Would anyone like to buy a used motorhome???
On our way to Dease Lake, BC we broke down...again!!!! This time the alternator pulley ceased and shredded the drive belt, so we are stranded (again) this time 20 miles outside of a town instead of 280 miles.
I think we are at our wit's end with this motorhome. We will see how it goes in getting it fixed, but we may just head straight back to Alvarado, TX to Motohome Specialist when possible to trade for a decent motorhome (Sean says gasoline one).
To our family: We are fine, and we will call when we can. Love you all!!!
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
"It's Time to Say Goodbye"
Aug. 26th: Unfortunately, it was time to say goodbye to the beautiful state of Alaska and the wonderful town of Valdez, but we know it had to happen at some point. Honestly, Sean and I were dreading the Alaska Highway section after the US Border crossing and up until the Burwash Landing, Yukon area. That stretch of road is TERRIBLE! This would be our 4th trek across it as well.
On the way to Beaver Creek, Yukon, we stopped before Glenallen, AK to check out a mountain range that we previously had passed and had no idea was there due to low cloud cover. The sight was impressive.
We stopped in Tok, AK to top-off the motorhome because we didn't feel like paying the sky-high price for diesel in Beaver Creek, Yukon.
We enjoyed the paved roads for as long as we had them. Then, after we passed the US Border crossing, this is all you see for 20 miles or so...very slow miles...
Beaver Creek was a stopping for the night destination and once there the motorhome will finally be able to say that it drove the Alaska Highway and survived! And, then I formally presented Sean with a classy sticker saying so, haha!
The next morning (which was kind of cold), we headed out early to get to Whitehorse, Yukon ASAP and be done with the horrible stretch of road. Although, the road can be terrible, at least the scenery is beautiful.
Brian and Patti kindly gave us their address so we had a free place to stay the night while we are here. They have a beautiful home and spacious yards with 2 greenhouses and multiple garden patches. Wow!
Thank goodness you guys gave us permission to raid the garden, otherwise, there would have been drool-marks running down the greenhouse windows...and not from Molly, haha! Btw, Patti never told us she and Brian have award winning veggies, but you can see how they got those awards in my bounty-collecting bag!
We encountered a problem with our bedroom slide. When Sean would press the button to roll the slide out, the bed wasn't moving...this perplexed us for a moment until we realized the bed was detached from the slide! We think the Yukon must hate us because every time we try to travel through this area, something breaks.
We got everything fixed up after a while trying to figure out how to get to the brace that failed. But, this made up for anything and everything that happened to us while in the Yukon...
On the way to Beaver Creek, Yukon, we stopped before Glenallen, AK to check out a mountain range that we previously had passed and had no idea was there due to low cloud cover. The sight was impressive.
We stopped in Tok, AK to top-off the motorhome because we didn't feel like paying the sky-high price for diesel in Beaver Creek, Yukon.
We enjoyed the paved roads for as long as we had them. Then, after we passed the US Border crossing, this is all you see for 20 miles or so...very slow miles...
Beaver Creek was a stopping for the night destination and once there the motorhome will finally be able to say that it drove the Alaska Highway and survived! And, then I formally presented Sean with a classy sticker saying so, haha!
The next morning (which was kind of cold), we headed out early to get to Whitehorse, Yukon ASAP and be done with the horrible stretch of road. Although, the road can be terrible, at least the scenery is beautiful.
Brian and Patti kindly gave us their address so we had a free place to stay the night while we are here. They have a beautiful home and spacious yards with 2 greenhouses and multiple garden patches. Wow!
Thank goodness you guys gave us permission to raid the garden, otherwise, there would have been drool-marks running down the greenhouse windows...and not from Molly, haha! Btw, Patti never told us she and Brian have award winning veggies, but you can see how they got those awards in my bounty-collecting bag!
We encountered a problem with our bedroom slide. When Sean would press the button to roll the slide out, the bed wasn't moving...this perplexed us for a moment until we realized the bed was detached from the slide! We think the Yukon must hate us because every time we try to travel through this area, something breaks.
We got everything fixed up after a while trying to figure out how to get to the brace that failed. But, this made up for anything and everything that happened to us while in the Yukon...
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Fish!
Aug, 25th: We made plans the previous night to go to the local museums about mid-morning the next day with Brian and Patti. It felt great to sleep in, though when I stretched out to shake the sleepiness I noticed a bunch of sore spots from kayaking, haha!
Our first stop was to Remembering Old Valdez Exhibit. This showcased everything to do with the old Valdez townsite before, during, and after the earthquake in 1964.
Sean and I noticed a vehicle that went past us with a familiar logo on it. To be sure we were seeing correctly, we stalked the vehicle a little ways where it parked at the docks. Who would have know? It's one of The Milepost staff! Sean and I introduced ourselves, and got to chatting with the couple. Apparently the lady has worked for The Milepost since the 1970s.
Next, once we caught back up to Brian and Patti, we were going to the Valdez Museum and Historical Archive where Sean and Brian were interested to see the oil pipeline exhibit. There was a lighthouse lens on display from Cape Hinchinbrook. The lighthouse was damaged by an earthquake and then rebuilt. The lens old lens is made of brass with 68 glass prisms and weighs a total of 1,600 pounds. Using an incandescent oil vapor lamp as its light source, the light had a candle power of 234,000 which could be seen for a distance of 22 miles.
Sean took Patti and I to the Seafood Market to pick out his halibut that he was going to eat later. We found him a good looking one pound steak!
Sean and I dropped Patti back at their RV, so they could get ready to go fishing while we lounged around, haha! Once we had a short nap, we loaded up and headed over to see how their luck was going. Just as we pulled up, Patti's fishing line started darting and soon she pulled up their 4th silver salmon of the afternoon! They caught 4 that day, and a total of 6 all-in-all for 2 days work. One of these guys were soon to be our dinner!
We helped load up the catch and then we were to meet up back at the RV park to start cooking. But, Sean and I got sidetracked by "old faithful" who was back at it in Crooked Creek, and this time he had a friend!
Sean and I started the steak while Patti and Brian started the fish. There were 2 different fish we were eating: halibut and silver salmon. This is where Sean had to hold up his end of the bargain and eat the fish, since Patti and Brian both ate tabasco peppers. He tried both fish without any fuss and actually ended up liking the halibut quite a bit!
Once we finished a fabulous dessert of real canned (by Patti) peaches and ice cream, we walked around a bit and found this giant boat...and a homemade RV...
We bid each other good night and we were off to bed!
Our first stop was to Remembering Old Valdez Exhibit. This showcased everything to do with the old Valdez townsite before, during, and after the earthquake in 1964.
Sean and I noticed a vehicle that went past us with a familiar logo on it. To be sure we were seeing correctly, we stalked the vehicle a little ways where it parked at the docks. Who would have know? It's one of The Milepost staff! Sean and I introduced ourselves, and got to chatting with the couple. Apparently the lady has worked for The Milepost since the 1970s.
Next, once we caught back up to Brian and Patti, we were going to the Valdez Museum and Historical Archive where Sean and Brian were interested to see the oil pipeline exhibit. There was a lighthouse lens on display from Cape Hinchinbrook. The lighthouse was damaged by an earthquake and then rebuilt. The lens old lens is made of brass with 68 glass prisms and weighs a total of 1,600 pounds. Using an incandescent oil vapor lamp as its light source, the light had a candle power of 234,000 which could be seen for a distance of 22 miles.
Sean took Patti and I to the Seafood Market to pick out his halibut that he was going to eat later. We found him a good looking one pound steak!
Sean and I dropped Patti back at their RV, so they could get ready to go fishing while we lounged around, haha! Once we had a short nap, we loaded up and headed over to see how their luck was going. Just as we pulled up, Patti's fishing line started darting and soon she pulled up their 4th silver salmon of the afternoon! They caught 4 that day, and a total of 6 all-in-all for 2 days work. One of these guys were soon to be our dinner!
We helped load up the catch and then we were to meet up back at the RV park to start cooking. But, Sean and I got sidetracked by "old faithful" who was back at it in Crooked Creek, and this time he had a friend!
Sean and I started the steak while Patti and Brian started the fish. There were 2 different fish we were eating: halibut and silver salmon. This is where Sean had to hold up his end of the bargain and eat the fish, since Patti and Brian both ate tabasco peppers. He tried both fish without any fuss and actually ended up liking the halibut quite a bit!
Once we finished a fabulous dessert of real canned (by Patti) peaches and ice cream, we walked around a bit and found this giant boat...and a homemade RV...
We bid each other good night and we were off to bed!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Glacier Fun
Yesterday, our day started by meeting our tour guide, John Moffett (Owner of RRM Watersports), for the kayaking trip and following him out to Valdez Glacier, where we were to leave the Jeep and walk down to the glacier's lake. We were super excited that Sean and I were the only ones lined up for the 9am tour!
We helped unload the kayaks we were going to use, and this is where John went through a few safety tips and pointers on what to do in case the kayak rolls over out in the water. We got dressed in our life-jackets and "skirts", which was a huge relief to us as it was very windy and cold. We were instantly warm with the gear on!
John helped us in our respective kayaks and fit the "skirts" around the edge to keep spray water off of us. He gave us a nudge, and we were off into the water. I was weary about getting my camera wet with the water spray, so I didn't any pictures of us getting to the glacier and how big the waves (yes, waves) were due to the wind. I did however get a picture of myself being towed in, like a wimp, after battling to keep my kayak straight through the waves. I just had no energy left and could not feel my arms anymore. I'm sure that the wind was blowing so hard that I was not making any forward progress anymore and had actually seen myself going backward...So, I wimped out and finally called for the tour guide to tow me, haha!
I tried to keep the slack off the rope he was using to tow me, so he wouldn't have any more burden than was necessary. I was able to keep up with John in that respect, and it was a HUGE relief knowing that after all the effort I was putting into paddling that I wouldn't end up back where we started.
Finally, we caught up to Sean, which everyone knows is good at nearly everything he does, haha! He had turned around a few times to check on me, but was having his own problems paddling through the waves himself. At this point, we are right next to the glacier.
This was where Sean untied the rope holding my kayak to John's, and we all took a needed rest for a few minutes. Then we were soon off to explore!
There were many waterfalls through the ice, which are referred to as "glacier plumbing" that releases some pressure built up by melting areas. There are also lots of caves, but due to the instability of the ice it wasn't safe to explore those areas. So, we kept our distance and got some photos.
We were astounded by the blue hue of the glacier ice. It is the deepest sky blue! This apparently is due to refraction of all the other colors except for this beautiful blue color.
Sean and I never realized that the glacier ice is covered in small rocks and dirt. This happens when the ice rubs against the rocky edges of the mountains where it slides. Over time this ice makes its way down to the water's edge and you will sometimes see what you think are islands, but in fact are icebergs that move with the wind.
Before we knew it, it was time to head back. This is what all of us were waiting for because now the wind was behind us! It took us about an 1 1/2 hours to make it over to the glacier, and about 5 minutes to make it back to the parking area. Now that's more like it!
We helped get everything back over to John's truck. Sean and I lingered in our lifejackets and "skirts" until the last possible second because it was still a bit chilly, haha! Thanks again John! It was a wonderful and beautiful trip. And, sorry you had to tow me in, lol!
Sean and I were racing back to the motorhome to take hot showers and relax a little before walking around the small boat harbor and Valdez. That's where we found the perfect description of Valdez: "Switzerland...the Valdez of Europe."
The boat launch was super busy again, which we figured would happen being it was Saturday. After that we had a lazy day!
We helped unload the kayaks we were going to use, and this is where John went through a few safety tips and pointers on what to do in case the kayak rolls over out in the water. We got dressed in our life-jackets and "skirts", which was a huge relief to us as it was very windy and cold. We were instantly warm with the gear on!
John helped us in our respective kayaks and fit the "skirts" around the edge to keep spray water off of us. He gave us a nudge, and we were off into the water. I was weary about getting my camera wet with the water spray, so I didn't any pictures of us getting to the glacier and how big the waves (yes, waves) were due to the wind. I did however get a picture of myself being towed in, like a wimp, after battling to keep my kayak straight through the waves. I just had no energy left and could not feel my arms anymore. I'm sure that the wind was blowing so hard that I was not making any forward progress anymore and had actually seen myself going backward...So, I wimped out and finally called for the tour guide to tow me, haha!
I tried to keep the slack off the rope he was using to tow me, so he wouldn't have any more burden than was necessary. I was able to keep up with John in that respect, and it was a HUGE relief knowing that after all the effort I was putting into paddling that I wouldn't end up back where we started.
Finally, we caught up to Sean, which everyone knows is good at nearly everything he does, haha! He had turned around a few times to check on me, but was having his own problems paddling through the waves himself. At this point, we are right next to the glacier.
This was where Sean untied the rope holding my kayak to John's, and we all took a needed rest for a few minutes. Then we were soon off to explore!
There were many waterfalls through the ice, which are referred to as "glacier plumbing" that releases some pressure built up by melting areas. There are also lots of caves, but due to the instability of the ice it wasn't safe to explore those areas. So, we kept our distance and got some photos.
We were astounded by the blue hue of the glacier ice. It is the deepest sky blue! This apparently is due to refraction of all the other colors except for this beautiful blue color.
Sean and I never realized that the glacier ice is covered in small rocks and dirt. This happens when the ice rubs against the rocky edges of the mountains where it slides. Over time this ice makes its way down to the water's edge and you will sometimes see what you think are islands, but in fact are icebergs that move with the wind.
Before we knew it, it was time to head back. This is what all of us were waiting for because now the wind was behind us! It took us about an 1 1/2 hours to make it over to the glacier, and about 5 minutes to make it back to the parking area. Now that's more like it!
We helped get everything back over to John's truck. Sean and I lingered in our lifejackets and "skirts" until the last possible second because it was still a bit chilly, haha! Thanks again John! It was a wonderful and beautiful trip. And, sorry you had to tow me in, lol!
Sean and I were racing back to the motorhome to take hot showers and relax a little before walking around the small boat harbor and Valdez. That's where we found the perfect description of Valdez: "Switzerland...the Valdez of Europe."
The boat launch was super busy again, which we figured would happen being it was Saturday. After that we had a lazy day!
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