We spent the last night sleeping

in what amounted to nothing more than an abandoned campground. This is the one spot where I really worried about bears. And it was cold that night. And wet. Every time my knit hat would slip off of my head I would wake up to put it back on. It is also the night that I slept with my car keys in my hand and the jeep parked directly in front of the tent just in case we needed to make a quick escape. Thankfully, we didn't have any unwanted visitors during the night, we just woke up with frozen fingers and toes.




As I mentioned, that abandoned campground was run by a French Canadian couple. I don't know if the food was really as good as it smelled, but we were hungry and cold. The wood stove was crackling, and the kitchen had wonderful bakery smells emanating from it. There were fresh cinnamon buns along with several types of cookies in the glass display case. And fresh baked loaves of bread.....




It is also the only restaurant I have ever been to where there was only one restroom. The restroom had two stalls, one for ladies and one for men. I'm not sure why they even bothered to label the stalls.




Anyway, as Jake and I were eating our fresh crepes (full of ham, eggs and peppers) and fresh hot coffee, an older couple came in for breakfast. We started chatting and they said, "Oh yes, we saw a big grizzly just about 5 miles up the road". Words cannot express the relief I felt that we had made it through the night without incident and we were packed up and ready to go.




And so we went. It was about 400 miles to home and only about 50 miles to the border. It was much easier to get into the US then it was to get into Canada. Jake was very disappointed that we did not get any stamps on our passports. As soon as we crossed back into the states the quality of the road changed for the better. There was fresh pavement, and visibly lines on the road. And no more frost heave. At least not for the first 50 miles. Once again, the road was primarily straight, and easy drive in the rain.









I know there are mountains somewhere behind those clouds












And so we drove.




It was really an uneventful and slightly boring drive. But every so often, the sun would come out and I could glimpse some mountains in the distance. About 100 miles away from home the sun came out and those mountains came into full view.


























This is the Matanuska Glacier. My understanding is you can drive pretty close to this one, and I think there are trails you can walk on out to it. For me, it was a delightful find. How cool is it to have this beautiful piece of nature so close to home?




Jake and I only enjoyed the view for a short time. At this point we were both antsy to get back home. Back into the car it was and much to my surprise, the easy drive turned back into a twisting turning maze of a mountain-hugging road. This was not what I expected or needed after all the driving I had done. Retrospectively, it was a short drive, but you know how you get when you are coming home after traveling? You just can't think of anything but getting home, and that's the zone that I was in mentally.




About 45 minutes after we passed the glacier, we stopped for gas one last time and finally turned onto a road where I could look around and say "hey - I know where I am". Another 45 minutes and we were pulling into our driveway. Unfortunately, I forgot to change our clock to Alaska time once we crossed the border. This was a problem because Steve was going to have pizza ready for dinner for us. He kept asking, "what time will you be home", and I said 7:30. Which was right if I was still in the Yukon, but I wasn't. That explains why I stepped into the house at 6:30 and surprised the heck out of Steve who had been waiting to make dinner.




It was a wonderful trip. I'd do it again. And if I do, I'll share the experience with you.




What do you think? Would you want to come with?

The Midway point

is about where we are. We have been on the road for 5 full days and have visited the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Devils Tower, and the Royal Tyrell Museum in Canada. Tonight we are at a hotel, for a variety of reasons, but mainly because we could be. I have so much to say, but limited time. It is midnight, and tomorrow we need to be back on the road. It is a luxury tonight to have been able to swim and stretch in the pool. And tonight we each have a queen size bed to sleep in, not a sleeping bag into which we had to add another sleeping bag to keep warm. It seems that I had planned so much of this trip except for one detail - it's cold!! I heard the other night that it was 20 degrees and snowing in Yellowstone. Since I can see the snow on the mountains in the distance, I imagine that we would find the same conditions in the Rockies. At some point we will find ourselves in the mountains, but not yet!

I did want to post some pictures so you can share in part of our trip. I will add narrative at some other time. Probably when we get home. I figure we have driven about 2000 miles and have about another 1900 to go. No more planned side trips, so we might make a little better time. Even so, at this rate we should be back home on Friday, just like I planned. Enjoy the pictures...

before the Badlands and the rain

Americana showing its funky self

Badlands in the rain

Jake in the Badlands and rain

Jeepin' in the Badlands

Our neighbors at campsite #2

This was a gem of a little campsite we found quite by accident. It poured on us this night, but we stayed (thankfully) dry.  The next day we drove past Sturgis.  I had wanted to stop, but it just wasn't worth it in the downpour.



Wyoming... a dream come true for me



They had one of the best Visitor Centers I've ever seen

Devils Tower as seen from afar

Do you know the legend? 



Campsite #3   We met another Mom and her 15 year old daughter who were also on the road.  They were from Ohio. It was nice to visit with each other



I don't know who this guy is.  He parked next to us outside of Gander Mountain somewhere in Montana, Great Falls I think. I'm glad he parked next to us, and given all the empty spaces in the lot - I think he did it on purpose.  Jeepwave to you bud!

Campsite #4 Right over the Canadian Border.  That's a trout stream in the background

At the Royal Tryell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta.  It took us waaay off our route, but was a gem of a spot.

Canadian Badlands

Jeepin' in the Canadian Badlands at the Museum

On the first day of the journey

I saw a riverbed, but it was full of the mighty Mississipi River, not rocks and things.  Well, there probably are rocks and things, just under lots of water.

But before we get to the river, we have to pack.  And we did on what was a 96 degree day.  Hot and humid, and I am reminded of the fact that I really don't like that type of weather...  So here we are getting ready for the Big Adventure

Of course, I wanted to leave bright and early today, so I was awake at 3 AM.  I had to convince myself to go back to sleep, but I finally succeeded, and then I overslept.  So instead of taking off at 8 AM, it was more like 9:30 by the time we got rolling.  But that's ok. It gave us some time for a dance recital first.  And a visit from a dear friend.

Jake and I made some pretty good time across Wisconsin.  We did stop for lunch outside of Wisconsin Dells at Culvers.  It was a request of Jake's, and an easy one to fulfill.  It wasn't long after that that we came to the Mississippi River.  If I had realized there was a Rest Stop on the banks once you cross over the bridge, I would have stopped, but we were passed the Stop before I realized what it was.

We did have a technical malfunction.  The tarp that we put over the trailer was not very strong, and it about half way across Minnesota I noticed it was billowing, especially when we were passing, or being passed, by a semi.  The tarp would create enough drag that I could feel it until we were away from the semi.  We managed to find a Wal-Mart and bought a newer and improved version of a tarp, more bungee cords and more tie-down straps.  The last 175 miles were no trouble, so hopefully we are set for the rest of the journey.  The stop did slow us up some, and I didn't think we would make it to South Dakota today.  But we did.  We are camping at a KOA is Sioux City.  It is also not far from the highway, and apparently not far from the airport either.  But hey, we didn't come here for the atmosphere.  Tonights dinner was at Perkins where Jake ate his second cheeseburger of the day.  I swear I am going to start taking pictures of every burger he eats.  He may have about 20 by the time we get back home.

Minnesota was pretty and green.  But it's so early in the season that you can't tell what the crops are.  We passed a few Amish farms, but most of the land was just field.  And hardly any cows.  They really must all live in Wisconsin.  We did come across these cows when we stopped for gas.



Ok, it's getting late and tomorrow's drive is about 400 miles across the state of South Dakota.  I'll post where and when I can!

Until next time!

**Addendum**

I apologoze to those of you who are receiving this as a duplicate post.  I did not have the option to save as a draft last night, and I"m not sure why.  So this morning I am trying to fill in the blanks and use the free wifi provided by the KOA.  It's slow at best.

I also discovered/remembered a few things during the night.
1.  I am a very restless sleeper and when in a mummy sleeping bag I get all tangled up with myself and the bag.
2. It can be very cold sleeping outdoors.
3.  Birds do not wake at dawn to sing. They wake at 3 AM and when I am tangled and cold (please refer to points 1 and 2 above) I don't sleep great.  Not that I sleep great anyway...
4. Although this KOA is lacking in atmosphere, it makes up for it in the cleanliness of the facility and the pleasantness of the employees.
5.  But their internet is really slow.  I will try one more time to load some photos, but I have to wake Jake up.  It's about 7:15 AM and I am showered, half-way thru a cup of coffee, and ready to pack and go!