06/28/2010 - Monday

Today we drove from McCarthy west to Wasilla. No, Shara was not home. She sends her regards.

When we left McCarthy we had to drive back over the 60 mile dirt road, and it was raining so the drive was done carefully because mud is slippery.

Along the way between GlennAllen and Palmer there were several glaciers along the south side of the highway. This is a photo of one of them.

The stop in Wasilla was shortly after we left the Musk Ox Farm.

Tomorrow on to Seward. Many more interesting sights along the way are expected.

Signed:

The Wayward Traveler

When we reach Palmer we stopped at the Musk Ox Farm.

06/27/2010 - Sunday

The first photograph is of downtown McCarthy, from our hotel porch.

Today's activity was a guided walk on the Root Glacier followed by a guided walk through the town of Kennicott as well as the Kennicott Copper Mill. The glacier walk took 4 and 1/2 hours, with lunch sitting at the top of the glacier watching a person climbing a vertical wall of ice with ice picks. We had to put crampons on our shoes to walk on the glacier. I ended up ripping the bottom of one of my pants legs with the crampons - good thing I missed my leg itself.

The mill tour took about 2 hours. It was raining, however most of the tour was inside the large mill building itself.

The major problem(s) of the day was finding a place to eat that was open when we were ready - for example we wanted to get a cup of coffee only instead of a meal. Only two places were open, the bar was too crowded and the one dining hall would only serve a full course meal.

Signed:

The Wayward Travelers

06/26/2010 - Saturday

Please excuse the delay in the posting of today's and tomorrow's post as the hotel did not have Internet service, and there seemed to be none in the area, nor any cell phone service.

Today was a day of travel from Tok to McCarthy.

The photo is of a Moose we saw along the 60 mile dirt road from Chitina to McCarthy. The road was built on the bed of a old rail line to Kennicott. The 60 miles took 3+ hours to drive. Let's jsut say the travel today was one of adventure and excitement.

Since the day was mainly driving, not too many more photos to share at this time.

Signed:

The Wayward Travelers

06/25/2010 - Friday

Today was another travel day.

We got up and left Haines, Alaska, and headed towards Tok, Alaska. We had to drive north about 40 miles and cross into British Columbia, through Canadian customs, etc.

About 45 miles later we crossed into the Yukon. A few miles up the road we stopped at the Million Dollar Falls Provincial Park for a stretch and to see the Million Dollar Falls.

About 10 minutes after leaving this park we stopped to watch this Black Bear along the road.

There was about a 1/2 hour wait clearing customs back into the USA. The Alaska Highway, both in Canada and the US had a fair amount of construction on it.

We ended in Tok, Alaska, and checked into our hotel right before 7 bus loads of tourists checked in.

The ride today went from a rain forest, up and over some mountains which were snow covered and lots of large evergreens. Once over the crest of the mountain the terrain became very sparse, although there were a fair amount of scrub type brush.

As we traveled further north the vegetation again changed into White Spruce - tall and thin.


I am not expecting internet access for the next two days - but it may occur. Just keep watching the posts.


Signed;
The Wayward Travelers

06/24/2010 - Thursday

Please excuse the delay in this posting as the hotel did not have wireless Internet in the rooms, and the lobby wireless unit was not working.

Early this morning, at 7:30, we were picked up for our float trip by rubber raft down the Chilkat River to view Eagles in the wild.

During the afternoon we walked around the town of Haines visiting the small shops and figuring out a place to eat - not much of a selection.

After supper we drove out of town to the Chilkoot Lake State Park. On our way back we spotted a large brown bear across the road.

That is today's quick summary.

Signed;

The Wayward Travelers

06/23/2010 - Wednesday

Another day of travel. It was still raining when we got up.

First, we did the laundry before we checked out of the hotel. We figured that instead of sitting around waiting to check out we might as well get some things done. It is one of the things that one must do when one travels for more than a week.

On our way to the ferry terminal we stopped for some sandwiches to take along with us on the ferry - cheaper.

We then went to Mendenhall Glacier even though it was raining. It was on the way to the ferry terminal. I went to all of the viewing areas with my cameras and an umbrella. The glacier was not as 'colorful' as the one at Tracy Arm - there was more dirt in the ice.

We took the ferry and arrived in Haines around 7:30 pm. Our Hotel is a building that was once part of Fort Seward, one of the first US Army forts in Alaska.

Well, that is all for now - we need to get up early for a river float trip tomorrow - we hope it stops raining.


Signed:
The Wayward Travelers

06/22/2010 - Tuesday

I forgot to mention earlier that the morning light begins a little after 3:00 a.m., and lights out is a little past 10:00 p.m.

Our plans today got changed. It was raining when we got up, so instead of going to the Mendenhall Glacier first thing we went to the Alaska State Museum.

It was still raining, even a little heavier, so we did some 'tourist' stuff in the historic downtown district, things such as browsing stores, etc.

Since it was still raining three of us went to the Alaskan Brewery outside of town a little.

For supper we walked downtown (we are only a few blocks away) in the rain to El Sombrero, for something other than fish.

Hopefully we can get to Mendenhall Glacier tomorrow after we check out of this hotel and before we check in at the ferry for our next ferry ride to Haines. so, my posting for tomorrow, Wednesday, will probably not be done until Thursday.


Signed:
The Wayward Travelers

06/21/2010 - Monday

Today was a great day.

We left on an early boat tour / cruise to Tracy Arm (Arm is another word used for fjord).

During this 10 hour ride we saw many exciting items. From the photos above you can tell we saw:

A mother whale and calf,

Ice bergs - in some places the water surface was 95% covered with them. You can see this in the photo of the glacier,

South Sawyer Glacier,

A Glacier Calving occurring,

and

some of the scenery along the way.

We also saw eagles flying around and many harbor seals - mostly at the base of the glacier.

Signed;

The Wayward Travelers

06/20/2010 - Sunday

Today started off where lat night ended. We checked in for the 1:15 ferry from Petersburg to Juneau. Departure was on time, and the scheduled arrival time was 9:15 a.m.

For this ferry segment we had arranged for a 4-berth room. As soon as the vehicle was loaded we went to the purser and got our room. We immediately went to it and we all in our berth by 1:30 a.m.

Fortunately I set our alarm clock. It rang at 8:00, just an hour before we needed to be ready.

After making our way off of the ferry we drove to downtown Juneau and found our hotel. When we checked into the hotel our room was not yet ready. We walked a block to the visitor center and found some things to do for today.

We drove up to Gold Creek to the Last Chance Mining Museum. The exhibits were all outside, that is there were no 'tours' of inside a mine shaft. There were some people from a tour group trying their hand at panning for gold.

We then took a long walk on the 'Flume Trail'. This was a walkway on top of a wooded water flume. It appeared to us that the original wooden flume (a wood covered waterway) was to carry excess water out of the area to prevent further erosion.

Mid afternoon we took the tram up to the top of Mt. Roberts. 1800 foot in elevation. From here there is a terrific view of Juneau, the harbor outside of it and the water channel leading up to it.

After this we went to a restaurant outside of town, in the town of Trane. The restaurant served a buffet of grilled King Salmon, Beer-batter halibut and BBQ ribs. The King Salmon was great.

Back to the room to get ready for our tour tomorrow - a cruise through Tracy Arm.


Signed:
The Wayward Travelers

06/19/2010 - Saturday

Today turned out to be a long day.

We are in Petersburg, a fishing village settled mainly by people of Norway descendants.

We did a little more sightseeing. I spent some time watching the eagles flying around the harbor.

This afternoon while the other three were resting I went back down to the harbor to watch the eagles. While I was sitting there a sea lion was swimming around.

Our ferry ride tonight was scheduled to leave at 01:15 a.m. Sunday morning. We checked out of the hotel and just walked around town.

After supper at a local pizza joint we went to the South Harbor where the fishermen cleaned their catch. One fisherman was there cleaning about a dozen halibut. His largest catch of the day was still hanging on the hooks. Three sea lions were swimming around feasting on the fish pieces.

The remainder of the evening we sat in the car on the dock, some were reading and some were watching the eagles.

Signed:

the Wayward Travelers

06/18/2010 - Friday

Another interesting day in Alaska.

The hotel continental breakfast was only coffee and a few small muffins so we decided to walk to a restaurant. The hotel clerk suggested the cafe at the bottom of the street. The cafe, Coastal Cafe, was really a frozen sea food shop (also with live clams and oysters) which sold coffee and larger cinnamon rolls, and something they passed off as an omelet.

We then took a driving tour of the island. First stop was named 'Eagles Roost park', right on the edge of town. Eagles roost here watching for fish in the bay. We seen several eagles here, relatively close. We even watched an eagle chase a raven away.

The next stop, about 18 miles south of town, was named Blind River Rapids. Supposedly it is a good place to watch bears fishing for the salmon. Unfortunately we seem to be about 2 - 3 weeks early, so no salmon and no bears.

We drove to the south end of the island (34 miles one way). On the way back we drove down a US Forest Service road, which you probably know as a dirt road through woods, with no signs, etc. We did see along this road porcupines, a Steller's Jay (a type of bluebird), and a hen Spruce Grouse with some small chicks.

We returned to town and located a place to eat supper.

After supper we walked around the town harbor and docks. We did see the national Geographic ship 'Sea Bird'. It was leaving here and heading to Juneau. We also saw either a seal or sea lion in the harbor, but not close enough for a photo or to figure out which it was. (seal or sea lion?).


Signed:
the Wayward Travelers

06/17/2010 - Thursday

Once again I ask for your forgiveness in the delay in posting today's notes as once again there was no free Wi-Fi access.

Later today we are to travel to Petersburg.

This morning was laundry day. We all know when we go on vacation one of the first things we need to do when we get home is the laundry. Well, we have two weeks down and 6 weeks to go, so the laundry needed to be done.

Later this morning, still in Wrangell, we drove out of town to 'Rainbow Falls'. It was a 0.6 mile hike through a rain forest. Most of the trek was up hill on a wooded set of steps. The 'board walk' was only two boards wide (maybe 10 inches), not a regular set of steps. The falls are 100' in heigth.

We then went back to Petroglyph Beach. This time we did find around 15 of the little rock chippings. A dog from the neighborhood was around, wanting to play. He carrier a small log (a tree limb about 3 inches in width and 12 - 15 inches long) and placed it at the feet of anyone who would let him do it. When the log was thrown, he brought it back, even if it ended in the ocean.

The 3 hour ferry ride today was a little more interesting that the others. The channel used could only be used at high tide. There were sections that seemed to be only 10 - 12 feet on either side of the vessel. The locals also told us that if there was not enough water they just skipped the port call.

We arrived in Petersburg (Little Norway) and checked into the hotel by 11:00 pm. At most of these towns the ferry dock is outside of town, so finding our way at night, and sometimes in the rain, was interesting and challenging.


Signed:
The Wayward Travelers

06/16/2010 - Wednesday

Please excuse me for the delay in posting today's travel report. The hotel we stayed in did not have any Wi-Fi.

Today was a longer than usual day. We got up around 2:00 a.m. since we had to check in with the ferry at 2:30 a.m. for our trip from Ketchikan to Wrangell. We drove the vehicle on board the ferry at 4:00 a.m. It departed at 5:00 as scheduled.

We had interesting conversations with a couple from Australia and another couple from Antwerp, Belgium. A few seats away was a couple from West Bloomfield. A man from Houston, Texas was also involved with our conversations.

After arriving in Wrangell we were able to check in with the hotel quickly, even after driving the wrong way down a one way street. Also, the hotel was spray painting the exterior so we could not park close.

The town was small enough that we were able to walk the entire length in probably 15 minutes. We went to a local Tlingit (Native Indian) clan house and then to the local museum and visitor center - probably one of the best visitor centers we have been to on this trip.

The small down town (I do not remember any traffic lights) had a few murals on the sides of buildings, but nothing like I have reported earlier that we seen in Clemainus, BC.

We went to the local 'Petroglyph Beach' where there was supposed to be petroglyphs (old carvings in rocks). We did not see any.


Signed:
The Wayward Travelers

06/15/2010 - Tuesday

This morning we went on a 4 1/2 hour boat tour of Misty Fjords National Monument. It is a fjord south then south east of Ketchikan. The items of interest on this tour are the scenery and the sea life. The scenery was great. The sea life was just so-so. We did see the top fin of an Orca whale (the naturalist on board said that they are actually from the dolphin family) a little ways off, not close enough for a photo. We saw the tail fin of a humpback. This time the naturalist said that when you see the tail fin the whale is going deep and can stay under for 30 - 40 minutes so the boat just kept going. There were also porpoises at times. And some seals along the water's edge.

A small log got stuck in one of the 4 jets so a few minutes was spent getting it out so we could continue.

After we docked we walked around town for a little while. Then we headed back to our hotel rooms and will go out for supper later. It is surprising how the population of Ketchikan changes. Yesterday there were 4 large cruise ships at the docks. When they left late afternoon, between 5 and 6, the whole town pretty much shut down.

Tonight we need to leave the hotel around 2:30 am at the latest to board the next ferry ride which leaves at 5:00 a.m. for Wrangell. It is to arrive there at 11:00 a.m.


Signed:
The Wayward Travelers

06/14/2010 - Monday

We walked to a little restaurant for breakfast. When we returned there was a phone call from the tour company for tomorrow that the tour we signed up for and already paid for was cancelled. So, working with the morning hotel clerk we got reservations for the Misty Fjords tour for the same time tomorrow.

We then went to a totem pole park (free) outside of town instead of the cost one that tour buses go to. we did enjoy it.

Now we are getting ready for tomorrow.


Signed:
The Wayward Traveler

06/13/2010 - Sunday

Today was another somewhat long travel day. When we got up it was raining lightly, but it did clear before we walked around town again.

Our ferry ride from Prince Rupert, BC, to Ketchikan, AK was to leave at 5:15 pm. We were to get at the terminal at 2:15 to start the process of registration and customs clearance. And of course it started to rain heavy again.

The actual sailing was a little rough with 7 foot swells.

When we finally arrived in Ketchikan at 11:00 pm we found that the hotel was locked up. Another person called the hotel phone number and we found out that the night clerk went to the ferry to pick us up - someone forgot to tell them we were driving.

There is only on-street parking, and only for a 2-hour time period during the day - bummer, cause logistics problems.


Signed:
The Wayward Travelers

06/12/2010 - Fly-In Visitor

This is a fly-in visitor right outside our hotel room. The base of the tree is about 20 feet away and the room height is about half way up the tree.

We were also watching eagles flying around when we were having our dinner.

06/12/2010 - Saturday

It was raining when we got up today, as it was when we arrived. The locals told us the prior two weeks were great and it just started raining for the weekend.

Mid-morning we went to the Museum of Northern British Columbia. It is mainly about the many native tribes and some of the founding of the forest and fishing towns.

After it stopped raining we walked down town (all 5 blocks). This was a 'sea fest' weekend with lots of local events going on. Their large parade, which circled the main town twice, occurred even in the heavy rains.

Tomorrow evening we finally arrive in Alaska by ferry in the town of Ketchikan.


Signed:
The Wayward Travelers

06/11/2010 - Friday

Today was an all-day ferry trip from Port Hardy (on Vancouver Island) to Prince Rupert on the northwest corner of the Canadian mainland.

The ferry left the dock at 7:30 am, and arrived at the dock in Prince Rupert at 10:30 pm.

Along the way we saw a few eagles, a bear along the coast, plenty of islands covered with fir trees, and maybe two whales off in the distance.

It also rained on and off.

Signed:
The Wayward Travelers

06/10/2010 - Thursday

We awoke in Victoria today.

NATO was holding a training exercise around here. we walked back downtown to see if we could spot any of the ships. Our Aircraft carrier Ronald Regan was in the area, but we could not see any of the ships.

We had a leisurely drive up to Port Hardy, a distance of around 320 miles.

Along the way we stopped at the town of Chemainus, the City of Murals. There are over 40 murals painted on many of the small buildings.

We had to change hotel rooms as the room we were assigned had no working heater.


Signed:
The Wayward Travelers

06/09/2010 - Wednesday

Today is the start of our second week. One week down and seven to go.

This morning we left Vancouver by ferry out of Horseshoe Bay on the mainland and docked 1 hour and 40 minutes later in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. From the hotel to the dock there was a light rain. When we reached the dock the rain stopped.

Out vehicle was first on and first off.

After driving off the ferry we drove south to Victoria. Because of a schedule change I initiated we ran a little late. Then we must have entered something wrong into the Tom-Tom and ended up near the hotel instead of Butchart Gardens. So we just went right to the hotel and checked in. Perhaps tomorrow we will stop at the Gardens before we head to Port Hardy.

After checking in at the hotel we walked down to the port area of Victoria. We had on-and-off light rain during our walked. We just tried to walk under awnings.


Signed:
The Wayward Travelers

06/08/2010 - Tuesday

Today was a tourist-type of day in Vancouver.

This morning I went to the Capilano Suspension Bridge (about 240 feet above a small river). the bridge did sway a fair amount, side to side and a little up and down. After crossing the bridge, the other side of the facility had 'tree walkways' - boardwalks in the tree tops.

While I was at the bridge, Judy, Frank & Karen (per Judy - "The 3 Chickens") went to the Space Centre.

In the afternoon we all took the city bus to Stanley Park. Here we walked along the sea wall at the first bay, for about 1 mile or so. We then went to the 'totem pole' display.

Supper was at "The Old Spaghetti Company" in the Gastown district.

Now we need to get ready for our first of several ferry rides. This one is over to Vancouver Island and the city of Victoria.

I forgot to mention in yesterday's post. We have been without a car since we got to the hotel yesterday. The hotel does not have parking at the hotel. They take the car to a secure parking structure about a block away, and of course charge us for it. It has worked out - we either walk to where we want to go (usually only a few blocks) or we take the city buses.


Signed:
The Wayward Travelers

06/07/2010 - Monday

Today was slightly busy.

We started out a little later than usual, around 8:00 a.m. We traveled to Vancouver, arriving about 9:45. After checking in (one room was not yet ready) we worked on figuring what to do with the extra time we had - I had not planned on arriving so early.

We walked to the Gastown section. Here we watched a steam clock ring in 11:00 a.m. We then walked up the hill to a section named Chinatown.

Then, back to the 'Waterfront' area. We walked over to the Olympic torch / cauldron. It is being worked on to be reused on July 01 this year, Canada's Independence Day.

From here we took a city bus over to an area named Granville Island - an 'artist' and craft type community. The bus ride was somewhat adventurous in that we had to figure out how to purchase the bus tickets with US currency - you cannot. For the ride over we used a credit card. For the ride back I went into a Starbucks Coffee shop and exchanged US currency for Canadian coin - the bus would not accept paper money. We had lunch at 'Bridges Bistro' on Granville Island - it was on the waterfront. However, we ate our lunch inside because of the wind.

That is about it for today.


Signed:
The Wayward Travelers

06/06/2010 - Sunday

Today was another somewhat long travel day.

We started out in Missoula, MT, which is on the western side of the state. The temperature was 46.

Heading west we had to go up and over the mountains. The road was curvy, and we did see some mountain peaks with snow.

Later we stopped at the Grand Coulee Dam / Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake. The shortly after we stopped at the Chief Joseph Dam. This dam is the second largest produce of hydro-electric power.

Next we drove up and over the Cascades mountains, driving through the Northern Cascades National Park. Near the top of Washington Pass (elevation 5477') we drove past snow drifts about 10' in height, based upon cars parked next to the drifts.

We had light rain most of the day.

We stopped for the night in Burlington, WA, which is between Seattle and Vancouver, covering around 500 miles today.


Signed:
The Wayward Travelers

06/05/2010 - Saturday

Today was another day of mainly road travel. We went west from Belle Fourche, SD, across the northeast corner of Wyoming, and then across most of Montana. Today's travels were 12 hours long and slightly over 600 miles.

We stopped at the Little Bighorn Battlefield Memorial, near the town of Crow Agency, a little southeast of Billings.

We continued west and stopped at the Grant-Kohrs Ranch at Deer Lodge. This was at one time the largest working range in the US.

Our last stop was in Missoula where we are staying for the night.



Signed:
The Wayward Travelers

06/04/2010 - Friday

Today was an abbreviated travel day.

This morning we stopped at Mount Rushmore. We viewed the carvings and then took the Presidential Trail, a path around the base of the mountain and to the Sculpture Studio.

We then drove through Custer State Park. The park is well know for it's buffalo herds. In one area we parked along side the road while a small herd of around 100 buffalo crossed the road around us. We then drove a little farther and watched another small herd of a similar amount graze in the field alongside the road.

We then drove onto Belle Fourche, SD, the geographic center of the US. Here we spent the balance of the day visiting our son and his family.


Signed:
The Wayward Travelers.

06/03 - Thursday

Today was an interesting day.

Our first stop was Sioux Falls park - the Sioux Falls city park at the falls on the Big Sioux River. the falls are located where prisoners cut rocks (a red quartz) from the river banks for building. We also took a trolley ride through town to see the historical buildings.

Our second stop was the world known CORN PALACE. It is a small town auditorium that is decorated with many different pieces of corn, from the maize, tassels, stocks, corn ears, etc. The designs are changed and replaced every year.

We then stopped at the Missouri River overlook at Chamberlain on I-90. It contains a mini-museum of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

We drove through the Bandlands National Park. Here besides the many colorful and various rock formations created by erosion, we saw close up Pronghorn, Bison, Mountain Goats and Mule Deer. The Mountain Goats had several young with them. They appeared to be only walking a few days.

Finally we stopped for the night in Wall, SD. We walked around Wall Drugs and ended the evening with ice cream.


Signed:
The Wayward Travelers

On Our Way - June 02

We finally got started this morning after nearly three years of planning. So far all went well.

The second photo is the Iowa visitor center. The items at the tops of the columns are items that associated with Iowa, such as Acorns, corn, pigs, etc.

Along the way we stopped for about an hour at the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch, Iowa. We stopped for the night in Missouri Valley, Iowa, about 100 miles west of Des Moines and 75 miles south of Sioux City. We drove about 750 miles today.

I noticed that adding photos to the blog takes a lot of time so I may not be adding too many, just enough to give you an idea.

Signed:

The Wayward Travelers