June 15, 2023 Persistence Pays Off
So many setbacks on our grandest adventure ever. We first planned to drive to Alaska in 2018, but Brian had to spend the summer having radiation treatments for vocal cord cancer. 2019 found us in Pennsylvania for a family reunion and on the return trip (by way of Canada and the north shore of Lake Superior), I flew home from Minnesota due to family concerns and Brian drove back to Houston from Minneapolis solo. 2020? Well, we know what happened then. We spent 7 months homeschooling and babysitting three young grandchildren. 2021 - 4 border crossings out of the question. 2022 - we seriously considered it, but when gas prices spiked, we took the hint. This year is finally the year! Both of us saw the passing of our last surviving parents so we felt free to go. We set out in late May only to have to return to Houston on the second day when I experienced a grand mal seizure in Oklahoma and Brian had to bring me home. (I do not remember any of that day.) It seemed like we were doomed again. After a brain MRI that did not show any regrowth of the meningioma I had removed in 2017 and an ample supply of anticonvulsant and rescue meds, we loaded up and left again on June 8. After 7 days on the road, we reached Dawson Creek, British Columbia at Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway. We are spending the day taking care of business before embarking on the next phase of the journey. Oil change completed, laundry done, groceries purchased, library time for this blog. We will get underway tomorrow morning. We haven't enjoyed much of the scenery in Canada the past few days because of smoke from wildfires.
I can't help thinking about my father and his time spent in Alaska near Fairbanks when he was in the army back in 1955. I know he would have enjoyed reading this blog about our Alaska Highway trip if he were still alive. The first time I ever heard of it was as a child when he told me of it. I am dedicating this trip to him.
Now for a summary of events.
We were so anxious to get underway that we left at 1:30 in the afternoon as soon as the pharmacy called to say my seizure meds were ready for pickup. It felt strange to depart in the light of day because most of our trips begin in the dark before sunrise.
We drove due north through Oklahoma (again, but uneventfully), Kansas, Nebraska, South and North Dakota. We stopped for various interesting sights and geocaches (we belong to a Facebook group called Roadside Oddities)
The "Chairy Orchard" in Denton, TX
"Blue Sky" sculpture in Newton, KS
Coronado Heights "Castle" built by WPA in 1936
Sculpted brick mural in Concordia, KS
Birthplace of Kool-Aid, Hastings, NE
"Oh, yeah!"
We camped at this very unique state park. Our site overlooked the Niobrara River and its confluence with the Missouri River. The campground was very different from the campgrounds we usually find ourselves. I am sorry that I didn't get any good pictures.
Right before crossing the Fort Randall Dam to the South Dakota side of the river, we looked at a historic chapel under reconstruction.
Redfield, SD - "Pheasant Capital of the World"
Jamestown, ND
Brian looked for the world's largest buffalo pie, but didn't see it.
Rugby, ND
Northern Lights Tower in Rugby
Interesting house in Rugby
Dunseith, ND Turtle made of tire wheels
Right before crossing the border into Canada, we stopped at the International Peace Garden. The entrance to it is between the two customs stations. The park straddles the border - no fence!
Brian parked the van right on the border - front bumper is in North Dakota, back bumper in Manitoba.
9/11 Memorial
part of the formal gardens in the peace park
My favorite flowers
The border crossing was quick and uneventful. We presented our passports, answered a few questions and were on our way. The van was not searched and we were not asked about covid vaccinations.
We didn't make many stops while crossing the western provinces of Canada. Without cell service and data, we stuck to the Yellowhead Highway. A little time in Saskatoon, but bypassed Edmonton. We were eager to get to new-to-us territory beyond Edmonton. We did camp one night at Elk Island National Park and saw deer, elk, and bison.
"Tommy the Turtle" in Manitoba
Foam Lake, Saskatchewan - Brian standing, then bending down.
beaver lodge in Elk Island NP
Looking out tinted van window at 10:00 p.m.
Roadside bison as we left Elk Island before sunrise. I tried to get a closeup from my open window, but he stood up with a grunt and we drove on.
Beaverlodge, Alberta
Almost to Dawson Creek
Now we are in Dawson Creek, BC - Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway. We are camping at Swan Lake Provincial Park where we caught up with the reservations we made weeks ago. Everything prior to this was canceled before leaving Houston last week. We are READY for this epic journey and are hoping the smoky skies clear up so we can see mountains!
It is supposed to rain in the morning as we start off, so we took the picture early this morning.
Two hours later, there was a long line of RVs waiting in a line for their photo op.
Lots of stickers on the support legs of the sign... this is our contribution
Fence around the dumpster at the Dawson Creek Public Library
Here is my laptop and where I am getting ready to publish this blog posting.
To all of our family and friends who are concerned, I feel fine, but fatigue easily and can be a bit unsteady on my feet (side effects of the anticonvulsant).
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