May 24, 2013 - Bucking Horse River Provincial Park

5-20-2013 On our way to Bucking horse Provincial Park in Skanni, BC. A Short day on the road today, after filling up with fuel in Dawson Creek. Overcast today and chilly as we are at 3310’ elevation. Didn’t see any active animals today, I guess they are waiting for the sun to come out before they crawl out of their beds. Bucking horse PP is right along the Bucking Horse river and the sites are back in style. There were only a few that we could fit into, so I guess it is good that we are here early today. We are currently on Mountain...

May 24, 2013 - Surprised by 9" of Snow

5-22-2013 From: Bucking horse PP. To: Laird River Hot Springs Provincial Park. This morning it finally looked like the weather was going to break & warm up a little. After 9” of snow it finally stopped, warmed up, and turned to a light rain. Spike climbed up and cleaned off the roof and the slides before we got ready to go. The other 3 rigs in the campground were pulling out also. Got about a mile down the road and saw a jack knived semi-truck, that was over turned. (We're Glad we didn’t venture out any earlier this morning on icy roads)....

May 24, 2013 - Dawson Creek-Alaska hiway

5-17-2013 Dawson Creek – This is where the Alaska Highway officially begins at mile zero. We stayed here at Northern Lights RV park for 3 nights. This was so we could go to the grocery store, do laundry, have internet service, and check out the sights. I have noticed an interesting thing about going to the grocery store here in Canada, you have to pay a deposit to secure a grocery cart. No lie, you have to insert a quarter in this locking mechanism before you can get a cart, and then I guess you get it back when you return it. And at the...

May 23, 2013 - Enjoying Banff

Enjoying Banff, we just missed crowded with people due to a 3 day weekend that ended Monday.. now quiet and like visiting Gatlinburg/SMNP before the summer rush. Staying at Tunnel CG Banff National Park, full hook ups and 1 mile from Town; Elk and deer about.. Bears some but we have yet to see. . Monday looked at town a bit but Tuesday went back and seen Bow Falls, Fairmont Hotel built in 1846 I think, build like many of the old castle like structures and very well maintained.. restaurants and all the goodies for the effluent. Also visited...

May 22, 2013 - A "bearly" nice day ...

What an exciting day ... started in the cold, winter mess that came to northern BC yesterday ... and ended up in hot water. We've been wondering when we'd see our first bear ... well it happened today ... and it turned out to be very exciting. Check out the pictures ... they tell the story. We saw bear, moose, caribou, bison, stone sheep, a friendly thieving red squirrel, trumpeter swans ... how's that for an exciting day of wild animals ... not even counting Bob. And sure enough, as often happens, Bob ended up in hot water before the day...

May 21, 2013 - heading home

Our next night was spent in a small beach town just north of Wellington, called Otaki. The rain was about and the temperature dropping, so a quiet night and a wet bike ride, then off to the ferry the next day and a very relaxing crossing over to the south. One more night in dear little Picton town and one more fun evening at the best little Irish bar in New Zealand. Next up, we high tailed it down the eastern coast all the way to Christchurch to spend a night with my daughter and her boys. Had a beautiful coastal bike ride part way out to...

May 21, 2013 - Snowed In

It was a lazy day today. Woke up this morning to a weather forecast that said there would be up to 8" of snow in the mountains we planned to cross today. So ... decision was made to hunker down ... read a book ... work on computer ... have a drink (or three) ... see some local sights, etc. Did all the above and got a haircut, too. Lots of pictures of dead animals for you to see this time ... sorry about that ... would rather shoot a few pics of live animals. The guy who owns/runs the local museum is a real hoot. He has been collecting cars,...

May 21, 2013 - Rocky Mountaineer Trip Days 1-3

14 May 2013, up at 5am to catch the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver. We follow the Fraser River. boarded by the Coastal Mountains, very green countryside where Alfalfa, Raspberrys and Gin Seng are grown. Breakfast on the train starts with fruit and croissants, juice, then an omlette with cherry tomatoes mushroom farmhouse sausage which to us was fried kabana baked potato pieces and as much coffee or tea as you wanted.the scenery is starting to change more heavily timbered, mountains higher and covered with snow. Before you know it, its...

May 20, 2013 - Offically Heading Up the Alaska Highway

It's all official now ... we are on the Alaska Highway ... mile 0 in Dawson Creek BC. Exciting day seeing a giant beaver, a giant bridge, a giant woodpecker. What could get better, eh? Landed in Fort Nelson BC for the night ... after about 350 miles ... that was enough. Another hot springs planned for tomorrow ... with a trip through the northern Canadian Rocky Mountains. Oh yes, saw a couple of towns that were family names today ... almost felt like home.

May 19, 2013 - Thinking about the guest house

As I sit in the dining room at the hostel I notice that Christen, the Australian who lives and works here at the hostel has become the main attraction. She is special in that she gives off an energy that makes you want to sit next to her close your eyes and hope some of it flows your way. I don't usually come to the dining room as after being at site, I spend as much time as possible outside when I am here. But I am seeing today what I have been missing. This is not the hostel of yesteryears when everyone is chatting and sharing the 3...

May 19, 2013 - Crossing the Border

Going well, crossed the border into Canada, staying at Ft Mcleod tonight (Alberta just out Lethbridge).2493 miles from home and per Border clerk.. 1850 miles to Alaska. Tomorrow go to Banff and staying 6 days if go as planned.. going to slow down and be the tourist! All going well, Annette drove us into Canada.. didn't get a pic.. busy but drove to booth answered a few questions and showed passport.. waved on and no place to stop until out of way.. oh well Hope all is well with you'll.. first rain day but lighter stuff and no issues. 58 for...

May 19, 2013 - We saw our first bear today

9-17-2013 Crooked River (Bear lake) provincial park to Dawson Creek. This morning it was a chilly 40 degrees, I guess this is why they still have snow on the ground here at Bear Lake. While we were traveling today we saw our first animals which was exciting! We first saw a large red fox w/ a huge white tail, about 1 hour into the trip. And then we saw our first grizzly bear by the side of the road! To be honest, He looked like he just woke up and was a bit dazed. He looked kinda skinny too. Then on the other side of the pass we saw a large...