A day in Dawson Creek

It finally warmed up to about 60 degrees and right now the wind is quiet. It is 7:30pm but the position of the sun indicates, to me, that it should be around 4:00 pm. Currently there is approx. 16 hours of daylight. This will increase as I move north to around 20 hours.

I did meet 2 couples from California heading up the highway. They are not traveling together. Met one couple at the Visitor Center and the other at the RV Park. They are heading out tomorrow while I'm staying until Tuesday. There is a Chevy dealer here so I'm hoping to get my best friend on wheels checked out. Will get the tires rotated and balanced also. I'm sure I'll meet up with these folks later in the week, and that will be nice.

Per the folks at the Visitor Center, the highway is in pretty good shape. Worst part is at Destruction Bay - about 10 miles of very rough road. Destruction Bay is in northern Yukon between Haines Junction and Beaver Creek. Very important to adhere to all the flags and speed limit signs - which I have been doing.

No cable TV service here at this RV park. I did rent a couple of movies so I think I'll head over to the TV room and watch them....Later.

More photos....


Famous Signs:

Sunday, 5-31-09

Cloudy and cold...45 degrees...but the 60 mph winds are down to 20 mph. It was still daylight at 10:00 pm last night and light again at 3:32 this morning.

Here are photos from Sumas, WA to Quesnel, BC., 10 Mile Lake Provencial Park

I'll post again later today.

Saturday...5-30-09

Ok, sorry you had to put up with my melt-down...today was a good day. Made it to Dawson Creek. Nice town except for the 40 mph wind with gusts of 60mph (I was told this is not the norm)...ugh....but I got settled in and found a local pub...nice people. I'm here until Tuesday. I want to get the truck checked out on Monday - I did find a Chevy dealership..no issues, but with towing and so many 6 and 7% grades, I want to get the transmission checked and the tires rotated and balanced. I did finally see the red triangle flags that are posted for the "frost heaves"...whoa...are they accurate. And yes, at this point I'm over my lonliness meltdown and intend to continue. There are a couple day trips to take from here, one of which I will take tomorrow, Sunday. I need to do wash and all that housekeeping stuff before heading on the infamous Alaska Highway. I have convinced myself to slow down...I'm way ahead of my original schedule and need to take more time seeing sites than driving. It is 1500 miles to Fairbanks and I intend to take 7 or more days to get there.

While I have wifi here, photos are not downloading so I will get to Starbucks (yes, I saw one) tomorrow and get lots of photos added to my Sunday post.

Friday-- 5-29-09

Friday – 5-29-09

Nice drive, no issues at all from Sumas,WA to Quesnel, BC (the S is silent). I’m staying at the 10 Mile Lake Provencial Park…very nice. No hook ups but spacious sites in beautiful wooded area. Lots of bear warnings….The sites near the lake were full and those that weren’t were horribly uneven. There is a “touring” campground up the road from the lake and that’s where I am. Did not want to unhook cuz I’m just here for the night.

Everything is going quite well …except, I really don’t like this traveling alone. Not working for me. I have a long way to go and then a very long way back. Spent the last hour looking over maps and I’m thinking that maybe this was a bit aggressive on my part. Having someone to travel with, makes a world of difference. All the oohs and ahs, just don’t mean very much when it’s only you seeing the sites.

My sister was thinking of joining me in Fairbanks, but she fell while dancing, and hurt her knee pretty bad. (and yes, I wish I had a video of this) She will probably need arthroscopic surgery. She’s bummed and so am I. That was a very positive incentive to keep going. When my house-mate backed-out, and my sister stepped up, I just felt better about the entire trip. Life happens, huh?
Call me chicken or whatever else you want. I will get to Dawson Creek tomorrow and stay until Monday. I will think hard and long about continuing. My alternate plan would be to head south from Dawson Creek into Alberta, Canada; to Great Falls, MT and then maybe Yellowstone, and Rocky Mt Natl Park and home to Colorado Springs. It feels like I’m a failure – and that’s kinda silly…it’s my sabbatical/vacation and I can change my mind. However, deep down I do feel like I let myself down. I’ll make my final decision over the weekend and will post my travel plans. Thanks for listening...

Thursday...

Thursday....good day. After the banking stuff, I drove around Abbotsford and Mission, BC. Although I’m not a flower person, I did find a park that had the most beautiful rhododendrons. I’ve been seeing these since Eugene, OR. Low and behold, I stumbled on a park that has acres of these.
Then I spent the rest of the day tighten all the loose screws and bolts on the trailer; checking the tires and getting groceries.

I got a bunch of neighbors a few hours ago. A small caravan (3) of Motorhomes heading to Anchorage, but taking the eastern route. They were here in 2005 and took my route, the western one to Dawson Creek and on to Fairbanks. This is the most popular one and being solo, the safest one for me. Nice folks and very encouraging.

Treated my self to dinner at Bob’s Burgers and Brew….the most popular place in this little town….great draft beer…Alaskan Amber and Alaskan White. No surprise….huh!!

Oh, my story about xing the border back to the US of A….dumb me, found a produce market in Abbotsford. And silly me, I purchased a couple apples, a tomato and a bulb of garlic. Now I’m at the border xing….and of course, I have to pull over for an agriculture check. The garlic was the culprit and confiscated. But now that they have you, they proceed to go thru my entire truck, including my new truck box. Oh well, my stupidity – and no issues at all – other than I lost my garlic.

Will post photos when I can.

Thursday - Day of Banking

Geez - you'd think with all the folks that travel, banks would come up with a pre-paid debit card....no such thing in Canada. So, I'm now carrying a wod of canadian cash.....this will have to do.

Anyway, Abbotsford is a large, small town. Many of the same stores and restaurants, but equally as many I've never heard of. Sure are alot of bars/clubs for a small town.

I won't have internet for the next day or two. I want to stay in provencial parks that are supposed to be beautiful, but no hookups. I may find wifi in small towns, but I just don't know.

Later...

Wed. 5-27-09

Thank heavens for GPS systems...otherwise I'd still be lost in Seattle. What a mess. I took the advice of many folks and got off of I-5 and did the east route on 405. My mistake was getting off the 405 for gas. You'd think it would be easy on - but NO.....Henry, (male voice of my GPS - and yes, I find myself talking to him)....GPS came thru and got me turn-around the right way. I'm in a very small town - Sumas, Washington - literally on the Canadian border. I'll spend tmo night here also and use the time for banking and groceries and just checking stuff out. Some of these US highways are in horrible shape. I knew I'd have ruff roads in Canada, but was not expecting such poor conditions in the lower 48. Tourist season - by that I mean - folks heading to Alaska - has not fully started yet. I did read about the first wave of RVers that left from an annual rally in Albuquerque a few weeks ago. I'm sure they have seen snow or got snowed on. I think I'm in the next batch of folks - typically the season starts after Memorial Day Holiday. I'd like to meet up with some folks and tag along - for no other reason than for safety.

No pictures tonight. I'll take some tmo when I am in Abbotsord, Canada. Oh, I'm sitting in my truck outside the Sumas Youth Center, which is closed- free WiFi here, but not at the campground. Whatever works, huh! I do have cable TV - get caught up on the news.

Talk to you all on Thursday.

Tuesday - Continued

You have to realize, this blog is more for me - a way to keep a running diary of my trip - so my posts might get tedius...just ignore.

After playing with maps and several books, I've decided to spend tomorrow night in Sumas, Washington. This small town is literally on the Canadian border. This way I can travel over to Abbotsford w/o the trailer and get the banking done. I need to exchange money and see about getting a debit card in canadian money. BofA charges a 3% transaction fee each time I use my current BofA debit card. NOT!!! There must be another option. Scotia Bank is part of the BofA network of banks, so that's where I'll head. I will also get a phone card, yes, those old cards. But, cell service in areas I'm headed to does not exist. Best to have some way to let my son and sister know I'm still doing ok.

Once all that banking/money stuff is done, I can hook up on Thursday and get on Canadian Highway 1 and really, really get this adventure going.

For you patience, another photo....you can tell I really enjoy photographing landscapes. My new camera is great - and I am still learning all the neat stuff it can do.

And lastly, my home for the night,

Tuesday, 5-26-09

Better WiFi tonight - a couple more photos from Yosemite

After leaving Stockton/Lodi area, I spent most of the morning bucking headwinds...not fun. When I reached S. Oregon, the winds died down and the uphills started. OR is really a beautiful state. I made it to Eugene as I had planned. Not a bad solo first day.

Ok, This Is It...

Time to put up or shut up....I intend to hit the road by 5:30am tmo, and get this show on the road. I'm including photos from Yosemite... a day trip taken today. I have not been to Yosemite for 35 years at least. It is gorgeous. Very green, lush and beautiful. Well worth the day trip.

So, the WiFi I have is not allowing any more photos...this one will have to do.

Not sure when I'll have Internet access again, so stay tuned, you will hear from me.

To all my co-workers, I'm thinking about you all...I know, not supposed to, but these are really tuff times. I hope you all had time to relax over the long weekend.

Cindy

Saturday, 5-23

More pictures of El Capitan State Beach...

Visited a 1897 Railroad Museum in Jamestown near Yosemite. This is a very nice area of California. Beautiful vineyards and lots of them.

Also gave the truck some fresh blood - oil change. I did not have enough mileage to warrant one when I left Chandler.

Wifi here is excellent so you'll hear from me again before I head out solo on Tuesday.

Cindy

Friday, May 21st

Made it to Lodi/Stockton area. Much warmer than the coast. All is ok, a few minor clitches, but all fixable. I did buy an air compressor while in Goleta. Good to have as I head north. I'm behind on pictures so here goes....

Me, in Chula Vista...see, I told you I would try and get better with the tripod!!!

These are from Goleta, El Capitan State Beach - I'm trying out collages....

Well, that's it for now. I am getting nervous again.....but I think I just need to get heading north. I expect to do so on Tuesday. I'm still traveling with my house-mate. We should part ways on the 26th.

Cindy

Travel Day - Wed. 5-20

Traveling north to the beach. Humidity here is extremly high, but my skin is likin' it. Will not have hookups let alone internet connection so it may be a couple days before you hear from me....

Monday...And I'm Not at Work

It does feel strange, but I'm liking it...beautiful day at the marina...Let's get right to it since I'm way behind on pictures. Went to the USS Midway yesterday at San Diego Harbor. The renowned carrier has been turned into a floating museum and it's wonderful. Let's start with photos of the RV park and Marina and then the USS Midway..
Heading out to Old Towne tonight with the group for mexican food...and of course margaritas....

To better view the photos, just click on it...should work - let me know if it does not.
Thank heavens for libraries...lightening fast internet connections....will post again before I head north to El Capitan State Park - just north of Goleta...dry camping on the beach...

Cindy

Yes, that's me next to my rig...getting used to using the tripod..I'll improve, I hope. Steve Z...very nice Marina here...

Ahhh - Good Nights Rest

Amazing what 60 degree temps will do to calm the body and soul and allow sleep to just happen....oh, I guess I should add, not much stress right now...I do keep thinking I'm just on a 5 day vacation and not 11 weeks...I'm sure that will go away soon.

We have a tour of the USS Midway scheduled for today. US government turned to carrier into a museum. Looking forward to that. I think a bicycle ride is in order later today. I did not bring mine - did not want the hassle of dealing with it, but they do rent them here. I will try downloading photos later.

Cindy

Chula Vista - Made It

Yuma was uneventful except for the 106 degree temps....long night. I don't have generators and trust me, bedding does not dissipate heat - ugh....but all is good now. I really enjoy traveling in an RV caravan. Everyone looks out for each other via radios. Someone runs into trouble, we all stop and do what we can to help. That did not happen this trip and it was a smooth trip from Yuma to Chula Vista. Oh, no one in Arizona should EVER complain about AZ drivers. These folks here in CA are totally nuts....blinkers mean nothing at all.

70 degrees with an off shore breeze....wonderful.

Photos may have to wait...wifi is being finicky....not downloading my award winning pictures...will try and get a better connection....stay tuned

Cindy

On My Way

It's time... I'm hoping I return in the exact same condition you see here...Mr. Fisher, notice my equalizer/stabilizer hitch. Part of the many improvements I made. Will post again from Chula Vista....

The Night Before...

Thurs. 5-14 - all the last minute chores getting done. These photos are from the website of the Chula Vista RV Park. A pretty classy place, and yes they let me in there. Spending the night, Fri. at the casino in Yuma, with the RV group I travel with several times a year. Nice folks - all retired.

Our reservations begin Sat. I also found a brewery in Chula Vista - a must visit!

Almost....

Last major purchase done...Olympus E-410 Digital SLR camera and at a great price. Model being replaced so it was on special. I need to learn all about the great things it can do, but I will have time in San Diego to do just that.
Now it just a matter of finishing up work stuff and loading up the last minute clothes and food into the RV. Still working on my itinerary and I'm sure that will be an on-going task. I'm following a blog of a couple that are headed to Chicken Alaska to work at a campground for the summer. They ran into a snowstorm yesterday in Fort Nelson, British Columbia....GREAT!...but, not unexpected. I'm prepared as I can be - If I have to stay a couple days, wherever that is, to ride out the weather, so be it. One reason the itinerary will continue to be tweeked.

5 Days To GO

5-9/10: Got most of my to-dos done. Always last minute things to do, but I feel I'm in pretty good shape. I can only prepare for so much. Road conditions and weather are the biggies that I certainly have no control over. Have not purchased that new camera yet - working on that this week. Truck and Trailer are all waxed - I'll check tires and pack food and remainder of clothes on Thursday. I think I'm finally starting to get excited.