Reflections...

Here's the final map of my overnight stays - RED is outbound. BLUE is my return.

My last day out, I drove 720 miles.

 
I learned a lot during this long trip.
These are MY personal reflections; your mileage may vary.

I learned how I like to travel and how I don't like to travel.

I learned traveling with a large(r) group is difficult (for me).

I learned that I am more of a homebody that I realized. 

I learned the Mobile Marlin is really enjoyable when using ALL of its intended amenities (toilet and shower).

I learned to empty the toilet paper bag every day.

I learned that no matter how careful I am about stowing stuff, SOMETHING that shouldn't be there will greet me from the floor when I open the trailer door.

I learned I jumped into this trip too soon after the death of my husband.

I learned I may have been running away from said loss.

I learned how to dry camp.

I learned that an occasional overnight in a Walmart lot is acceptable after a long day's drive.

I learned that my new little Honda generator became the world's most expensive hairdryer.

I learned Abby is an excellent traveler.

I learned that the miles per gallon difference between 50-55 and 65-70 is HUGE.

I learned that the most expensive gas along the Alaska Highway (in Yukon) was $6.99 per gallon.

I learned that that amount was beyond what I was willing to pay.

I learned that I WAS willing to pay $6.88 per gallon. :(

I learned that Alaska is very beautiful.

I learned that Beth (Forum founder) in Valdez is a great "hostess".

I learned that there is no place like home.

I learned that I could never fulltime in an RV.

I learned how much I could miss my family and friends.

And most of all - I learned that there is not enough money in the world to get me to drive the Alaska Highway again! :)


Now, on to expenses (rounded up):

• Meals Out = $400
• Overnight Accommodations = $675
• Gas = $3,000
• Miscellaneous = $900

TOTAL EXPENSES = $4,975 for 50 days =  ~ $100/day
 Miles Driven = 9,200


The End.

Okay, So I'm A Little Nervous

I drove and drove and drove today, I think close to 500 miles. Was going to stop at an RV park, but didn't like its looks. Onward to Watson Lake. Campground totally full, except for two little back-ins with huge motor homes in the front. Now you all know I suck at backing in, so on to Otter Creek, another hour ahead. No campground, contrary to what I was told in Watson Lake. Onward. Tired. A restless pooch.

Saw 3 black bears, a dead grizzly (I could have lived the rest of my days without seeing that), and just up the road from where I parked for the night - a mommy griz and 2 cubs! I think I may have worn out my new van brakes today!









So, here I am, continuing my maturation in the world of RVing...my first ever solo dry camping, and my first time using the generator for its intended purpose! Then, I took a shower while dry camping...another first! (used genny to dry my hair.)

Anyway, I am a little nervous about bahrs...there's bahr scat right where I put my genny. Gotta be bahr - it's big and hairy. No letting the little beast roam freely tonight! And my bear spray is sitting on the counter, all ready to be put to use on man or beast (no, not Abby).







Good night, all. Be home soon!

Location:Somewhere South of Watson Lake

How Can You Not Love Valdez?

What a great little city, and the Lulu Belle is a top shelf tour! Beth has a great spot to work for the summer.

Piloting...


Spotting...


Food prepping...




Captain Fred is one amazing captain! Why, his navigation skills alone are worth the price of admission. Check out the bow pulpit...it never touched!



Here are some of the sights we were privileged to see.

Columbia ice fields






Dall porpoises (they played with us for the longest time, and distance).









Lady in the rock. Do you see her?



Beautiful scenery
















Sea lions by the dozens













Icebergs from the Columbia Glacier



And bald eagles






All from this gorgeous vessel known as The Lulu Belle out of Valdez, AK.



Oh, yes - and sea otters that look like Vickie...



What a marvelous time!



I toured one of Valdez's museums. Do you know what this is?


Don't peek...
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Location:Valdez, AK

Addendum To Thursday

A couple of you reading this will appreciate what I am about to say (sorry, and thankfully, no photos...)

I took the FIRST SHOWER EVER in The Mobile Marlin just now...

This trip has so expanded my abilities - in The Mobile Marlin, I can now big potty AND take a shower. Of course, in both instances, I am highly conscientious about water and power usage.

Thank you and good-night.

 --- The Big Girl ---

Valdez

I drove to Valdez to visit with our Forum Founder, Beth. Beth, a full-timer, is working in Valdez on the tour vessel - The Lulu Belle. I can't wait for my turn tomorrow!

Anyway, on the drive here, I passed through this huge pass. And some beautiful waterfalls. But there was a bunch of construction so photos would have been difficult.

This screen shot of my GPS perplexes me. Note the elevation (top right).

Last night, Beth and I went out for a Mexican dinner. It was very good. Wine was okay and Beth's margarita - not so much. No pics. We forgot. 

Oh, before dinner, we hurried across the street to see all the eagles that come most afternoons to be fed, or check out whether they will be fed. What an amazing sight (and difficult for me to photograph). I hope to see them again this afternoon. 

This morning, we took the pooches (Abby and Peaches) for a nice long walk before Beth had to get ready for her work day. It was a great walk and I know all four of us enjoyed it. Alas, however, no bears were spotted. Maybe this evening or tomorrow...

But I did see some sights.

A Peter Toth statue:

A beautiful vista:

A Fat Mermaid and a Walrus (and butt shots of two dogs):

And last, but certainly not least, the Lulu Belle in the harbor (foreground):

That's as far as I've made it. I decided to spend one more night here (3 total) and take The Lulu Belle Cruise tomorrow (so far, WAY less crowded and supposed to be another beautiful day).

Thank you, Beth, for a great first day and night!!

Started The Journey Home

I am homesick. I am going home. No rush. Just going to meander my way southeast...

Drove over 400 miles today, including an out-of-the-way trip to Anchorage to have my tires balanced. I don't know why Toyota in Fairbanks, who rotated them yesterday, put them back on unbalanced! Grrrrrr...so, 80 miles out of the way and $60 later, I'm shimmy free (thank you once again, George (my friend George, not "MY" George))!!

Took the Glenn Highway from Anchorage, heading toward Valdez. OMGosh - the scenery is unbelievably breathtaking!

 

 

I finally stopped for the night at Grand View RV Park in Glacier View AK. I ordered a pizza from the small (and beautiful, both inside and out) cafe and sat outside with a glass of wine, the Beast, and a very good pizza, looking at this view:

Good night. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY tomorrow, Nan!!!!

Still Rollin' North

My (our) route to date:




Expenses to date:

Breakfast = $37

Lunch = $72

Dinner = $45

Sleep = $425 (33 nights, including two at my sister's, or average $14/night))
(puts the occasional Walmart overnight into perspective!)

Misc = $651 (includes a cheap Sirius radio, groceries, new Tracfone cell phone, phone card, etc.)

GAS = $1,165

Average total cost per diem = $73 (about half of which is gas)

Most expensive gas = Tetsa River @ USD 6.80/US gallon!

Average gas = $3.23 gallon (3,570 miles/$1,165) (let's just call it $3.50, in case I've forgotten some gas...)
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Isn't getting dark until long after 10:00 - WAY past my bedtime!

The road to Watson Lake is closed due to flooding and mud slides. People (which people, I don't know) have been evacuated and supposedly Watson Lake ran out of food. Tourists were advised to not venture into the area to avoid putting more stress on an already stressed area. The road should be open to semi-truck traffic tonight, and that is supposed to take 8 hours to clear. At that point, (Wed morning), we should be able to continue northward.

Left Tetsa River Campground Regional Park this morning (Tuesday). Nice little park, about 2km off the highway down a gravel road. Had some busy (and big) beavers in the area.



On a short hike, we readied our cameras "just in case" Liz fell in! (she didn't.)



Stopped at the next place just down the road for one of their world famous cinnamon buns and coffee (but mostly their free wifi). This is the sign on the gas pump - NO SNIVELING - owner has a real funny sense of humor! But I guess that's the price you pay for a room with a view these days!



Stopped at Summit Lake, which is the highest point along the Alaska Highway, at 4,250'. Then stopped at Muncho Lake. (I did not snack.)






And there goes Liz rolling on down the highway...



Saw beautiful vistas and some Stone sheep along the way.










Finally rested our bones at Laird Hot Springs at free overnight parking area across the street from the provincial park. Hadn't been there but a short while and this herd of buffalo goes tearing across the parking lot (many more came later).






Abby is still available for The World's Ugliest Dog Contest...seriously, isn't that a face only a mother could love?






Thuh, Thuh, that's all, folks! I'm a little homesick...can you believe that?

Location:Laird Hot Springs BC