Day 43-45

We made it home late at night on 8/5, making it a 45 day adventure. The last two days we drove 805 and 758 miles. The trip odometer totaled 11,000 miles EXACTLY. It flipped to 11000 when I hit our driveway which I thought was very cool (easy to remember!) I was wheel man the entire way, but Mary was an outstanding navigator and "in-flight attendant" for both me and the kids. Considering the miles, I am also very proud of our two teenagers...they are road warriors. The only snag we had regarding traffic was hitting Chicago rush hour traffic on I-94...that pretty much sucked. The truck and trailer performed very well. I was glad to have the big diesel in the mountains. And oh boy did we travel mountains. We figure 70% of our trip was in one of the mountains ranges whether the Big horns, Rockies, Canadian Rockies, the list goes on and on! The only trailer casualties were direct rock hits to the low point drain on the trailer, which I cobbled together with plumbers tape, gorilla tape, and zip ties, as welll as a cracked light cover from another rock strike. We got two oil changes, with a third due now, oil filter, and a set of tires (I should have gotten new ones when we left because they were at the end of their life cycle almost). We never got a flat tire but I pushed it on the right rear trailer tire. It is worn down to nothing on the outside, but it held. Ironically, on our first day home, Mary had to perform first aid on the lawn care guy. He got bit by a large spider while weed whipping the yard (I know, what the hell?) and Mary got him Bactine and other stuff out of the trailer. Our black Lab also was a great asset. In fact, this morning he jumped in the pickup and just sat in there for about an hour as we unloaded. It was as if he was saying, "C'mon guys lets get going!" We are RV fans now. We met a lot of great people the past month and a half. Especially a family from Maryland who we met while zip-lining in Talkeetna. We plan on seeing them again someday (Abe, you are forewarned). This is most likely the last post. I will add some photos over the next day or so. Thanks for following us on this journey...it was awesome and we are planning the next one already!!

Day 42

Jasper and Banff are beautiful places. We left there this morning. We made a family decision to make a break for home. We put 570 miles on today and stopped in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. We may make it home by 8/5. More pics below.

Day 39-42

In Dawson Creek where the Alaska Highway begins and runs 1523 miles to Fairbanks. Going to Jasper today. Will post pics when I can.

Day 38

Drove through Yukon and into British Columbia. BC is so beautiful! Went over Canadian Rockies today and saw tons of wildlife, including sheep, bison, and one black bear (unable to get pic of bear). Added pics below. Be sure to view "web version" if your not seeing pics. Thanks for lookin'!!

Days 35-38

We are back in Yukon. No phone service past couple days. Getting groceriesand oil change as I write. In Watson Lake whose claim to fame is a display of signs that covers a city block. All kinds of signs from all over the world. Couple pics below.

Day 32-34

We have spent the past couple days in Fairbanks. We start home tomorrow and will enter the Yukon again. Luke has caught a few Grayling on his fly rod. I had one rise but unable to get one thus far. Spent yesterday cleaning the exterior of truck and trailer. Both were filthy! We are all somewhat excited to start home to see friends / family. A few things of note: -there have been very few mosquitoes ( I'm told due to light snowfall last winter) - Lansing got more snow than Anchorage last winter - temps are cool. 40's and 50's at night. 60's during the day. For me, that is perfect. - don't bypass a fuel/gas station if in doubt, top off. In places they can be scarce - fuel and groceries cost a bit more but not as bad as I anticipated - fishing regulations can be quite confusing. Each region has different rules such as closed to certain species, fly rod only, bag limits, etc. - RV folks are pretty friendly. We have met a lot of nice folks -just about every state in nation is represented -methods of camping here varies considerably from sleeping in trucks, tents, and modified cargo trailers to gigantic class A rv's and everything in between - I have not watched sports center in 34 days As always thanks for looking!

Day 30(I think)- Denali

We are on Denali National Park. Hiking, sled dog tour tomorrow. White water rafting day after. Pics below.