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The US and Canada

A 174-day adventure by Blue Brute Adventures Read more
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  • Trip start
    April 11, 2025
    Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler
    2121

    First Stop - Texas

    April 12 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    A long, but uneventful flight to the US. Quickly through customs and immigration, and we have a few days to explore the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We do the obligatory JFK sights and museums, markets (of course), and take in the "culture" of the American Rodeo championships. But the Fort Worth stockyards and the magnificent long-horn cattle were the highlight.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler

    On the Road

    April 15 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    After a delayed flight to San Antonio, everything goes according to plan. We pick up the Troopy, get some supplies, and repack. But before we hit the road, the Troopy gets serviced and checked. We get the thumbs up and head West. It doesn't take long before the green hills are replaced by desert landscape, and we spend our first night on the edge of the Amistad Reservoir.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler
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    Desert Highlights

    April 18 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 33 °C

    It’s a simple plan - 2000km in 10 days to reach Palm Springs. So, plenty of time for a detour! We add a few 100 kms to the trip to visit the Big Bend National Park in SW Texas. Stunning desert mountain scenery, the cactus flowers are in bloom and we manage to fit in a few short hikes. This area has been forged by volcanoes and the Rio Grande river, which also forms the border with Mexico. But while some of the canyons harbour shallow pools, the truth is the river ceases to flow 100s of kilometres up-stream - sucked dry for irrigation. When we leave the park the temperature drops from the high 30s to low 20s as a cold front - in the form of a dust storm - hits.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler
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    More Desert.

    April 21 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    We keep heading West, skipping through the corner of New Mexico before entering Arizona. If it wasn’t for the freeway (and cactus), you could mistake it for central South Australia. Not a lot to see. We have a couple of nights in the Tucson area. Although pleasant, the city itself doesn’t have a lot to offer, but the surrounding canyons provide some nice scenery and more flowering cactus.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler
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    Joshua Tree

    April 23 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Our initial objective - Palm Springs - is in sight, but we’ve got time to have a night in Joshua Tree National Park. But first, after crossing the border into California we have a night on the banks of the Colorado river on the edge of the small town of Blythe. Impressive cropping area, but also at the expense of another river system. Joshua tree has a spectacular desert scenery dotted with the famous tree. At 4,000 feet, it is also surprisingly cool in the evening.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler

    Festival Time

    April 27 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    It’s a short trip down the mountain from Joshua Tree to Palm Springs. Still dusty, but the 4,000 foot reduction in altitude makes for much warmer days. Four nights here to attend the Stagecoach Country Music festival (with its 80,000 attendees) and to catch up with ClaireRead more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler
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    California’s Magnificent Parks

    April 30 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    After we say farewell to Claire and pack the cowboy gear away, it’s time to head north. But while we have a date with a ferry to Alaska, we still have sufficient time to take in some of California’s sights. And they don’t get much better than the national parks in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. First, the giant trees and views in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, followed by the stunning Yosemite.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler
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    The Pacific North West

    May 6 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    After the Sierra Nevadas, we head north-west until we hit the Pacific coast. On the way, we pass through some historic gold-towns and cross the coastal range. The temperature plummets, but we enjoy the rough coastline and sunsets over the Pacific. In Portland, Lisa satisfied her craving for a biscuit and gravy breakfast and we found time to visit a few of the (very) many brewpubs. The snow-capped volcanos of the North-West were amazing.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler
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    Wonderful Washington

    May 10 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    We finish our time in the “Lower 48” with a few days in NW Washington state, hosted by Mark and Sharon. What a great time! Good times remembered, world problems solved, and adventures had. It was hard to pick a single highlight between downtown Seattle, Olympic National Park, beautiful Poulsbo and the stunning glass work by Chihuly………… perhaps Lisa and Sharon’s icey Mother’s Day dip in Liberty Bay.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler

    We Have the Maple Leaf!

    May 13 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    We head North to Port Angeles and take the ferry to Victoria, BC. Canada at last, and the troopy earns its Canadian flag. This leg of the trip has only one purpose - to see Jackie (AKA, “the Saint”) and Steve (by all accounts, “a big thing around here”) in their beautiful home on Vancouver island. We have a great time, not least sharing stories and discussing future plans, but we also get to explore downtown Victoria and the wonderful rainforest and beaches on the SW of the island.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler
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    Alaska Maritime Highway

    May 18 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    If there’s a ferry option, we take it (Lisa travel rule #3)! So, we take the Alaska Maritime Highway Ferry from Bellingham, WA to Alaska’s land-locked capital, Juneau. It’s a beautiful four day trip, where we opt for a bunk cabin, as opposed to the option of pitching a tent on the rear deck. We’re treated to stunning, snow capped views and have brief visits to the small fishing communities on Ketchikan, Wrangell and Petersburg, as well as the original Russian town of Sitka.Read more

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    Another State Capital

    May 20 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    We hop off the ferry at Alaska’s land-locked capital of Juneau. It’s colder than we expected, with plenty of snow on the surrounding mountain tops. Our camp-site is beautiful, with only a few steps to a beautiful view across the lake to the Mendenhall Glacier. But our first morning is a reality check of life in the warmer months in Alaska as we battle hundreds of cruise tourists on a trek towards the glacier. Downtown has a nice feel (with a couple of very decent distilleries and brew-pubs) but the cruise population (over 10,000 per day during our stay) is ever-present. Fortunately, the Troopy provides us with the means to explore a little further afield, and we go on a couple of nice hikes, seeing beavers, old gold mines and marmots on the way.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler
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    The Yukon

    May 22 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C

    After another ferry to get us from Juneau to Haines, we head north, crossing back into Canada. After quick processing at the border, we pass through about 50kms of Northern British Columbia, before entering the Yukon. If we thought late spring in Juneau was chilly, this takes it to news levels. Plenty of snow and ice, but the scenery is magnificent, and we get to see our first Grizzly. The 12 volt electric blanket is getting some solid use.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler

    Wrangell-St Elias National Park

    May 26 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    After a quick transit through the south-west corner of the Yukon, we cross back into the US in central-eastern Alaska. From there we head south to the Wrangell-St Elias National park and the old mining towns of McCarthy and Kennecott. It’s the largest national park in the US and contains most of the highest peaks in North America (although, not the highest), numerous volcanoes, glaciers and ice fields. It’s tough, remote, beautiful country (and a good drive for the Troopy). The Kennecott mine produced a huge amount of copper in the early 1900s, before being abandoned in 1938. McCarthy and Kennecott have seen somewhat of a revival in the past decade as step-off points to explore the park, but services are few and it’s not hard to imagine the tough mining life of 100 years ago. Glaciers and broad vistas are plentiful.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler
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    It’s Almost Summer, Right?

    May 29 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 4 °C

    The next stop is Valdez. Surprisingly, we have a date with another ferry in a few days. The weather has continued to deteriorate, with daily highs less than 7 (not counting the wind-chill). It’s summer in two days time! On the way to Valdez, we cross Thompson Pass. It’s not high, only about 760m above sea level and only about 10km from the coast. But the snow is thick. The main road is clear, but side roads and the camping area we were contemplating staying in are still snowed in and closed. Glaciers are in all directions and we encounter a skier finishing his morning run. Valdez is a little warmer - no snow, but consistent rain. It’s a bleak few days, but the scenery is fantastic and the town is enjoyable. We manage to fit in daily walks, some admin and a few visits to the local brew pubs.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler
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    Our Last Ferry (for a while)

    May 31 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    It’s another early morning departure to catch our last ferry on the Alaska Maritime Highway route. It takes us from Valdez to Whittier, following the northern cruise boat path. Once again there are beautiful vistas of snow-capped mountains along the water’s edge. Whittier’s initial claim to fame was as the port step-off point for explorers and miners heading into the interior of Alaska. Today it is better known as a step off and drop off point for people doing Alaska cruises (it is only an hour or two by train or bus from Anchorage). After a quick walk around town (population about 250 - solely focused on the cruise trade), there is little else to do except to trek up a viewing point overlooking the bay on one side and Portage Glacier on the other. While doing the trek, the weather starts to get even worse. The visitor centre is welcome relief and Lisa finds a new friend.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler

    The Kenai Peninsular

    June 1 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 7 °C

    We leave Whittier and its deteriorating weather behind us and travel through the unique Anton Anderson tunnel to the western side of the coastal range. The tunnel is single-way and shared by vehicle traffic and trains. Timings are strictly set and no stopping allowed. The promised improved weather conditions on the other side failed to appear. It’s more of the same, with the local information centre informing us that the Kenai Peninsula is in for a protracted period of rain and cold weather. Great! Our first stop is the village of Hope, where at least the rain stops long enough to have a brief walk around town.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler

    Troopy Passes Waterproof Test

    June 3 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 6 °C

    The Kenai Peninsula is one of Alaska’s highlights, but the first few days are anything but great. Our next stop is the harbourside town of Seward, where we end up spending four nights - not because there is so much to see, but because we can “hunker down”. The troopy does well in the wind and rain, but it has limited space to spend long hours in. Daytime temperatures don’t get above about 4-5, and the windchill makes it much colder. Even the Bald Eagles look miserable. But the main street has some interesting shops, we find a great coffee shop (which we visit each morning for a couple of hours) and the town library has lovely views (and wifi). There are also some good bars, where we spend the evenings watching the Stanley Cup finals.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler

    Another Geographic Milestone

    June 7 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    With the sun trying to break through the clouds, we optimistically pack up and head further south down the peninsula. On the way, we pass many of the lakes and streams famous for fishing. About two weeks after we depart, the peninsula will be inundated for the next couple of months by fisher-persons from around the world coming to catch trout and salmon. Our objective is Homer and the Homer Spit which juts about 8km into Kachemak Bay. This place is all about fishing and was the site of some of the initial canneries in Alaska. But, it is also the most Westerly point you can get to by road in North America.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler

    Russian Influences

    June 8 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    While in Homer, we take a day boat trip to Seldovia. It’s one of the original Russian villages and only reachable by air or sea. It now hosts a few holiday homes and is a step off point for the hardy soles who want to explore (by foot) the very southern parts of the peninsula. We see many birds and very camera shy otters on the way, but no Orcas.Read more

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    Finally, some sun.

    June 9 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 9 °C

    After weeks of grey skies, wind and rain, we finally get a reprieve in the weather. We head north, up the Kenai Peninsula to the Captain Cook State park (yes, he did call in here on his ill-fated third circumnavigation). The few Russian churches are reminders of a previous occupation and the blue skis make the scenery even more spectacular.Read more

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    Back to the Big Smoke

    June 14 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    After the Kenai Peninsula, it’s time to head to Anchorage/Palmer. We need to get the clutch replaced (parts have arrived from Australia) and get some admin done. The repairs go well and we still find time to take in some local sights. It’s never too far from spectacular mountain views, or recognition of Captain Cook’s travels. We come across a Saturday morning protest, find a couple of great brew pubs and are very well looked after by the wonderful Judy.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler

    The Talkeetna Mountains

    June 16 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    The mountains are even closer than they look. It’s a relatively short drive from the plains of Anchorage and Palmer to the surrounding Talkeetna and Chugach Mountains. The Matanuska glacier is only a short distance from the highway and Hatchers Pass is still snowed in. We do still manage to have a look around the historical Independence (gold) Mine, but the snow is still plentiful.Read more

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    Glimpses of Denali

    June 18 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    We have a couple of nights in the lovely small town of Talkeetna. When not covered by clouds or haze (which, by all accounts is more than 70% of the time), it has glimpses of Denali across the Susitna River - we have haze, but we can make out the mountain. It is also the main step off point for those wanting to climb the mountain. May and June are the climbing months - not too cold, yet still cold enough that the snow hasn’t become problematic (as it warms the snow becomes less stable and crevasses increase). Climbers leave from Talkeetna’s small (but very busy) airport, and land on a glacier half way up the mountain to start their trek. Each day the town gets swamped with tourists - by train and bus - on their way to/from the National Park.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresThe US and CanadaTraveler

    Denali National Park

    June 20 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    As we head north from Talkeetna, we have rare clear skies and Mt McKinley/Denali comes into view. We stop at a couple of viewing points along the way before arriving at the National Park. We have a couple of days of great weather (despite encountering a very decent thunder and hail storm). The days are warm (high 20s) and we go on a few great hikes. The peak of Denali comes into view from time to time and we encounter a good range of wildlife but, unfortunately, no bears.Read more

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