.
We got the weather forecast this morning. It was for rain and cooler for the rest of this week. The high temperatures have been in the 50s for the past several days so I guess this means we will see highs in the 40s.
Last night, we discovered that Molly had an enlarged lymph node under her chin. While she seems to be fine, we decided to get her to a vet today. We went into town to the information center for where the closest vet was. There was one in Banff but when we went to the office, I was not impressed so we drove to Canmore. There we got fuel, a few groceries, a can of pressurized air to blow some dirt out of the camera, and an appointment for Molly. The vet confirmed that Molly probably had an infection and that it was localized rather than systemic. We got an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory for her. Hope this clears it up!
We drove around one of the local golf courses to try to see animals. There were a lot of elk and we also saw a coyote.
Banff National Park
Leslie Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Here’s a picture taken from our campsite. This is really a great campground Banff National Park, Tunnel Mountain Trailer Park. We were afraid that the campground would be rows rigs in parking-lot style. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The sites are widely spaced amid lodgepole pine trees. All of the sites have full hook-ups with 30 amp electrical service.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348622_a3eBe-M.jpg
Yesterday I noticed that Molly had a lump under her jaw on the left side. Robert felt it as well. This morning we called their vet in Colorado. Their vet suggested that Molly may need more antibiotics. (Just before we left Colorado we had taken both cats in for a check-up. They both had serious dental problems. They both needed teeth cleaning and had several teeth pulled. After the dental procedures, they were on antibiotics for a week. We also learned that we need to brush their teeth every day. We’re working on the tooth brushing – and I still have 10 fingers.) We found a local vet for Molly. The Canadian vet said that he guessed that Molly’s swollen lymph node is an infection remaining from her tooth problems. He prescribed another antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory drug. If she isn’t better in a week, we’ll have to find another vet for more aggressive testing and treatment.
Long-term travel presents some challenges not faced on usual vacations. One of those challenges is how to have maintenance prescriptions filled. Since we are traveling for such a long time, I had planned on buying regular prescriptions from Canadian or Alaskan pharmacies along the way. I had my doctor in Colorado write me separate RX s (rather than one refillable RX) so that I could have them filled along the way. (At home we use a mail-order pharmacy but that wouldn’t work as we are moving constantly.) I stopped by a pharmacy in Canmore, Alberta today to ask the price for a 90-day supply. The pharmacist said that she could not fill a prescription written in the US. I’m curious about her inability to fill a US written RX because we’ve all read of Americans traveling to Canada to buy less expensive prescriptions. The mail-order pharmacy price at home is $125.00 for a 90 day supply. The price for the same name brand drug in the pharmacy in Canmore would be $25.00 for a 90-day supply. The pharmacist suggested that one would need to go to clinic in Canada (at a cost of approximately $100) to obtain a Canadian prescription. The end result of that would be the same cost as buying the prescription via mail-order at home. Obviously that isn’t worth the effort but I’ll keep you informed as I see how this goes along the way.
After getting Molly back to the 5th wheel we took off to see Banff. The town of Banff is mostly a tourist town with lots of expensive shops (think Aspen). We decided to eat dinner out because it is supposed to rain so our grilling plans would have to wait. We found an Irish pub on a back street. I ordered meatloaf, thinking it would be fairly generic. The meatloaf turned out to have a hot chutney sauce. Ouch! Robert and I traded dinners so that I got to enjoy his stuffed chicken.
After dinner we went on a driving expedition looking for wild animals. I had met someone in the campground last night who told me that we could find many animals along the river and near the golf course. We captured a picture of each of us along the river.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348720_HrYrT-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348807_cAJ3q-M.jpg
Next I got a below the falls in Banff.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348865_vsa8J-M.jpg
Later we drove along the golf course and saw a herd of elk and then a coyote. The coyote ran quickly along the row of trees but when he approached the elk, the elk acted very aggressively towards the coyote. The elf ran the coyote off. The coyote moved so quickly .
From here we’re headed north to Jasper. The temperature is supposed to drop dramatically. It’s back to sweatshirts.
More later,
Leslie
Here’s a picture taken from our campsite. This is really a great campground Banff National Park, Tunnel Mountain Trailer Park. We were afraid that the campground would be rows rigs in parking-lot style. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The sites are widely spaced amid lodgepole pine trees. All of the sites have full hook-ups with 30 amp electrical service.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348622_a3eBe-M.jpg
Yesterday I noticed that Molly had a lump under her jaw on the left side. Robert felt it as well. This morning we called their vet in Colorado. Their vet suggested that Molly may need more antibiotics. (Just before we left Colorado we had taken both cats in for a check-up. They both had serious dental problems. They both needed teeth cleaning and had several teeth pulled. After the dental procedures, they were on antibiotics for a week. We also learned that we need to brush their teeth every day. We’re working on the tooth brushing – and I still have 10 fingers.) We found a local vet for Molly. The Canadian vet said that he guessed that Molly’s swollen lymph node is an infection remaining from her tooth problems. He prescribed another antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory drug. If she isn’t better in a week, we’ll have to find another vet for more aggressive testing and treatment.
Long-term travel presents some challenges not faced on usual vacations. One of those challenges is how to have maintenance prescriptions filled. Since we are traveling for such a long time, I had planned on buying regular prescriptions from Canadian or Alaskan pharmacies along the way. I had my doctor in Colorado write me separate RX s (rather than one refillable RX) so that I could have them filled along the way. (At home we use a mail-order pharmacy but that wouldn’t work as we are moving constantly.) I stopped by a pharmacy in Canmore, Alberta today to ask the price for a 90-day supply. The pharmacist said that she could not fill a prescription written in the US. I’m curious about her inability to fill a US written RX because we’ve all read of Americans traveling to Canada to buy less expensive prescriptions. The mail-order pharmacy price at home is $125.00 for a 90 day supply. The price for the same name brand drug in the pharmacy in Canmore would be $25.00 for a 90-day supply. The pharmacist suggested that one would need to go to clinic in Canada (at a cost of approximately $100) to obtain a Canadian prescription. The end result of that would be the same cost as buying the prescription via mail-order at home. Obviously that isn’t worth the effort but I’ll keep you informed as I see how this goes along the way.
After getting Molly back to the 5th wheel we took off to see Banff. The town of Banff is mostly a tourist town with lots of expensive shops (think Aspen). We decided to eat dinner out because it is supposed to rain so our grilling plans would have to wait. We found an Irish pub on a back street. I ordered meatloaf, thinking it would be fairly generic. The meatloaf turned out to have a hot chutney sauce. Ouch! Robert and I traded dinners so that I got to enjoy his stuffed chicken.
After dinner we went on a driving expedition looking for wild animals. I had met someone in the campground last night who told me that we could find many animals along the river and near the golf course. We captured a picture of each of us along the river.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348720_HrYrT-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348807_cAJ3q-M.jpg
Next I got a below the falls in Banff.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300348865_vsa8J-M.jpg
Later we drove along the golf course and saw a herd of elk and then a coyote. The coyote ran quickly along the row of trees but when he approached the elk, the elk acted very aggressively towards the coyote. The elf ran the coyote off. The coyote moved so quickly .
From here we’re headed north to Jasper. The temperature is supposed to drop dramatically. It’s back to sweatshirts.
More later,
Leslie
Monday, May 19, 2008
Banff Tunnel Mountain
Leslie Monday, May 19, 2008
We left this morning for Banff. Weather was cool, around 55 degrees. The travel was only about 100 miles, three hours. That’s the kind of day we like.
We had secured a two day reservation at Tunnel Mountain Trailer Village in Banff National Park. According to the reservation system, spring is May 18 - June 21st – summer follows that. I guess because it is so early, the campground isn’t too crowded. I think about half of the sites are full. This is an unusual governmental campground as the sites are widely separated and they have full hook-ups. We had anticipated a crowded parking lot so we were very pleasantly surprised. They sites are excellent, lots of room between them and trees as separators.
Because it is so chilly, I had made a crock pot stew for dinner. As we sat eating dinner, I jumped up –"what is that?" It was a coyote. He walked along our site with his nose in the air. He hung around for maybe 15 minutes before disappearing into the woods.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300351221_AUcY5-M.jpg
Later we went walking through the campground. After Robert had returned to our site, I walked a bit further and came upon three elk grazing. I watched the elk for 30 minutes. They didn’t seem bothered by my presence at all.
More later,
Leslie
We left this morning for Banff. Weather was cool, around 55 degrees. The travel was only about 100 miles, three hours. That’s the kind of day we like.
We had secured a two day reservation at Tunnel Mountain Trailer Village in Banff National Park. According to the reservation system, spring is May 18 - June 21st – summer follows that. I guess because it is so early, the campground isn’t too crowded. I think about half of the sites are full. This is an unusual governmental campground as the sites are widely separated and they have full hook-ups. We had anticipated a crowded parking lot so we were very pleasantly surprised. They sites are excellent, lots of room between them and trees as separators.
Because it is so chilly, I had made a crock pot stew for dinner. As we sat eating dinner, I jumped up –"what is that?" It was a coyote. He walked along our site with his nose in the air. He hung around for maybe 15 minutes before disappearing into the woods.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/300351221_AUcY5-M.jpg
Later we went walking through the campground. After Robert had returned to our site, I walked a bit further and came upon three elk grazing. I watched the elk for 30 minutes. They didn’t seem bothered by my presence at all.
More later,
Leslie
Moving to Banff
Robert, Monday, May 19
Today was a moving day. One of the things I wanted to check out before we hit the road was our water pump. It was working fine after we got it "fixed" in Lethbridge. (By fixed, I mean the RV tech got it primed.) The water pressure at this campground is very low so we were hooked up to the water system and had the pump running at the same time. With both the water hook-up and the pump running, we had great water pressure. I drained the fresh water tank and ran the pump until it was out of water. Then I put water in the fresh water tank and tried to get the pump to prime itself–no go. We definitely need to get the pump replaced before we get further north where a lot of the camping is "dry" camping meaning no hook-ups. As we can carry 100 gallons of fresh water and we have the generators, dry camping is not a problem as long as the water pump works.
Once we got hitched, we left the campground around 11:00 am. The drive to Banff was less than 100 miles so we got to the campground a little after 2:00 pm. The reason it took three hours is that the road goes over two mountain passes with 8% grades so we often we only going 40 mph. The campground in Banff is in Banff National Park. It is called Tunnel Mountain RV Park. It is a very pretty campground. I took a nap in a recliner while Leslie read. As the weather here is cool (about 50 F) and cloudy, we decided that stew would be good for supper. I whined that we had been on the road for over a week and Leslie had yet to make bread in her bread maker so she made bread to go with the stew–Yum!
While we were eating dinner, a coyote ran past the trailer about 75 feet away. Leslie got some pictures. All around our campsite are a bunch of ground squirrels and I guess he was seeing if any were not paying attention. When we were told about this campground back in Canmore, we were told that there was a lot of wildlife so maybe we will see more. We would definitely return to this campground. After we finished our evening walk (or at least I finished), Leslie walked down to the end of the campground and took pictures of some elk.
Today was a moving day. One of the things I wanted to check out before we hit the road was our water pump. It was working fine after we got it "fixed" in Lethbridge. (By fixed, I mean the RV tech got it primed.) The water pressure at this campground is very low so we were hooked up to the water system and had the pump running at the same time. With both the water hook-up and the pump running, we had great water pressure. I drained the fresh water tank and ran the pump until it was out of water. Then I put water in the fresh water tank and tried to get the pump to prime itself–no go. We definitely need to get the pump replaced before we get further north where a lot of the camping is "dry" camping meaning no hook-ups. As we can carry 100 gallons of fresh water and we have the generators, dry camping is not a problem as long as the water pump works.
Once we got hitched, we left the campground around 11:00 am. The drive to Banff was less than 100 miles so we got to the campground a little after 2:00 pm. The reason it took three hours is that the road goes over two mountain passes with 8% grades so we often we only going 40 mph. The campground in Banff is in Banff National Park. It is called Tunnel Mountain RV Park. It is a very pretty campground. I took a nap in a recliner while Leslie read. As the weather here is cool (about 50 F) and cloudy, we decided that stew would be good for supper. I whined that we had been on the road for over a week and Leslie had yet to make bread in her bread maker so she made bread to go with the stew–Yum!
While we were eating dinner, a coyote ran past the trailer about 75 feet away. Leslie got some pictures. All around our campsite are a bunch of ground squirrels and I guess he was seeing if any were not paying attention. When we were told about this campground back in Canmore, we were told that there was a lot of wildlife so maybe we will see more. We would definitely return to this campground. After we finished our evening walk (or at least I finished), Leslie walked down to the end of the campground and took pictures of some elk.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Radium Hot Springs - to the pools
Leslie Sunday, May 18, 2008
We’re really enjoying this beautiful campground and the opportunity to work with our technical equipment. The campground has an excellent high speed WIFI internet connection so we’ve used the opportunity here to catch up on outside work while enjoying the view out our windows. (I’ve even gotten some client work done and sent out.)
This morning we spent what seemed like forever trying to set up Skype-the voice over internet telephone service. Although we know many people who use Skype routinely, we weren’t able to achieve satisfactory voice quality despite attempting several different microphones and sound cards. We haven’t figured out why we weren’t successful but we’re guessing that the internet service here, although fast for a campground, really isn’t of sufficient quality for good voice transmissions. (Hey Julie & Gary in Australia, if we had succeeded we had plans to call you regardless of the hour! Skype costs only 2.4 cents per minute to Australia.) We’ll solve this dilemma later.
After calculating and recalculating we decided to buy Canadian National Parks annual passes. Basically it turns out that if you use the passes for 6 days you break even on an annual pass. We think we’ll need a pass for five days at this end of the trip so we decided that we should go ahead and buy the annual pass – that way we won’t ever have to consider whether it is worth going through a national park - and we may visit a national park on the way back south in September. Canadian national park daily entrance fees are expensive – around $19.00 for both of us. We learned that if we had an annual pass we’d also get a discount at the hot springs. That was the deciding factor making our calculation to five days.
We spent the afternoon at the hot springs. Radium Hot Springs are a lot like Glenwood Spring in Colorado – thermal springs bubbling up from the earth create extremely hot pools of water. The hot tub was between 103 - 110 degrees; that’s too hot for me. The "hot" pool was in the 90's. While I really enjoyed the hot pool, I like Glenwood Springs better because the pool at Radium Hot Springs is never deeper than about 3 feet. At Glenwood Springs one could actually swim in the pool. We didn’t go in the cool pool here but it has a diving board and looks like an ordinary swimming pool. I did put my feet in the cool pool; it wasn’t that cold. I’m sure the hot springs would be delightful in the winter.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/297632148_H8LLm-M.jpg
On the way back to the campground from the Hot Springs I saw this view into the valley. The valley was destroyed by fire in the late 1800s and is now verdant farm country.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/297632049_b4pUe-M.jpg
By the way, because we were going to the hot springs, I left the good camera at home. I took these pictures with my little Nikon 7.1 megapixel pocket camera. When I downloaded the day’s pictures I found this last picture taken on March 17th at Winter Park, Colorado.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/297632010_gWZqg-M.jpg
As we had dinner outside at our picnic table tonight we saw a family at a nearby campsite playing a tossing game. I commented to Robert that it looked as if they were playing quoits. I hadn’t seen quoits in many years. Robert had never heard of quoits. I explained that we played quoits as children. Quoits is similar to horseshoes but you have to actually hit the ring. I went on-line tonight to educate those of you who have never played quoits. http://www.quoitfactory.com/quoit-faq.html Some other sources indicate that playing quoits actually precedes the birth of Christ. There is a national quiots association. We had rubber quoits but some of the "official" sources say that metal quoits are common. I think one would not want metal projectiles in a game for children! As I remember it, it was a perfect camping game. This website says that a quoit board lasts for 30+ years. That’s a good thing considering the current cost. http://www.quoits.info/
We’re pulling out of here tomorrow headed to Baniff. We have reservations at a campground at Banff with full hook-ups.
Looking forward to hearing from all of you,
until next time,
Leslie
We’re really enjoying this beautiful campground and the opportunity to work with our technical equipment. The campground has an excellent high speed WIFI internet connection so we’ve used the opportunity here to catch up on outside work while enjoying the view out our windows. (I’ve even gotten some client work done and sent out.)
This morning we spent what seemed like forever trying to set up Skype-the voice over internet telephone service. Although we know many people who use Skype routinely, we weren’t able to achieve satisfactory voice quality despite attempting several different microphones and sound cards. We haven’t figured out why we weren’t successful but we’re guessing that the internet service here, although fast for a campground, really isn’t of sufficient quality for good voice transmissions. (Hey Julie & Gary in Australia, if we had succeeded we had plans to call you regardless of the hour! Skype costs only 2.4 cents per minute to Australia.) We’ll solve this dilemma later.
After calculating and recalculating we decided to buy Canadian National Parks annual passes. Basically it turns out that if you use the passes for 6 days you break even on an annual pass. We think we’ll need a pass for five days at this end of the trip so we decided that we should go ahead and buy the annual pass – that way we won’t ever have to consider whether it is worth going through a national park - and we may visit a national park on the way back south in September. Canadian national park daily entrance fees are expensive – around $19.00 for both of us. We learned that if we had an annual pass we’d also get a discount at the hot springs. That was the deciding factor making our calculation to five days.
We spent the afternoon at the hot springs. Radium Hot Springs are a lot like Glenwood Spring in Colorado – thermal springs bubbling up from the earth create extremely hot pools of water. The hot tub was between 103 - 110 degrees; that’s too hot for me. The "hot" pool was in the 90's. While I really enjoyed the hot pool, I like Glenwood Springs better because the pool at Radium Hot Springs is never deeper than about 3 feet. At Glenwood Springs one could actually swim in the pool. We didn’t go in the cool pool here but it has a diving board and looks like an ordinary swimming pool. I did put my feet in the cool pool; it wasn’t that cold. I’m sure the hot springs would be delightful in the winter.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/297632148_H8LLm-M.jpg
On the way back to the campground from the Hot Springs I saw this view into the valley. The valley was destroyed by fire in the late 1800s and is now verdant farm country.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/297632049_b4pUe-M.jpg
By the way, because we were going to the hot springs, I left the good camera at home. I took these pictures with my little Nikon 7.1 megapixel pocket camera. When I downloaded the day’s pictures I found this last picture taken on March 17th at Winter Park, Colorado.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/297632010_gWZqg-M.jpg
As we had dinner outside at our picnic table tonight we saw a family at a nearby campsite playing a tossing game. I commented to Robert that it looked as if they were playing quoits. I hadn’t seen quoits in many years. Robert had never heard of quoits. I explained that we played quoits as children. Quoits is similar to horseshoes but you have to actually hit the ring. I went on-line tonight to educate those of you who have never played quoits. http://www.quoitfactory.com/quoit-faq.html Some other sources indicate that playing quoits actually precedes the birth of Christ. There is a national quiots association. We had rubber quoits but some of the "official" sources say that metal quoits are common. I think one would not want metal projectiles in a game for children! As I remember it, it was a perfect camping game. This website says that a quoit board lasts for 30+ years. That’s a good thing considering the current cost. http://www.quoits.info/
We’re pulling out of here tomorrow headed to Baniff. We have reservations at a campground at Banff with full hook-ups.
Looking forward to hearing from all of you,
until next time,
Leslie
Off to the Hot Springs
Robert, Sunday, July 18
Got off to another slow start today. Breakfast and lunch and all of the normal things occupied the morning through early afternoon. As we had good internet connection, we tried to install Skype. In case that is an unknown term, it is a phone service over the internet. The normal cost they charge for long distance is 2.4 cents a minute. Even when calling places like Europe, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and many more places. Although we had good internet speed in the campground (we were about 50 feet from the campground wifi antenna), we got very poor results. They have a number you can call and record a message that is played right back. The playback was almost impossible to understand. There are reports that some internet connections just don’t work so we will try it again when we have another internet connection.
In the afternoon we went to the hot springs. They are located a short distance in the national park. The hot springs consists of two large swimming pools–one is the hot pool and one is the cold pool. At one end of the hot pool is a hot tub where the water from the hot springs enters. It is about 103 F. Then the water enters the hot pool, which is cooler but nice and warm. The warm pool really isn’t for swimming but rather for sitting along the edge and enjoying the water. The cold pool is really for swimming–it has a diving board and the water temperature is just like any swimming pool. While we were in the hot pool, the weather clouded up and it started to spit light rain. But by the time we got back to the trailer, the sun was out and so we grilled outside. Just another great day.
I didn’t get this posted before we left Radium Hot Springs and we don’t have wifi at the campground in Banff so that is why this is posted so long after the fact.
Got off to another slow start today. Breakfast and lunch and all of the normal things occupied the morning through early afternoon. As we had good internet connection, we tried to install Skype. In case that is an unknown term, it is a phone service over the internet. The normal cost they charge for long distance is 2.4 cents a minute. Even when calling places like Europe, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and many more places. Although we had good internet speed in the campground (we were about 50 feet from the campground wifi antenna), we got very poor results. They have a number you can call and record a message that is played right back. The playback was almost impossible to understand. There are reports that some internet connections just don’t work so we will try it again when we have another internet connection.
In the afternoon we went to the hot springs. They are located a short distance in the national park. The hot springs consists of two large swimming pools–one is the hot pool and one is the cold pool. At one end of the hot pool is a hot tub where the water from the hot springs enters. It is about 103 F. Then the water enters the hot pool, which is cooler but nice and warm. The warm pool really isn’t for swimming but rather for sitting along the edge and enjoying the water. The cold pool is really for swimming–it has a diving board and the water temperature is just like any swimming pool. While we were in the hot pool, the weather clouded up and it started to spit light rain. But by the time we got back to the trailer, the sun was out and so we grilled outside. Just another great day.
I didn’t get this posted before we left Radium Hot Springs and we don’t have wifi at the campground in Banff so that is why this is posted so long after the fact.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Radium Hot Springs
Robert, Saturday, July 17
We got a late start this morning. The other day we were in a grocery store and they had fresh strawberries. The produce clerk was offering free samples and Leslie and I took a very large berry. It was as good as any we have ever had. Of course we bought a big box. Guess what we had for breakfast? If you guessed fresh strawberries you get a gold star. After strawberries, showers, left-overs for lunch we set out for town. It was so late we decided to see town today and visit the hot springs tomorrow. It turns out that "town" almost doesn’t exist. Two gas stations, a few restaurants, a grocery store, and that’s about it.
Our plans from here are to go back to Banff for two night, to Jasper for two nights, to Prince George for two nights, to somewhere between Prince George and Prince Rupert for one night, and then to Prince Rupert. At Prince Rupert is where we get on the ferry for the trip up the southeast coast of Alaska.
I previously said that I thought Victoria Day (the coming Monday) was to celebrate Canada’s independence. Well, it turns out that it celebrates Queen Victoria’s birthday and now is the day that any old queen’s birthday is celebrated. Whoopee do!
We got a late start this morning. The other day we were in a grocery store and they had fresh strawberries. The produce clerk was offering free samples and Leslie and I took a very large berry. It was as good as any we have ever had. Of course we bought a big box. Guess what we had for breakfast? If you guessed fresh strawberries you get a gold star. After strawberries, showers, left-overs for lunch we set out for town. It was so late we decided to see town today and visit the hot springs tomorrow. It turns out that "town" almost doesn’t exist. Two gas stations, a few restaurants, a grocery store, and that’s about it.
Our plans from here are to go back to Banff for two night, to Jasper for two nights, to Prince George for two nights, to somewhere between Prince George and Prince Rupert for one night, and then to Prince Rupert. At Prince Rupert is where we get on the ferry for the trip up the southeast coast of Alaska.
I previously said that I thought Victoria Day (the coming Monday) was to celebrate Canada’s independence. Well, it turns out that it celebrates Queen Victoria’s birthday and now is the day that any old queen’s birthday is celebrated. Whoopee do!
Radium Hot Springs, BC, mostly mountain sheep
Leslie Saturday, May 17, 2008
Spent most of today hanging out in this wonderful campground in Radium Hot Springs. The day started out cloudy so we decided to delay our visit to the hot springs until tomorrow. We did go out to explore the town.
There really isn’t town. We discovered that there is only a short business district of a bit more than one block in length. It appears that the only reason people come to Radium Hot Springs is to visit the hot springs.
We did see several more groups of mountain sheep strolling around town. Some of the sheep wear collars with large radio transmitters, others seem au natural.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296927097_sfJnc-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296927026_LMZ8W-M.jpg
Don’t you think that this sheep has exceptionally straight teeth? I wonder who his dentist is?
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296926921_Qgi9P-M.jpg
The town people seem so used to tourists stopping and taking pictures of the sheep so stopping on the side of the road isn’t exceptionally dangerous.
I saw one strange building.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296927161_asMLb-M.jpg
I’m not sure what the intention is but it certainly is interesting.
We are having a small problem of some concern. It appears that every picture I take with our good camera (Nikon D70) has small dark spots scattered on the field of vision. We’ve tested the camera with two different lens and the spots remain. It appears that the spots are soemwhere in the interior of the camera rather than on a lens. We’ll look for a camera repair facility in Prince George, BC next weekend. In the meantime, you’ll have to suffer spots on the pictures because I’m not doing any Photoshop processing prior to uploading pictures for this blog.
Thanks for your comments to the blog. We're really reading your impressions.
Until next time,
Spent most of today hanging out in this wonderful campground in Radium Hot Springs. The day started out cloudy so we decided to delay our visit to the hot springs until tomorrow. We did go out to explore the town.
There really isn’t town. We discovered that there is only a short business district of a bit more than one block in length. It appears that the only reason people come to Radium Hot Springs is to visit the hot springs.
We did see several more groups of mountain sheep strolling around town. Some of the sheep wear collars with large radio transmitters, others seem au natural.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296927097_sfJnc-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296927026_LMZ8W-M.jpg
Don’t you think that this sheep has exceptionally straight teeth? I wonder who his dentist is?
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296926921_Qgi9P-M.jpg
The town people seem so used to tourists stopping and taking pictures of the sheep so stopping on the side of the road isn’t exceptionally dangerous.
I saw one strange building.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296927161_asMLb-M.jpg
I’m not sure what the intention is but it certainly is interesting.
We are having a small problem of some concern. It appears that every picture I take with our good camera (Nikon D70) has small dark spots scattered on the field of vision. We’ve tested the camera with two different lens and the spots remain. It appears that the spots are soemwhere in the interior of the camera rather than on a lens. We’ll look for a camera repair facility in Prince George, BC next weekend. In the meantime, you’ll have to suffer spots on the pictures because I’m not doing any Photoshop processing prior to uploading pictures for this blog.
Thanks for your comments to the blog. We're really reading your impressions.
Until next time,
Friday, May 16, 2008
Canmore to Radium Hot Springs, Alberta
Leslie Friday, May 16, 2008
We made our way from Canmore to Radium Hot Springs. Apparently Radium Hot Springs is a lot like Glenwood Springs in Colorado, natural hot springs that are captured in hot "swimming" pools. The route here was through Banff and Kontenay National Forests. Parts of the road included an 8% grade – that’s impressive when you are towing the weight we are. One of the highlights was a short stretch through a natural tunnel – you feel as if the walls of the tunnel are closing in on you.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296442046_2wCDD-M.jpg
Signs promised "wildlife on road". Along the main road we saw only a few mule deer and four mountain sheep. Then, after we had entered the town of Radium Spring, there was a herd of mountain sheep hanging out at the roundabout. The first picture was taken through the windshield.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296441865_q4UBG-M.jpg
We got the stop light so I was able to capture a few more. It appeared as if two sheep were trying to lead the herd back towards the mountains.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296441942_GmbAA-M.jpg
When we decided to come down to Radium Hot Springs Robert called the only Good Sam affiliated park in the area. (As Good Sam members we get 10% off the daily rate at Good Sam affiliated parks.) When he asked about making a reservation for this weekend, the reservation person just laughed. A bit later she noticed that she had recently had a cancellation so we were able to get a reservation. What we learned later is that this park is always booked solid for the entire summer. We just lucked out, and lucky we were. This is easily the prettiest park we have ever seen - and it has full hook ups. Mountain Shadows Resort and RV Park.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296442035_kqywE-M.jpg
We’re very happy that we’ll be here for three nights. It is the classic type of campground that we really enjoy. The people are friendly, kids are riding bicycles, and many families have campfires. Because it is the beginning of a holiday weekend and people are just starting out, I was even able to get laundry done in the camp laundry without waiting.
until next time,
We made our way from Canmore to Radium Hot Springs. Apparently Radium Hot Springs is a lot like Glenwood Springs in Colorado, natural hot springs that are captured in hot "swimming" pools. The route here was through Banff and Kontenay National Forests. Parts of the road included an 8% grade – that’s impressive when you are towing the weight we are. One of the highlights was a short stretch through a natural tunnel – you feel as if the walls of the tunnel are closing in on you.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296442046_2wCDD-M.jpg
Signs promised "wildlife on road". Along the main road we saw only a few mule deer and four mountain sheep. Then, after we had entered the town of Radium Spring, there was a herd of mountain sheep hanging out at the roundabout. The first picture was taken through the windshield.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296441865_q4UBG-M.jpg
We got the stop light so I was able to capture a few more. It appeared as if two sheep were trying to lead the herd back towards the mountains.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296441942_GmbAA-M.jpg
When we decided to come down to Radium Hot Springs Robert called the only Good Sam affiliated park in the area. (As Good Sam members we get 10% off the daily rate at Good Sam affiliated parks.) When he asked about making a reservation for this weekend, the reservation person just laughed. A bit later she noticed that she had recently had a cancellation so we were able to get a reservation. What we learned later is that this park is always booked solid for the entire summer. We just lucked out, and lucky we were. This is easily the prettiest park we have ever seen - and it has full hook ups. Mountain Shadows Resort and RV Park.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296442035_kqywE-M.jpg
We’re very happy that we’ll be here for three nights. It is the classic type of campground that we really enjoy. The people are friendly, kids are riding bicycles, and many families have campfires. Because it is the beginning of a holiday weekend and people are just starting out, I was even able to get laundry done in the camp laundry without waiting.
until next time,
Radium Hot Springs
Robert, Friday, May 16
Packed up the trailer and hit the road around 11:00 am. The route from Canmore is northwest about 30 miles through the valley where Banff National Park is located and then south across the mountains to Radium Hot Springs. Radium Hot Springs is noted as a place to go soak in the hot springs. As we drove into town we saw the hot springs off to the side of the highway. Tomorrow we will go give it a try. The campground here is one of the prettiest where we have ever stayed. Our site is in the trees and there is considerable distance between us and our next neighbors. Given that this is a holiday weekend the campground is full but someone said it is full all summer as this is a very popular tourist areas. After we set up, we did a necessary clean-up and fixed a few things that needed fixing. As we have been on the road for a week, we also needed to do laundry.
All the people we have encountered are very friendly. When we left the campground in Canmore, Leslie went into the office to find the location of the post office. While she was inside, a woman walked up to me (sitting in the truck) and started a conversation. She and I talked for 5 minutes and then Leslie came back. All three of us continued to talked for another 10 minutes. After we left, Leslie asked me where I had met the woman (thinking that I had met here somewhere in the campground). I said that I had never seen her before she walked up and started a conversation. And this sort of thing happens time after time. People will just strike up a friendly conversation. What I really enjoy is a manner of speech that we have heard both here but years ago when we visited the Maritime Provinces on the east coast. Canadians will end sentences with "aye?" as in "Lovely day, aye?" or "Town is just about 10 more kilometers, aye?"
Packed up the trailer and hit the road around 11:00 am. The route from Canmore is northwest about 30 miles through the valley where Banff National Park is located and then south across the mountains to Radium Hot Springs. Radium Hot Springs is noted as a place to go soak in the hot springs. As we drove into town we saw the hot springs off to the side of the highway. Tomorrow we will go give it a try. The campground here is one of the prettiest where we have ever stayed. Our site is in the trees and there is considerable distance between us and our next neighbors. Given that this is a holiday weekend the campground is full but someone said it is full all summer as this is a very popular tourist areas. After we set up, we did a necessary clean-up and fixed a few things that needed fixing. As we have been on the road for a week, we also needed to do laundry.
All the people we have encountered are very friendly. When we left the campground in Canmore, Leslie went into the office to find the location of the post office. While she was inside, a woman walked up to me (sitting in the truck) and started a conversation. She and I talked for 5 minutes and then Leslie came back. All three of us continued to talked for another 10 minutes. After we left, Leslie asked me where I had met the woman (thinking that I had met here somewhere in the campground). I said that I had never seen her before she walked up and started a conversation. And this sort of thing happens time after time. People will just strike up a friendly conversation. What I really enjoy is a manner of speech that we have heard both here but years ago when we visited the Maritime Provinces on the east coast. Canadians will end sentences with "aye?" as in "Lovely day, aye?" or "Town is just about 10 more kilometers, aye?"
Leisurely Day
Robert, Thursday, May 15
A picture perfect day! The day dawned with deep blue skies and there wasn’t a cloud in sight all day long. The temperatures were only slightly cool in the morning, and barely warm by mid afternoon. We slept in and had a leisurely breakfast. After lunch we went into town and went to the tourist info center to pick up brochures. We got fuel ($1.349C per liter or about $5.11 per gallon!) and walked main street. After main street we went back to the trailer and grilled steak for supper. All in all, a great day. Tomorrow it is off to Radium Hot Springs. The distance is only about 100 miles so it should be a short driving day.
A picture perfect day! The day dawned with deep blue skies and there wasn’t a cloud in sight all day long. The temperatures were only slightly cool in the morning, and barely warm by mid afternoon. We slept in and had a leisurely breakfast. After lunch we went into town and went to the tourist info center to pick up brochures. We got fuel ($1.349C per liter or about $5.11 per gallon!) and walked main street. After main street we went back to the trailer and grilled steak for supper. All in all, a great day. Tomorrow it is off to Radium Hot Springs. The distance is only about 100 miles so it should be a short driving day.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Canmore, Alberta
Leslie Thursday, May 15, 2008
Now that we’re in Canada, we’re really on travels. We get to slow down the pace a bit, at least for a day or so. Because we will be returning to the Lake Louise area after the holiday weekend, we decided to stay in Canmore today. While walking the main street we suddenly realized that we have been here before. Two years ago when we stayed in Calgary and visited Lake Louise we must have stopped for lunch in Canmore. We recognized the outdoor deck of the restaurant.
Robert – On vacation. His favorite pose.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296026363_cozCW-M.jpg
Leslie – On the main street of Canmore.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296026348_DjN8j-M.jpg
The campground we’re staying in is part of a mobile home park that, as is the case in many ski/mountain communities, is being sold and turned into ski condos. You have to feel sorry for the occupants who are being displaced. While their homes are quite modest, they have a priceless view. After displacement they won’t be able to afford to live anywhere around here. I imagine this park will be gone in just a few years. It is clear that the new office for the RV park has been designed as the sales office for the condos that are under construction. We checked out the listings in the window of a real estate office in town; there weren’t any listings under $900,000.
The current view of the occupants of this mobile home park.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296026319_NmxM9-M.jpg
Price of diesel per gallon: (I’ll have to add tomorrow because the receipt is in the truck but the total cost to fill the truck was $226.00!!!) In fact, the transaction was so large that the credit card company called Robert’s cell phone before we had pulled out of the gas station to verify that the card was not stolen. The representative was amazed that one could spend that much at a gas station. Yes, and oil reached a new high today....
Until next time,
Now that we’re in Canada, we’re really on travels. We get to slow down the pace a bit, at least for a day or so. Because we will be returning to the Lake Louise area after the holiday weekend, we decided to stay in Canmore today. While walking the main street we suddenly realized that we have been here before. Two years ago when we stayed in Calgary and visited Lake Louise we must have stopped for lunch in Canmore. We recognized the outdoor deck of the restaurant.
Robert – On vacation. His favorite pose.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296026363_cozCW-M.jpg
Leslie – On the main street of Canmore.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296026348_DjN8j-M.jpg
The campground we’re staying in is part of a mobile home park that, as is the case in many ski/mountain communities, is being sold and turned into ski condos. You have to feel sorry for the occupants who are being displaced. While their homes are quite modest, they have a priceless view. After displacement they won’t be able to afford to live anywhere around here. I imagine this park will be gone in just a few years. It is clear that the new office for the RV park has been designed as the sales office for the condos that are under construction. We checked out the listings in the window of a real estate office in town; there weren’t any listings under $900,000.
The current view of the occupants of this mobile home park.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/296026319_NmxM9-M.jpg
Price of diesel per gallon: (I’ll have to add tomorrow because the receipt is in the truck but the total cost to fill the truck was $226.00!!!) In fact, the transaction was so large that the credit card company called Robert’s cell phone before we had pulled out of the gas station to verify that the card was not stolen. The representative was amazed that one could spend that much at a gas station. Yes, and oil reached a new high today....
Until next time,
To Canmore, Alberta
Robert, Wednesday, May 14
Drove from Shelby, Montana to Canmore, Alberta today. As Shelby is only about 30 miles south of the border and we got going early (for us), we beat the lines at the border crossing. I don’t know about this early in the season but in the past we have waited in line for several hours to cross the border. Today, there were two vehicles ahead of us and the wait was only about 15 minutes. The advice on crossing the border is to remove hats and sunglasses, turn off the radio, and turn the engine off. We complied as the border agents want to be able see and hear you. The agent wanted proof of citizenship (our passports) and he only asked a few questions–why were we entering Canada, where do we live, any tobacco or alcohol, any plans to give anything worth more than $10,000 away while in Canada (HA!), when was the last time we were in Canada, and how long were going to stay. It took all of about 10 minutes and we were on our way. This was probably the easiest border crossing into Canada we have ever made. On the down side, the line to enter the US had a very long line of trucks and didn’t appear to be moving at all. Hope it isn’t like that when we return!
Besides wanting to get across the border before the crowds, we needed to get to an RV repair place in Lethbridge (the first town of any size in Alberta). The water pump would not prime so we couldn’t use it to pump water. This is not a big problem as long as we stay in campgrounds with water hookups. However, as we get further north, we expect to spend some night in places without hookups. There having a working pump is necessary to have water. The repair place took us right in and went to work on the pump. While I was waiting, I heard them tell someone that they could schedule some work to be performed on an RV in about two weeks. Fortunately, most RV shops will do jobs right away for those who are on the road. They did get the pump working but we will try to schedule to get it replaced on down the road before we get too far north. After he finished the repair guy asked me, "Does she have a twin sister?" while looking at Leslie. I told him no. Later Leslie asked me what that was all about. I explained. Maybe this is just a guy thing.
I made reservation at a campground in Canmore while Leslie drove. Canmore is just on the south side of Banff National Park. The reservation is for two nights. The coming weekend is Victoria Day in Canada. I think that is when the celebrate national independence. That means that campgrounds will fill up this weekend. I called another campground in a place called Radium Hot Springs a short distance away in British Columbia and asked if I could get a reservation for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The woman laughed but then said, "Oh wait, we just had a cancellation" so we are set for the weekend. I have read several reviews of the campground for this weekend that say it is one of the most beautiful. And there are hot springs that you can go soak in. The campground in Canmore is very pretty with mountains all around. The are close enough that you look up to see the tops. Driving across Wyoming and Montana there is not too much to see so no point in taking your time. Now that we are in scenic country, we will slow down.
Drove from Shelby, Montana to Canmore, Alberta today. As Shelby is only about 30 miles south of the border and we got going early (for us), we beat the lines at the border crossing. I don’t know about this early in the season but in the past we have waited in line for several hours to cross the border. Today, there were two vehicles ahead of us and the wait was only about 15 minutes. The advice on crossing the border is to remove hats and sunglasses, turn off the radio, and turn the engine off. We complied as the border agents want to be able see and hear you. The agent wanted proof of citizenship (our passports) and he only asked a few questions–why were we entering Canada, where do we live, any tobacco or alcohol, any plans to give anything worth more than $10,000 away while in Canada (HA!), when was the last time we were in Canada, and how long were going to stay. It took all of about 10 minutes and we were on our way. This was probably the easiest border crossing into Canada we have ever made. On the down side, the line to enter the US had a very long line of trucks and didn’t appear to be moving at all. Hope it isn’t like that when we return!
Besides wanting to get across the border before the crowds, we needed to get to an RV repair place in Lethbridge (the first town of any size in Alberta). The water pump would not prime so we couldn’t use it to pump water. This is not a big problem as long as we stay in campgrounds with water hookups. However, as we get further north, we expect to spend some night in places without hookups. There having a working pump is necessary to have water. The repair place took us right in and went to work on the pump. While I was waiting, I heard them tell someone that they could schedule some work to be performed on an RV in about two weeks. Fortunately, most RV shops will do jobs right away for those who are on the road. They did get the pump working but we will try to schedule to get it replaced on down the road before we get too far north. After he finished the repair guy asked me, "Does she have a twin sister?" while looking at Leslie. I told him no. Later Leslie asked me what that was all about. I explained. Maybe this is just a guy thing.
I made reservation at a campground in Canmore while Leslie drove. Canmore is just on the south side of Banff National Park. The reservation is for two nights. The coming weekend is Victoria Day in Canada. I think that is when the celebrate national independence. That means that campgrounds will fill up this weekend. I called another campground in a place called Radium Hot Springs a short distance away in British Columbia and asked if I could get a reservation for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The woman laughed but then said, "Oh wait, we just had a cancellation" so we are set for the weekend. I have read several reviews of the campground for this weekend that say it is one of the most beautiful. And there are hot springs that you can go soak in. The campground in Canmore is very pretty with mountains all around. The are close enough that you look up to see the tops. Driving across Wyoming and Montana there is not too much to see so no point in taking your time. Now that we are in scenic country, we will slow down.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Into Canada
Leslie Wednesday, May 14, 2008
After a very windy night we started out early for the Canadian border. We had determined that our on-board water pump was refusing to prime, meaning that we would not have water unless we are hooked up to a faucet. That situation is unacceptable because we expect that we will camp places that do not have hook ups. Robert made a quick call to the manufacturer of our rig, the representative, whose name unbelievably is "RV" said that we should have the water pump replaced and send them the bill for reimbursement. We wanted to get across the border before we called a Canadian RV dealer because one never knows how long it will take to cross.
We’ve heard of other people traveling by RV who have had their entire rig searched for contraband. (The most common contraband for RV’rs is forbidden meat or vegetables, firearms or pepper spray.) The restrictions change constantly, depending on the currently feared disease. From my research on -line last night, it appeared that we could bring up to 20 kg of meat per person. Our small freezer(on top of the refrigerator) is full but we certainly don’t have that much meat. We had decided that I would drive through customs because it can be difficult to hear the questions from the officer since we can’t pull up close to the booth. (The rig is 8 ft. 4 inches wide so it sticks out from the sides of the truck.---- the driver has to take everything WIDE)
There was no line at Canadian Customs and we cleared in a matter of minutes. The officer didn’t ask about the cats, who of course we howling loudly in the back seat. We were asked the ususal questions about firearms and cash in excess of $10k (no of course not), purpose of our visit to Canada, and when we’d be leaving. We did notice very long lines of mostly trucks waiting to cross into the US side.
This coming Monday is Victoria Day in Canada. Victoria Day is the beginning of the summer season so the RV dealer service departments are very busy. A local dealer kindly fit us in since we are traveling from out of town. They were able to do a temporary fix on the water pump and suggested where we should have it replaced further west (and after the holiday).
I ended up driving all day today. Here’s proof.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/295756178_587t4-M.jpg
What the picture doesn’t show is that I drove through several construction zones (single lanes of cones) and even more impressively drove through the city of Calgary during the afternoon rush hour. That was a stressful challenge. I have now even backed up the trailer once.
The road west of Calgary heads toward the Canadian Rockies. We’re now really on our trip. The next two pictures were taken through the windshield.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/295755603_iKRmQ-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/295756327_XMi49-M.jpg
We ended up the day at a pricy RV park in Canmore, the closest town to Banff. The view is spectacular. We have a back-in campsite backing to a bubbling stream. Our site is at the left of this picture.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/295755190_pvfex-M.jpg
until next time,
After a very windy night we started out early for the Canadian border. We had determined that our on-board water pump was refusing to prime, meaning that we would not have water unless we are hooked up to a faucet. That situation is unacceptable because we expect that we will camp places that do not have hook ups. Robert made a quick call to the manufacturer of our rig, the representative, whose name unbelievably is "RV" said that we should have the water pump replaced and send them the bill for reimbursement. We wanted to get across the border before we called a Canadian RV dealer because one never knows how long it will take to cross.
We’ve heard of other people traveling by RV who have had their entire rig searched for contraband. (The most common contraband for RV’rs is forbidden meat or vegetables, firearms or pepper spray.) The restrictions change constantly, depending on the currently feared disease. From my research on -line last night, it appeared that we could bring up to 20 kg of meat per person. Our small freezer(on top of the refrigerator) is full but we certainly don’t have that much meat. We had decided that I would drive through customs because it can be difficult to hear the questions from the officer since we can’t pull up close to the booth. (The rig is 8 ft. 4 inches wide so it sticks out from the sides of the truck.---- the driver has to take everything WIDE)
There was no line at Canadian Customs and we cleared in a matter of minutes. The officer didn’t ask about the cats, who of course we howling loudly in the back seat. We were asked the ususal questions about firearms and cash in excess of $10k (no of course not), purpose of our visit to Canada, and when we’d be leaving. We did notice very long lines of mostly trucks waiting to cross into the US side.
This coming Monday is Victoria Day in Canada. Victoria Day is the beginning of the summer season so the RV dealer service departments are very busy. A local dealer kindly fit us in since we are traveling from out of town. They were able to do a temporary fix on the water pump and suggested where we should have it replaced further west (and after the holiday).
I ended up driving all day today. Here’s proof.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/295756178_587t4-M.jpg
What the picture doesn’t show is that I drove through several construction zones (single lanes of cones) and even more impressively drove through the city of Calgary during the afternoon rush hour. That was a stressful challenge. I have now even backed up the trailer once.
The road west of Calgary heads toward the Canadian Rockies. We’re now really on our trip. The next two pictures were taken through the windshield.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/295755603_iKRmQ-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/295756327_XMi49-M.jpg
We ended up the day at a pricy RV park in Canmore, the closest town to Banff. The view is spectacular. We have a back-in campsite backing to a bubbling stream. Our site is at the left of this picture.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/295755190_pvfex-M.jpg
until next time,
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
On to Shelby, MT
Leslie: Tuesday, May 13, 2008
We traveled from Billings, MT to Shelby, MT. We decided to travel via a secondary road over a mountain pass. The road was good but remote. As we climbed the amount of snow continued to get deeper. There wasn’t any snow on the roads but there was serious snow (maybe 2 feet) in the grassy areas. The atlas reported this was a scenic drive and it didn't disappoint.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/295054709_WHzg7-M.jpg
Montana has huge areas of undeveloped ranch-land. There are remote homes located very far from anything else. I always wonder where the children who live here go to school as we traveled over 100 miles without coming across a single town (or even road crossing of more than three buildings).
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/295054620_qFEZk-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/295054650_ozWAM-M.jpg
As we dropped into a valley after the pass I looked down and saw a very large black bear hovering over a carcass. We were moving took fast for me to capture a picture, but that sighting goes on record as our first black bear sighting.
Shelby, MT is 25 miles from the Canadian border. A gale force wind blows from the west. Although we are well insulated, our rig does rock in the wind. We had considered grilling lamb chops for dinner but the wind convinced us that it was a beef stew night. We were glad that we had packed a pressure cooker that enabled us to make a quick stew.
We had considered pushing on into Canada tonight but ultimately decided that we want to cross the border when we’re sure the tourist information centers will be open. We’ve heard that the road north from Lake Louise to Jasper may not be open yet (for the season). In case we need to go the long way around, we’d like to get information from Canadian Information Services. The road we'd like to take runs up the Canadian Rockies and is supposed to be beautiful so we really hope to be able to travel it. (We’ll catch Edmonton on our way south next fall.)
We’re not sure what kind of internet access we’ll have in Canada. We have a cell aircard from Verizon. I’ve spoken to four different representatives from Verizon about how the aircard will work in Canada. I have received a different answer each time! Basically it comes down to a matter of price. Our usage in the US is unlimited (where available). I can’t get a straight, consistent answer from Verizon what usage will cost in Canada. Because it may be astronomical, we may just look for WIFI sites (meaning that our postings will be less frequent). We will board the ferry at Prince Rupert, British Columbia in two weeks on May 29th. Later that day we get off at Ketichikan, Alaska – i.e., back in the US. So if you don’t hear much in the meantime, we’ll be back in touch then.
Diesel price: $4.299 gal.
We traveled from Billings, MT to Shelby, MT. We decided to travel via a secondary road over a mountain pass. The road was good but remote. As we climbed the amount of snow continued to get deeper. There wasn’t any snow on the roads but there was serious snow (maybe 2 feet) in the grassy areas. The atlas reported this was a scenic drive and it didn't disappoint.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/295054709_WHzg7-M.jpg
Montana has huge areas of undeveloped ranch-land. There are remote homes located very far from anything else. I always wonder where the children who live here go to school as we traveled over 100 miles without coming across a single town (or even road crossing of more than three buildings).
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/295054620_qFEZk-M.jpg
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/295054650_ozWAM-M.jpg
As we dropped into a valley after the pass I looked down and saw a very large black bear hovering over a carcass. We were moving took fast for me to capture a picture, but that sighting goes on record as our first black bear sighting.
Shelby, MT is 25 miles from the Canadian border. A gale force wind blows from the west. Although we are well insulated, our rig does rock in the wind. We had considered grilling lamb chops for dinner but the wind convinced us that it was a beef stew night. We were glad that we had packed a pressure cooker that enabled us to make a quick stew.
We had considered pushing on into Canada tonight but ultimately decided that we want to cross the border when we’re sure the tourist information centers will be open. We’ve heard that the road north from Lake Louise to Jasper may not be open yet (for the season). In case we need to go the long way around, we’d like to get information from Canadian Information Services. The road we'd like to take runs up the Canadian Rockies and is supposed to be beautiful so we really hope to be able to travel it. (We’ll catch Edmonton on our way south next fall.)
We’re not sure what kind of internet access we’ll have in Canada. We have a cell aircard from Verizon. I’ve spoken to four different representatives from Verizon about how the aircard will work in Canada. I have received a different answer each time! Basically it comes down to a matter of price. Our usage in the US is unlimited (where available). I can’t get a straight, consistent answer from Verizon what usage will cost in Canada. Because it may be astronomical, we may just look for WIFI sites (meaning that our postings will be less frequent). We will board the ferry at Prince Rupert, British Columbia in two weeks on May 29th. Later that day we get off at Ketichikan, Alaska – i.e., back in the US. So if you don’t hear much in the meantime, we’ll be back in touch then.
Diesel price: $4.299 gal.
Robert, Tuesday, May 13
Today was a travel day. We left Billings with the thought that we might cross into Canada today. Well, it got to be around 6:00 pm and we were just north of Great Falls, Montana. We decided to stop at a campground just 30 miles south of the border. While we were driving, it was obvious that there was a strong cross breeze out of the west. When we stopped at the campground and opened the door, it about blew us away. I’m guessing that the wind was 30 mph with gusts of 40 mph. We just parked the trailer and I drove into town, Shelby, Montana, to get fuel while Leslie started dinner. We had talked about grilling something outside but with the wind, that idea got nixed. We used our little pressure cooker for the first time and made stew. Tomorrow we will cross into Canada. Our posting may get a little sporatic as the high cost of internet service with our broadband cell phone modem while we are in Canada is prohibitive. We may also have to change our planned route. We planned to go west from Calgary and then northwest through Banf. At the campground tonight, we were told that the road that way has been closed because of snow. We will try to get more information as we get closer but towing the trailer on snowy or icy roads is not in the cards.
Today was a travel day. We left Billings with the thought that we might cross into Canada today. Well, it got to be around 6:00 pm and we were just north of Great Falls, Montana. We decided to stop at a campground just 30 miles south of the border. While we were driving, it was obvious that there was a strong cross breeze out of the west. When we stopped at the campground and opened the door, it about blew us away. I’m guessing that the wind was 30 mph with gusts of 40 mph. We just parked the trailer and I drove into town, Shelby, Montana, to get fuel while Leslie started dinner. We had talked about grilling something outside but with the wind, that idea got nixed. We used our little pressure cooker for the first time and made stew. Tomorrow we will cross into Canada. Our posting may get a little sporatic as the high cost of internet service with our broadband cell phone modem while we are in Canada is prohibitive. We may also have to change our planned route. We planned to go west from Calgary and then northwest through Banf. At the campground tonight, we were told that the road that way has been closed because of snow. We will try to get more information as we get closer but towing the trailer on snowy or icy roads is not in the cards.
Billings, Montana
Leslie: Monday, May 12, 2008
We’re in Billings, MT on the banks of the Yellowstone River. We’re staying at another KOA, not because we strongly prefer them but because they are entirely predictable. This one has a unique feature – a porch swing at each site. It’s quite early in the season so campgrounds are largely empty Because the sites are quite close together, we wouldn’t like it very much if the sites were all full.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/294274505_U85w2-M.jpg
This was another organization day. I spent many hours trying to get this blog on-line. We apologize for the mixed order of postings; it was a challenge to get the pictures in a format that you could view. We'll get better!
diesel price: $4.20 gal.
We’re in Billings, MT on the banks of the Yellowstone River. We’re staying at another KOA, not because we strongly prefer them but because they are entirely predictable. This one has a unique feature – a porch swing at each site. It’s quite early in the season so campgrounds are largely empty Because the sites are quite close together, we wouldn’t like it very much if the sites were all full.
http://CarpediemAdventures.smugmug.com/photos/294274505_U85w2-M.jpg
This was another organization day. I spent many hours trying to get this blog on-line. We apologize for the mixed order of postings; it was a challenge to get the pictures in a format that you could view. We'll get better!
diesel price: $4.20 gal.
Robert, Monday, May 12
We spent the day running errands in Billings. Nothing too important but just a lot of the little things that needed to be taken care of before we hit Canada. For example, one of our big purchases was one foot of Romex cable (the kind of wire that is used in the walls to provide electric service in homes). I need a piece of wire to provide a short jumper wire so that we can use our generators. All in all, not an exciting day.
We spent the day running errands in Billings. Nothing too important but just a lot of the little things that needed to be taken care of before we hit Canada. For example, one of our big purchases was one foot of Romex cable (the kind of wire that is used in the walls to provide electric service in homes). I need a piece of wire to provide a short jumper wire so that we can use our generators. All in all, not an exciting day.
Robert, Sunday, May 11
Travel days are often boring and today was no different. The routine is that I do the outside things like disconnecting water, electric, sewer, and cable while Leslie packs the inside. About the time I finish outside, she finishes inside. We then hook-up and hit the road.
On our first travel day, the cats quieted down after about an hour of mew, mew (that’s Molly) and MEEOOW (that’s Cody and it is said with a bit of a rasp). Today they both said the same thing but for hours. We left the campground around 10:00 am and they didn’t let up until at least 2:00 pm! One thing we discovered is that if we turn the radio off, they yell less.
The weather was beautiful with temps in the upper 60s and partly cloudy skies. We saw a lot of pronghorn antelope and tried to get pictures out the window while moving but with little success. We arrived in Billings, Montana around 5:00 and didn’t do much except set-up and fix dinner.
Like I said, travel days are pretty boring.
Travel days are often boring and today was no different. The routine is that I do the outside things like disconnecting water, electric, sewer, and cable while Leslie packs the inside. About the time I finish outside, she finishes inside. We then hook-up and hit the road.
On our first travel day, the cats quieted down after about an hour of mew, mew (that’s Molly) and MEEOOW (that’s Cody and it is said with a bit of a rasp). Today they both said the same thing but for hours. We left the campground around 10:00 am and they didn’t let up until at least 2:00 pm! One thing we discovered is that if we turn the radio off, they yell less.
The weather was beautiful with temps in the upper 60s and partly cloudy skies. We saw a lot of pronghorn antelope and tried to get pictures out the window while moving but with little success. We arrived in Billings, Montana around 5:00 and didn’t do much except set-up and fix dinner.
Like I said, travel days are pretty boring.
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