Alaska Bound 2024

While in Hermann we celebrated Melina's birthday. 

We visited the Tin Mill Restaurant, Hermanhoff Winery, Concert Hall & Barrel Tavern, Hermann Wurst Haus, and Swiss Meat & Sausage Co. 

Kitties are still traveling. 

Winery time for Lisa & Greg. 

Sites 1 & 2 on Milford Lake.

Moutain and lake views from many sites in the campground. Site #7 had mountain views in two directions. 

We took the e-bikes for a ride on the Lake Dillon Scenic Rec Path to Frisco. There we enjoyed the Happy Hour at 5th Ave Grill. 

The evening temperatures were crisp and just right for a fire. Night time low's were in the 30's with day time high's in the 70's. 

View at the Frisco Bay Marina where we enjoyed a few beverages at the Island Grill. 

Heading toward the Vail, CO pass ( 10, 662) on our way to Grand Junction, CO.

Canyon driving near Gypsum, CO along the Colorado River. We have traveled this section of Highway 70 many times and it is always breathtaking.

From the patio you could sit and enjoy the Colorado River rushing by.  Luckily these full hook up sites had 50amp service, because it was hot (near 100 degrees) everyday we were there. 

Lars hiking down a bit to get a better perspective of Artists Point. 

Book Cliffs View, near Saddlehorn Campground

They don't make the National Park maps like they used to, this one disintegrated into several pieces. 

Looking toward the Colorado River and the town of Fruita from the Rim Rock Drive.

While traveling on the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway we made a stop at Land O Lakes Overlook Trailhead. 

Stretching our legs and having a little fun throwing snowballs at the Overlook.

Panoramic views and lunch at Grand Mesa Lodge were the highlight of the day. We enjoyed chili, pizza, and chicken strips at the Lodge, where the temperature was about 52 degrees. 

Next stop Utah, where it was several hours of desert travel and then on to greener mountains. 

Just past sunset at Utah Lake State Park site #28.

Provo Bay at the campground. I always love the reflection of the mountains in the water. 

Sites 28 & 30 - Water and electric (30amp)

Guardsmans Pass Overlook  just past the alpine ski area. 

Deer Creek Overlook near Cascade Springs. 

Pine Hollow Trailhead just off the Alpine Loop Drive. 

Today's scenery from the Back 40 Ranch House Grill patio where bacon mac & cheese, Ahi tuna poke bowl, wedge salad, and roast beef dip were served. 

The golden spike is the ceremonial 17.6-karat gold final spike driven by Leland Stanford to join the rails of the first transcontinental railroad across the United States connecting the Central Pacific . 

Sunset at the City of Blackfoot RV Park. 

This little campground was next to McCarley Air Field and Jenson Grove Park. 

Nestled in a roundabout in Idaho Falls, Eagle Rock Fountain, symbolizes the city's rich history and heritage.

Idaho, gem of the mountains. 

Idaho Falls River Walk, a spectacular way to see and explore the things that makes Idaho Falls unique. Covering 5 miles on both sides of the Snake River it is a joint project of the city and its residents. 

When in Idaho, be sure to stop by the Potato Museum. 

In to the fog! Sleet nor snow will stop us from heading to Helena. 

Quick stop for lunch.

Our sites were # C3 & 4, Full Hookups. It's nice to have comfortable spacing between sites. 

Rent a TP

View from the campground and looking at St. Mary's Lake 

Piegan Mountain

Wild Goose Island 

Bird Woman Falls Overlook

Lake McDonald  Lake

Crystal Point

Haystack Butte

Logan Pass

Soaking up the sun at Logan Pass. 

St Mary Lake 

Kootanai Brown viewpoint from Hwy 5 overlooking lower Waterton Lake.

Cruising along Alberta Hwy 5 along the Belly River. There is a primitive campground close to this location. 

Heading back to the campground from our Canadian visit on Chief Mountain Road. While not the highest peak in Glacier, at 9080 feet, Chief Mountain stands ahead of the other mountains on the eastern edge of the Rockies.

Chief Mountain holds great power and ancient knowledge for the people of the  Blackfeet Reservation.. Chief Mountain is considered the oldest spirit of any of the mountains and creation stories of the Blackfeet are linked to it.

The pull through sites had some great views of the mountains. These two sites were #79 & 80.

On the last evening we were gifted with a double rainbow. 

Just a gorgeous view from the pull; through sites. 

Norbury Lake Provincial Park

Horseshoe Lake Recreational Sites has several first come, first serve primitive sites. 

Next stop, Golden, BC but first the scenic drive up Hwy 95 by Columbia Lake near Thunder Hill Provenical Park. 

This 20ft tall by 40ft Wide sculpture found in the round-about honors the heard of bighorn sheep that call Radium Hot Springs home.

Getting above the campers and trees to see the mountains at Whispering Spruce Campground. 

Had lunch at The Golden Taps Pub (where the food, waitress, and patio were great), then walked to the Farmer's Market, and on to Island Restaurant for river views and new cocktails. 

Kootenay Valley Viewpoint: 60 Banff-Windermere Hwy, Radium Hot Springs, BC 

In the national park viewing the colors of the Kootenay River.

Between 1996 and 2016, 44 structures — six bridges and 38 underpasses — were built for wildlife to traverse the Trans-Canada Highway, the nation's longest road, which bisects the park.

Our first bear sighting along the Trans-Canadian Highway 1 (Hwy 93) near Protection Mountain campground, which we stayed at in 2018. 

The views between the national parks is endless. Just beautiful. 

Emerald Lake was the last stop of the day. We were hoping for the hand-dipped ice cream that we indulged in several years ago but it was not to be. There was an incredible amount of tourists at this location as well. 

Cilantro on the Lake Bistro...no longer an ice cream place on the lake. 

We nicknamed this mountain, volcano mountain because of the way the cloud appeared to be smoke.  Howse Peak which is still in Banff National Park, 

Today's travel took us on the Icefields Parkway. 

This beautiful shot is just before the Saskatchewan River Crossing. It is located within Banff National Park at the junction of Highway 93 and Highway 11.

Here we are climbing up The Big Bend,  near Panther Falls. It is quite the mountainscape. 

Coming into the Columbia Icefields in Jasper National Park. 

One of many lunches with a view. Here we parked, heated up lunch and enjoyed viewing the glaciers with skiers, hikers, and ice walkers. 

Venture onto the glass-floored Columbia Icefield Skywalk  near the Athabasca Glacier in Jasper, suspended 918-foot in the air. Soak in unobstructed views of the Sunwapta Valley.

Big beautiful buck showing his rack on the Yellowhead Highway!

Bears, elk, and stone sheep, oh my...Jasper National Park along the Athabasca  River. 

Emerald Pond norhern end of Jasper National Park

Jasper Lakes Sand Dunes - definitely worth a stop with amazing views in a very shallow aqua colored lake with sand bottom. Loved the experience and who knew there were dunes in Jasper National Park. 

Jasper Gates Campground is a 17 acres of land nestled at the base of Folding Mountain in the Rocky Mountains. Greg & Lisa were in "River Site" #38 and it was one of the best sites in the park. 

About two weeks before this devastation we enjoyed several days in the area. 

Early in the day we took out the eBikes and rode around the Bear Creek Reservoir and took a few pics along the way.

Crossing the Taylor Bridge at the Peace River along the Alaska Highway. Construction on the highway took place in 1942 with more than 7,000 military supplies including 5000 struck, 904 tractors, 374 graders, 174 shovels and 11,000 service men that worked 12 to 16 hour days to complete the highway in just under 9 months. 

On the road to Toad River Lodge going through Stone Mountain Park near Summit Lake Campground. 

Heading toward Baba Canyon along side the McDonald Creek

The next morning we were able to watch the female moose (cow) graze for quite a long time as well. 

Along the lakeside walk, a couple of toads can be located in front of the big beaver hut.

A little kayaking and paddle boarding fun. 

This critter, a porcupine, scurried across our path too. 

Crossing at the Hyland River

The pieces of heavy equipment found in the Signpost Forest were used during the construction of the Alaska Highway. 

Lars added his special sign to the forest, it was the Chinese fortune cookie message from dinner that evening. 

Today's travel took us through the Yukon and to Johnson's Crossing. 

We crossed over the Teslin River just before reaching Johnson's Crossing Lodge. 

From Johnson's Crossing Lodge we traveled up to Carmacks, YT where we stayed at a small campground behind Hotel Carmacks on the Yukon River. 

Today we followed the Yukon River to Pelly Crossing where the campground was primitive but free. 

Crossing the bridge at Stewart Crossing along the Klondike Highway. The haze in the sky is the smoke from the many, many wildfires. 

Just some of the devastation from the wildfires in Yukon as we traveled toward Dawson City. 

Lars is happy to be back in Dawson City!

The Midnight Dome Lookout is a sightseeing destination high above the community of Dawson City, Yukon, Canada. It is called the Midnight Dome because for decades people have gathered on the top of the hill to watch the midnight sun and the changing colors of the night sky. The first recorded group to gather on the Midnight Dome to watch the midnight sun was in 1899.

Alex, a genuine gold miner and prospector, kindly showed us around an active mine and a vintage dredge. He and his family have been in the gold business for years and he had many great stories and lessons to share.  

On Friday we took a boat ride down the Yukon River to enjoy a cultural experience at a historical landmark area. We had the opportunity to attend the Moosehide Gathering, a coming together of people that celebrates and honors Hän traditions and culture. 

The Gathering included food, raffles, workshops, heritage celebrations, and information booths.