Byerly50BeforeAlaska

Whitecourt, Canada

Fri, 06 Jul 2018 16:50:00 -0600

Cool weather with a dark room. Slept in unto 8:30 am. Recovery from vacation. Traveled 300 miles to Whitecourt Lions RV park. Scenery has changed to rolling hills. We are 260 miles from Dawson Creek. It has been recommended to us that we gas up before entering British Columbia due to higher gas prices in BC.

Scenery has changed.

Linda's favorite fire bug.

Sunset

Canmore, Canada

Tue, 03 Jul 2018 16:50:00 -0600

Back to condo for evening July 4 Wednesday. A quiet day again. Took short trip into downtown Banff. Noticeable increase in visitors. Last day for Banff souvenirs. Ice cream then back to condo. Did chores to prepare to leave tomorrow. July 5 Thursday is a transition day. Dave and Cheryl leave to return home. They arrive at Calgary and return their rental car without incident. Their flight was to Chicago. However, due to storms in Chicago, their plan has to land in Madison, Wisconsin. Bruce and Linda spend the day repacking the RV and prepare for an early night rest. High temperatures are beginning to affect the northwest.

Thinking of Dan B

Catch the name of this honey vendor.

Linda enjoying local raspberries

Last opportunity for photos in Banff.

Beautiful summer Canadian flowers

Two US citizens celebrating 4th of July with a Canadian moose.

Horse and buggy ride thru downtown Banff. Traffic too heavy for a carriage ride.

End the visit with ice cream

Outdoor restaurant in Canmore. Excellent steak and pork chops.

Beautiful flowers in bloom

Playing in the train

Canmore express

Final Canmore mountain view from RV

Normal temperatures had been between 50 and 60 degrees.

Athabasca, Canada

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 16:50:00 -0600

Day trip to Jasper National Park. Drive along the Icefields Parkway. Did many stops along the way for viewing. Stopped at Herbert Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, climbed to Bow Summit to view Peyto Lake. Had picnic lunch at Bow Lake. Highlight of the day was the Icefield Centre were we boarded the Ice Explorer which took us to the Athabasca glacier where we were able to walk on and experience the glacier. AWESOME beauty but cold. Also went on the Skywalk which overlooks the valley and ridges created by the glaciers. Windy which made conditions colder than the glaciers. Trip up was about 6 hours with about 2 hours at the Discovery Centre. Return trip without stopping took 2 hours. GREAT day.

Herbert Lake. Beautiful blue sky which made for great reflection on the lake. Herbert Lake is a photographer 's favorite. The still waters of Herbert Lake provides a perfect panoramic reflection of the stunning Main Range peaks, including Mount Temple.

Bruce looking for bear tracks along the waters edge.

Beginning to bundle up from the chilly weather. Thin Florida blood.

View of Bow River with Crowfoot Glacier in background.

Stunning blue waters of the Bow River.

When Crowfoot Glacier was named a century ago, it looked like a three-towed crowsfoot. Since then, one toe has melted and the middle toe is slowly disappearing.

Num-ti-Jah Lodge at Bow Glacier

Bow Glacier

Picture time again.

Family photo with glacier in background.

After lunch, a short uphill walk from the crowded parking area to a view of the glacier-fed, brilliantly turquoise Peyto Lake. Three hikers huffing and puffing.

Summit view of Peyto Lake.

Peyto Lake

Viewing of glacier that feeds Peyto Lake

Speaks for itself

First sighting of Athabasca Glacier.

Background of Athabasca Glacier.

Recommended to arrive mid-afternoon. Still very crowded.

Hang on. Going downhill to the glacier.

Ice Explorer

Athabasca Glacier

Cold but on the glacier.

Very much in love with each other AND the beauty of Canada.

Awed by the blue glacier waters

Huge tires on the Ice Explorer. Similar vehicles are used in Antarctica.

Sky has improved. Able to see more of glacier.

The Sky Walk

View of the glacier created valley from the Sky Walk.

Waterfall viewing from Sky Walk

Three very cold tourists on the Sky Walk.

Valley view with flowing glacier river.

Beginning of growth in soil left behind by glacier.

Car shots on the return trip home.

Linda used Icefield Parkways driving guide.

Canmore, Canada

Sun, 01 Jul 2018 16:50:00 -0600

Sunday was a day of rest from vacation. Just chilled out in the condo. Bruce and David made a fine breakfast of bacon, blueberry pancakes, tea, and orange juice. Linda followed the Ray's winning over the Houston Astros. Early dinner at Blake's of garlic lamb, thai baby back ribs, summer salad, and garlic mashed potatoes with carmelized onions. All plates were empty. Great meal.

Great feast

Restaurant view

Meal all done.

Cheryl calling it a day.

Lake Louise, Canada

Sat, 30 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0600

Day trip to Lake Louise in Canada. Took the regional bus from Banff train station to Lake Louise for $7.50 each round trip. Bargain. Visited the Lakeshore then took bus to ski lodge where we had lunch at the Bears Den and then went up on the gondola. Unfortunately rain got the best of us again. However, we experienced the sighting of a mother grizzly bear with two Cubs at the lakeshore.

Waiting for bus at train station

First glimpse of Lake Louise

Picture taking time

Linda's favorite shot of the lake and Victoria ice glacier.

Group picture at Fairmont Chateau Louise

Street view of Fairmont Chateau Louise

Bear sighting of mother grizzle and two cubs

Lake view of Fairmont Chateau Loiise.

Linda's favorite person

Bruce and David

Glacier delta

Horses on their way up to the tea house.

Lunch at the Bears Den with Dave and Cheryl

Bears Den at the ski lodge

Gondola time which unfortunately is the start of rain

Board showing ski slopes

Ski lodge

Patches of snow

Now that we have finished the gondola, the rain has cleared. Good picture of gondolas at the ski lodge.

The end of the day at the ski slopes

Interior of the lodge

Favorite shot of the bears

Banff, Canada

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0600

Spent the day with David and Cheryl in Banff National Park. Went on boat cruise at Lake Minnewanka. Then decided to take public transportation to downtown Banff, Gondolas then back to downtown Banff and finally back to Lake Minnewanka. Public transportation was the way to go as parking could have been a challenge. Scenery was awesome. However rain became an issue at the top of the gondola trip. Fortunately, the viewing platforms were indoors.

Best breakfast chefs in the world!!!

Wake up to cozy fireplace

Arrival at Banff NP

Lake Minnewanka CRUISE ship.

Lake Minnewanka

Rocky mountain sheep while using public transport

Cheryl and Dave on gondola going up.

Going up.

A little damp on the top of the gondola ride.

No rain on this side of mountain

Rain has cleared and able to get outside. Cool temperature.

Able to warm hands with sister Cheryl and brother-in-law Dave.

View from top of gondola

Beautiful scenery

Royalty

Great picture representing Canada

Intriguing sheep on the hillside

Fairmont Springs Hotel with river viewed from top of gondola.

Canmore, Canada

Thu, 28 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0600

Busy day transitioning to condo. We were blessed by a RV Park next door to the condo. The owner was very helpful in letting us park the RV on a small area of grass. Met up with David and Cheryl and explored Canmore. Checked into condo at 4 pm. Spent the evening settling in.

RV quilt. Linda is undecided on buying package to make the quilt.

Neat art piece

View from 7th Avenue in Canmore

Our home away from home.

Banff, Canada

Wed, 27 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0600

Took a day trip into Banff. Found a parking spot with no difficulty. Walked thru the downtown stores then went to the park where a Farmers Market is held every Wednesday. Was impressed with the natural park atmosphere. Also went to Lake Minnewanka. Bruce said he had itchy fingers as Linda had asked him not to take pictures until David and Cheryl arrived. The ban on picture taking did not last long.

Welcome to Banff

First glimpse of downtown Banff.

Presbyterian church in downtown Banff. Was impressed with stain glass over the entry door.

Downtown Banff

Carriage rides were available

Park area for Farmers Market

Farmers Market in the park

View from where we sat on grass and enjoyed a sandwich

The sandwich vendor

Lake Minnewanka

Watching walkers on top of land stretching into Lake Minnewanka

Canmore, Canada

Mon, 25 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0600

WE ARRIVED after 3200 miles just outside of Banff. Now we will load many photos of the area. June 26. Woke up to RV being 56 degrees, 41 degrees outside. Turned heat on. Bruce got up to check heater and noticed water on bathroom floor. Water feed to the toilet was leaking. Had to replace the clamp on the main water feed to the toilet. Linda was very thankful of his fix it abilities. Spent the morning looking for a place to park RV while in condo with Dave and Cheryl. This issue still needs to be resolved. In the afternoon, hiked up the mountain to Lake Grassi. Gorgeous views. Enjoyed the friendliness of other hikers.

No more plains the view is different.

View from a road side stop.

RV all snuggled in place in the valley.

This mountain is called The Three Sisters.

More northern flowers.

My honey smuggled up to a bear.

The map shows the various paths. The easy path was the upper route.

View start of the hike.

Mountain lilies

First view of Bow River with Canmore in background

Made it to the first lake.

Awesome cold but colorful lake

The second lake

Can you see the rock climbers?

Plaque

Exhausted. Where is the down elevator?

Waterfall between the two lakes.

View from the top.

Alberta is home of the wild rose..

Mossleigh, Canada

Sun, 24 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0600

Today's travel took us thru the Canadian plains on the trans Canadian Highway. We entered Alberta, Canada. The evening was spent at Aspen Crossing Campgrounds which is a relaxing oasis of pines, aspens, and trains. Had dinner at the Aspen Crossing which is a stationary 1887 Pullman dining car.

The landscape has fields of bright yellow which we learned is canola.

Canadian Pacific Cabin which sleeps up to 5 people. Rates are $199 to $289 a night.

Northern Alberta Railroad Cabin which sleeps 6. Rates are $239 to $329 a night.

Union Pacific Cabin which sleeps 4 people. Rates are $149 to $209 a night.

Dinner at the dining car.

Gorgeous northern flowers everywhere

Can you find the giraffe

The Pullman dining car

Caronport, Canada

Sat, 23 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0600

Today's travels took us from the United States to Canada where we crossed the border in Portal, North Dakota. We had our first experience in trying to figure out how many liters to a gallon and to convert km to miles. To make matters more difficult, Linda had to figure out how to use international data roaming so Google was not an option. We are camped at Besant Campground in Caron, Saskatchewan which is a private remote campsite on a hillside with electricity. Long hoses run from a central location for water. Temperature is in the 70s. Rain storm last night. Suzanne would be proud of us. We spent the quiet evening assembling a 300 piece puzzle.

Our hillside camp site.

Minot, United States

Thu, 21 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0500

A short day traveling today. Google Maps routed us thru the back roads which turned out to be about 15 miles shorter. Two lane roads mostly 65 mph. Flat land. Took a detour to Camp Wal-Mart. Was able to get lunch at Buffalo Wings and shopping done. On the way to Roughrider Campground, we forgot to get gas. But a mile before the campground, we came upon a flying J where we got gas and also propane. Linda began to notice that darkness was not happening. It is daylight at 10 pm. Fortunately, the bedroom in the RV can be closed up for darkness. Did not expect the daylight phenomenon until closer to Alaska.

Well about 30 min from camp on the way to Minot, N.D. a black bird misjudged us, may it rest in peace, the photo shows it all! We have impact safe windows for small soft objects!! Bird hit the passenger side of the front windshield.

This was our stop in this town of N.D.

This is a seed pod from a cottonwood poplar. They are so heavy here at times it looks like fluffy snow fall as the seeds like dandelions fill the air.

It gets dark when?

Jamestown, United States

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0500

Went over the 2000 mile mark today. Travel on I94 which is a nice 4 lane road thru Minnesota and North Dakota. Views were mostly of farm land. Gas stations are distance apart.

Farm land view from rest area.

Maple Grove, United States

Tue, 19 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0500

Did get an early start which was to our advantage as the day was rainy and cool. Drove thru Wisconsin into Minnesota. Traffic around Minneapolis was slow going but arrived before rush hour. KOA Campground is northwest of Minneapolis. Goal of this part of trip is to get where we are going. No sightseeing. Bruce is doing a fantastic job with driving.

Utica, United States

Sun, 17 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0500

As the time zone had changed, we got an early start. Spent the day traveling. Linda noticed a billboard for Cracker Barrel. As it was lunch time, we decided to eat there as the Sunday special is fried boneless chicken, big enough for two. We were fortunate in that there was a Wal-Mart within walking distance to Cracker Barrel. This made for easy parking, great food, did some shopping, and filled RV with gas. As Sunday was Father's Day, the server inquired about our father's. Got a little teary eyed in telling him about Dad. Good day overall. Arrived at KOA campground. Monday July 19 was an off the road day. After we slept in late, we did chores around the RV. Bruce made a loaf of bread while Linda cleaned out emails and caught up on bills. Laundry day again. Temperature was in 90s so hung out in RV doing reading. Afternoon had shade over the pool so enjoyed the campground pool. BBQ turkey for dinner. Quiet evening. Turned in at 9.pm with intent of rising early.

This is the view from the area here called The Honeymoon suite, an out of the way place for campers with no hookups.

This is the view from our camp site.

The bridge is over a cool rushing creek that winds through the whole area around us. Reminds me of the living water of the Lord!

Eddyville, United States

Sat, 16 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0500

Back on the road again. Traveled thru the NC mountains, all of Tennessee, and 50 miles into Kentucky. Change in time. 94 degrees. Yuk

Franklin, United States

Fri, 15 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0400

On Friday. June 15, went to Franklin. NC to visit with Bob, Rita, and Ann Marie Mast who are friends we met thru the Winnebago GNR and the Caloosa Winnies.

Bob enjoys antique cars. This 1929 is a beauty.

View from the back porch of the Mast home. Gorgeous

Lunch with Bob and Rita at the Gazebo in Franklin, NC. Delicious menu choices.

Home of Bob and Rita Mast in Franklin, NC

With the daughter Ann Marie who is a sweetheart

Whittier, United States

Thu, 14 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0400

On Thursday, June 14, spent the day at camp. Caught up listening to Calvary Chapel messages, read a little, did wash, cleaned and wax hood of car so that Tow Shield would rub on wax and not finish. Dinner with Dawn, Jim, Tristan, Albert, and Karen.

Pisgah, United States

Wed, 13 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0400

On Wednesday, June 13, spent the day on the Blue Ridge Parkway with lunch at the Pisgah Inn.

Took a trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Start of trip was clear but became a victim of low flying clouds.

Mountain flowers were still in bloom.

Pretty orange flowers on the mountain.

This is how much we can see at the highest elevation.

My honey taking pictures of the clouds.

Deep pink flowers.

Took a hike up the mountain. Uphill was difficult on these Florida legs but we made it to the top. Could see from the Shenandoah Valley to the Smoky Mountains.

Can you find our vehicle?

View from the top.

Climbed this going up. View is going down.

View from Pisgah Inn, south.

After lunch a Kodak moment.

Relaxing after a good meal.

Waynesville, United States

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0400

On Tuesday, June 12, took a trip into Waynesville NC.

Linda and Karen in "candyland" which is the bottom floor of the Mast General Store in Waynesville NC. $8.99 for a pound of candy.

Took a trip into Waynesville NC today. Linda loves blue spruce trees and was fond of this tree. Enjoy the trees when we can as they do not grow in Florida.

Cherokee, United States

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0400

On Monday, June 11 went to the Visitors Center at the start of the Great Smokey Mountain NP.

Went looking for Elk today. Unfortunately the elk were not in the area.

Went to visitor center just before Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Great walking trail along the river's edge. Walked 3 miles with 70 degree temperature.

Three little pigs along walking trail

Fly fishing in river. Catch and release. Good conditions but did not observe any catching being done.