Embedded Files
CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO VIEW A LARGER IMAGE OR REVIEW ENTIRE IMAGE ALBUM OR GOOGLE MAP LOCATION
24 July 2010Who would have known that all Washington State Parks require at least a 2 day stay? We tried 2 State Parks yesterday, and both were filled. I came across a commercial park last night searching my "Streets and Tips" software program. The program is really nice, in that it will let you select points of interest, parks, rest stops, restaurants, grocery stores, Home Depots, etc. and show them within a certain distance of your planned route. This feature has come in quite handy so far. Once, I wanted to add a couple battery quick-disconnects I found that NAPA auto pats stored carried. We were able to call ahead to a store that was on our planned route and just stop by and pick up the parts. Another couple times we needed a Home Depot, once to replace the lower screen on the door, and once for a few PVC fittings for the bathroom. If you're connected to the internet you can get highway construction updates. I haven't figured out how to connect this to my GPS yet. Anyway, back to camping. I located a commercial park named Mid-Way RV park. It was completely full, but the owner asked if we didn't mind parking next to the laundry room, we wouldn't get full hookups, but could get electricity and water. No problem! This is a very nice park set up for mostly groups of campers and those that want full hook ups all the time........ big 5th wheels and those monster coaches. There are no picnic tables, fire pits or B-B-Que grills. It is quite evident that you see less and less big rigs of either type in the more remote locations. Most of the big rigs anywhere we go are local. You don't see too many very big rigs really far from home. I'm sure some may travel long distances, but the vast majority of them stay close to home. I discussed this with Kim and she thinks those big rig people aren't into traveling, they are into using their rigs as more of a second home, or it is their primary home. That makes alot of sense since most of the commercial sites have at least half of their sites filled by permanent or semi permanent campers.
It was an easy relaxing day, planning our route through Canada and getting ready to be out of touch for a while again, we stayed in the same place as yesterday. There are very few places where we'll be able to plug-in once we start staying at the Canadian Provincial Parks. There are over 800 parks just in British Columbia, too bad we can't visit them all. Get out your maps everyone and follow along. We will try to get to stay at a commercial campground with internet at least once a week. We'll top off the propane tanks tomorrow before we leave; that should get us up to Alaska and back.
25 July 2010
In northern California we saw Mt. Shasta (14,179 ft), in Oregon and Washington we had a chance to see Mt. Hood (11,239 ft), Mt. St. Helens (8,366 ft) and Mt. Ranier (14,411 ft). All of these are in the Cascade Volcano Arc. Today we traveled through Seattle, Tacoma and Everett Washington, it is a Sunday, and there was traffic the entire way! Where are all these people coming from and where the heck are they going? We saw a small fresh berry farm stand as we were exiting Centralia, and Kim picked up a half flat of blueberries and raspberries; we're eating some now. We stopped for the day at Angel of the Winds Casino RV Park. It's really a parking lot next to the casino with an electrical outlet and as a bonus wi-fi. This will be fine for a stop-over, besides they have all you can eat dinner deals every night! .
26 July 2010
We went shopping and fueled up before crossing into Canada at the Sumas border crossing. We had Gypsy’s clearance papers, and medical history, and they didn’t even ask if she was well. They asked that she be put in a little kennel box while they checked our passports and inspected our vehicle and trailer. It took all about 20 minutes. The stretch of road from the border to Sasquatch Provincial Park was the most scenic since our trip began. Both the road and railroad follow the historic Fraser River. In the distance is Mt. Baker (10,781 ft)
I always thought that Washington was wet and rainy all the time. Well, at least that is what you see most on TV. I'm glad to have visited and saw that there are many different types of terrain and valley's. The ride through to the border was fantastic. We have had excellent weather throughout the trip so far. As Bob had said, we were waiting to get into Canada and they didn't even blink when Gypsy came out from the back seat, and I worried for nothing! The night at Sasquatch park was just what I imagined Canada to be like. Lots of pine trees and lakes. It was so quite you could hear a pin drop. We haven't had to use the A/C for about a week now.
There are quite a few tunnels through the mountains. Gypsy likes them, and I always toot my horn. After the Fraser River Valley we entered Cache Creek area, and this is known as Canada’s Arizona. The hills are dry with short scrub and grasses. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a roadrunner. We were going to stop Goldpan Provincial Park until we discovered that the town right before it, Lytton, had achieved the hottest temperature in Canada of 111 degrees in July 1941 and had no electrical plugins for the A/C; it was only 99 today as we passed by it without a second thought. We headed on a bit to Juniper Beach Provincial Park on the Thompson River and plugged in. This was a small park of only 30 sites on a bend in the Thompson River with a natural pool like swimming area. I’m surprised by the amount of train traffic here. There are two different set of tracks on either side of the valley. Our camping neighbor, who works for the Canadian Railroad said they are carrying mostly grain from the interior of Canada for export, and the other is returning mostly containers that had carried goods shipped into Canada from abroad. Canada is extremely rich in natural resources. I looked at Bob and said "did we drive back to California or someplace else" What happened to all the nice trees, lakes and cool weather? I never imagined that Canada would have a desert. Thank goodness we found a park with electric and we didn't have to listen to the trains too much during the night.
British Columbia is a huge province of Canada. It is similar in shape to California, but much larger. We’ll be traveling from the lower left to the upper right on the way up and then due west through the Yukon , and from the upper left to the lower right on the way down. This works out best for us since we wanted to visit the Canadian National parks on the BC–Alberta border on our return. 28 July 2010We re getting very far from home!
We left Juniper Beach and its trains this morning and headed for Lac La Hatche Provincial Park. It was about 85 when we arrived and remained pleasant all day. It is cooling down a bit as I write this. We had a nice dinner, we grilled some steaks, corn and baked potatoes. Gypsy is snoring, Kim is reading and I’m catching up on writing a few things before I forget them. There is no internet here. We heard coyotes late in the evening.
Woo woo, back in the pine trees again! Another great park and people are packing in here. Most of them are from BC. They sure do love to camp!
Back when we visited Silver Falls in Oregon I neglected to tell of an excellent talk presented by one of the rangers on the Owls in the park. We learned of the native peoples lore on how the owl got his shape and big eyes from the Maker. There are quite a few owl species located in this particular park. The most famous, but one of the smallest is the Spotted Owl. This little species received a lot of attention years ago when logging interests collided with naturalists. It seems that loggers wanted to have access to a certain stand of trees that the Spotted owl needed as its habitat. The problem is that the Spotted Owl has a limited diet and it strictly feeds on flying squirrels. Flying squirrels only live in Primary growth forests with trees about 80 years of age. Since the protection of the Spotted Owl began, their numbers have been decreasing and the population of Barred Owls (very similar looking yet less choosy about what it eats) has been pushing out the Spotted Owls. There has also been successful interbreeding between the two owls and a new species called the Sparred Owl has also added competition for the Spotted Owl.
29 July 2010We started earlier than usual today and drove to South Park Campground in Prince George, BC. We passed through a very interesting full sized town called Quesnel. A, population of 11,114, two pulp mills, a plywood plant, 5 saw mills, planer mill and MDF plant. It started as a supply town in the 1860's. It is at the confluence of the Fraser River and the Quesnel River. It is a bustling modern town with just about everything available. Just a little too cold in the winter though. Kim is sooooo excited to see moose. When we arrived at South Park, the owner told her that there was a path and field at the end of the park and there may be moose sign on the trail. She couldn't wait, we walked the entire trail. She's half excited and half scared to death she may see one up close. I heard about the moose since yesterday when we passed a moose crossing sign. We past two more signs today and she just knows there's a moose around the next corner.
Yep, my goal is to see a moose and a bear on this trip. Gypsy loved the trail and wanted to go back after dinner. It was getting late and I told her we would go tomorrow to see if we could see any signs of the moose. Bob says that seeing moose and bear won't be a problem. The most rare to see would be a wolf, wolverine or a lynx. Bob is looking forward to seeing a porcupine, a cross fox and ravens. We are staying here for two nights in Prince George. Going to go into town tomorrow. 30 July 2010We stayed the night with intentions of being able to sleep in, catch up on some rest, but was awoken this morning by the owner of the park who had come to refund some money that was over charged on our credit card for our camping spot. I thanked him and told him I was getting up anyway. I had a cup of coffee, then got my things together and headed over to the shower, and was interrupted by the owner, telling me that the showers were closed for cleaning but he would wait. These things are not terrible, but it goes to show those who are reading this that we're still part of the normal world with normal people. We drove to town, went to the bank, had lunch at KFC and did some grocery shopping.
We left Price George today, early. We are on our way to Whiskers Point Provincial Park. It’s about a two hour drive. It’s one of the nicest parks and it’s a long weekend here in BC. BC day is Monday. The Canadian’s love their parks and we wanted to make sure we got a spot. We got there just before 11 am, check out time. Surely someone only stayed for the night and we can get a spot. Nope. The park was full and no one left. Just up the road was another park that didn’t seem to get much attention in the books. Tudyah Lake Provincial Park is a smaller not as organized park, but it had space. We pulled right into a spot that looked like a camp site and set up. Bob took a nap and I read our book the Mile Post to figure out our next day's stop. Weather is still perfect.
01 August 2010Today we are on our way to Moberly Lake Provincial Park. Today is also the first overcast rainy day that we’ve had. On the way to the park we started to see the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. We passed by lots of rivers, trees and moose crossing signs. Still have yet to see one. We were luck today and got a spot. Lots of people here even in the rain. Bob and I put on our hiking boots and jackets, it’s only in the upper 50’s, and took a walk in the rain down to the lake. It’s one of the biggest lakes that we’ve seen yet. Yes, people were out on their boats and down at the beach. Told you Canadians love their parks!
We saw a couple driving their antique road car through the Sawtooth Mountains. I hope they make it to wherever they are going. It looked in good shape and maybe dated in the 1920’s. I say this because it had no side windows, full soft type top, external flat fenders and spoke wheels which would mark that era. I don’t know how it is in the states, but diesel is cheaper than gas here. The truck continues to do well, I’m due for another oil change in the next few hundred miles.
I haven’t said a thing abou the hard core bicyclists riding along the mountainous roads in California, Oregon, Washington and Canada. It is hard to believe they can ride up those mountains, but they do. They usually have saddlebags both in the front and the back for their gear. Some will also pull a single wheeled trailer. Bicyclists tend to travel in pairs or threes. Occasionally a single person will be seen, but I gather that it had been a pair but the other has died trying to get up the last set of hills.
We see lots of traffic heading south as we continue our way north. The crowds along the fishing rivers and tourist hot spots should have subsided by the time we arrive. It seems our timing has been good. Even though we had high temperatures in the south, we also experienced the dry season at the same time through most of our trip.
2 August 2010
Buckinghorse River Provincial Park is a small park on the Buckinghorse River, of course. This was a nice little campground located right besides a small river. A temporary work camp was built at the turn off for the park. I think they are going to lay another gas pipeline. Lots of pipeline construction around here.
3 August 2010
The last turn before arriving at our destination was awesome. Just in front of us was a huge Stone Mountain and at its base was Summit Lake. This was a small open type provincial park right on Summit Lake. We had a site right next to a small brook with a tiny falls coming out of the lake. I spotted some sheep high up on the mountains with binoculars. I got out the spotting scope and we watched them. It is very obvious now that we are further north, the days are longer and we can see the sun setting diagonally instead of just straight down to the horizon in the west. It comes up early, sort of circles the sky and then sets. Dusk and dawn last a very long time.
4 August 2010
The road scenery was fantastic. We drove a bit slower since there were bumps in the road called frost heaves, plus some construction. None of it was a bother because of the scenery. Kim spotted a fully antlered deer early in the morning eating by the side of the road. We later pulled over at Muncho Lake to view it, the water was so smooth that the surrounding mountains were reflecting in the lake. I spotted some fish just cruising. The water is perfectly clear with a blue hue caused by copper sulfate. A little ways down the road we saw a mountain caribou licking minerals on the rock wall by the side of the road. Not too much further, I spotted a black bear standing on her hind feet looking for a place to cross the road safely, because when she did, she had a cub with her. A few times stone sheep, ewes, were feeding by the side of the road with their kids.
We arrived at Laird Hot Springs at about 1pm today. It was early enough that we had no problem finding a camping spot. They had a fresh water faucet at the entrance which was good since we hadn’t been able to fill the fresh water tanks since we left South Park. I hate carrying extra water weight. We filled up to 2/3 of the tank, and that should last us until we get to Whitehorse. We went to the hot springs as soon as we set up the trailer. They are about ½ mile from our campsite along a slightly raised boardwalk through marsh and forest. The upper pool was closed due to too much bear activity. No problem with us, we prefer the lower pool and we like to share. The water was hot, with the extreme upper portion being way to hot and the lower portion being warm. There is a sulfur smell, but it wasn’t all that bad. After the hot springs I went back and took a power nap. Before dinner I went exploring for berries. There are tons of ripe cranberries and rose-hips. No wonder the bears like it here. I even found a lone raspberry bush and picked some. They are wonderfully sweet when ripened on the bush. The peak of summer is passed up here. Since 22 June the days have been getting shorter. The plants have had their bloom, the berries are ripe for picking, the plants have done their growing for the year, and will soon be signaled by the decrease in daylight to drop their leaves, shed their seeds and let their sap flow back into their roots and prepare to hibernate for the winter. We are very near the Yukon Territory / British Colombia border. We are on the 60th parallel.
For my motorcycle driving friends. We continue to see people driving their motorcycles while camping. In the lower 48 states the the majority of the bikes cruising the parks were Harleys. Some of the Harleys pulled small trailers. Small groups of two or three bikes are the most common, singles are less common and large groups of 4 or more were even less common As we made out way into Canada there were a noticeable increase in the number of BMW’s but still the majority were Harleys. In northern BC the ratio is about half Harleys and half all others. With the majority of the all others being BMW’s and a surprising showing of a kind of road/off road bike by Kawasaki. There were a few Goldwings but not many, a very few racing bikes or crotch rockets as Kim would say.
5 Aug 2010 It was another early day leaving Lower Laird Hot Springs. We planned on going to Watson Lake, but the smoke was too thick. There is a fire over on the Cassiar Highway. I hope it burns out or comes under control before we head back from Alaska. That was our route back across British Columbia. About 15 miles west of Watson Lake the smoke cleared and it was a gorgeous day. The Yukon is just full of rivers, lakes, meadows and sloughs. I forgot how beautiful and remote it was. We came across two different herds of buffalo today. Most were grazing, the calves were nursing and a few of the big boys were rolling around taking dust baths. They are so huge. I asked Kim which one was the biggest of them all, she pointed to one, I to another, then we heard a loud grunt, and a magnificent head butt and who was really the biggest was settled instantly. The road was a little rough, so I drove slowly; it allowed me to enjoy more of the scenery. We kept driving until we passed the village of Teslin. About 10 miles passed Teslin is the Teslin Lake Government Campground (Yukon). We are parked on a hill horizontal to the lake. There is a nice breeze coming directly at us from the lake and the trees are swaying and the leaves rustling. We walked down to the edge of the lake and were amazed at how bit it was and we were the only ones there. We ran into one of our fellow campers again this evening. He is a single older guy driving a VW camper with a little pop-up roof. We’ve seen him at Stone Mountain, then Laird Hot Springs and now at Teslin Lake. He said he’s headed to Dawson City in northern Yukon just to see it and from there on to see other things.
We were looking over the books and maps to plan our next few places to stay. We always pick two or three because as you can see things don’t always work out the way we plan. I’m thinking of Fairbanks and the places I’d like Kim to see. There was an authentic Alaskan place I used to go to. It’s in Fox just north of Fairbanks. Kim found it in the Milepost. As soon as she said the name it came to me, the “Turtle Club” It’s about 10 miles north of Fairbanks on the Old Steese Hightway. They still advertise the same food with the menu printed on the place-mats. I’m surprised, but reservations are required. I asked her for a date, she said yes. While we’re up that way I’ll show her where I used to live, some of the dog teams that people have in the neighborhood. We’ll get a chance to see all of the tailings from the gold mines in Goldstream Valley and the Alyeska Pipeline. Maybe we’ll take a jaunt up to Livengood to visit some kin of my friend Bob Libengood.
6 August 2010Arrived at Whitehorse finally! It is a nice town. Straight away we went to have some lunch. We walked along the Yukon River to the SS Klondike. We walked through the Rotary Peace park. This is a really cool little park, with water devices that spray the kids in all sorts of ways. There is a riding, skiing, blading, biking and walking path that goes for a long ways. The downtown section of the city is kept really nice with restaurants, stores, native peoples agencies and government buildings all contained in the same neighborhood. The paddle wheel steamers operated until the 1950's when the Klondike Highway was built.
The Klondike carried mail, general supplies, passengers and silver lead ore along the-460-mile route between Whitehorse and Dawson City until 1955, when she was retired. Donated to the Canadian government, the SS Klondike was moved through the center of Whitehorse to where it now rests on the west bank of the Yukon near the Robert Campbell Bridge in Whitehorse.
7 August 2010Whitehorse is my favorite town so far on this trip. It is a small town but has everything one would need. There is a lot of tourism since it is on the main highway crossroads and until the 1950's was a major stop on the Yukon River coming after Dawson City. It has historical significance because of the Klondike Goldrush, and it is the provincial capital of the Yukon. It is an authentic small town with small town ways. The people are the friendliest we've found so far in Canada. It's not dressed up to be something it isn't. The town is self sufficient power-wise because of the dam at the river. The worlds longest wooden fish ladder for the salmon to bypass is located at the dam. By the time the salmon arrive here, they are pretty well beat up and spent. They've traveled almost 2000 miles from the mouth of the Yukon. You won't believe it, but we ran into that guy with the VW camper again!We went and had lunch. We both had fish and chips, but the fish was made from halibut. Most excellent! I had a chance to drive around a few of the neighborhoods before we went food shopping. There are some really nice homes, some very unique. They are building a new resident housing at the hospital. I guess the hospital is expanding.
CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO VIEW A LARGER IMAGE OR REVIEW ENTIRE IMAGE ALBUM OR GOOGLE MAP LOCATION
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse