Joy’s son, Noah, attended prom
Jana’s oldest son, Jackson, graduated from high school
Awards night . . . . Braden won Southside’s Geometry Award
Kate and Annaleigh took their first flight in a small (4 place) airplane with the Young Eagles.
We are so proud of each of them and wanted to share these exciting times with you.
Stopped at the Potters Section House (now Chugach State Park office) to meet Tom Crockett, the park ranger. He came out to McHugh with us to open the gate and be of assistance in getting settled. When we stopped Francis realized the MH was low on the front (of course there was still a lot of ice on the undercarriage). Later when checking he learned the airbags were deflated. He had also noticed in Watson Lake that we had a water leak in the bay.
Looking down towards the MH and Turnagin Arm from the upper parking lot.
Saturday morning we woke to a light dusting of snow.
The host site is about level with the middle parking lot which is about 75 feet above the Seward Highway.
The road up is a very sharp climb.
The site is set up for the motorhome to drive in so this is the scene from the windshield.
A friend stopped by to hike and visit. This is her picture looking down on the Arm from the trail. The day was overcast but we still had a good many visitors. As we learned when we were here in 2004 thru 2008 usually weather does not result in changing plans for Alaskans they change their clothing and just deal with the weather.
When Francis checked for the damage to the MH he found the fresh water tank was hanging loose and the leak was from the vent hose at the top. He replaced the hose and eliminated the leak. Had a lot of drying up to do . . . .thank goodness for good weather.
Looking up from the Seward Highway the MH is visible now. . . .not sure if it will be when spring finally arrives and the trees leaf out.
The following are some pictures from around this park
The morning Francis took the MH into the freightliner service center he had to be there for 7:00 AM. I stayed in the park area until we knew what would need to be done and how long it would take. Driving along the Seward High the following are pictures across the Arm from Bird Creek.
Also saw 2 eagles 
The airbags on the MH were not damaged. Thank goodness. The problem was a link on the air valve (cost $11.00 for the part and 1 hr. service $152). The part had to be ordered and Francis put the replacement part on when it arrived.
The Sunday after we arrived we went over to Chuigak United Meth. Church to visit friends. Told the minister we had to find a closer church this was a little far to come every Sunday. When we left church we stopped by the Eagle River Nature Center.
It still looks the same but was disappointed that none of our friends were working today.
We knew leaving Organ Pipe and Casa Grande early in April we would be missing a lot of the cactus in bloom. Our friend, Barbara, from Rovers Roost sent this picture of the large saguaro at the park.
When we were held up at Toad River we met another couple headed to the Palmer area. We left a day before them but stayed in touch in route.
Cassie shared their experience and photo with us. “While driving the area along Long Lake about 50 miles from Palmer on the Glenn Highway. You'll recall there were signs warning to watch for falling rock..... We were driving along, noticing all the rocks (mostly small) that had fallen, & then ahead, we saw a slide start to happen. It was a big one. Jack got on the brakes & we stopped only 40 feet or so from where this boulder slid down & bounced across the road. Scaaaary!!! Since more appeared to be coming down along the ledge where this one came from, we drove around it on the crumbling edge & got out of there. I called 911 & reported it. What an adrenalin rush!!!”
We have seen lots of rock slides and rocks on the road but nothing compared to this boulder. Thank goodness they had no damage from it.
Spent the night in Tok and found everything still frozen here . . . . no opportunity to wash the rig and car. Anyone driving into Alaska drives through Tok. In the Athabascan language “Tok” means water and appears on maps drawn up in the late 1800’s.
We decided to drive on to Glennallen (125 miles) since there was a good weather report for today. However we quickly realized that the weather report was in error.
The Copper River starts at the glacier in the Wrangel Mountains and part of the Tok Cutoff follows the river.
With the warmer weather the ice is beginning to breakup in the Copper River.
The Matanuska River is also breaking up.
Some of the “breakup” really forms interesting designs.
As we were driving along we noticed a number of frozen waterfalls
The welcome to Alaska sign is actually before the border crossing into the USA from Canada.
There is a section of about 20 miles between the border crossing into the USA/Alaska and the entrance to Canada when driving south.
We arrived behind a Uhaul truck which took some time to clear but our entry was quick and easy.
The Alaska Highway seems to be much better (smoother so far) after we crossed the border.
Looking towards the Wrangel/St. Elias Mountains
There are a number of ways the DOT marks the highways, railings, etc. for the snow plows. We think this is an interesting way to mark the edge of the highway so the plows will avoid hitting the
markers.
Leaving Watson Lake there is no snow on the road. The amount along the shoulder varies but no new grass showing up either.
The amount of snow accumulation under the motorhome varies but there is always some. While following in the car saw huge chunks drop off. Told Francis I’m sure we were overweight at least part of the time because of the ice.
As we approached Teslin River and one of the longest bridges in Canada we were driving separately so was able to get a picture of the motorhome crossing the bridge.
Then a view of most of the bridge from an overlook on south side.
As the highway turns at Haines Junction (right to go to Alaska and straight to go to Haines) there is a large monument
The Kluane Lake (largest in Canada) is still frozen as well as
the area around the overlook and sign.
The Kluane Ice Fields are impressive and beautiful
There are several permafrost projects going on in an attempt to eliminate the extensive road damage each year. This one is in Canada . . . did not get a picture of the one just across in border in Alaska. It looked like metal culverts standing along the road with dunce hats on top of each. Apparently the idea is to keep the soil under the road at a stable (cold) temperature.
The highway department attempts to mark these frost heaves or damaged road using flags. Note the rolling road with a flag to the right.
Sign showing information about frost heaves
We also encounter several areas that were already under repair so the road was just gravel.
