Day 49--June 15, 2013

          We had a very nice drive today from Tok, Alaska, to Lyle West's sons place in Fairbanks.  We stopped for lunch at Rika's Landing Roadhouse in Big Delta. The roadhouse is named after Rika Wallen, a Swedish immigrant who came to work at the roadhouse owned by John Hajdukovich in 1910.  John had many businesses, but didn't have any money managing ability.  In 1917, John went away leaving Rika in charge.  She grew vegetables and raised chickens and milk cows for food to serve to travelers on their way to and from Fairbanks.
          Hajdukovick returned in 1923 and sold the roadhouse to Rika for $10.00. Rika was a natural farmer who was able to successfully grow crops where others failed. She developed a heating and ventilation system for her stable to allow her livestock to successfully survive the harsh winters.  The roadhouse had eleven bedrooms, a large living room and a large kitchen.  She continued to work it until the late 40′s. She lived there until she died in 1969. Today, the large, two-story house is set up like rooms in the roadhouse where many years ago.  (1920-1930)

Rika's Roadhouse, Big Delta, Alaska

Kitchen inside the Roadhouse

                                                             

                                            Richard wanted me to drive the Jeep everywhere we go

                                             so he could tow this hunk of junk home.  I say Nay Nay!!

This is a kitchen set up in one of the out buildings
at Rika's Roadhouse

Sod roof cabin.  Outbuilding at Rika's.

 

          We ate lunch there (Lobster and Corn Soup, coffee, and FOTF pie) and then walked along the Tanana River. We got a good look at one section of the Alaskan Pipeline.

Alaskan Pipeline crossing the Tanana River

 

 



         We also stopped at Santa Claus' Haus at the North Pole.  You could tell Richard had been locked up with someone who doesn't listen to EVERY word he says.  He just about talked the ears off of Santa and some woman who had just returned from a tour to Prudhoe Bay.

 

          Happy Father's Day to all you daddys.  And thanks to all of you for traveling along with us.  We've had 5,235 page views since we started our trip.

Until next time,
Dolores
 

Day 48--June 14, 2013

     Today we drove about 380 miles from Whitehorse, Yukon Territory to Tok, Alaska.  It was the least eventful day and probably the hardest driving day we had.  We didn't see ANY wildlife.  Many of the lodges were closed, which means no FOTF pie.
      Until today, most of the roads have been great, mostly four lanes and smooth sailing.  The road west of Whitehorse was like the roads were the first time we came to Alaska.  They had a rough summer thaw last year, which washed out sections of the road.  Also, traveling over frost heaves makes for slower driving conditions. 
       Frost heave is the result of pressure created because of the difference in the rate of the freezing temperatures and soil defrosting. The fluctuating freezing and thawing conditions heave, or lift, the soil.  This is marked by deep cracking of the soil and/or the road pavement.  The best way to drive over a road like this is to go SLOW, but not all people do that.  They even post signs that say reduce speed, but like I said, not all people do that. 
       Just passed every frost heave are black tire marks.  They are caused when a vehicle hits a frost heave, it literally leaves the ground, and when the tires grab the asphalt again, they lay rubber.  Once we passed the US customs (which we did in short order and with flying colors) the road magically turned wonderful.
       In Tok, I had my second piece of FOTF pie.  It was yummy.

Kluane Lake, Yukon Territory

Just one of a million beautiful scenes along the way
Yukon Territory

Dog sled on wheels at Tok RV Village

Until next time,
Dolores



 

Day 46-47

June 12, 2013

Brown Bear on hill above road



Stone Sheep

     We left Fort Nelson and made our way toward Watson Lake.  We would consider this the jackpot day for wildlife.  No, not Richard and I, but actually wildlife along the roads.  We saw so many bears we lost count.  Somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-12.  We saw three brown bears and the rest were black bears.  One was a mama with three cubs.  They were really cute and didn’t care if we watched them eat dandelions by the roadside.


Mama Black Bear

                                                                   

                                                               Cubs

Caribou



Buffalo

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Watson Lake is one of my favorite stops on the Alaskan Highway.  At the end of town is an area they call the WATSON LAKE SIGNPOST FOREST.  A US Army soldier who was working on the Alaskan Highway in 1942 added a sign to a post.  Travelers have been adding signs since.  Last count, they numbered around 72,000 signs and license plates from all over the world.  We have one in there somewhere, but couldn’t find it this time.  Richard’s brother Howard and his wife Mary Jane added one many years ago.  Jack and Jeannie Dickson added one in 2008 when we were here together.  When I say they are from all over the world, I mean it.  Check this out Walker and Carol Norman.  LOL

Watson Lake Signpost Forest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check this out, Walker and Carol Norman

 

 

June 13—

     Tonight we are in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory where Sgt. Preston used to live.  I’ve been looking for him, but no luck yet.  We ate at the Klondike Rib and Salmon Barbeque tonight.  It was really good, but the best part was dessert.  I had my first piece of Fruit of the Forest pie on this trip.  They called it something else like Rumble Bumble pie.  Blackberries, raspberries, rhubarb, and apples at its finest.

     I was first introduced to this wonderful pie on my first trip to Alaska.  That and steamers, which is a whole ‘nuther story.  I’ve tried every recipe under the sun to try to duplicate it, but I’ve never had much luck.  I’ve begged the bakers for the recipe, with absolutely no luck.  So, I have to be happy stopping at the lodges along the way, hoping for a piece of pie.

     Speaking of lodges, there are very few “towns” along the Alaskan Highway.  Instead, they have communities that are made up of lodges.  They are spread many miles apart.  The first time we came to Alaska, most of the lodges were active and so much fun to visit.  Most have a restaurant, pub or saloon, few motel rooms, maybe one or two fuel pumps, souvenir store, and most have bakeries.  Each has a different specialty to make them unique. 

     Toad River (Mile marker DC 404.1) has been a fixture on the highway since 1950.  What makes it unique is its collection of hats nailed to the ceiling and wall.  Last count more than 6,800 hats.  Today, it is still opened.

     One of my favorite, Johnson’s Crossing made world famous cinnamon buns, as big as dinner plates.  It, like way too many other ones we passed today, was closed.  Lodge after lodge sat boarded up.  Many in disrepair.  It made me sad to see places that had brought so many (especially me) happiness closed up tight.  Okay, what part of dinner plate cinnamon buns and Fruit of the Forest pie didn’t you understand?

        Today we stopped at the Continental Divide Lodge to see if they had any FPTF pie.  They didn’t, but they had some beautiful home-made blueberry scones.  I didn’t buy any, because I was on a quest for the pie. 

 

 

 

 

Continental Divide Pub

Beautiful sights along the way
 

Muncho Lake in the Northern Rockies
Blue and green water attributed to copper oxide
leaching into the lake



    

 

 

 

 

 







 

Somewhere along the Alaskan Highway between
Watson Lake and Whitehorse

      Tomorrow, we cross the border from the Yukon Territory to Alaska.  The first town there is Tok.  I’m a little nervous about the crossing.  If you aren’t sure why, please refer to June 1, 2013 entry of this blog.  I bought me a rabbit’s foot for luck.  I hope we aren’t stopped for transporting animal parts.  Cross your fingers and say a prayer that we are back on US terra firma by tomorrow night. 

     Oh, wait, doesn’t terra firma mean solid/firm ground?  Doesn’t Alaska have earthquakes?  Good heavens, I’m not sure what to worry about first.  Border patrol?  Earthquakes?

Until next time,

Dolores       

Day 44 & 45—June 10 and11, 2013

June 10

          Fourteen years ago today I lost a dear friend.  Helen was Richard’s only sister.  She was the oldest of the six children her mother had and the only girl.  Around Thanksgiving in 1998, Helen was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Seven months later, she was gone.  She went into a nursing home in March, 1999.  I was there every day unless Richard and I were out of town, then my sister in law, Lucille, would check in on her.

            Before she went into the nursing home, we went places together.  One of the things she really enjoyed was going to gospel sings.  We went downtown for a concert of the Cathedrals.  She also enjoyed watching Bill Gaither on the television.  She and I talked many times about one particular song we’d heard Ivan Parker sing on one of the Gaither Homecomings.  WHEN I GET CARRIED AWAY.  It’s a lively song that moves your heart and your soul, and Helen and I both loved it.

It says:  I’m gonna let the glory roll when the roll is called in glory

            I’m gonna get beside of myself when I get beside the king that day

I’m gonna have the time of my life when the time of my life is over

I’m gonna get carried away when I get carried away.

Somewhere in the middle of the song it says:

Well, I’ll pass the clouds and shout so loud,

It may sound like thunder.

          I was sitting next to Helen’s bed when she took her last breath.  I went to stand beside her.  Behind me there was the loudest clap of thunder.  It literally shook the window.  I remember smiling widely, and I knew she’d just let me know she had happily been carried away.  She’s been gone a long time, but I think of her often and still miss her.

June 11,

            During World War II, a road was built to connect the contiguous United States and Alaska.  The Alaskan Highway was completed in 1942 at a length of approximately 1,700 miles.  As of 2012, it was 1,387 due to the constant reconstruction of the highway, which has been rerouted and straightened out in numerous sections.  The highway opened to the public in 1948.  Legendary over many decades for being a rough, challenging drive, the highway is now paved over its entire length.  Richard and I have witnessed the change in driving conditions.  We were here in 1997, 2004, 2008 and, now in 2013.  I would have to say we travel worse roads in the lower states than here on the Alaskan Highway.

One of many pieces of equipment used

to make the Alaskan Highway.  Almost

every town has one on display.

          Almost everyone who travels through Canada to Alaska has a copy of the MilePost, which was first published in 1949.  A new one comes out every year.  It begins in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada.  That is known as Mile “0”. On our last trip, I blogged about the MilePost and my addiction to it.  The strange thing about this post from 2008, is that we were in Dawson Creek on June 10, the same day as we were this year.

 

          From blog of June 10, 2008-- The MilePost is a must for anyone traveling to Alaska. It tells you about things to see along the way and are pointed out by mile posts. Of course, many of the mile posts have been stolen or not yet replaced after the hard winter. I am addicted to the MilePost.  It says things like:

DC 20.9 (this is 20.9 miles from Dawson Creek which is mile 0) DJ1369.1 (miles from Delta Junction) Kiskatinaw River Bridge Caution: Strong crosswinds on bridge. Turnout with litter barrel and picnic tables to east at north end of bridge. View of unique bridge support.

The MilePost tells you about every little detail along the way. For some strange reason, I’m so afraid I’ll miss something that I sit with the book in my lap reading every mile to Richard.
 

“One mile ahead, there is a NorthwesTel microwave tower to the east,” I yell from my desk where I am supposed to be writing on a manuscript I should have finished before I started this trip.
 

“That’s nice,” my loving husband says.
 

“Two miles up the road is a truck scales and public phone to the east. Truck stop to the west; gas, cafe.”
 

“Great.”
 

“Be careful. We are coming to a steep hill with a 10% grade. Have you checked your brakes?”
 

“Yes. They are doing fine.”
 

“One mile, Peace River Bridge. Metal grating on bridge deck. Slow down.”
 

          It’s about this time that Richard says, “Let me know when we find a UPS store so I can ship you on ahead to where we will be staying tonight.”
 

To which I reply, “You are so funny. Next two miles, watch for falling rock.”
 

          This brings me to a point I wonder about every time we are in this area. We are riding along on a two lane road, no guardrails on the side that drops several thousand feet to a valley below. Exactly what are we supposed to do should we see falling rocks rolling down the straight-up rock cliff we are hugging?

Example of road with falling rock sign.

Where to you run to?

 

          This is for Bobby (George) Sutton.  Look what Richard found at the saloon next door to where we are camping.  There were a couple of stools like this one next to a table made out of a wagon wheel.  I think we are going to make a few of these for our barn to help it be "agricultured".  LOL

 



Until next time,

Dolores

 

Day 43--June 9, 2013

          A strange thing about the weather here in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is that for the past two days, it has looked like it is going to storm at any moment.  The sky has been very gray with dark, dark clouds.  If this type of cloud came up at home, we'd all be running for cover from rain, wind and lightning.  Here the clouds just float through the sky casting an ominous shroud on everything, but gives off nothing but a little rain every once in a while.  Cold, stinging rain, but it only lasts maybe five minutes, then the rain moves on, leaving the dark clouds behind. 
          You may think I'm crazy (Hey! I heard that choke all the way to Canada), but I love the way the clouds make me happy to be cuddled inside our bus, drinking hot tea, and reading a good book.  I might say I'd enjoy watching a little television, but guess what??  We have reached the point in our travels where television stations are few and far between.
           Remember in the movie National Lampoon's European Vacation where the only two channels they got on the television was a documentary of making cheese and an exercise progarm of Russian women in leotards?  Well, the first time we came through Canada, we had only two channels.  One was Red Green.  If you don't know Red Green, google him.  He and his buddy are a hoot for about 2 1/2 hours.  Several days later, I was pretty tired of Red Green.  The other channel was a documentary of a Native Alaskan sitting in the outdoors talking about his life growing up around glaciers.  When he was quite young, one of his childhood friends and he were playing in an ice field, when a crevice opened and his friend disappeared into it, never to be heard from again.
            The man was being interviewed in his native language, and it was subtitled, which meant I had to read every word to know what was going on.  The first time I heard the interview, I listened and read with baited breath.  I teared up when I learned of his loss.  By the forth day of listening to the same story, I remember telling Richard that I thought since the kid hadn't learned in the last four days not to go out on the glacier, the little twerp deserved to go to an icey death.  Does that tell you the frame of mind one can get in when deprived of normal television shows, which at that time would have been Two and a Half Men?
           It's been five years since I've been here, and they still only have two television stations.  But they have gotten a little better.  One is Home Shopping Network which feeds my As Seen On TV addiction.  The other has been showing several episodes of a unique Canadian detective drama set in Toronto in the 1890's.  It centers around a detective, William Murdock.  He is very unique and interesting because he is scientific minded.  Along with Dr. Julia Ogdon, (his love interest) Detective Murdock places emphasis on scientific procedures like forensic analysis and fingerprints.  This usually upsets his superiors.  I may have to buy the series and watch it from the beginning.  Of course,  Detective Murdock will never take the place of Raylan Givens.  If Raylan can't figure out the mystery, he just shoots someone.

More Pictures from the Mall

 

 

Party Room inside Galaxyland inside

West Edmonton Mall

Only a few of the rides in the massive Galaxyland Amusement Park inside the mall

 

 

Water Park Inside the Mall

 

Waves

Had a great time here in Edmonton.
Until next time,
Dolores
 Big Yellow Slide in the distance.  Also a waterfall.  Bigger slide to my left.

 

 

Day 42-June 8, 2013

 

 

Day 1 at the West Edmonton Mall



 

 

 



      Bourbon Street
West Edmonton Mall

                 

This is the greatest market I've ever been in.  It fascinates me.  I love looking at the food items I've never seen before. 

 

Anyone know what this is?  It was in with the vegetables and fruit. 

 It's not a sea urchin.

 

Tilapia doesn't get any fresher than this.

They also have any seafood you could name.

Just below the fish tanks are live clams and mussels.

Dungeness Crabs--Lobsters  Yum!!

 

Fun Time

 

                                        

                                          

Richard in front of the Palace Casino
Inside West Edmonton Mall
Richard wouldn't let me play any of the slots because he said we'd be losing money on the exhange to Canadian money.  I thought that was senseless to worry about since the odds were we would leave our money behind anyway.

 

 

Under the Sea Putt Putt Golf

More Under the Sea
Putt Putt Golf



          We ate at Tony Roma's.  Years ago, I found a knock-off recipe for their Carolina Honey's Bar-B-Que sauce and I've made many, many baby back ribs with that sauce. Not sure where we will eat tomorrow, but there are 100 places to chose from.  Surely we'll find someplace.  We are going back to the mall in the late afternoon, going into another section and take more pictures.  It is really a fun place.

Until next time,
Dolores 

Day 41--June 7, 2013

Today we traveled through the rest of Manitoba, all the way through Saskatchewan.  We haven’t made it to Alberta, but we will tomorrow.  When we were in Minneapolis, we had planned to enter Canada through North Dakota.  However, when we called for campground reservations, we were told the campgrounds had been evacuated because of flood water due to come that very day.  At first, we decided to sit it out and wait for the water to go away, but it was then we got news of my niece’s passing and our plans changed. 

We are now in the part of the country where the flooding took place.  I think we would have been in deep dodo if we had tried to drive through this area at the time of the floods.  All the fields are still filled with water.  And, it has been raining for the past couple of hours.  Yes, we had some rough spots in a re-routed trip, but at least we weren’t in floods.

This morning, we saw a bear dead on the side of the road and a deer (also dead) in the grill of a car down in a ditch.  Richard said it still counts as spotting wildlife.  I’m not so sure.  J

Tomorrow we will be back in the Canadian Provinces and Territories Richard and I are most familiar with and love.  Our first stop will be in Edmonton, Alberta where we will probably spend two days roaming the West Edmonton Mall.  We’ve visited this place a couple of times, and it was with the image of this mall that I wanted to go to Mall of America in Minneapolis so badly.  That mall had many very nice stores, but I was disappointed that I could go in Jacksonville to almost any of those stores.

The Edmonton Mall left a mark on my brain.  I’m not much of a shopper, but the closer we get to that massive place the more I feel an adrenalin rush surging through my body.  Must shop.  Must shop.  Must shop. 

It the largest shopping and entertainment center in North America and the Province of Alberta’s #1 attraction.  It has over 800 stores and services, 100 eating establishments, 2 hotels and 10 theme park attractions.  There is an enormous indoor water park with man-made waves for surfing; a full-scale amusement park; an ice skating rink; 2 18-hole miniature golf courses; bowling, billiards, and bingo; bumper boats; a sea lion show and underground aquarium at Sea Life Caverns.  Also located in the mall are Palace Casino, Jubilations Dinner Theatre and the IMAX 3D theater.

One of the unique stores I fell in love with was an Oriental market with any food you could name, and some I’d never heard of.   They had instructions on how to cook everything.  Very interesting.  I’ll take lots of pictures for tomorrow night’s blog.  And, Richard said he'd take pictures of me surfing and ice skating.  He is soooo funny!!!

Until next time,

Dolores