The Alaskan Adventure begins

After months of preparing, researching, stocking up, we are finally leaving on the Alaskan trip. At times I felt like Lewis and Clark, planning a big expedition. I'm not sure what we will find in the way of food and campgrounds. Have to put on our camping hat and staying in provincial parks with no hook ups. Should be fun and who knows when we will actually get to Alaska, no hurry, no worries.

Dash Mac

June 15, 2013,  This should be our last night in the Continental US for a while.  We are in Kalispell, Mt and will cross into Canada tomorrow on Hwy 93.  We fully plan to take advantage of the old adage that says "It's not the destination, It's the journey."  We'll not be in any hurry to get from one place to another and intend to see as much as possible between here and there.

The last day and a half we've been at a park on Flathead Lake.  Every time we've been here we think it's absolutely beautiful.  As self confessed "cold weather wimps" I will admit that we haven't been here in the winter.  I'm sure it's pretty in the wintertime too but probably cold and snowy.  As contradictory as it sounds, it's nice to be headed north to cooler temps. Found a great brewery in Lakeside, Tamarack brewery. Good food, good beer, great prices.

June 16, 2013,  Today, we crossed into Canada and it cost us an apple.  That was the only fruit that we had and fortunately it was in the truck with us.  The agent was very hospitable though, so I hope he enjoys the Pink Lady. :)   Once we got into Canada, Hwy 93 wasn't too bad, but from Whitefish, Mt  to the border it was really, really rough!  Probably to prepare us for the roughness of the Al-Can.  The entire route was pretty green and scenic and we had to slow a few times for deer to cross the road. We're spending our first night in the town of Cranbrook at a little private park.  Tomorrow we'll head to Radium Hot Springs for 2 nights.  We just made reservations at Redstreak Provincial Park, which is within walking distance of the hot springs.  We're getting excited about a couple of days of soaking in the hot springs.  Woo Hoo. From there, we will cross the Canadian rockies into Alberta and stop at Lake Louis for a couple of days. It's real iffy about the camping there, possibly a provincial park with no hookups. That's why we have a new generator!

Welcome committee

June 17, this stop is in Radium hot springs. Interestingly, we are driving in the Columbia river valley, the headwaters of the Columbia river just north of here. So there are river resort towns, golfing, hot springs. We are in one of the National parks at their campground with full hookups. Nice big sites, wooded and wildlife all over. We were greeted by a herd ? of mountain sheep. Had a bit of rain on the way and overnight. Tried out the hotsprings, a large commercial pool, with varying temperatures. Felt very good.

Next stop, over the rockies to Lake Louise and then to Jasper by next weekend. From there, it's north to meet the Alcan.

Rockies