Flagstaff, Arizona

Well, what a day we had.  We spent the day at Camping World getting the coach repaired.  We think the air conditioner is repaired, but we will find out next week when we travel back to the heat!  While they were repairing the air, they found a problem with the generator.  This generator is so new that there are no parts available in the Fairbanks or even Phoenix area.  They also do not have any troubleshooting info to follow.  Sooooo, we will go to Zion, Bryce, and Antelope Canyons next week then back to Camping World Monday for another round of repairs.  Tomorrow morning we will be on the road again traveling towards Zion National Park.  Love to ya'll............

Antelope Canyon

What a day we had!  Our tour began at 1:30 pm.  We climbed aboard the large open air truck and buckled in.  Thank goodness we were all buckled in because our Navajo guide drove like a maniac.  Well, we found out why he drove so fast---there was a storm in the air and the canyon is evacuated if there is a  flash flood watch.  About 10 years ago a storm 20 miles away flash flooded the canyon and killed 11 people. 

We were in the canyon for about 20 minutes when we were evacuated because of a flash flood watch. It has not rained here for 3 weeks.  Bummer!!!!!  The canyon was amazing.  Squirrel would have had her camera clicking 90 miles a minute.  Paw Paw took over 89 pictures and I took over 75 and we were just in only three areas.   We are debating whether we drive back 137 miles from Flagstaff after the air conditioning is fixed to have a full 2 hours in the canyons and if we do then we will drive to Zion and Bryce Canyons.  Decisions! Decisions! Decisions!  The canyons were amazing enough that it would be worth coming back just to go through the canyon again.

Our love goes to GJ925 while he visits his Tia for the week.  Give him a hug for us.  Love to all............

Monument Valley

Traveled through Monument Valley yesterday.  Quite interesting.  You know every western movie was filmed here.  YOu can just imagine John Wayne and Glenn Ford galloping on their horse through the valley.  Along the road were make shift huts where the Navajo Indians sold their wares.  The sad part about traveling through the Navajo reservation is the litter (beer and liquor bottles) strewn all over the side of the road. 

We are staying at Page Lake Powell Campground in Page, Arizona.  It was 114 in the sun yesterday.  Today we will travel to Antelope Canyon with our Navajo guides (the only way we can see the slots) into the slot canyons.  Paw Paw has been waiting for this since we left.  It is a 2 1/2 hour tour for photographers so we should not have too much trouble getting pictures without people.  Will post pictures tonight.  Drove over the Glenn Canyon Dam yesterday.  Impressive!!!  Lake Powell is really down,  there must not have been much snow melt this Spring.

Little Red---- pictures of the apartment really look great!!!! Wish we were there to help move you in.

Tomorrow we leave for Flagstaff tomorrow morning.    Love to all.............

Arches National Park

We left early this morning to beat the heat.  We entered the the National Park on the valley floor and traveled up to the plateau of red sandstone formations.  We were overwhelmed with the formations of the sandstone, the vastness of the area and also the emptiness. There was a farmstead near the trailhead of the Delicate Arche.  It was amazing to think that there was a family living in this desolate landscape.  The homesteads of this Wolfe Ranch is still standing.  We did not do too much hiking to the furthest arches due to the heat.  We have drank over one gallon of water since we started the morning.  What an interesting National Park.

It reached over 100 degrees and guess what?  Our air conditioner kept the coach at 100 degrees.  Finally got ahold of Camping World in Flagstaff, Arizona and made an appointment for Monday morning. 

Tomorrow morning we leave for Monument Valley where I think every western movie was made.  Then we will travel to Page, Arizona.  We want to tour the Slot Canyons at the Antelope Canyon. 

Love to ya'll.......

Moab, Utah

It is HOT and DRY here in Moab, Utah.  The landscape is , well, dirt , dirt and more dirt with sage and a few trees.  The buttes are rocky and interestingly formed.  The air conditioner in the coach is having troubles keeping up with the heat.  It won't start cooling down the coach until the sun goes down.  Tomorrow we drive into Arches National Park.  Paw Paw has been waiting to get there so he can take some good pictures of the delicate arch.  It is supposed to rain tomorrow, but if it does it surely won't be in the 100's like today and hopefully it will be cooler in the morning.  We will not leave here until Friday when we drive to Monument Valley.  Maybe we might see John Wayne wandering around. 

Little Red...  the apartment really looks good...glad you were able to find it. 

Hope it is not as hot where ya'll are .......... 

going to Vernal, Utah

Yesterday we went into Jackson to do some shopping.  There has been some  interesting changes---Cold Water Creek is no longer in Jackson, but Knit on Purl (the yarn store) moved into a larger facility which gave them more room---Yea!  I was hoping that the Pendleton store had the new cargo tote, but I sure was able to save $$$$ since they did not have any!.  The temps in Jackson were high 80's, but the night time temps went down to the low 40's.  Finally have gotten a strong enough internet signal to download this picture of the Tetons and the Moutrie barn.  Hope you enjoy!

Today we traveled from Jackson, Wyoming to Vernal, Utah.  The ride was very interesting.  We are back in desert country.  There was sage brush, scrub brush, and cedar bushes.  We then traveled over the Flaming Gorge dam which restrains the Green River creating a 91 mile long lake.  The dam was very impressive and the lake was the first water we had seen in miles.  To the right is a picture of the landscape we drove through today.  We were on top of a 6500' high mesa.  The temps were very hot, 106 in the sun.  Hope it cools off this evening.  We are at the Vernal, Utah KOA for the night.  Paw Paw has a very dry throat and we hope that he is better in the morning or we will stay here another night.  This is supposed to be where the dinosaurs roamed.  Our next stop will be Arches National Park ---- we know it is going to be HOT and DRY there!  Hope it is cooler for ya'll......

Love and miss ya'll.........

Yellowstone NP, Grand Teton NP, Jackson Wyoming

We were off the grid with no Internet or cell phones since last Wednesday.  We read, I knitted, defrosted the freezer, and just relaxed.  Oh by the way we also fished the Snake River.  We were really surprised that the head waters of the Snake was so warm.  Our streams in North Carolina are fairly cold in the month of July.  The head waters of the Snake flow into the mighty Columbia River and eventually into the Pacific Ocean.   We toured the Tetons and got some great pictures of Mormon Row cabins and the Moutrie barn which turned  100 on Saturday.  While we were taking pictures three buffaloes and two buffalo calves crossed the road.
We are in Jackson tonight and tomorrow and will leave to head South to Zion, Bryce, and Arches National Parks.  Tomorrow we will go into town to shop.  My favorite store, Coldwater Creek, has closed, so I will have to find another one.
Meg,  I have another quest for you!  Where did the Oregon Trail begin, what states did it travel through, and where did it end?  Also, why did the pilgrims travel this important trail?  Good luck!

Love ya'll ..............

Red Lodge, Montana

Have you every wondered what was just beyond those mountains while you were driving the interstate?  Well, we got to find out today.  After I waited in Butte, Montana Walmart to fill one prescription that I needed we traveled down I-90 to exit 409 and Hwy 78 to Red Lodge.  Wow!  The rolling hills filled with cattle and hay fields with the bear tooth mountain range in the background left us speachless.  After traveling for 40 miles we dropped down into Red Lodge.  This little town began as a coal mining town.  The mines have moved out and the old historic structures have been turned into restaurants and specialty shops.  If you ever come into Red Lodge you gotta go to the Carbon County Steakhouse.  Excellent food. 
Tomorrow we head up the Bear Tooth Highway into Yellowstone National Park.  After being disappointed that the Salmon were not at Hyder, we have decided to fly fish the Green and Snake Rivers to try our hand at western fly fishing streams.  We will be staying at the Flagg Ranch in Moran, Wyoming. 
Will send some pictures of the Bear Tooth Highway tomorrow. 
Love and Miss Ya'll........

Deer Lodge, Montana

We left Spokane this morning and drove through beautiful pine mountains.  The landscape then turned into cattle and farm land.  We actually have had two nights of darkness from 10 pm on.  The daylight in Alaska was so confusing to understand--- it did not get dark until one am or so and it really was not dark, it was just dusk----then the sun came up at three to four am--- giving everyone 18 or more hours of daylight a day.  I sure am glad I do not live there in the winter as they only receive three to four hours of daylight a day.  To say the least, I am glad to see dark nights.
We will leave here tomorrow and travel to Red Lodge, Montana and then drive the Beartooth Pass, which is supposed to be the most beautiful drive in the USA.
Love ya'll......

Spokane, Washington

We are happily back in the USA!  We will get our coach repaired tomorrow,  wash and then decide where we will travel from here.  The drive from Kelwona, BC was a beautiful drive through the Lakes area.  We also drove through fruit tree country like cherries, peaches, apples and grape (wine) country.  Went through customs and it was the first time we had a customs agent enter our coach for an inspection--- they were making sure we did not bring in any fresh fruit.  Awfully glad I resisted the urge to stop and purchase some fruit - especially cherries!
Will keep you posted as to our itenerary.........love to all......

Kelp wanna, BC

We are about 75 miles north of the USA border in Kelowna.  It is a huge city and we sure can tell that we have reinterred civilization.  It is also much warmer here than we are used to.  What a culture shock....a lot of traffic....a lot of people.... Full RV parks..... And a lot of e everything that involves people.  I am sure the further we get into the states the more of everything there will be.
To say the least....we drove through some of the most beautiful scenery... The Caribou mountain range with the Canadian Rockies as the backdrop.  Then we entered the most beautiful valley supporting cattle and farm land.
We are ready to return to the USA!!!  We will make it to the Spokane KOA tomorrow evening.  We have driven more miles than we usually do just to make the appointment on Friday morning.  We will regroup and decide where we will go from Spokane Friday evening.  One of the first places will be a Walmart in the US to get my prescriptions filled.
Canada and Alaska are two beAutiful places on earth.  Each time you turn a corner you see something different, but it will be good to get back the the great US of A where we await beauty of it's own to awe us at each turn of the road.
My hotspot internet will work beginning tomorrow evening and I will also be able to retrieve messages from my cell phones voice mail.
Love ya'll.......

Vale not, BC

We are here at Irvin's RV Park in Valemont, BC.  It was rainy and cloudy all day, but it was good driving.  All is well with us, and was really an i eventful day.  We will travel to Vernon, BC tomorrow.  We have an appointment in Spokane Camping World Friday morning.  

Hope everything in fine in Nicaraugua (sp) and GJ925.  

Love and miss ya'll..........

Houston, British Columbia

We left Stewart this morning and again enjoyed the glacier mountains along Bear River.  According to the signs there is possibilities of avalanches even in the summer.  Oh! It's good to be back on the grid with cell phone service!  You just get a little anxious in case of an emergency.
Let me up date you on repairs we need ......... A very minuscule rock flew from a gravel truck in the Yukon and hit our windshield...you would not believe the cracks we have in the glass.  Our main TV has been jiggled enough that the coax cable has come loose from the soldiered connection and it needs replaced.  Thank goodness for insurance and warranties!!  We will have to wait to get TV repaired until we reach Spokane (unexpected destination) where there is a Camping World.
Tomorrow we will venture to Granisle to see if the carver in the family can purchase some cottonwood bark.  I understand it is much cheaper than in the states.  If the carver in Franklin needs some, please e mail us ASAP.  We will then try to make it to Vanderhoof for the evening.

A note on the Salmon delivery.......  According to the email I received from Djon Delights, all the Salmon should have been delivered today (Monday).  Chatterbox---- we found the cream you wanted!
Hope all is well with everyone.  Love ya'll.........

Hyder, Alaska

NO FISH!!!!   NO BEARS!!! 

Hyder has 250 permanent residents.  The town consists of 4 - 6 stores, 2 restaurants and one gas station.  Stewart isn't much bigger, but it does have two grocery stores.  We started to the Salmon Glacier and the gravel road shook us so hard that we turned around. 

Later..........

Stewart, BC

First off----- Happy Birthday Squirrel!  Happy Birthday Jammer!  Sorry I cannot call, but we do not have cell service! Hope your day is special.
The drive I into Stewart was phenomenal.  Glaciers everywhere and avalanches even in the summer.  We saw one by the road that was at least 50 feet deep.  Can't send pictures over this Internet service, but will send when I can.  Was hoping that I could use my hot spot in Hyder, but don't think that is going to happen.
We will travel into Hyder today to see Bear Glacier and Salmon Glacier.  There is a bear viewing platform on Fish Creek, but have heard that the fish are not here yet!  Bummer!  Oh well, the drive in and out will be worth the trip!
Love and miss ya'll........

On the Cassier HighwY

Kids---- we are alive--- don't open the gold envelope yet!

We have had NO cell service for two days and don't know when we will get it back.  I am in the Rumors Cafe at Dease Lake to use their wifi service to send this.  We hope to reach Iskut for the evening. The roads are Terrible and can only drive 35 miles an hour.  Tomorrow we will hopefully make it to Stewart/Hyder.  

Will keep ya'll up to date.......love ya'll

Whitehorse, Yukon

We are back in Whitehorse on our way to Watson Lake where we will turn south on hwy 37.  We finally saw the sun for a while.  Thought I would get my prescription filled at Walmart.  I thought you could get your prescription filled at any Walmart --- WRONG!  Not in Canada-- I needed a Canadian Doctor's prescription for it to be filled.  So,there it tells you how socialized medicine works.      
So, I guess I will ration my meds for another two weeks until I get to the states.  Just a little info -Skagway is only 18 water miles from Haines, but 360 land miles between the two cities.
Love ya'll........

Juneau, Alaska

Well, what can I say about Alaska and rain!  Juneau, the capital of Alaska receives ninety inches of rain a year.  That can mean at least one to three inches a day if it rained every day!  Yesterday was one of those rainy days.  We were soaked rats---even our back packs were soaked along with the contents----and our jackets were gore-tex!!  We rode on a fast moving water taxi.  The ride was through the fjords to Juneau and we traveled 85 miles by water. Juneau is the only stat capital that can only be reached by water or air.  The historic downtown of Juneau is built on debris created from the many gold mines.  We then boarded a bus to take us to the Mendenhall glacier, one of thirteen in the Juneau Icefields.  There were three cruise ships docked in Juneau and from what I understand two more were to enter the harbor.  To say the least, Juneau was a very bustling city.  Went to the two yarn stores ----  both had yarns that were dyed in Juneau.  One yarn store was so full of yarn that there was only a path to stand in.  It really took away from enjoying the yarns in the shop.  

While we were coming into Juneau there were hundreds of fishing boats in the harbor with their fishing nets.  Alaska opened up the salmon fishing for commercial fishermen for 48 hours.  I never saw so many boats -- all with thirty foot nets strung out into the ocean in such a small amount of space.  It was like a jig saw puzzle for our water taxi to maneuver through.  

We saw nine hump back whales, one bear and a lot of bald eagles.  

Tomorrow we leave Haines and travel to Whitehorse, Yukon, and begin our travels down route 37 towards Hyder in hopes of seeing the bears in bear creek.

Happy Fourth of July.  By the way, fireworks in Haines begins at dusk which is 12:30am.  

Love ya'll..............