Thursday, en route home

But first, check out our Alaska visitors last night at the airport--BSP sista Susan and daughter Stephanie! It was great seeing them and catching up, laughing and hugging. Love you gals!

We just landed in Los Angeles. At least we gained an hour in this time zone. Unfortunately we have a 2 hr wait for our flight home, but wait we shall...and read and people watch. Yes we will!

Have a great day, y'all!

Anchorage bound!

This is a chunk of glacier brought onboard by the crew for us to get a close up view. Dick thought it a great spot to chill his Coke.

So our glacier cruise in the rain was still good. We were teased by a humpback whale who wouldn't give us a full show; saw a few bald eagles and sea otters and bunches of kitty wigs and sea gulls. And several different glaciers. It rained al night, and is still here with us this morning.

We are mostly packed up for our flights home LATE tonight. Tomorrow will be a long day, but we'll be home and that sounds mighty fine to all of us. We've missed everyone. But we'd do it again. Srsly! We'd take a different route, but we would definitely do it again. Maybe not next year though.

Thanks for tagging along. Check back for more photos...eventually.

And get out there and see the world, y'all! It is awesome!!! Don't wait.

Triangular Pond

We are back at the small pond on Portage Glacier Road and it is a good thing I got this photo after we parked yesterday. The guys got the steaks grilled and a gentle rain began while we were eating...inside, not at the picnic table. It continued all night and is still with us. Bugger. We are going down to Whittier for a glacier seeing boat trip. Oh well, today it is what it is. We have have little rain the entire trip, so we can't complain.

On our trip up here we saw a couple of moose, then a mama and calf just off the road. Sweet! And a few eagles. Love seeing all the wildlife.

Time to get out the umbrellas and head out. WYWH, y'all!

Goodbye, Seward!

We will be leaving this lovely spot this morning, heading back to the pond on Portage Glacier Road. Yesterday a whale was playing off to the L, and several seals have been spotted right in front of us. We enjoyed our walk into town, touring the various shops. A cruise ship was in town...Statendam...so town was a bit busy.

Halibut BLTs @ Chinook's were divine, then we went to see Exit Glacier. It was overcast and the path was still snow covered, so we didn't get to get very close to the glacier. But still, we enjoyed seeing what we could see.

After a few games of Rummikub and bowls of chili, we called it a good day.

Wow, we just saw a few blows from a small whale, but he wouldn't surface. Chasing after breakfast I suppose.

Have a great Memorial Day, wherever you are. Give thanks for our heroes who have served our country and are still serving. Thank you, one and all.

Stellar Sea Lions

I hope this short video works. We sure enjoyed watching these two gals playing in the water. There is an injured brown gal over to the L. Some guy scraped up her side the night before. Bad boy! Nature can be cruel.

Sunny and cold in Seward. We are driving around sightseeing today.

Happy Sunday, y'all. Life is good...we are free!

Saturday, now in Steward

Last night we camped in the parking lot near Skilak Lake, since all the camping sites were full. Duh. It is a holiday weekend, and in that honor, enjoy this double eagle Ben h we saw in Seldovia yesterday instead of our camping view.

We are parked on the water near the fabulous AK Sealife Center, a totally awesome place! We spent the afternoon there, thoroughly enjoying all the various sea critters.

Tonight our guys will freeze and grill steaks outside. It's their job, right?! Lynne and I will handle the womanly food indoors where it is warm. It's the right thing to do.

Please remember those who have given us our freedom, which is never free. And count your blessings. WYWH!

Chain saw competition

So the video didn't work. I will have to wait till I get home to upload. Here is a POS.

Just got on the road. Will post again shortly...

Chain saw competition

So the video didn't work. I will have to wait till I get home to upload. Here is a POS.

Just got on the road. Will post again shortly...

Seldovia chain saw competition

These guys are good!

All aboard to Seldovia for the day!

Lynne is determined NOT to get seasick!

Friday in Homer

So yesterday we decided to treat us to lunch out for a change, so we headed to Land's End Restaurant which is, you guessed it, at the END of Homer Spit. It truly is a spit of land hanging out in the ocean. And good food reasonably priced. We likey.

Since our beach dry camping was only $15 (as opposed to $60 With amenities), we went back out for seafood dinner at Captain Pattie's. Skip the chowder at LE and get it here instead. Trust me!

And this photo is of Dick snapping photos of about 100 seals frolicking in the surf. We have enjoyed seeing more eagles here, too. And guys out kite surfing/wake boarding. Brrr...

Today we shall take a ferry over across the bay to a quaint fishing village. Will post a photo or two later.

Have yourself a lovely Friday. Who has w/e plans? We'll leave here either later today or tomorrow. WYWH, y'all!

Thursday rolling

This cute guy was our early morning stalker as we were eating out oatmeal inside. Chilly out but not freezing. We have only a short 20 mile trip down to Homer this morning. Easy peasy. It is time for a laundry stop. Not sure how long we will stay. We are flexible.

Dick went outside to video some of the bald eagles we saw while eating, but they didn't cooperate. Go figure!

We are enjoying some beautiful sights. Arriving now at Homer with more awesome views. We see the spit!

WYWH!

Wednesday @ Stariski SP

Just look at this view our two campers are enjoying! We decided it was worth stopping here for the night, overlooking Cook Inlet. Mt. Redoubt and Mt. Iliana can be seen rising 10,000' above the Aleutians Range, part of the Aleutian Chain. Lucky us that it is sunny and clear. We don't mind the $12 charge.

So what's for dinner, Barb asked. The boys have a fire started to grill chicken thighs and roast some white corn. We enjoyed a roasted chicken for dinner last night, so while we are stopped I am simmering the carcass for some chicken and rice soup for another meal.

I think tomorrow we shall finally visit Homer, but now it is wine thirty here and time to sit and enjoy the fire. More another time on all the animals we have seen.

WYWH!!!

Portage Glacier

Those dark specks on the frozen part of the lake are bald eagles! We saw 9 of them here!

Portage Glacier Road

Good morning from another beautiful and free spot! The forest service cg was closed on this road, so we joined another camper here at this small pond.

Bob and Lynne are making bacon and pancakes and they are smelling mighty good. We plan to head south toward Homer, no particular plans other than to enjoy ourselves. We do that well.

Hi to everyone. WYWH!

Heading south

Just left Anchorage after a brief stop for fuel and groceries.

Bob and Lynne will be arriving later on. Dinner will be ready!

Life is good, y'all!

Tuesday near Mt. McKinley

Well, we did stop at the musk ox farm yesterday, which is where Lynne wanted to check out the Qiviuk yarn (yes, she says that word works in WWF!). We learned a new fact--it is not smart to buy Qiviuk other than in its natural state. The dyed yarn does not last, as the dye breaks down the yarn. She couldn't buy skeins of it there...they only sell finished products made by the native cooperative, since this is a good percentage of their livelihood. They do sell some kits to make a scarf or hat, complete with patterns. Lynne may wind up buying a kit in Anchorage in their other shop. Ox photos will follow...eventually. They are big...and fuzzy.

After leaving the farm, we continued up the road, stopping for a quick lunch at Miller's Market N of Wasilla (great mocha shake!). And then we parted company with Bob and Lynne. They headed on to Denali and will ride the big cheeser school bus on a 6 hour tour of the park today. We did that already and don't want to do it again, plus we have a flight seeing trip scheduled for this morning...if the weather cooperates.

We spent the night in a cg in Talkeetna, and saw McKinley en route and I snapped a photo on my camera...which is where it still is. Hopefully we will get even better shots today from the air or it will be my only photo of the mountain this trip.

The plan is to meet Bob and Lynne later today...or tomorrow. We're easy. Cell phones are wonderful. Oh, and our family radios have worked well so we could stay in touch as we are rolling, since we have mostly been in areas where the cell phone didn't work.

Life is good...and the weather is warmer. Stay tuned...


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:AK

Monday in AK

So this was our free "informal camping" last night at the confluence of a small and a large river. We hated to leave, but there are more adventures down the road. We stopped just N of Palmer, which is our first destination today.

The roads have been very good up until the last 200 in Canada from Whitehorse up to the US border. We saw a few more moose and one bear. We visit a musk ox farm today. Stay tuned!

What a beautiful country we have. And also congrats to Grammie Joy on the birth yesterday of Eva Daphne. What a blessing!

More miles and smiles, y'all!

When does summer arrive?

More snow on the ground en route to Palmer. Enough already!

Rolling, rolling...

Welcome to AK!

Finally back in the USA, but with spotty phone service. We just had a brief stop at a gift shop that offered free wifi, thankyouverymuch. Then we had to get a bit of fuel for the road. Heading to Palmer for Lynne to check out a yarn shop.

We have been blessed with more animal sightings...bears, caribou, moose, hawks, swans, roaming horses, grouse and rabbits! Fun seeing all them. Hope I have a few good photos to post when able.

It is finally warmer, with snow only visible on the mountain tops, rather than on the ground near us.

Happy Sunday from the road!

Yukon Territory

We stayed here last night because these folks were so good to Dan and Joan when they broke down. The RV section was still closed due to snow. They are sick of that stuff! The cooks got a night off; we ate dinner in their cafe.

Back on the road, stopping near the AK border tonight. Have spaghetti sauce defrosting for our dinner. Have to stop in White Horse for fuel and wine. We do have our priorities. Hopefully we will have a bit of phone service briefly while there.

Wishing Megan and Ralph best wishes as they marry today, without us. Love y'all!

More miles and smiles. AK or bust tomorrow!

Happy Griswolds

At Lake Louise Wednesday. Beautiful! We continued N, stopping to food shop in Prince George Thursday, stopping for the night in Buckinghorse at restaurant that allowed free RV parking. We ate dinner there, then went to bed early, in a light snowfall! Oy...had that stuff off/on all day. More is ahead.

The animals have been plentiful...bears/cubs, elk, a moose, deer, wolves, hawks. Will probably see more today.

We are rolling early today. Sunny and cold. Saturday near AK, arriving there Sunday after 2 4-500 mile days. Even Bob is doing well with long days!

Miles and smiles, y'all! WYWH!!!

Full moon over Avalanche Creek!

Oh, Canada!

Here we come! Bu-bye, Glacier. Wish we could seen more of you. Going-to-the-Sun Road won't open till mid-June, so we could only get to Avalanche Creek. Enjoyed campfire and grilled chicken. We are eating well, and thoroughly enjoying the trip...the company...the scenery. WYWH!

Have a 400 mile day today. Will post as we find free wifi. Don't plan to make/receive phone calls while in Canada. Text us if needed...and when Joy has a granddaughter!

More miles and smiles, y'all! Leave us comments!!!

Deer, second try

Hopefully she will show up this time! She was real...I promise.

CG visitor!

This doe walked between our two mohos and crossed the lane over into the other campsite. She is still grazing around and is behaving nicely.

Life is good!


Sent from my iPhone

Seely Lake, MT

Greetings! Breakfast is over, stuff is stowed, and we are almost ready to head up to Glacier NP.

About the battery situation: there is engine battery that was good. There is a second battery for the fridge, water pump, and most especially...the heater! The latter would not run the heater thru the night. Not good. Brrr...so now you know. Lynne and I are now warm. It is 37 outside and sunny.

Miles and smiles, y'all!

Exiting Yellowstone NP

We enjoyed our brief visit in Jackson Hole, then headed straight to Yellowstone. It was again 30 last night. There was lots of snow in S Yellowstone. Lakes were still frozen!

Spotting this herd of about 100 bison, we pulled off for photos. We enjoyed watching the adults get the calves to cross the river. Our kids will remark that bison are a part of our American heritage. We did see some wallering in the dirt.

Once again we are N bound, heading to Canada by way of Glacier NP first. We do need to stop and buy a new battery for each Moho first.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers!

Hugs from the road...

Jenny Lake

Chapel of the Transfiguration

Serene.

Heading to Jackson Hole

We stopped in Montpilier, ID, at a KOA, pricey, but they have a short season. Oh well, we got to empty/fill our tanks. On the road, seeing beautiful scenery. News flash: it was 30 here this morning and 37 in anchorage!

For your viewing pleasure, here is a shot of the inside. Two-compartment sink and a 3 burner gas cook top are on the L. Bed up on the cabover is good for storage. We needed its comforter as additional warmth on top of our comforter already. Sheesh.

Will update more later, y'all! Rolling, rolling...

Building a camp fire

We decided to stop short of Jackson Hole so we can arrive and hopefully see some critters in the morning. Dinner is cooking, wine is fine. Life is food!

Otter Lake SP

Home, sweet homes. Parked right on the lake shore, with few neighbors, and no cell service. The guys got us settled in while Lynne and I got our simple dinner prepared.

We are learning the operational systems of the units. Thy are very noisy riding down the road, but we'll get used to it.

Today is cool and beautiful for our travels up to Jackson Hole. We saw herds of deer yesterday. Today mostly. Cows, horses, and goats.

Miles of smiles from the road. Hey to Lynne's knitting friends. Leave us a howdy. Our service is intermittent, but we do reach civilization...eventually! And I will post when I can.

Life is good, y'all!

Hello, hoodoos!

Still pretty

Hello, Beautiful Bryce!

Headed to the campground, a different one than where we stayed a couple of years ago. Weather is fantastic!

On the road

We thoroughly enjoyed the Jersey Boys @ Paris last night. Amazing voices and music, but a bit sad history of the group.

Got the two mohos loaded and are now N bound, heading to wallyworld for provisions.

Later, y'all! Miles and smiles!!!

No training wheels for either boy!

Scooter (almost 4) announced I don’t need no stinkin trainin wheels!  And he didn’t any more, so Jason removed them.  He hasn’t slowed down since!

Brian was an old man @ 4 when his trainers were removed.  I am sure our wee boys will both be trying to keep up with Unka Brian.  Check out what he was recently doing (Faith, I stole your photo):

So today is air travel day for us.  Las Vegas, here we come!  Let the fun begin!!!

One more sleep

 

This is the anticipated line up that will leave here in the morning, except that black (winter) purse on the L will instead be a beige one.  But I will stick the beige bag inside a black bag that will be my carry on to hold the iPad and a jacket.

Since we will be in cold climates, we needed the larger suitcase to hold the bulky stuff.  Bugger.  Maybe we can pare it down.  We’ll try.

I got my desk as cleaned off as it gets…no small feat…laundry done, and several things checked off the list already.  Today, everything else will be finished so that we are ready to roll.  For the very first time, I am not taking a stack of paperback books on this trip.  My iPad is loaded with books (and my bag has chargers to keep it running!).  This feels strange.  Very strange.  Almost naked strange, but I’ll adjust.

Life is a highway…and we’re gonna ride.  Hop on, y’all!

Animal alert!

 

MM and I will probably be seeing sights like this, literally.  And much, much more.  We are heading to Alaska…by way of Las Vegas!  Srsly.  Doesn’t everyone do it that way?

We fly to LV on Wednesday, joined by Bob and Lynne, who are flying down from NH.  Stay with me on this.  We have a show booked that night (B/L have only briefly visited LV, so this is their one big night out on the town in sin city).  We’ll make the most of it, of course!

On Thursday, we pick up two Class C motorhomes (those are the relatively little guys, not like our big Class A ones), because the rental company needed drivers to get them up to Anchorage for their summer season.  Our guys have always wanted to drive the Al-Can Highway…one-way, in someone else’s motorhome…so this is a perfect combination.  Everybody is happy.

MM has literally been trying to get this sweet deal put together for over 10 years, and this is the first time it has come together so that we could do it (but we miss niece Megan’s wedding, unfortunately…sniff, sniff).

Dan and Joan drove their own moho up AND back last year (this is her photo above), and have shared lots of info as well as their mile marker book with us.  MM has been researching routes, places to stay, and things to do.  We shall make the MOST of our time and places to visit, remembering that we are on a deadline and can’t doddle along overly much.

Of course I’ll be blogging all along the way…when I have service, that is.  There will be expected stretches of nothing but nature, but that will simply be photo op time to share when we do have service.  Blogpress had better not let me down!  Lynne just got a new iPad, so we’ll have fun playing and learning from each other.

Come along and enjoy the ride…literally…apparently 3,000 miles from LV to Anchorage!

The suitcases are out, lists are made, kitty sitter lined up…time to do laundry and then pack!  Only two more sleeps…

Life is short…enjoy it while you can, y’all!

Mini helpers

What’cha doin’, Grumps?  Can we help? 

Y’all know what kind of help two wee boys can be…NOT!  They had fun playing in the sawdust and the small lumber pieces created by all the sawing MM was doing on Friday.  He made a simple platform bed for our guest room, creating lots of noise along with the sawdust.  The boys wanted to sleep on the new bed that night, but that will have to wait till another visit.  It got too late to get both the boys AND the bed ready by bedtime.

I think today will be a much deserved day of rest for both of us ‘old’ people…and a day to check my list for our next adventure.

It will be an awesome trip, one that has been on MM’s bucket list for a long time.  Details tomorrow!

Have a super Sunday.  We sure will.  Life’s too short not to be happy!

Biker boy

The leader of the kiddie bike parade and future Tour de Mayberry candidate! Little bro would also be riding, but he go in trouble at school yesterday and can't participate. Actions do have consequences, and kids need to learn that early in life.

Welcome to the real world, kiddos! Life is not a dress rehearsal, y'all!

Cloudy Friday

 

With the help of my efficient office assistant, we knocked a hole in the paperwork yesterday, even getting the filing (mostly) done.  This is a good thing, since I have two wee energetic, exuberant boys this afternoon and tomorrow. 

Go away, rain!  Two boys need to play outside!!!

Anyone want to come join the fun?  Come on!  It won’t be dull…and we’ll all sleep well tonight.

Life is active in paradise, y’all!

Where's the hammock?

Well, at least this can be used as a perch for my lizard looking.

And he did bring one inside, bless his little hunting heart. Love my KC boy!

He has already been out this morning and is back inside with no catch of the day. The day is young.

Cleaning off my desk...life is good and warm here in paradise, y'all!

Ready, aim, fire!

Wee boy with water gun. What could be more fun? Scooter told me that he had cleaned my windows. Lucky me!

Sure, I can refill that. At your service, little man.

Life is good on this May Day, y'all!