The Dakotas - Late Sept. 2008

Except for the crossing of an international border the land in Southern Canada and North Dakato were much the same. Many huge farms with lots of hay, wheat and soybeans being harvested. By the time we were in southern South Dakato we had driven out of most of the fall colors.

After driving through Nebraska and the corner of Kansas we entered Missouri. Decided to make our first visit to the Escapee Turkey Creek Campground at Branson. Will spend a few days here washing and cleaning. Our living room slide was out for the first time in 10 days.

This was our fastest trip down from Alaska and must say the least fun. We were driving longer distances each than normal however, we did see a lot of wildlife including elk, buffalo (about 100), mountain sheep, deer white tail and mule, a bull moose, a black bear, wild turkeys, swans, geese and even a fox chasing a rabbit. We found the roads generally in good condition but really improved about half way the Yukon Territory.

Dolton, SD Roadside Park

Great place to spend the night

Sunset

Later sunset viewing

Sunrise across the lake

Yet another beautiful boondock site. This one on a large lake with many water fowl including several pair of swans. The sunset was impressive enough that dinner was interrupted for several photo ops.
Thank goodness I was up early enough to catch the sunrise.

Some of the old barns are not in good repair

One of the many old barns

Trip through Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada

Beautiful farm land and nice roads.

There are lots of old barns and other structures.

There were many beautiful sunrises along the way

It was nearing the end of the day and the sign said Sturgeon Provincial Park and there was no "closed" sign (most of the parks we have passed were closed) so we decided this would be a good stop for the night. However after entering we were concerned about the size of the sites so decided to park in the boat trailer parking lot. About 9 pm 2 conservation officers knocked. They were concerned that we were okay. We told them yes and we would like to spend the night. Said that was fine and agreed that our rv wouldn't fit in the sites. We offered to pay but they said "No, just enjoy the area, which we did."

September 2008 trip through Yukon Terr. and British Columbia

Winter is near as evidenced by the fall colors

with the frost in the trees on the higher mountain behind

Muncho Lake is 7 miles long and 1 mile wide and known for its beautiful blue color attributed to the copper oxide leaching into lake.

End of summer and construction along the highway proceeds before winter. We did not experience any long construction zones or delays.

The freezing and thawing of the ground under the highway causes heaves

Elk along the road. The bull had a beautiful rack.

Mountain sheep along the roadway

This guy decided he had the right-a-way

and we let him have it as we drove thru the large herd.

As we were driving out the second morning we experienced heavy fog. The large mounds on either side of the highway turned out to be about 100 buffalo. . . really scary in the fog.

Driving south through Yukon we watched thunder heads build and then go away. We had only about 6 hours of showers the total trip down.

Nisutlin Bay Bridge the longest water span

on the Alaska Highway it is 1917 feet.

Northern Yukon Territory, Canada

September 2008 Trip out of Alaska

As we drive south from Tok, AK fall is everywhere. This golden corrider is typical of coloring along the highway.

Snow level moving down the mountain as we drive out of Alaska

Matanuska Glacier located on the Glenn Highway

Olness Cabin in Ninilchik, AK

Paul and Carol have built a beautiful cabin in Ninilchik but needed post for the porch. They were very excited to find two beautiful burl logs to use.

NOTE: We have shared three summer hostings with the Olness at USFS Campground at Childs Glacier. We regret that our plans to return in 2009 (we hope to return in 2010) have changed, however this is an opportunity for someone interested in spending 6 weeks in the Cordova area which is located on Prince William Sound. The USFS will pay the ferry cost for transporting your rv from Valdez or Whittier. Anyone interested should contact Chris Dunlap at cdunlap@fs.fed.us for details.

Early September, 2008 - Trip to Homer, AK

All summer we attempted to make a trip to Homer since this was an area we had not spent a lot of time visiting. Craig and Sandy offered their cabin so in early Sept. we left the motorhome and drove down. Francis went out halibut fishing (fishing was slow with 17 men aboard only 12 fish we caught and he caught 2, his limit) on a half day charter. The fall colors were beautiful but the weather was overcast as much of our summer has been.

St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church near Homer, AK

Russian farm near Homer, AK

Two of the beautiful wood carvings at the Normal Lowell Studio

One of our favorite stops in route to Homer is the studio of artist, Norman Lowell. This is a small food cache where homesteaders stored food out of the reach of animals.

Crow Pass Trail - September 2008

The Cross Pass Trail runs from Girdwood to the Eagle River Nature Center (26 miles). A favorite among hikers but also run by many in the spring. . . to win this race you have to complete it is just over 3 hours.
Francis had wanted to hike the trail from Girdwood to the Crow Pass since we arrived at Bird Creek. In Sept. he and Bruce made it up about 3 miles but fell short of the top.

Nearing the top of Cross Pass there are a number of trails that cross the area.

The Crow Pass Trail is part of the original Iditarod Trail which began in Seward. Prior to the railroad and highways many of the needed goods were carried by dogsled or backpack into the interior along this trail.
There were also some gold mines in the area.

Trip to Independence Mine Historic Park

The visitor's center for the park is located in the former residence of the Mill Manager. He lived here with his family.

August 19 trip to Independence Mine

The Independence Mine one of the largest gold mines in the Willow Creek district operated from 1938 to 1941. The mine owners were very considerate of the men working so there were bunkhouses and dining halls, etc. For the families there were houses located in the area as well as a school. There is still an active mine in the area that is privately owned.

Francis checking out the full size mixer in the kitchen at Independence Mine.

The hundreds of workers had to be fed so there were huge ovens in the kitchen. In fact the guide told us that the chef had his own apartment near the kitchen (did not have to live in the bunk house) because keeping a good cook meant keeping happy workers.

Never let it be said that there was a boiler in the vicinity and the old "boiler guy" did not go check it out. Francis still loves to poke around old equipment especially boilers. This one was in the bunkhouse at Independence mine.

The workers lived in bunkhouses two to a room.

Notice the home make chair in the forground.

Trip to Alaska State Fair in late August, 2008

The Alaska State Flag shown here in floral was designed by a 13 year old orphan living in Seward. Benny Benson submitted this design to the state contest and won.

How's this for a 29 lb. turnip

Large cabbage . . . while the growing season is short the daylight is long so usually the vegetables are very large. This one is not as large as some in the past years because Alaska experienced its third coolest summer in history.

The garden at the State Fair Grounds in Palmer, Alaska

Part of the Nature Culture is there dancing and story telling . . . notice the young girl getting into the activity.