For anyone actually reading this,

We are safe and sound in Alaska. Had a beautiful campsite last evening in the Chugach National Forest---pulled off the road onto a gravel parking area. It was between the snow covered mountains and we were 15 feet from a glacial fed lake. The water was crystal clear, but not stocked with fish yet. Outside of our window was a glacier on the side of a mtn. No avalanches that we heard. Moose poop all around the campsite, but we didn't hear or see any 4 legged creatures. Joe was a little concerned about all of the shot gun shells--1 unused--and civilian type AK47 rounds on the ground, but it is not hunting season. I don't think that would stop anyone around here, though. I did build a small fire circle, collected wood and start a fire. No one around to say that I couldn't so why not. It was a beautiful sound--the crackling of the wood.
Oh well, today it was back to the real world---drive into Anchorage and start to pack things up. Have to have the motorhome back in the morning and get mom to the airport in the evening. Have just enough time to do some shopping and exploring downtown before we head back on Saturday night. Not that I want to go back, but gotta see the grandkids--oh yeah--everyone else, also. Need to get some sleep, but the sun is up still and it is almost 10pm. By the time I fall asleep it it daylight again.
Well, nitey nite.........see you when we get home..............mary

Alaska - we made it!

Yes, we made it to Alaska!

We are safe and sound back in the US and even like the cheaper gas prices. Yes, $4.65 is high but not at high as $6 a gallon we were paying in Canada.

We are on the way south towards Anchorage and will be taking the next two days to sight see before dropping off the camper and starting flights back home this Saturday and Sunday.

Wireless is still hard to find so pictures will probably be loaded over the next few days.

Hi everyone,

Sorry about the lack of messages, but for some reason WiFI is not readily available out here, or for that matter, any amenity. There does seem to be an abundance of trees and mountains, though, oh yeah, and high gas prices. Try a high so far of $1.65/liter, we think that is about $6.00/gal. for something that gets about 8 mpg.. Canada national parks are great and well worth the expense.
We have gone to Banff and Jasper national parks, and taken a tour on the Colombia icefields. Joe had to rescue a woman that went through the snow by throwing his jacket to her and pulling her out of the snow. I guess that is why we were told not to go out past the poles because the snow was too soft. Too bad that I missed it because I was taking pictures of the mtns.
This is a Canadian holiday weekend and the campgrounds are full of families, all with multiple ATV's , dirt bikes and cases of beer. A few of the kids are even wearing helmets.
We have seen lots of wild animals, and mom has seen her first moose. Had to bring her all the way up here, but she has seen at least 6 moose. The count for the bears are 5 for the women and 4 for Joe. He missed one because he was driving. We have both made a few k-turns on the roads to go back to see something, and I even backed up 1/4 mile on the edge of the road so we could see 1 bear. Of course, Joe had to get out of the rig, cross the road and walk to withing 50 ft. of the bear to get some good pictures. The bear didn't like that too much and Joe had to back up slowly and not make any sudden moves until he was safely inside. I guess that is why all of the signs say to stay in your vehicle when bears are around.
Just so you know, the oven is back working and I have made more cookies for us. We are getting along, but you never know what tomorrow will bring.
The weather has been great, in fact I have been wearing shorts most of the time. It has hit 75 degrees up here, but the snow is still on the ground in a lot of places.
Going to take a walk now. Be sure to check out the new pictures Joe is uploading tonight. The plans are to be in Alaska by Tues. pm----only 995 miles to Anchorage. We have already driven 2,900 miles, and plan on going to Valdez before we hit Anchorage.
Catch everyone later.....may call once we hit American soil and I figure out the time zone difference. Right now, it gets dark around 10pm and sun is up by 5 am, so we never know when to sleep.............later all..............

It's Wednesday and we are finally in a new country. After touring Glacier National Park (didn't take long because it was closed) we crossed over into Alberta, Canada. Customs was nothing, I don't think he even looked at our passports. Calgary looks like a nice city, but the rush hour traffic makes Boston look tame. Gas prices are interesting.......not quite sure what we ended up paying, but the numbers went up rather fast. Measuring gas in liters just doesn't seem natural. People are nice here, and even let 30 ft. motorhomes merge onto the highway.
The 3 of us are still talking to each other, but mom has got to change her jeans sometime! She packed light so she could buy more things to take home.
The motorhome has 2 major problems. The oven won't light--I have choc. chip cookie dough to bake--and the plasma TV is at a bad angle, otherwise this roughing it isn't so bad.
Banff and Jasper National Parks (Canada) tomorrow and we may take a trip on the icefield. With my hot flashes it may not be a bad idea.
Have a good time without us...........later folks

So, 3 days together and we are both still alive AND talking to each other. Our trip on the plane was uneventful, especially since we had separate seats. At the airport we saw several OLD people with lots of suitcases. They are also driving to Alaska. We are some of the "young" ones. We have gone over 800 miles and are still only 2/3 of the way to Canada. Tomorrow we should be arriving at Glacier National Park, which will put us 1/3 of the way to our final destination. Of course, we have also used up a good portion of gas money already. I think we are averaging 1.5 mile per dollar. Joe did mention that if I keep the rig below 75 mph we may get better gas mileage, but the roads are wide open and no traffic for miles and miles and miles....you get the idea. We are in the middle of nowhere, but yet we have WiFi.....it's this great??? Have seen lots of great mountains, valleys, dead deer on the roadside and 2 SuperWalmarts. Can't wait to see whats' ahead for us. Oh yeah, my mom is doing good. She keeps us both in line and does dishes really well. No complaining from her yet, so I guess we don't have to put her rocker on top of the rig.............catch you later at our next internet site...............

36 hrs and counting

Well, less than 36 hours before the start of our great adventure. We have most everything packed, but we are sure we will forget something.
Chelsea leaves for doggy day/night care in the morning, so it will be easier for Joe to get the house clean before we leave. I just haven't told him about the house cleaning part yet.
It's funny how the drive doesn't look that far on a map, but when you start to add up the miles, it's kind of far. Just hoping the gas prices don't go up much more, or we may have to have my mom chip in for the gas.
We'll keep you posted on our progress when ever we have internet service.
Keep us in your thoughts and prayers, so that we don't get lost or I leave Joe somewhere..................

Getting ready - two weeks to go!

It's Saturday April 26th so Mary decided to take Chelsea to Uberdog pet camp to see how she would like a two week stay. Both seemed to like the facility and staff but Chelsea was not sure about loosing sight of her mom... Perhaps a few play sessions next week will help her acclimate.

Dad is starting to make a list of all the useless stuff we probably don't need to take but will just in case. Things like GPS tracking tool, XM radio receiver, MP3 cd's assuming the RV will be able to play them. Assorted DVD's for those rainy nights when there is nothing else to do...

I'm figuring we need : Cell phone charger, iPod charger, power supply for computer (DC/AC), USB cables, Video player for plane and with extra battery and adapter (DC / AC). Rapid charger for camera batteries, the binocular(s), both Sony cameras, the VCR with adapter cable and charger. I'm sure we need more items that we will remember after we are in the middle of no where.

There are some essentials like folding knives, canteens, matches / lighters, water bottle, good boots, shower shoes, normal walking shoes and the like. We should bring both cold and warm weather gear - just in case. And, probably our passports and some Canadian currency. All this junk just to feel at home in the wilderness... Mary thought we were just getting away from it all and sleeping with the bears... Personally, I would be happy to have a colt 45 under the driver's seat in case we meet some of those bears.