Wednesday, May 23-Iditarod Headquarters

I guess I was tired - went to bed about 10:30 and didn't wake until 9:30! Good thing we are no longer rushing.
Went to the Wasilla Library all set to catch up on the Internet and my blog......then discovered they only allow 60 minutes!
Went to the Iditarod Headquarters. They had a very interesting DVD presentation. I used to enjoy the television coverage of the race.

Apparently I need to quit cropping photos because I'm sure getting fuzzy ones on here.






And now, I know I am in a world of trouble with some friends because I took no photos of the real live dogs! Oops. Actually, I was too busy visiting with people there.
After a drive to Knik Arm, which is connected to Cook Inlet and at very low tide, we came back to have dinner at Pizza Hut. A very nice young man was our server plus the vegetarian pizza was outstanding! The Alaskan Amber wasn't bad either. :)

Tuesday, May 22-To Palmer and Wasilla

We were getting ready to leave our overnight spot this morning when I spotted two snow hares...didn't have the camera with me so got a poor shot of one!

The day was cloudy so the mountains weren't so spectacular.....some days are like that. We made our way to Palmer and Wasilla via the Richardson and Glenn Highways. There wasn't much to see at times.
A fox was kind enough to show up for us. He ran into the woods, but then came out again
 
There was a much needed stop in Palmer – for Blizzards at Dairy Queen!!
Then it was on to Wasilla and WalMart for shopping and where we will spend the night. We did go out for dinner at a family restaurant - we can sure pick duds!
My Verizon MiFi works here, but it so slow that it is a waste of time

Monday, May 21-Airplanes, Wildlife, Up close look at pipeline

The camper shuddered this morning as an Air Force transport from Elmendorf AF Base flew over us to land at Fort Greely! There were 4 planes.


They were landing just across the road.

The one below was leaving.

Back to the wildlife and 3 caribou

They were all so kind and eventually all stood up though I got only fuzzy photos of one.

 

Our first up close look at the Alaska Pipeline. My 'guide' tells me the uprights are heat exchangers (radiators) because the pipeline is hot - over my head at this point.

This moose wanted to play hide and seek!
 
This moose didn't want to play at all.

Just pretty.


Rainbow Mountain

A fox.
 
A porcupine ran from us and climbed a tree!

This moose wasn't hanging around either!

We are parked for the night at another roadside pull out. Stopped early to work on photos, journals, etc

Sunday, May 20-Midnight photo, Delta Junction

I went out about midnight and took a photo.

We drove to Delta Junction - saw a couple moose along the way.

Stopped at the Visitor Center which is also the end of the Alaska Highway. We asked about dump station, potable water and laundry - the girl got 1 out of 3 right!
End of the Alaska Highway
 
Yes, a couple of mosquitoes have found me, but they weren't quite this big.....yet!!

Drove on to the historic Rika Roadhouse for lunch. I thought it would be a sit down restaurant, but was a help yourself soup, sandwich and pie. Not getting rave reviews.

Off to do chores where the girl at the visitor center sent us - laundromat had 3 washers so had to wait. Dump and water were closed for the winter so back to Rika Roadhouse where they were available.
Stopped at a roadside pullout south of Delta Junction for the night near Fort Greely. Quite surprised about 9 p.m. when Taps was played over a loud speaker!

Friday, May 18-Twiss Memorial, Swans, Arrived in Alaska!

Woke to clouds then had a little sprinkle, a little hail and some sun during the rest of the day.
Happened along the Douglas Twiss II (1982-2005) family tribute and stopped to take photos.
 





Pickhandle Lake

Saw Trumpeter swans in several places and finally a good place to pull over for photos.
Mama

Papa

Arrived in Alaska!! At last!!

Drove to Tok and stopped at Fast Eddy's for late lunch/early dinner. Great salad bar plus free Wi-fi so I was able to 'check in' quickly on a couple sites.In a gravel area west of Tok next to a pond for the night.

Wednesday, May 16–Watson Lake to Whitehorse

Started snowing before we left the RV park and continued turning the ground white along the road. Flannel lined jeans and parka day! Snowy photo of the sign forest....

There are small birds who fly right in front of vehicles on the road - I'm sure we killed two and probably more.
Saw 9 caribou with antlers, but I only got a poor photo of one.
The scene at the Continental Divide.

Near Teslin.... Nisutlin Bay Bridge, the longest water span on the Alaska Highway, 1917 feet
 
Stopped at the Tlingit Heritage Center in Tesla. They aren't officially open, but we were able to look around. Interesting carved masks, beading, etc.
This otter box caught my eye because my grandson, Kyle, got a stuffed otter for his first birthday.....it has been a member of the family for nearly 13 years!

Moose hooves - rattles used in dancing


Arrived Whitehorse and drove straight to WalMart through the industrial area. Then drove downtown for a new camera battery. Main Street seemed to be well cared for but just seems to be a lot of industrial type businesses all over.
We are parked in WalMart lot for the night with a Starbucks right out the back door and McDonald's Wi-Fi usable!   Nope still haven’t looked up the things I intended to!

Tuesday, May 15-Liard Hot Springs to Watson Lake

Cold overnight. We went for a dip in the hot springs this morning. I expected the water to be equal temperature, but while my shoulders burned, my legs were cold. And swimming with algae - yuck!
Saw 2 (L saw a 3rd) black bears today. Can't help myself - have to have photos!
To show I don't always get close

I let the camera do that

And then again.....this one was right by the road

Arrived at Watson Lake, went to the visitor center, then checked into the Downtown RV Park. Owner was a funny guy and lovin' life.
The Northern Lights Center was holding an open house to premiere its new video so we went to that at 7 p.m. It was interesting, but I'd rather see the real thing!

Monday, May 14, British Columbia

My posts will be out of order for a bit or some just will never make it!  Plus I'm not happy with the way this is set up yet so please bear with me.
Monday we stopped at the Visitor Center in Fort Nelson.  The girl suggested a stop at Tesla River for their cinnamon buns plus I later noticed them mentioned in the advertising.  It was a combination of store, motel, campground and not the greatest looking.  The buns have been sold there for 30 years - and the cost was $5.00.  Oh, dear, I didn't take a picture (my camping forum friends always take food pictures).
We drove on up the road along Peace River.  I was driving high above the river with snow patches and saw a large object - figured it was a rock. Then LeRoy asked if that was a bear. We turned around, looked and couldn't decide so I took a telephoto and then zoomed in on the result. Nope, just a rock.
L asked if I wanted to eat the bun while it was still warm - first bite was yummy, then parts needed salt and parts were doughy.  However, while I was stuffing my face, the 'rock' moved.....a grizzly!

There is a bear in the snow in the center of the photo - you can see that, right?

Gotta love a camera with a telephoto - it sees better than my eyes!

And the rest of our day.......

 Caribou

Moose

Black bear

 A new little buffalo

Stone sheep