Finally!!!! A post about our trip to Alaska...

First and foremost... here is a link to the pictures... whitehouseblessings.shutterfly.com (click the orange). Once you get there, click on "Pictures and Videos" at the top of the page. Then click the album you want to view. Then, I personally like the slide show view the best. I also put videos up on this site of our trip if you want a brief recap of what is below. I hope it all works. Be sure to let me know if there are issues, because I definitely want you to see the pics... but, also... they might make more sense with the story below. I tried to put a brief description on each picture though, so, whatever works. Anyway.... here we go....

Can you believe it… after 10 days on the road and 15 days trying to get settled in, we finally have internet, and therefore, I can finally jot out an update on life and this grand adventure.

The trip was amazing. We were all ready to get here by the time we made it, but we REALLY enjoyed the incredible sights and time together along the way. My only wish is that Kaylee could have taken in more of what we were experiencing. I wrote a little journal each day of our journey. It recaps the highlights. Sometimes wordy and other times short and sweet. Here is what I wrote…

Day 1

    We have officially begun our journey…. And day one has been … interesting. I have been learning all about the many noises and the heat that comes with life on the road with Yogi. Before we headed off, we got everything wrapped up and said a farewell to little “Site 5” that we lovingly called home for 2 months.

We then headed off to Brandon’s graduation ceremony which was nice. I have enjoy feeling more connected to his work, which has been a benefit of living on base and having classmates that like to hang out. Immediately after the ceremony, we hit the road at about 2:30.

    We are not quite to our destination, which we will refer to as Grandma’s (Wal-Mart), as it is one of my Grandma Wilma’s favorite places. Grandma’s sounds much more cozy and pleasant than a Wal-Mart parking lot. We haven’t made as good of time as Google Maps suggested, but California has slower speed limits for trailers so we knew that would be the case.   

     We are excited for what’s ahead, but also somewhat apprehensive. I am hoping I don’t go crazy from being on the road. I know I will learn a lot. It’s good time to be with Brandon and so far, Kaylee has done well. She stays in her carseat most of the time but it is really nice to give her little breaks.

I’ve so enjoyed my time in California, but know it’s right to head on. Looks like we have about 60 more miles til we hit the hay… off to CRATER LAKE tomorrow. We had originally planned to head east from there to Calgary, because we both really wanted to see that area but we made the last minute decision to save time instead, and stick to the west route, which bypasses beautiful sites like Bamff, etc, but I am fairly certain we will see plenty of pretty sites.

     Today we saw lots and lots of agriculture and several cool old barns but also lots of brown rolling hills too. So weird how summer is brown here. Anyway, if I am not going to write a book out of this trip, I better be done. Thankful for Brandon’s good driving! Night.

Day 2

     We are actually nowhere close to our second destination but it’s already been a long day. We got a fairly early start, thanks to our all natural alarm clock (Kaylee). The night wasn’t amazing sleep but sleep all the same. It was really windy driving last night and even once we stopped, it howled all through the night.

Kaylee has been worse for the wear today, but not bad. Quite fussy and way off schedule. We’ll work with it. It’s good to not have to top every time she needs something. If we can’t get her on a schedule while driving, we’ll work on it once we get settled.

     So anyway… TODAY… we drove into Oregon (where you aren’t allowed to pump your own gas… in fact, our pumper pumped Sarah Palin’s gas a couple years back… can we count that as our claim to fame???). Shortly after entering the state, we stopped at a visitor’s center to get info about Crater Lake. We didn’t know really anything about the area except that it was supposed to be pretty and the two sweet ladies at the center tried as they might, but didn’t know a lot themselves.

     So… we headed out towards Crater Lake and ended up making quite a trek to the lake with lots of uphill and crazy amounts of snow. Probably the highest banks of snow I’ve seen. Not what we expected. It was pretty and a memory we tried to make the most of but it did put us quite behind schedule.

Later that day… we ended up having to go on a lot of back roads to get back to the interstate from Crater Lake, and can I just say… Oregon is beautiful! Even though it has added hours to our trip, I am glad we got off the interstate because we would have missed all these little roads winding through gorgeous trees and over bubbling creeks. Very green and unique.

     Once back on the interstate, we pressed on, trying to make it through the big cities at night, instead of during the day. It ended up being a long, long day since the first Grandma asked us to stay at Grandma’s just up the road. We had fun though. We have laughed and in our road weariness, have found way too many things to be funny. Sayings from the day include… More than one way to skin a cat (we have found the need to think outside the box as road trippers/rvers)…. I didn’t (wake up our daughter…or fill in the blank)… why do you ask?. We also got a good chuckle out of me saluting a road worker.  And to top the night off, we walked through the drive thru because the inside was closed and Yogi’s just a little big to make it under their clearance sign. Well, that’s it for the day.

Day 3

    Definitely learning that most everything takes longer than expected, especially in an RV. Thankfully, the border crossing was not one of those things. We were pretty stressed about it, but it really wasn’t too big of deal.

    Oh ya… in case it isn’t clear… we are in Canada now, which is quite fascinating. Probably one of my favorite parts about the country is the fact that they put tea cups beside a fork and knife on their blue information signs to let you know there is a restaurant at the next exit. Love it. I also really like their signs that tell you to remove your sunglasses before you drive through a tunnel. And it’s interesting because all their road signs hang from a pole. We have also heard a lot of aiys. I thought people exaggerated when mimicking Canadians, but it’s no joke. Also adjusting to restrooms being labeled as wash rooms. Overall, this portion of Canada is very sparsely populated, but it is pretty. It is HUGE with lots of water and trees.

     Hoping and praying Yogi keeps doing well. He is drinking some oil but he has been a fair bit of miles. Overall, Canada is BEAUTIFUL. There are so, so, so many waterfalls in this area. Other than that, we are getting in quite a routine with life on the road. It’s kind of fun! We have a little system that makes it easy to crash as soon as we stop for the day and in the morning, we pray for the day and get on the road shortly after we get up. Tonight we are actually in a casino parking lot. They are in our travel book as a free place to stay. Tomorrow we will be half way and we have a fun hotel stay booked. The driving is a little more intense and focused since they are narrower roads and two lane highways mostly through windy hill sides. I spotted our first wildlife on the trip… a deer. Well that’s it for day 3.

Day 4 (jotted notes throughout the day as we drove)

     Spotted a beautiful bald eagle on the drive today. Didn’t get a picture though. So amazing how they soar. There are lots of horses here and tons of logging trucks, which makes sense because there are sooo many trees.

     Just saw the cutest little bear cub north of Prince George scampering around in a grassy field. He was a black bear and oh so cute. From what we’ve been told, he was probably 1 or 2 years old. I still wasn’t quick enough on the draw to get a picture.

     Kaylee is starting to dislike her carseat. It just breaks my heart when she starts crying when I put her back in.

     Stopped as the Bijoux falls. Pretty but still quite a bit of snow and ice. Should have detoured to these other falls that are supposed to be spectacular but headed on towards the hotel and got a flat tire instead. Very disappointing but we had a wonderful young guy stop to help us. He has lived in the same house his whole life and hasn’t traveled much more than 200 miles from there. He said aiy like crazy and was just super kind and down to earth.

    After that disheartening stall, we made it to the hotel. During the tire changing craziness, Kaylee got a little bump on the head from diving off the bed. We tried to enjoy the waterslide and pool but it was a little chilly so I guess we will call it a day. Thankful His mercies are new each day because I am pretty down.

Day 5  

    Gas is getting pricey. Their signs here crack me up. Still haven’t seen a moose. Hope Yogi is not the first to spot one.

     Got a late start after getting a new tire. Everyone here is really friendly and helpful. “I think that’s all the free services we have to offer, aiy”

     But… we are officially on the Alaskan Highway!!! I am torn and struggling with whether to be back with Kaylee or up with Brandon. Selfishly, I don’t want to miss any sights plus I really want to help him because it is somewhat narrow, unfamiliar roads with wildlife and “dry” heaves, plus I know it is safest for Kaylee to be in her carseat BUT I want to help her development and sanity by being with her. Hopefully I’ll find a good balance.

     Creation speaks so loudly. It’s amazing.

     Still learning lessons about fear.

     Lots of elevation climbs. Yogi got a little hot, so we had to give him a rest. Maybe it was just what we all needed. Smokey ran and ran. Kaylee and Brandon laughed and laughed. And I took a chill pill. Brandon prayed for peace and we are thankful for how He provided that. Learning and trying to trust more and more.

Moose count at the end of the day… 4!!! They are huge and cool and I am so happy I have officially seen am moose. So wish I had my brother’s skills because my pictures are not coming out very well. I don’t think snapping them from a moving car is helping.

Day 6

     Stayed in a pull out at Muncho. Beautiful area but we really were not prepared for everything being frozen over. It is still like winter here. Many of the stores along the road/rv parks are still closed for the season. Saw some caribou. Paid $7 a gallon at Muncho. Highest price yet! Ug.

     Made it a little ways up the road to Liard, only for someone to point out another flat tire on our trailer. Both jacks weren’t working. Thankfully, a super nice couple, Jay and Laurie, helped us. He grew up in Alaska and now they are full-time Rvers and spend some of their summers in Alaska. They have quite the set up. After using his equipment and chatting with him, Brandon now refers to him as his hero.

     So… we got the tire fixed and headed over to the hot springs. LOVED IT!!!! Kaylee had so much fun but probably swallowed too much water.

    After a nice soak, we hit the road. Saw many herds of bison along the side of the road. Probably close to 70 total.

     Truly beautiful area. We are constantly saying “Whoa.. that’s really pretty” Way too many sights to capture plus we are also often passing by too quickly but hopefully I got a couple good pictures.

     Pondering thought of the day… How do we be more than nice people?

     Trip seems to sectioning itself off into different segments based on common sights…

                -first part= trip of the barns

                - second part= trip of the waterfalls

                - third part= trip of the animals

                - now… trip of the clouds (+ more animals)

     We seem to be traveling at a similar pace to our new friends… we’ve run into them 3 more times. They are so nice and helpful. Later that night…. we actually followed them into Teslin where we pulled in with another flat tire. Needless to say, we are getting pretty good at changing them. Thankful for the use of Jay’s jack once again. They also gave us directions to get a new tire and jack in Whitehorse tomorrow. What a blessing they are! God is a good provider.

     It is crazy how light it is. People are outside, picking up trash along the highway at 9:30 and it’s pretty much full day light. Better get used to it, aiy. Teslin is a really nice little place. Paid $3 for a glorious shower. Now off to bed.

Day 7

     NO FLAT TIRES! Praise God. Got a new tire in Whitehorse. Kind of outdated but it’s a nice city. First actual city we’ve seen in a couple days. Expensive though. Subway has $10 footlongs, not $5. J  Jay and Laurie gave us lots of good info on gas and tires. They headed out of Teslin just a little before us but we caught up. We actually passed them in Whitehorse with their friends and they waved J.

     Saw a lot of really cool birds today. Who knew swans lived in Canada. Saw another bald eagle too. Got a lousy picture of him. Laurie is really into birds so she has helped us know what we are seeing.

Anyway, we headed on from Whitehorse and saw probably some of the most beautiful sights I’ve seen of the Kluane mountains. Parked at a pull off and about an hour later, Jay and Laurie pulled in to join us. They have a really neat story! They speak of the Lord but we haven’t really taken a chance to share about our faith/story. Hope to.  

Day 8

     Another beautiful drive today. Made it across the border again. Alaska is breathtaking! For some reason, it feels good to be back in the US. I guess it’s just the familiar. Staying at an RV park with showers and electric. Ate our first “real” meal in a while at Fast Eddy’s. We both got stuff off the menu that sounded very Alaskan. Got to share our story with Jay and Laurie over dinner. And tried to express what a blessing they had been to us. We will part ways in the morning. Also saw a lynx today, which they say is rare. It is crazy, though, how they can go five feet off the road into the woods and you have no idea they are there. I have pondered often about all the wildlife we have missed along the way. They have to be there. But you have to be looking and even then, I know we have missed a lot. But what a captivating moment when you do get a glimpse. It dawned on me that this is kind of like God. He doesn’t hide from us, but we definitely have to seek Him and if we aren’t actively looking for Him or how He desires to demonstrate His love for us, we will miss it. He says those who seek, will find. May I seek more deeply…

Day 9

     Stopped writing a journal because things got hectic. We made it into Fairbanks. Lots to take care of. Finding our way around. Weary. Crashing at Grandma’s. It’s like 11 at night and so bright out.

Day 10

     More to do here.  A little overwhelmed and discouraged. Thankful God is trust-worthy. Complications with the house but it now looks like we can move on in. Planned to head to Anderson today but decided to rest up and head that way after a fresh start in the morning.

Day 11

     Made it to the house. Beautiful drive. Very good to be home but it’s so empty. Hopefully we can head up to Fairbanks and remedy that after a few garage sales. Really like the house. Unique and has a lot of character. Kaylee and Smokey are really, really enjoying the room. So very thankful we made it after all those miles. I figure we clocked well over 80 hours on the road.  The driving was really, really slow going in the RV at points, especially on the Alaska highway, and especially in between Whitehorse and the border. There is lots to be thankful for!!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

                                                                                                                                                       

And that… is the end of our journey!

     Well… there really could be so, so much more to write about our new home and the little town we are in and the base where Brandon is working but with a crawling (almost) one year old, I am afraid that is all I can get out for now. Really, the pictures are the highlight. I will try to get some pictures and videos of Kaylee up sometime soon too. Got to get them all off the various electronic devices we own. So much to do. I feel like I am always forgetting something and always playing catch up. Our days are quite full, but hopefully we’ll get in a groove.

     Kaylee is doing really well. She loves exploring and she is cutting her top, front two teeth. She really is growing up. Her personality is shining through more and more and she is just such a joy! Much to be thankful for.