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  • Kay's Travels
Jul – Aug 2019

Alaska

Off for and RV trip to Alaska for 6-7 weeks. Traveling with friend Alice who owns the RV. Read more
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  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 26 Talkeetna to Denali

    August 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F

    Weather turning rainy this AM and weather at Denali not looking great - wet and cold. 😆. We had an RV breakfast and buttoned up the vehicle for travel. We are getting synchronized with the proces and it does not take long anymore. Destination is Denali Park entrance about 130 miles away. Stopped at a Birch (tree) products store, got gas and groceries and on our way out of Talkeetna.
    One stop at a Denali Viewing point however weather increasingly lousy so one had to have a good imagination to see the mountain. Arrived at Park entrance in the rain around 3:30. Learned our way around, picked up some brochures and watched 2 movies on Denali. One was on backpacking. Backpacking here is a whole different experience than I ever thought of backpacking. The park is 6 million acres!! Experienced backpackers just takes off from the one road (or fly in). There are no trails and wild animals everywhere. Navigational skills are critical. Amazing! Lots of hard core hikers around.
    Found our campground a mile from the Park entrance. A tourist area with hotels, restaurants, and shops. We checked out some shops, had dinner "in", watched the final episode of Absentia and to bed,.    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 27 Denali National Park

    August 2, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 50 °F

    Another rainy day but we have made reservations for the 11AM bus tour of Denali. It goes rain or shine. Breakfast, shower ($5)!! and out to get a lunch to take on the bus. First in line for the bus so we got good seats. There is only one road in Denali, it goes for 90 miles. Again, this Park is 6 million acres!!! Cars are only allowed for the first 15 miles. We chose the bus tour that goes to the 66 mile point. Scheduled for 8 hours! Primarily it is information, looking for wildlife, and, of course, views of Denali. No way to see Denali today in this weather. 🙃. Denali is the highest mountain in North America at 20,310 ft. Mountaineers come from all over the world to climb the mountain. 1200+ climbers summited Denali in their climbing season this year which is in May and June. The park exists to conserve the natural state of the environment. Protection of the animals is of utmost importance. The most prominent wildlife are bears - grizzly and black -, moose, caribou, wolves, and dall sheep. Our first wildlife sighting was a moose in the trees not far from the road. Mountain all socked in and hard to see very far. Did see quite a few caribou. Several stops along the way for stretching legs, bathrooms and always something different to see. Got to the end of our line - mile 66 - the Eielson Visitors center. A lovely new building built into the landscape. We had a half hour break there, raining so watched a movie on the climbing of Denali. When we got out, the rain has stopped and weather had started to clear. Large viewing spot for Denali and one could almost make out the lower slopes.
    On out return we had much better weather and lots more wildlife. Saw lots of caribou, another moose and finally I got to see the bears. We saw 2 different sets of them - both grizzlys - albeit a ways away. Could see quite well with the binoculars. Amazing how fast they can move!
    Back by 7 PM and glad to get off the bus but would recommend the ride to anyone. Spectacular scenery in every direction - even with the rain. Home for soup and salad dinnerand an early bedtime.    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 28 Denali to Fairbanks

    August 3, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 61 °F

    Yes!!!! Crossed another one off my bucket list! Hiked in Denali today! Overcast morning but not raining. A short hike but to a beautiful area near the entrance to the park - Horseshoe Lake. The bus driver yesterday touted this area as a place for waterfowl, moose and beavers. Alice left me off and went to paint while I hiked. An easy 3 mile walk in the woods to a beautiful lake. See pics. Only wildlife I saw was a snow hare, we had seen one yesterday and the bus driver corrected me when I called it a rabbit!! 🙃. But the best site was a spectacular beaver dam. Amazing architecture!
    So then this happened........ I walked back to where Alice was parked in the RV. As I am taking the big step up into the cab, I had my bear spray in the pocket of my jacket and I advertently hit the lever which set it off!!! 🤬👎🤪. That stuff is really vile! Alice got a strong inhale of it and could not breathe right away. Both of us coughing like crazy - we were quite the site for the other folks in the parking lot. After we aired everything out for awhile, I cleaned up the van and bagged my clothes, then it started to be pretty funny. My best comment was. " Never a dull moment!"
    Off for Fairbanks. 130 miles North. The rain really started to come down and we just drove until we were about 5 miles from Fairbanks. Had seen a write up on a jewelry designer - Judie Gumm - whose studio was really off the beaten path. A brief visit, lovely jewelry but not to my taste. Lots of animals/birds. But her studio was in a lovely setting in the woods
    Arrived at the campground which we really like. 👍. Space between sites, grass and trees, and all of the amenities that I have come to think of as necessities in RV travel. Dinner of pasta "in", a walk along the river right out out door and some planning for the next phase of our trip.    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 29 Fairbanks

    August 4, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Starting the 5th week of our trip. After Fairbanks, everything will bring us closer to home. (Now about 3,000 miles away) 😅. Plan today was to do to the State Fair however we woke up to rain so will put that off for awhile. Off to the highly recommended Morris Cultural and Visitors Center. A great stop, much more than a visitor center. Tons of information, knowledgeable staff, excellent exhibits on the different native tribes of Alaska and an excellent movie on bears. Lots of art, sculptures in a very modern building. We spent a couple hours there.
    A stop for lunch at the Fudge Pot, weather has cleared so off to the Tanana Valley State Fair.
    What fun! A midway with all of the usual games and stuffed teddies to win. All kinds of food and tons of exhibits. We went to a "fahion show" which was hilarious. It was a sewing competition divided into age groups. The first 11 year old had made a skirt for her sister who was the model. (About 6). The judges went thru the whole routine, quarter turns, deliberation, and the final vote. The sister got the blue ribbon!! She was ecstatic, jumping up and down. 😂. Then they said, that was the only entry in this age group!!! 🤣🤣🤣. Hoping someone tells her that story when she is 21.
    Gave up on the fair and home for cocktail hour and a walk to a restaurant nearby for dinner. Excellent King crab cakes, maybe the best I have ever had. Alice had stroganoff and liked hers as well. Another good day.    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 30 Fairbanks

    August 5, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 59 °F

    Out this AM to get the tire air valves replaced and hub cap put back on. Done relatively easily before noon. And less than $50 ! Then to Starbucks for some planning time for the remainder of our trip. We have changed our minds several times and now again. We have heard many people talk about Valdez so have decided to go there next. But first we are going to do one more day in this area, going to some highly touted hot springs about 60 miles NE of Fairbanks. Should be fun. We splurged for a hotel room as well!! First night out of the RV. Then to Valdez about 700 miles south on the coast. After that Haines, maybe Skagway, and then wander home. Currently thinking we might go "the log way" down thru Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff. Will see how the timing goes. Nice to be able to make changes as we go.
    Our tourism choice for today was the Creamers Field - A Migratory waterfowl refuge. On first appearance it is a very large open space with some big birds in the fields. However lots more going on here. We stopped in the visitor center to check out what was going on. We were lucky enough to run into one of the fellows who leads the guided tours in the mornings - Bud. Bud wanted to go back out to check on the sandhill cranes, (the big birds), and invited us to go along. So we had our own personal tour of the entire place. Essentially there are open fields and forest that are a refuge for all types of waterfowl. Bud took us on a mile and a half walk through the fields and forest with a running commentary for an hour and a half! Very interesting! Lots about the types of waterfowl and wildlife but even more about the forest and the land, how the permafrost affects the ground, etc. We learned a lot and enjoyed it. We saw several dozen sandhill cranes, all at a distance. They just started to arrive last week. By the end of the month they will have about 4,000 cranes there for about a month. They plant fields just to feed them and have a festival as well. Who knew?
    A much needed grocery run and back to the RV for dinner in.    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler
    11

    Alaska Day 31 Chena Hot Springs

    August 6, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    Taking a day off from tourism and spending a relaxing day at Chena Hot Springs Resort, about 60 miles NE of Fairbanks. A beautiful drive through the Chena Stata Recreational Area. Trees, rivers, streams and a highway with tons of gravel roads taking off to the right and left to fishing spots, campgrounds and hiking trails. Arrived at the resort around 1PM, checked into our room, had lunch and off to the hot springs. Spent the afternoon soaking up the water and sun. We were laughing and saying we felt like we had a "day off". Back for a shower and a bathroom we only had to share with each other and not all the campground neighbors 😂.
    We signed up for the 5PM tour of the Aurora Ice Museum, on the grounds of the resort. A fun diversion, an entire building with ice sculptures, a bar for 10, an ice hotel and an ice chapel for weddings. The 2 people who have done all the sculptures were in their workshop at the entrance to the museum. They also maintain the building and the ice structure. Amazing place, temperature at 25 degrees. They provide super warm parkas. The best part was the “ appletini” (vodka and an apple liquore) served in an ice martini glass! What fun!
    A great dinner of Alaskan scallops and a early bedtime.
    One final note, we met 2 interesting groups of young people today. At the hot springs, 3 young male geologists from Denver that had been working in Denali the previous 3 weeks. Had a long conversation with them about their work, traveling in Alaska - they were genuinely interested in our trip and lots of fun commentary. At the ice bar, while drinking appletinis, we met 2 30 something couples from NYC who were taking a year out of their lives to travel the US via RV. Three of them had quit their jobs, one could work on the road. They were full of fun stories and so personable. A real bonus of travel.    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 32 Hot Springs to Paxson

    August 7, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 55 °F

    Out “early” this AM (10) with only hotel check out to do. 😃. Cold breakfast in the RV to get an early start on a mostly travel day. Next destination is Valdez, AK. (Remember the Exxon Valdez?). It’s over 400 miles away so will make a 2 day trip out of the distance. First stop - the North Pole. The famous North Pole. This is the town known the world over for where children write their Santa Claus letters. The towns main attraction is the Santa Claus store. And OMG it is the biggest Christmas store I have ever scene many of you know my penchant for Christmas so needless to say it was an expensive stop. 😂😫🎉. They also had an Antler Academy to teach children about reindeer which we sad.y missed.
    Made a brief stop in Delta Junction which is the beginning or end of the Alcan highway, depending on how you look at it. We did not have a campground for the night so looking for a spot about 150 miles to Valdez to make an easy driving day tomorrow. Several BLM ( Bureau of Land Management) campgrounds in the area. We had no stayed at one of those previously so gave it a try. Sourdough Campground. Lovely spot near a river and a path from our campsite leading to a feeder stream. No hook ups tonight so “dry” camping. A walk after dinner down to the river and boat launch area around 9PM. So peaceful, quiet and beautiful.    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 33 Paxson to Valdez

    August 8, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    Cool night but sunshine this AM. Made hot breakfast this AM before leaving. With no hook ups, easy to leave. Destination today is Valdez about 150 miles. Lots of campgrounds there, we called in the AM and got our first choice. An early stop at Wrangell-St Elias National Park, the largest park in the National Park system. Who knew? The Park is 13.2 million acres, (250 square miles) more than twice the size of Denali and 6 times the size of Yellowstone! There are 2 mountain ranges within the park - Wrangell and St. Elias. We spent an hour or so at the visitor center looking at exhibits, watching a movie on the park, and walking to a great viewpoint for the mountains. The 3 easiest to see are 12, 14, 16,000+ft. There are 5 mountains in this park over 16,000 ft! The drive south from there had even more spectacular scenery than before, giant snow-capped mountains with green foothills, and rushing rivers nears the road at all times. Amazing countryside!
    Down the road another 50 miles, stopped for a one way construction project, the little flagger gal told us we had a flat tire. 🤬👎🥵. Same one as before and this time no one found the hub caps so it is gone. As luck would have it the construction crew here had a fellow that had a tre "fixer"!!! Lucky us. Hopefully this will hold to Valdez. 🙏
    I have to say that the drive from Glen Allen to Valdez was one of the most incredible scenic drives I have ever made. Every direction you look there was a wonderful vista. Mountains with glaciers, forested foothills, green tundra above the treeline, glacial rivers and, new to the mix, waterfalls. So breathtakingly beautiful.
    Our tire fix made it to Valdez so a late 🍔 lunch and off to a tire repair place for a more permanent solution. Quickly done and back to our RV park. Good location rght by the harbor but one of the ones I do not like so much with one RV right next to another. 👎
    Our RV park is in a good location, right next to the very busy fishing harbor. When I checked us in the gal had said that if we go over to the harbor about 5:30P the fishing boats start to come in. So we walked there around 6 and had a great hour or so watching the commercial boats binging in their catch for the day. Fascinating to watch them maneuver these 100 pound fish, cut them up and package everything right at the numerous fish stations on and near the docks. A row of restaurants and shops nearby so we stopped for a beer and then discovered there was a geocache nearby so went to look for that. Found it with significant help from a local sitting at a nearby table. Clearly he had seen others struggling with this before. Back to RV for some wine and communications catch up time. Late lunch so just picked at some leftover soup for dinner.    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 34 Valdez

    August 9, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    The day was filled with little trips and different things we wanted to see and do here. We are discovering that we have done most of the things we wanted to do on the trip. Did a drive through town to find the post office, not much commercial area. Mostly residential areas with very nice homes. Population of Valdez is ~4,500. The town is ALL about fishing. A fishing derby currently going on, so far the biggest fish cauis 275 pounds. (Halibut). One would think it would be cheaper on a menu however no such luck. When I bought it fresh off the dock in Homer, I paid $30 for a shade over a pound - just like home.
    Next stop:. The Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery. Never did I think a fish hatchery could be so interesting. About 10 miles our of town, we parked at an area where there were people watching a lot of gulls. Turns out it was the parking lot for the fish hatchery. It is salmon spawning season right nownformabout 3-4 weeks so lots going on here. There is a rushing river coming down the slope into Prince William Sound. Thereis a fish weir across the water. A fish weir is a device that keeps the salmon from being able to get up stream and channels them to a fishladder that takes them into the hatchery,. Without exaggeration there were thousands of pink salmon ( the links are running now, coho in a couple weeks). There is a self guided walking tour around the hatchery with videos to watch about the process. At this time they process 20,000 salmon a day!!! 😱. Processing means that they separate the males and females, take the road out of the females, the milt (fertilizer) out of the males, mix in a bucket ( I am sure the recipe is a secret) and take them to the incubators. There they grow to a certain size and are released. Their fertilization rate is almost 100%!!! Each year they process 250,000,000 pink salmon and 2,000,000 coho salmon.
    Then went looking for a place for a picnic. Found an idyllic spot next to a glacial lake filled with icebergs fed from 2 glaciers. Quirt and peaceful until 2 groups of kayakers returned from their tour. 🤣. Tire low again so back to the tire place for hopefully a permanent fix. 🤞. Cocktail hour and dinner "in".    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 35 Valdez

    August 10, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    We did not have anything we particularly wanted to do today so had a relaxing day wandering and checking out some places we had seen on the map. Kay went for a walk/hike early on one of the many peninsulas that lead off of the harbour. A lovely dense green forested trail with Prince William Sound on both sides. Found 2 trees that had a couple of Christmas ornaments on them! I was so excited, had to take a picture.
    Back to campground for some RV clean up and maintenance and to get ready for a long drive tomorrow.
    Pipeline story:. The Alaska Pipline begins in Prudhoe Bay about 500 miles north of Fairbanks and flows souh to its end at Valdez. Beginning on our ride from Fairbanks to Valdez, we started to see the pipeline close to the side of the road. Parts of the pipeline are above ground and othrs underground. The pipeline is 48" in diameter. But did not look that big. The pipeline became most notible when we were crossing a river on a bridge and next to us was a separate bridge for the pipeline! The pipeline was an amazing engineering project and continues to function today though not the the previous levels. The pipeline is a big part of Alaska history and represented in museums. The economic bom that the pipeline brought to Alaska contiues today. Many who came to work on the pipeline stayed in Alaska. The terminus in Valdez is huge complex visable from all over town however highly secured and you cannot get close to it.
    In the latest afternoon we checked out one of the local museums. We enjoyed the exhibits primarily about Alaskan history. The special exhibition was prominent Alaskan artists from as far back as the 1920's. Lots of pipeline, gold Rush, and other historical information. Took a walk to the park ly real retail store in town, an REI type of shop. All the brands we would see there at home. Valdez does not have a real commecial area for shopping. Not sure where these people buy any clothes or shoes? Probably on line like the rest of us.
    Out for dinner, salmon tacos!! 👍    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 36 Valdez to Beaver Creek

    August 11, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F

    On the road by 8AM today. Next destination:. Haines, AK - 700 miles away. We need to go inland quite a ways, catch the Alcan highway and then back to the coast. Most of the driving today was in Alaska but we crossed the Canadian border into the Yukon Territory at about 350 miles. Scenery today was mountains, not snowcapped, forests, lakes and rivers. . I am sure that the world will never run out of spruce trees!!! We planned to drive to Haines in 2 days. The roads are not great - lots ofups and downs (called frost heaves), road construction, gravel patches and pot holes. Hard tomake good time and a driving challenge for Alice.
    We made one stop at the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge. A huge area of lakes, rivers and grassy marshes. This is a test stop for migratory bird and waterfowl. Visitor center of openso did not learn much but a nice area to stretch out legs and look around.
    Our campground for the night was in Beaver Creek,Yukon shortly after the Canadian border. Not much but "home"for the night. Time change one hour and the price of gas doubled! 😱. Back to the US tomorrow.    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Akaska Day 37 Beaver Creek to Haines

    August 12, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    Up and out by 9AM for another long day of driving, 350 miles to Haines. For the first time it got downright cold last night. Had to get dressed under the covers this AM. 😱. Out quickly as we did not like this campground much. Roads better all day today, especially the 2nd half of the drive. Drove about 3 hours through the Yukon on the Alaska (aka Alcan) highway. Scenery was forests, primarily spruce trees, rivers, lakes, tundra and mountains. One really gets an appreciation of the size of Wrangell-St Elias Nathional Park (250sq miles) as we can see it now from the oher side. Stopped at a view point, a UNESCO world heritage site. This entire area joins 4 National Parks, 2 Canadian and 2 US to make the largest area of National Parks in the world covering the Yukon and British Columbia in Canada and Alaska. Pretty amazing. A stop at Haines Junction for gas and a cute bakery for lunch. Then left the Alcan Highway on a spur of 150 miles on the Haines highway to Haines. Easy drive, through customs, back into the US and we recovered the hour back we lost yesterday.
    To Haines in time to checkout 2 campgrounds to decide which one we liked better. One clearly the best with lots of space between vehicles. For cleanliness and amenities this is our favorite so far. Immacuate and run by a couple from New Jersey. Have had several campgrounds in the woods and, for location, they are my favorites. A quick run out to the ferry as we want reservations for Thursday to Skagway. A very interesting geographic note for those of you who want to look at a map. Skagway is 15 miles by boat away from Haines however if you drive from Haines to Skagway it is 355 miles!!!😱😂. Got our reservations and back to campground for wine and dinner. Our after dinner entertainment has been watching something downloaded on my Ipad. We are currently into Fleabag    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Akaska Day 38 Haines, AK

    August 13, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    A morning of "running around" and RV attention. No propane so out for breakfast. Nice cafe in Haines - Chilkoot Cafe and Bakery. Filled up the propane but still not working, went back later to the propane place, problem was the switch got turned off! 🤣😂 not sure how, maybe with all the erratic road conditions yesterday - who knows. Also took the time to clean the floor of the RV, take everything out and reorganize a bit. We wanted to wash the RV but the wash place was closed. 👍🤣.
    Off to the Chilcoot State Recreation Area. A lovely drive along the Lynn Canal (a huge fjord) , more mountains and water everywhere. Lots of fisher people in the river. The draw to this area is that the salmon are swimming upstream to spawn and the bears come down to the river to fish. This paark is the destination of a lot of the nature tours. Ugly road with many potholes but we finally arrived at Chilcoot Lake - quite the spectacular scenery. Everyone is looking for bears. We passed a group on our way in that had spotted a brown bear across the river bit that wa to be out closest encounter to a bear for the day. I think a certain amount of patience is involved. (Not my strong suit) 😱.
    However on our way out we saw one of the Nature Tour groups with a monocular mounted on a tripod. Just then a bald eagle flew overhead to the top of a large tree across the river. Through the monocular you could see the nest with eaglers. Soon both mother and dad were there feding the babies! 👍. Pretty amazing.
    Back to town for a beer at the local Fogcutter Saloon. Then back to RV for dinner. Finished Seasin 1 of Fleabag.
    Note: Pictures coming, cannot download them with WiFi at this Park. 😕    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 39 Haines, AK

    August 14, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    A morning of more RV work. Alice working on a new latch for a drawer that will not stay shut when we drive, Kay cleaning the floor of the RV. We both soon had enough of that so headed out in the opposite direction from yesterday to the Chilkat State Park. A long gravel road but finally really reached the end that opened up from a dense forest to huge bodies of water on each side of us and mountains with glaciers, so beautiful. Quiet out here, we just walked around enjoying the scenery and decided to have a picnic on the beach. Made our tunafish sandwich and enjoyed the views.
    On the way into the park we saw an Art Gallery right as we entered. Stopped on the way out and what a surprise it was! A great small gallery with all types of media - paintings, jewelry, pottery, fused glass, mosaics, etc. All very nice work. Alice got to talking with the artist and soon we had all the information on the art community in Haines and where they had all shown there work (some quite impressive shows). This was all in a small home with a spectacular view through the trees of a mountain with a glacier. We got to be on a first name basis with John who was quit the information source on places to eat and drink in Haines. A fun stop.
    Back to RV to "dress" for dinner at John's recommended restaurant, The Fireweed. I have been hungry for a steak for weeks so decided to have one tonight - excellent choice! Also different side dishes, all in all a very good meal. Back to our RV for our nightly "TV" (Kay's Ipad) and to bed.    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 40 Haines, AK to Teslin, YT

    August 15, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Moving day today and starting to wend our way home. We chose to take the ferry, a very good move. By ferry we are only 15 miles, 45 minute ferry ride, from Skagway. If we drove we would have to back track about 250 miles. Cleaned up and moved out a bit early so as to have time for a couple stops before leaving town. A few groceries, some "goodies" from a good bakery we had found, a few pictures around town and off to the ferry. Sailing was at 1 PM but needed to be there by 11. We will not spend time in Skagway but start driving as soon as we arrive. Our plan is to drive about 150 miles this afternoon to Teslin, YT.
    Nice cruise up to Skagway, 4 huge cruise ships in port ! One of the cruise ships was a Disney. Did not see much of Skagway as we wanted to keep moving as ferry was a bit late leaving. Shortly after leaving Skagway we turned the 4000 mile mark on our adventure. 😳. Another 2500 and we will be home. More spectacular scenery after Skagway and back into Canada - British Columbia first then the Yukon again. This trip has also been. Real lesson in geography.
    Fall comes early to Alaska and this part of the world. The last several days it feels like we could see the 🍁 on the deciduous trees turn from green to yellow. Now whole hillsides may be yellow.
    Arrived in Teslin bit after 7PM - Yukon Motel and Lakeshore RV Campground. We would have driven more but accommodations are sketchy for the next 900 miles so need to stop where available. Quiet evening, campground on the shore of Lake Teslin, an enormous lake that must be about 60 miles in length. Planning an early start tomorrow.    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 41 Teslin to Meziadin Junct

    August 16, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F

    Out by 8:45, plan for about 500 miles today. We have decided to go south on the Cassiar Highway as opposed to the Alcan. Several folk have told us it is prettier AND it is 120 miles shorter. Both highways end up in Prince George, BC where we plan to be by Saturday night. May stay there 2 nights and give Alice a break from driving.
    A long drive without much change in scenery - trees, low mountains, lakes and rivers. 300 miles before lunch and gas stop 🛑. Highlight was seeing first, one bear who went across the road in front of us and a bit later, 3 cubs playing in the road until they heard us coming and then off into the brush. Never saw mama bear.
    The afternoon drive was more of the same but as it got later in the afternoon we started to see bears eating by the side of the road. Total, we saw 11 or 12 black bears, quite close - cubs and mamas and maybe one male alone. It was great! I finally really saw my real bears.
    Arrived at out destination a bit after 5P, only problem, campground was full!!! 😱. We had not have not had a problem this entire trip until tonight. There was a motel at the stop as well and for $235 we could have had a room! However all we want to do is sleep as we have the same distance to cover tomorrow and will be up early to start another long driving day. So we inquired about the next campground south, an hour away, and off we went. Arrived by 6:30 at a lovely campground by a lake. I think we got one of the last spots available. Phew!! 🎉😳. Really a pretty area, the Meziadin Lake Provincial Park. Most individual sites were quite separated, grounds are manicured, lots of big trees but no hookups. So dry camping tonight, much less work. 😂. Alice’s taco salad for dinner. 👍    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 42 Meziadin to Prince George

    August 17, 2019 in Canada ⋅ 🌧 54 °F

    Woke up to rain this morning. So a quick up and out by 8 AM. Destination today, the big city of Prince George BC, about 400 miles. Rain all day. Only one interesting stop was for gas in a very small Indian (all tribes called First Nations here). They have the largest collection of totems in British Columbia. More than show in picture and quite impressive. Pretty much drove straight through with only stops for gas, food and wine - the essentials. We truly feel that we are back in civilization as of today. Better roads, more traffic, fast food and many places with a population more than 100! 😃. And, the most exciting, internet! Phoned ahead for our campground, lots of choices here. Spent a lot of the afternoon planning the last week of our trip. Decided to go to Vancouver for 3 days, after a day of rest in Prince George. Also decided to splurge on a hotel in Vancouver. Thanks to daughter-in-law, Nancy, we made reservations at a Marriott in Vancouver. Looking forward to it. Did all our hook ups in the rain tonight - not fun. Have been really tired of "junk" food so we got sole, rice and broccolini - tasted wonderful! Both tired and early bed.Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler
    1

    Alaska Day 43 Prince George, BC

    August 18, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F

    A lazy day of catch up - showers, laundry and a nap in late afternoon. Rain on and off all day. Early afternoon we went into Prince George to check out the city, population ~74,000 and home of the University of Northern British Columbia. We had decided to visit the Art Museum- Two Rivers Gallery. Pictures showed a building with unique architecture in the city center. Their current exhibition was very interesting and a topic which I knew nothing about - the history of the Residential schools for the Indians (now knows as First Nations) in Canada. From the 1920’s until 1996 all Canadian Indians were taken out of their homes and often away from their families and sent to Residential schools throughout the country. Most were run by priests and conditions were not good. Minimal food, no speaking their own language and also abuse issues. The exhibit brought the art leaders in the Indian population with the curators of the museum to tell the story in order to acknowledge the issue so as to help all move on. The story was told in various media, art, sculptures, videos, and film. Very worthwhile.
    The museum was located in a plaza along with the civic center, conference and a lovely park with sculptures and lots of flowers 🌸
    Found a place for a very good lunch downtown and then drove around the city for awhile. Since is was a Sunday all was pretty quiet.
    Back to our RV Park to get ready for another long drive to Vancouver tomorrow. Also finally enough internet to download pictures!!    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 44 Prince George - Vancouver

    August 19, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F

    Up and out before 9AM. Passed our 4,000 mile mark yesterday. Destination Vancouver, about 450 miles. Early clouds/fog quickly turned to bright sunshine and a lovely drive through the British Columbia countryside. Lots of farmland, rivers and big forests. Pretty much drove straight through with one stop for gas and fast food. Amazing scenery through the VERY long Fraser canyon - 40-60 miles and 21 tunnels!
    Arrived at the Civic Hotel in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver. Very nice and a big room with 2 queen beds. Our food is 3 times the size of the ban! 😂 “Unpack” (our duffle bags) and down to the hotel bar and restaurant for dinner. Had poke! Have been craving sushi for weeks. Not a single picture today.    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 45 Vancouver, BC

    August 20, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    Ahhhh. A good nights sleep in a luxurious bed! 😂👍. Out to find a place for breakfast. Could not ding much and ended up in at a Cafe in a library across the plaza from our hotel. Quite the library, all spread out in a very modern architecture building. Next to tackle the Vancouver public transit system. Vancouver has an above ground subway - the Sky Train with 3 lines. A train station is right next to our hotel. After figuring out how to buy the right type of ticket we were off. Destination: the waterfront and Granville Island and downtown Vancouver. Sky train good all the way to the waterfront. It’s been a long time since I have been to Vancouver and I’d forgotten how beautiful their waterfront area is. We wandered around for awhile looking for a tourist information center. Finally found one and got directions on where to catch a bus to Granville Island, maps and other tourism data from a chatty agent.
    A bus ride through downtown Vancouver to Granville Island - a small Island right off of downtown Vancouver. Alice had been there years ago and wanted to go back and check it out. There is one major road across a bridge to the island. Quite the happening place. Shops, restaurants , a huge market and access to all the water transportation that you could imagine. We wandered around for several hours, some shopping but primarily people watching and trying to decide which of the establishments we wanted for lunch. Every ethnic variety food one could think of. Alice got Greek, I got Japanese. Spent an hour or so just watching all the watercraft scene on the very busy inlet from the Pacific.
    Took the local ferry down to the end of its run and walked a bit to get back on the Sky Train and to our hotel. Just in time for a manicure and pedicure close to the hotel - MUCH needed. Cocktail hour and a late dinner at the hotel, good kale Cesar salad.    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 46 Vancouver, BC

    August 21, 2019 in Canada ⋅ 🌧 64 °F

    A rainy day in Vancouver. Had hoped to spend the day in Stanley Park and their Theater Under the Stars tonight but not in the cards ♦️ for this trip. 😖. Rain supposed to stop by this evening but a little risky for planning - and it’s not real warm either. So breakfast and out to a nearby mega shopping center a short Sky Train ride away. Whiled away a couple hours with some last minute shopping. They had an interesting exhibit in their main atrium. Large animals made from discarded flip flops! Made by artists from Kenya. Fun. Back to the hotel in the rain for a late afternoon of communications catch up and “free” time from tourism. Walks to a nearby brewery for dinner.
    Off on final leg tomorrow.    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 47 Vancouver to Portland

    August 22, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    Ready for the final phase of our journey - about 950 miles - and 2 more nights in the RV before Bodega Bay. Plan to drive to somewhere south of Portland today. A short 45 minute drive and we were at the US border. a 30 minute wait, back in the US and on our way. The I-5 corridor through Seattle and Portland is just a zoo no matter what time of day you do it. Slow downs in Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia and Portland with no apparent reason than too many cars. Have no idea how they are going to fix that problem with the increase in population in both of those cities. Arrived at our campground a bit south of Portland in Tualitin around 5PM. Lots of sunshine, a nice campground, 76 degrees and settled in early for the night. Pasta for dinner one more time. 😂. No pics today.Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 48 Tualitin to Crescent City

    August 23, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    Out by 9:30 and on the road again. Destination today: Crescent City, CA. Decided to go down on 101 in California as it is very hot over on I-5 in California. So today down I-5 to Grants Pass and over to 101. Uneventful drive through Oregon. A stop in Grants Pass for wine and gas. (2 essentials).
    The campground we chose for our last night was a KOA just north of Crescent City. The first time we had done a KOA on this trip. A very nice spot in the Redwoods with all the required amenities. Kay managed to leave the sleeve that screws into the ground from the sewer system at the last campground (for the 2nd time this trip). 😫😱👎 so into Crescent City to the trusty Ace Hardware for a new one.
    I had been in Crescent City in May and knew where I wanted to eat for our last dinner. There is a new brewery in town near the water. A very modern design and architecture building and I had enjoyed it last time. Apparently the word is out on the restaurant as there was a waiting list however the bar was first come first served. So we did not wait long and the food was as good as I remembered. A very fun place with a good vibe for a casual meal. Back for some “TV”, we are now into The Family on Netflix - a bit scary. Last night in my little bed!
    No pics again today.    Read more

  • Kay's TravelsAlaskaTraveler

    Alaska Day 49

    August 24, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    Last day!! 323 miles to Bodega Bay. Campground had pancakes for sale for breakfast so did not even need to cook. A familiar drive down CA Route 101. A stop in Eureka for gas and coffee for Alice. At 35 miles from home in Healdsburg we stopped for gas and someone, again, told us a tire was low! 😫👎. Long story but we could not get it fixed as it was Saturday evening. Had to leave it there and Uber the final 35 miles. 😂. RV was towed on Sunday and fixed on Monday. Phew.

    A great trip with a very good friend. A new experience for me and can now cross Alaska off my bucket list. An amazing state with so much to offer for those who like a quiet environment and the outdoor life.
    Final mileage: 6,420!    Read more

    Trip end
    August 24, 2019
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