Day 68 Williams Lake BC to Bridgeport, WA

        Woke up this morning in Williams Lake, BC Canada. We packed up and headed for the USA.

Stopped  for fuel in Cache Creek for fuel. The gas station was like a Chinese fire drill. Labor Day in Canada and everyone needed fuel. Cars, boats, RV's, motorcycles and a double trailer fuel truck right in the center lane filling the in ground tanks. Haven't seen lines like that since the gas shortages in the 80's.

The we had to stop again near Spences Bridge to let a family of Curly Horn Sheep cross the road. There were 7 of them in the group.

A lot of vineyards and orchards in southern BC.

Overlooking Osoyoos, BC the last town in Canada. We cleared customs here. They made us both pull over and came onboard and checked the serial numbers on the guns and looked in the bathroom (?)  and fridge. Pam got busted ! They confiscated her tomatoes and limes, but they let her go since it was her first offense ( little do they know ).

The dam at Lake Pateros at Bridgeport, WA

At home in the USA.

Tomarrow, a late start and short drive to Moses Lake. Probably.

Day 67 - Houston to Williams Lake, BC - September 4, 2011

                                        Late start today.  We didn't get on the road until 9:45.

Volkswagens were known as the preferred car of flower children  Guess so.  Must be one of those hippie communes.

                                          We went through Prince George stopping for lunch.

                 Gail and Heidi stopped their after lunch walk long enough to pose with Prince George.

                                                          We passed lots of lakes.

                        Jerry wanted to stop and party on this boat but we had to keep him moving.

We stopped for the night at the Wildwood RV park.  Tomorrow the final push of 364 miles to the border....maybe.

Day 66 - Stewart to Houston, BC - September 3, 2011

After 66 days on the road, 9:30 always seems like the usual start time.  So we rolled out of Stewart about then.  It was raining, muddy and crappy.  Same road out as in only uphill this time.

                                                          But it's dry inside our home.

                                                                  This is how we roll.

                                               Passing through the occasional small town.

We had 5 different sightings of black bear for the day but no photos.  They're definitely bulking up for the winter.  The scenery is starting to change to farming with  a lot of cows, horses, hay and less wildlife.

The weather changed back to sunny and warm as we moved farther east.  As we approached Smithers, BC we noted signs for an RV wash.  Neither coach had been washed since they left their respective homes.  They were so grungy  we felt compelled to check it out. We figured with 4 of us working on them and Heidi supervising it would go quickly.

                                          We left the cars attached and did them as well.

                           After about $30 each, the finished product celebrated with a cold one.

On to Houston, the first RV park we stopped at, Silverthorn, we got off to a bad start when Pam stepped out of the coach and onto a log along the drive.  It rolled on her and she fell injuring her elbow.   Fortunately, we had an Orthopedic Surgeon with us.  Unfortunately, he doesn't take Humana.  She's okay just a little bruised.  The park was ratty.  We moved on to Shady Rest RV park.  Real nice.  We stood back and admired our "clean" rides.

                                                                Next move is to Williams Lake, BC.

Day 65 - Boya Lake to Stewart, BC

We got an early start, bout 9:30. Would have liked to stay at Boya Lake longer, but we have to be in Medicine Lodge by the 23rd. Gotta go.

First stop down the Cassier Highway. Jade City.

Buyers from all over the world have been amazed at the quality and uniqueness of the Nephrite Jade from the Dynasty Mine in the Cassiar Mountain Range in Northwestern British Columbia - home to 90% of the jade in the world.

That boulder, that Pam is telling Lon to use this equipment to get it in the coach, is actually Jade.

She thought he should be able to carry this cut piece. Fortunately for Lon, she settled for a picture.

You have to live with her to appreciate this.

Tornado?

And another lake.

And another glacier. Bear Glacier near Stewart.

Water falls are everywhere going down the valley to Stewart.

Our home in Stewart.

Logging operation in the Portland Canal in Hyder, AK

We went to the bear viewing area out of Hyder. No bears but this timber wolf showed up to eat some salmon.

Stoped in Hyder, Gail had to mail a letter (snail mail).

Hyder is a VERY small US town.

Tomorrow Houston, BC, home of the world's largest fly rod. Maybe.

Day 64 Whitehorse to Boya Lake

We left Whitehorse and drove 260 mi (5hr) to Watson Lake and the SignPost Forest, where Lon posted Pam's sign.

At the very top. 3 signs up from our sign of 2007, on the same post.

That done, we headed south on the Cassiar Highway. (Lon has a problem with the Canadian terminology of "Highway")

There was a large fire early summer 2011.

We landed at Boya Lake Provincial Park.

Really beautiful lake.

Heidi had to go fishing, then realised how cold it is in Canada.

A place like this, you just have to do hotdogs and burgers.

Tomorrow.....Stewart, Hyder. Maybe.

Day 63 Gakona to Whitehorse, YT

Out of the Gaknoa RV park at 9 AM.  We were reminded that moose season had just opened.

As we drove east we noticed that fall might be upon us.

 

This motivated us to drive faster and farther.  Nine hours and 510 miles later we were parked in Whitehorse,YT. Right in front of Pam and Lon. They came to see us. And we had a cocktail or two.

Off to Watkins Lake tomorrow. Maybe.

Day 62 Anchorage to Gakona, AK

                                    Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011. It is all back together and running!

Ryon tops off the coolant at 4 PM.

And, We are out of there! "Happiness is Anchorage in My rear view mirror"

Passed the ice field.

Headed toward the mountain.

Passed Glenallen and arrived at the Gakona Alaska RV Park at 8:30. Bed time.