tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064448547127384602024-02-07T20:13:26.402-08:00alaskacanadawiththemayerslindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-2329304115881826632012-05-15T15:42:00.002-07:002012-05-15T15:43:21.547-07:002nd last Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Executive House Hotel Suite VI</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria VI</td></tr>
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Our last night at Painter's Lodge at Campbell River was perfect..Split level rooms with a balcony looking across the gardens..<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining Room</td></tr>
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Checked out the bar and ordered a Mojito while Leanne chose a Margarita..Loooovely!!Andrew had a beer and Terry a Bourbon & Coke...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">P.Lodge B/Room</td></tr>
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Decided we didn't want to move so we ordered dinner there..Burgers for 3 and fish & chips for 1...lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-88633912678032354082012-05-14T22:21:00.000-07:002012-05-14T22:21:05.589-07:00Photos<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the road to the ski resort</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Eagle</td></tr>
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Skunk Weed that the bears like to eat when they wake u.p<br />
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</tbody></table>lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-44781709912525012752012-05-14T21:09:00.000-07:002012-05-14T21:43:17.845-07:00Days 22 & 23Prince Rupert...Arrived at the hotel around 4am after 2 nights on board the BC Ferry from Ketchikan..Took a while to get over sea legs but had a good nights sleep in a nice quiet hotel.<br />
We had a few hours to kill before hopping on a bus that took us to a ferry that took us over to the airport,so decided to hire a car for the day and drive up to another town called Terrace..So glad we did as on the drive back we saw 2 black bears and a number of bald eagles..Very thrilling!!Also should comment on a drive up to a ski resort that was still closed.It was a gravel road and wound up the mountain with deep snow and a few hairpins that got the guys excited.<br />
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Back to town and waited for the bus..Waited at the airport for about an hour and watched Andrew get the full Customs treatment as they had forgotten a knife packed in their carry on bag...Body search(pat down)etc...Looked a bit stressed as he came out!!<br />
The plane was a funny little thing with a propeller on each wing under which the wheels tucked in...<br />
Shouldn't have worried as it was very smooth and was only a short flight.<br />
Arrived in Vancouver around 10pm and picked up our car there..Terry & Andrew had the biggest grins when they came to pick us up with the bags..It was the biggest 4x4 and black and looked like the sort the FBI drive.. A GMC Yukon. 6ltre v8..Two very very happy boys!!!<br />
The Sandman was our hotel for the night.It was so quiet and had the comfiest beds so we all had a good night..<br />
Up at 9am for breakfast French Toast(see photo. UGH! so over the top!!)and drive over to the ferry to take us to Vancouver Island..We are staying at "Painters Lodge"at Campbell River tonight.A very very nice resort overlooking the river and set in beautiful gardens..Tulips,Rhodedendrons,azaleas,lilacs are all blooming here and the treea are all sprouting leaves..So happy that we are seeing a bit of Spring before we leave for home.lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-90813131681692105082012-05-12T13:26:00.002-07:002012-05-12T13:26:47.583-07:00Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPYWaf6ViKSSABskMIlGUt35_oNzzUYn8Q_2YXqUWaIDnl-ePyPaRyqnX-n_1ZUprLUkOJZ_V715agbnlT0xULZPHwOL61UzueWfo0qdPwVHIlzAWEeLVY4dqLs1Tunp0OeA_dl-2V8A/s1600/P1010558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPYWaf6ViKSSABskMIlGUt35_oNzzUYn8Q_2YXqUWaIDnl-ePyPaRyqnX-n_1ZUprLUkOJZ_V715agbnlT0xULZPHwOL61UzueWfo0qdPwVHIlzAWEeLVY4dqLs1Tunp0OeA_dl-2V8A/s320/P1010558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-62617749810627169812012-05-12T12:45:00.000-07:002012-05-14T21:11:09.175-07:00Day 21Skagway..What a quaint little town..Looks most like it would have back in the 1800s..Wooden boardwalks along the street and shops that have kept that outpost look about them..<br />
Our B&B is a lovely old fashioned white building which has 5 bedrooms..All very cosy as it's freezing here with a wind that would make your nose drop off!!Freshly baked muffins,oatmeal and fresh fruit for breakfast...<br />
We found a great pizza place for lunch and spent some time window shopping while we waited to board our WhitePass Yukon Train ride..This was just amazing as the train climbed up through the mountain pass,through a couple of tunnels,over the highest bridge and then through narrow snow/ice passages where you could hear the train scraping the sides!!I had to sit on the side closest the rock side as I couldn't look down over the other side..So frightening....<br />
Back down to Skagway and waited for the Alaska Marine Ferry that is taking us to the capital city of Juneau..This is just a day trip and tomorrow we will be on the ferry for 2 nights as it wends it's way through the Inside Passage..Only way in or out of here is by sea or plane and 1 out of 4 people who live in these places have a pilots licence .. Found the Red Dog Saloon and had a great time there which helped pass the time in a very pleasant way!!Barmaid (Laura) didn't want us to leave!<br />
For the first timeon our holiday the trip was a little disappointing as it rained from the time we left Juneau till we reached Ketchikan..But Larry the barman on board kept us entertained!!<br />
<u>Ketchikan</u>..With a cruise ship docked there were more people strolling around than we'd seen in other places and it was funny watching the shopkeepers beckoning them into their shops which were mostly jewellers..The main attraction here is Creek Street which is a shopping experience with a difference..Old historic buildings built on wooden pylons on and along the creek/stream.One of the houses was the famous brothel run by Dolly.Lots of fun stories about that lady!!<br />
Back on the ferry and our get off stop is Prince Rupert .It doesn't get in until 4am so we will all be sleeping in next day..lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-15368506203001342862012-05-10T07:49:00.001-07:002012-05-10T07:58:08.837-07:00Day 20<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The gorge under the Suspension Bridge.<br />
Whitehorse traffic<br />
Terry can sleep anytime..This is 11pm and still bright light(not streetlight)<br />
The famous Klondike paddle steamer which was used to ferry cargo and people down to Whitehorse from Dawson City.<br />
The drive to Skagway was stunning.Mother Nature threw everything at us including a snowstorm that turned into a whiteout..Very exciting..It snowed and rained until we reached the US Customs before dropping down into Skagway..Great little town .More next blog.lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-23278892090572906262012-05-08T22:19:00.000-07:002012-05-08T22:19:14.359-07:00Day 19Today was spent driving to Whitehorse on the Alaska Highway..I got a bit excited when I imagined there was an aurora showing through the clouds but in reality I think it was just part of a rainbow.Funny colour though....<br />
We stopped for morning tea at "Buckshot Bettys",a typical Yukon cafe run by Betty herself who even has a song written about her..We've almost given up ordering coffee over here as it's just plain awful and tastes like brown tasteless water..Plent of choices for tea and there's always hot chocolate..<br />
Arrived at Whitehorse around 4pm & booked into The Westmark..<br />
None of us felt hungry but went to the bar for drinks while we decided if we should eat or not.<br />
The barman was also a chef and proud of the menu he and another guy had prepared so we ended up with Bruchetta for Terry & I and ribs for Andrew & Leanne..So much for not feeling too hungry .<br />
Today was milestone in my life!!!!I walked across a suspension bridge!!!Leanne was on the other side coaxing me,and with my eyes planted at my feet I took off and didn't stop until I reached the end .<br />
Didn't look down at the view which was over a deep canyon with the Yukon River running through..What a day!!!We were above Schwatka Lake for a long part of the drive and it was frozen solid..As we reached the US border crossing 2 miles out of Skagway,it started to snow..Not just little flurries but proper snow!.At times the view either side of the road was a white out and quite eeirie but beautiful in a strange way.<br />
Skagway is a lovely old town with wooden sidewalks along the street in front of the shops..This was a starting point for the thousands who joined the goldrush to the Klondike in the 1890's and still has the look of a frontier town.There are still quite a few original buildings standing..<br />
Tomorrow we are taking the White Pass Yukon Rail trip up through the mountains in old rail carriages.The weather is freezing so we will be rugged up in all our thermal gear for the trip .<br />
Tonight we are in a lovely B&B which is very cosy and warm..Looking for a good night's sleep...<br />lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-40536645456011265452012-05-07T17:25:00.001-07:002012-05-07T17:25:20.181-07:00Day 18We left Tok early as we have a big driving day today to get to Whitehorse in the early afternoon...<br />
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What a fantastic day it turned out to be...We saw a black bear in the wild!!!!!!yeeha..He was nibbling on the green shoots that are starting to sprout after the snow has melted.We watched him for about 10 minutes as he walked along beside the road and seemed quite oblivious that we were there..Needless to say,no one was getting out of the car !!<br />
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Also got a close view of a moose.<br />
Just loving this country...<br />
This is the closest we got to a glacier.An awesome sight.<br />
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There's a funny story to be told when we get home as to why we only have a photo of the rear end of the porcupine!!<br />
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A very light dusting of snow when we stopped for hot chocolate and coffees at a diner..These places are so funny as the walls are covered in notices with messages.Some nice some not so nice but interesting..<br />
They love their guns here!!!!!!<br />
We're in a motel here tonight and it's attached to a restaurant so we had luch after we checked in..Silly me should have known better and asked for the child's size nachos.An absolute mountain was served and quite beyond me being able to get even halfway through it.Am looking forward to some nice home cooked vegies and simple meals...Even Terry is getting a tummy..<br />
The guys have gone to the bar for a nightcap and it's time for a shower and bed as tomorrow is our biggest driving day of the whole trip as we head for Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory..We have to cross the border and go through Canadian customs which is just near a small town called Beaver Creek.<br />
None of the photos I posted before this of houses was the beautiful one on Lake Lucille in case you were worried!!!!Will send more after I download them...<br />lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-17662076710038067072012-05-06T18:38:00.004-07:002012-05-06T18:54:59.413-07:00Day 16On the road today..Tonight's stop is at Wasilla which took about 3and a half hours from Seward.<br />
Wasilla didn't look too promising but when we drove down the road to our hotel we were really nicely surprised.It was situated beside Lake Lucille and was a beautiful sprawling timber building curved around the lakeside..Inside the walls were covered in fabulous prints of wolves and other wild animals as well as the usual moose/elk/ bear and assorted animal heads mounted on the walls(ugh!)<br />
Our rooms were lovely and had a balcony looking out over the lake..The photos here are not of our hotel!!<br />
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All of a sudden we spotted something swimming towards the bank..It was a beaver!!!!!He had a branch in his mouth so was probably building his lodge under the bank..We saw a couple more after that..Didn't expect to see beaver!!!<br />
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I've added a couple of photos of Seward as well,Some of the houses were unbelievable and that people lived in them.Remember this is avalanche and earthquake country.The big one in 1964 devasted most of the eastern side of Alaska and there are signs of this everywhere.The lovliest of all the houses are the log cabins.All sizes and shapes.lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-63347566209264313802012-05-06T18:16:00.000-07:002012-05-06T18:16:07.765-07:00Day 15Well,this is the day we've been waiting for and it certainly didn't disappoint..A 5 hour cruise on the North Star Princess into Resurrection Bay.<br />
The day started off a bit misty and freezing cold..We had layers of clothes on so we were ready for anything Mother Nature threw at us...<br />
We had a Park Ranger on board who kept us informed of any wildlife either on land or sea and also had a Junior Rangers club going for the little kids on board..<br />
No sightings for the first hour and then great excitement as a school of Orcas passed by<br />
A huge group of sea lions lounging on the rocks.<br />
Mountain goats high up on the mountain on rocky ledges.<br />
Bald eagles in the trees.A couple on nests.<br />
Humpback whales swimming right by the boat!!<br />
A variety of sea birds like puffins/cormorants and kittiwakes.<br />
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On our way back to Seward after having an all you can eat lunch,the ranger excitedly yelled out that their were sea otters just near us.....They are the cutest creatures who float along on their backs with their little heads and flippers sticking up...<br />
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Such a wonderful day and especially so to see all that wildlife on the first trip out for the season..lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-75721428749340161832012-05-04T19:02:00.003-07:002012-05-04T19:02:56.510-07:00Day 14 Seward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a great little sea port town..Just what we were hoping for...Lots of history and old buildings. We all had hamburgers for lunch..Huge!!! Also had a cup of seafood chowder which was delicious..The coffee is pretty awful but they do make a good hot chocolate!!(Note the sign.."Cheap beer & lousy food")Decided not to test it....<br />
We wanted to drive then walk up to Exit Glacier but the road was still being worked on so was closed for a few more days..Not to worry as our cruise tomorrow promises to have lots of wildlife including orcas,seals and bird life...We're booke in to the Best Western which is situated on the waterfront..There are many signs around town & in the hotel with instructions for evacuation in case of an earthquake and tsunami!!Makes for a bit of the old nerves getting a workout...Don't like getting in the lift!!Also opposite the harbour are 4 active volcanoes..No sign of life there at the moment thank goodness!!!!!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XZi3BImRr2bcbj77D-kKdoCHhaqpjnTTj0M1DIkWMk9L5alyJ6hUK1tWhw1CJcopRtLbFY1vd2q2rKpdNgRNZFD4p9giBRWNSBoxL_gLQZ-E7cr6z2FXUUhx2esRgtl1RB_rzTHDPvU/s1600/P1010279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XZi3BImRr2bcbj77D-kKdoCHhaqpjnTTj0M1DIkWMk9L5alyJ6hUK1tWhw1CJcopRtLbFY1vd2q2rKpdNgRNZFD4p9giBRWNSBoxL_gLQZ-E7cr6z2FXUUhx2esRgtl1RB_rzTHDPvU/s320/P1010279.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-53597272954963086452012-05-03T17:37:00.001-07:002012-05-03T17:37:45.577-07:00Day 13 KenaiTravelled down the Seward again but our destination was Kenai on the Peninsula..This area is supposed to be a real eye opener with scenery and it was on the highway down but the town itself was a bit disappointing..Maybe when the snow covering melts and uncovers all the ugly bits is the reason why it looks old and uninviting..The "beach" has grey sand and no waves.After a quick sight see around we were all starving so found "Paradiso" for lunch..The waitress was a big buxom lady who took a bit of a liking to me and called me Li"l Darlin', much to the others amusement...It was a Greek/Mexican/Alaskan menu and we were all very full at the end!<br />
Checked into the Aspen Suites for the night..Huge room with 2 queen beds/lounge/kitchen/full sized fridge/tv/huge bathroom..Very nice..Leanne has done a load of washing in the hotel laundry but we've been washing and drying our undies each night which suits us ok..Weather got down to 1 degree celcius on the way down but apart from the chill in the wind if you stand out in it for long,the temperature isn't too bad..<br />
Tomorrow we will be in Seward and are booked on a Glacier Tour in Resurrection Bay where we are hoping to see some sea life,hopefully whales.<br />
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Not much to do here in Kenai ,so it looks like an early night!lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-33559371419828284682012-05-02T22:48:00.001-07:002012-05-02T22:48:30.549-07:00Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Photos from a great day down the Seward Highwaylindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-48100799789325009212012-05-02T19:40:00.000-07:002012-05-02T19:51:26.967-07:00Day 10Another wonderful day!!Started off with blueberry pancakes and hot chocolate.Yummm.<br />
Decided to drive a little way south and explore as tomorrow we will be driving straight through to Kenai with no time to detour.It turned out a great idea as the road followed the Cook Inlet on one side and marshes on the other..Supposed to be a good place for whale watching along here but no luck..Saw a moose eating young tree buds on the marshy side.He looked a bit scraggy because of losing some winter coat..<br />
Our next stop was a Wildlife Conservation Park.Still very new but was fabulous as we saw grizzly bears/black bear/musk ox/caribou/deer/porcupine and lots of bison..The grizzlies were climbing down into the water and getting fish which must have been stashed somehow under the water for them to hunt for..Once out of the water they climbed back up the bank and ran back & forwards on the snow bank drying off!They were fun to watch....<br />
Next stop was Portage Glacier.A popular spot for tourists in the Summer.There is a gondola ride and a cruise on the lake but the season hadn't started there so all we could do was walk down to the glacier which was just awesome..The road we walked down was piled high either side with snow banks higher than 6ft and and the child in us all just had to have snow fights and play a bit of soccer with the stuff!!<br />
Back in the car and headed down to Whittier which is a sea port mostly..To get there we had to use the tunnel that is 2and a half miles long through the mountain. One way traffic in at 15 min intervals and a longer wait if the freight train gets there before you..There really was a light at the end of the tunnel!!!!!!The village was mostly closed and we were starving but Leanne found a chinese restaurant open so we were saved!!It feeels funny when you're the only people in places, whether for meals or tourist things to explore but has made our trip very memorable.<br />
Back to the hotel and have a little snooze before dinner.Tomorrow we drive down the Seward Highway to Kenai where we were told the whales had arrived on their journey north..Fingers crossed!!lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-54871703604694176602012-05-01T19:17:00.000-07:002012-05-01T19:17:52.449-07:00Day 10.. High above Anchorage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_G3qLgb2EWO8GCdZTSmbb0g83lRZebstiEeOnXRrZFYIqzXsvmtq2x-hbZdNGo6qgJe26wWrTzb3hWBNkVNI_QEEgqIEJynWTPkm7jAEZgf2NcWG-faO1NBvNvWmiNQ4tde6hMEjS10/s1600/P1010168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_G3qLgb2EWO8GCdZTSmbb0g83lRZebstiEeOnXRrZFYIqzXsvmtq2x-hbZdNGo6qgJe26wWrTzb3hWBNkVNI_QEEgqIEJynWTPkm7jAEZgf2NcWG-faO1NBvNvWmiNQ4tde6hMEjS10/s320/P1010168.JPG" width="320" /></a>Taken at 11pm!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEogbTMDnBaMV-qThoi-r-b1ckmLGBQlH42q5PB5OIhyw6DeqfpYkXRuL5H10kDXXCoq2BtR8AIAd1RMU2dpPw9_qHAjBOM4Vv3FoeM-FefUxSffN-aA5zshEcLRT1zb8zOw8cR4zn42I/s1600/P1010175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEogbTMDnBaMV-qThoi-r-b1ckmLGBQlH42q5PB5OIhyw6DeqfpYkXRuL5H10kDXXCoq2BtR8AIAd1RMU2dpPw9_qHAjBOM4Vv3FoeM-FefUxSffN-aA5zshEcLRT1zb8zOw8cR4zn42I/s320/P1010175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4dpTiAf99cV0eeeSA-n1RoL1JFbBKn0ci0-qsKxoIXFQfmRdxlpgzrxqyZlqbXlbJJwJFa8bGSgJ5P0dyp0y4JKR8NzxIi9Fji84QMH5HQePGCdcUsNdhJerda9GBbpYuJyZ3D4_ad8/s1600/P1010174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4dpTiAf99cV0eeeSA-n1RoL1JFbBKn0ci0-qsKxoIXFQfmRdxlpgzrxqyZlqbXlbJJwJFa8bGSgJ5P0dyp0y4JKR8NzxIi9Fji84QMH5HQePGCdcUsNdhJerda9GBbpYuJyZ3D4_ad8/s320/P1010174.JPG" width="320" /></a>It was freezing at this lookout above Anchorage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-55459559764011211342012-05-01T18:52:00.000-07:002012-05-01T18:52:14.555-07:00Day 10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguehyZuozd6B0r5SRWHUvRo9b9-Buidtpym12QJAcz0pzF3m5BeHe6Jk8YeBHNfbF7ORW76XlRpS121y6qhFhjGqLBvKwhdritdV3Q-tv-0TDTtkFKDjPfm6s_xmTAzqns40DOcOo1Ny8/s1600/DSCF1166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguehyZuozd6B0r5SRWHUvRo9b9-Buidtpym12QJAcz0pzF3m5BeHe6Jk8YeBHNfbF7ORW76XlRpS121y6qhFhjGqLBvKwhdritdV3Q-tv-0TDTtkFKDjPfm6s_xmTAzqns40DOcOo1Ny8/s320/DSCF1166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzmoEXIJEsp_6nooseSTEkBvPZPhq_9F4K5xAZ95fwuEJZIrBuxN0wVD6fENtsXf_lWcZf1LtIcinkyR0mhQ8uQ0LvHv4FFtBlKcrAj5JQJykKwlREhExMZ2SM13WNXICds0wxHywJBg/s1600/DSCF1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzmoEXIJEsp_6nooseSTEkBvPZPhq_9F4K5xAZ95fwuEJZIrBuxN0wVD6fENtsXf_lWcZf1LtIcinkyR0mhQ8uQ0LvHv4FFtBlKcrAj5JQJykKwlREhExMZ2SM13WNXICds0wxHywJBg/s320/DSCF1179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLXCc-u7K9uUjLngTKdaCssRB84P26TnfI0QHOlqpCWHYLGyerExvGttUIvuzF3sWMzUxKbIT2fkHjGpuFH-1mriyJg8Ygg9bDmkb-YtEDSlvp8tMBhDu6u5O81HATHmbGtf-QZDyidM/s1600/IMG_5107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLXCc-u7K9uUjLngTKdaCssRB84P26TnfI0QHOlqpCWHYLGyerExvGttUIvuzF3sWMzUxKbIT2fkHjGpuFH-1mriyJg8Ygg9bDmkb-YtEDSlvp8tMBhDu6u5O81HATHmbGtf-QZDyidM/s320/IMG_5107.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsKkkd8LAkA0jeKH7wrLzO_YMa3twfO_DLEG21feNkq8d22aWBNZ1a8ab_W8ZZUArpJ5rx6EXI8LkSjwwv9zKbbRicxmEaaKdUwe-MOpvpXWVfpzvGpRwNldgRCR9VKpB4WUQBgv-rAY/s1600/IMG_5176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsKkkd8LAkA0jeKH7wrLzO_YMa3twfO_DLEG21feNkq8d22aWBNZ1a8ab_W8ZZUArpJ5rx6EXI8LkSjwwv9zKbbRicxmEaaKdUwe-MOpvpXWVfpzvGpRwNldgRCR9VKpB4WUQBgv-rAY/s320/IMG_5176.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Denali... A wonderful day!!lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-59253883033968986242012-05-01T15:29:00.000-07:002012-05-01T15:29:41.379-07:00Day 9Picked up our rental car from Avis and before heading out we did a tour of the Anchorage Cultural and Heritage Museum..Just a wonderful display to walk through and step back in time a little to see how tough it was living in Alaska..The Athabascans(Inuits)knew how to do things though and were a tough and hardy race.<br />
Down the Parks Highway and planning to stop at Denali National Park..Only just opened for the season but we were able to drive through to Savage River until the road was closed.The information Ctre was open and full of very helpful Rangers..Decided to go back the next day and drive further in if possible,so headed back to a motel/restaurant/bar for the night called The Totem Inn..Spent the evening in the bar and had pizzas for dinner..Instead of a mechanical bull to ride on they had a grizzly bear..Luckily it wasn't in operation otherwise there could have been some very sore people in our car the next day..The motel room was okay except we couldn't turn the tv off,either at the set/remote or by pulling allthe plugs out of the wall!!!Not a very restful night to say the least!!<br />
Back to Denali in the morning and what a difference..It started to snow and the deeper we went into the park the whole scenery was covered and looked absolutely awesome..Saw caribou and pretty birds about dove size which were snow white on the body with a black head and brilliant red around the eyes.We played around in the snow like silly kids making snowballs and throwing at one another.Great fun!!!!<br />
After we left Denali our next stop was a small town called Talkeetna.Had a really nice lunch at " Pizza Pie" where Leanne & I had the best hot chocolate..Bought some more gifts from shops where everything was made locally and uniquely Alaskan.Great little place..<br />
The famous Mt McKinley had eluded us when we were in the park but about 100 miles south we came to a lookout that gave us great views and we took stacks of photos.The rivers are thawing and are a great sight as huge blocks of ice float downstream.<br />
Onwards to Anchorage and we encounter traffic for the first time..Terry did a great job getting us to the hotel in one piece!!lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-37126843950257486362012-04-28T18:12:00.000-07:002012-04-28T18:12:36.445-07:00Day 8 FairbanksYukon River<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AU2VSI1ova2PQ4D1bZtlK5uO0J048lp0sc6CNUSmlRC5UdJLU1KlhgFLNtjqN9q57uW61XXfAXFyh9ZaJ9K0pzT9mF7A3u-SpUW5J8lhdEb6rU3wSQzTLwN4FFb5yrxHvYqpOs7opug/s1600/P1010027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AU2VSI1ova2PQ4D1bZtlK5uO0J048lp0sc6CNUSmlRC5UdJLU1KlhgFLNtjqN9q57uW61XXfAXFyh9ZaJ9K0pzT9mF7A3u-SpUW5J8lhdEb6rU3wSQzTLwN4FFb5yrxHvYqpOs7opug/s320/P1010027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Leanne got her wish to see sled dogs!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnmcTUXLwrrzuNWIRLmOXPkG0JIMu2ZYjjkdDMVwIcaxshMipaABpXhTnIHzWYsHiBdmCNHeTS_7Yb7USUSKlOHJiTzRbOL8T1Qxw3oH92Sufuciz7rYG0lbYyFYYqnb5rs0YkPpvChw/s1600/P1010048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnmcTUXLwrrzuNWIRLmOXPkG0JIMu2ZYjjkdDMVwIcaxshMipaABpXhTnIHzWYsHiBdmCNHeTS_7Yb7USUSKlOHJiTzRbOL8T1Qxw3oH92Sufuciz7rYG0lbYyFYYqnb5rs0YkPpvChw/s320/P1010048.JPG" width="320" /></a>View above the clouds approaching Fairbanks at 10.30 pm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Up at 6.30 and down to have the complimentary breakfast.Nice variety to choose from so left for our Arctic Circle Adventure well fed.<br />
We boarded a Piper 2 engine plane and belted up for the ride of our lives!Climbing up and over Fairbanks city and then over the magnificent mountains..Followed the Dalton H/way,flew over a couple of remote Athabascan outposts and the famous pipeline that carries oil down from Prudoe at the top of Alaska. Saw a couple of remains of old gold mining towns that are now only inhabited by 80 or so folks.<br />
Followed the Yukon River which was still frozen over and looked like a great white ribbon weaving it's way between the mountains.<br />
Smooth flight again..How lucky have we been? We landed in Coldfoot which is really a truck stop for the haulers going north & south along the Dalton.<br />
Chris was our guide on the ground.Just a young bloke but very enthusiastic and knowledgable.Because Leanne showed an interest in the sled dogs he got us all fitted out with gumboots and we walked around to the kennels..We were greeted by about 20 happy and excited doggies who just wanted to be patted,all the while taking turns howling in the air to get attention..Chris then took us to a frozen lake where we walked out a little way (nervously!).It's very isolated there but in the Summer season when the tourists arrive there is boating/hiking and a variety of attractions.<br />
Back on the plane to Fairbanks which got a little bumpy as we neared the airport but we landed safely after a terrific and memorable day.lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-75072073508779601132012-04-28T08:30:00.000-07:002012-04-28T08:31:43.987-07:00Day 7A day for travelling and getting to Fairbanks,,<br />
Woke up and looke out the window to see 2 window cleaners on the high rise opposite,dangling from a thread of rope and swinging from side to side to clean..Couldn't watch...gave me the heebie geebies!!!!<br />
We had breakfast in the hotel and decided to have stroll around the city.Same as as any other so we all said let's just drive to the airport and hang around there Arrived very early but read and snoozed until time to board.<br />
Because we wereleaving Canada and our destination was the US we had Customs to go through and they are very very thorough..Our fingerprints were taken as well as eyes....Shoes off and bag opened and examined..All good.Phew!<br />
Not a big plane this time..Just 2 propellers(and 2 wings too!!)but it was a great flight as very smooth.Only 1 & 1/2 hour flight to Seattle where we changed planes for Fairbanks..Seattle is a big airport but just had time for a coffee before we wereoff again.This time a big jet..Another easy smooth flight and totally awesome views of the tops of snowy mountain ranges.<br />
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Took a taxi to the hotel with a real character.She had her little dog on herlap as she drove and looked like she'd just come out of the woods.!But she was full of info about Fairbanks and we booked her to take us to our Arctic flight in the morning.<br />
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.lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-79827424739445587272012-04-26T20:05:00.002-07:002012-04-26T20:05:53.322-07:00Day 6 CalgaryAfter checking out of the hotel we loaded up the rental and headed out of town with a nervous driver at the wheel..<br />
Unfortunately it was raining and bitterly cold but we decided we'd drive out to Lake Louise before driving to Calgary.<br />
Good Decision..The lake was frozen and looked magical.Snow piled high everywhere and a wind that you could cut with a knife!We headed into the hotel to look around and I must admit it was pretty posh.The doormen were dressed in Austrian clothing and there was a Canadian Mountie walking around having his photo taken with guests.Well worth the visit.<br />
Back in the car and took a few detours to get back to the highway to take us to Calgary..So lucky we did that as now we were seeing the wildlife up close..Got some great shots of moose and mountain goats..<br />
The drive in the rain to Calgary was a bit streesful for Andrew but with help of an in built navigator,we finally made it..<br />
On the 10th floor of the International Hotel in the city..In a 2 room apartment that's very spacious with lounge,full size dining table and TV.<br />
Decided not to brave the cold and go out for dinner so went to the hotel's restaurant and had a great meal of filet mignon for 3 of us and a 12oz rump for Andrew.<br />
Need a good night's sleep..Will try to put some decent photos on next blog..Not too good at it!!lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-35375845262277581762012-04-26T19:45:00.000-07:002012-04-26T19:50:16.736-07:00Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifk6kl7SvI4eCv-LmwFnOcsif4zRY6G1BYCFTCJ2FtAZ26Wt-zd7vB7WUNeNLPGxeQWbaKDNGv9QQQRc_xIlXW9p1AbzDwiQxKWjHCUxW5qmtN8E8SxdAPBrM-lTF7eMmzTPBhN-r3o4A/s1600/P1000718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifk6kl7SvI4eCv-LmwFnOcsif4zRY6G1BYCFTCJ2FtAZ26Wt-zd7vB7WUNeNLPGxeQWbaKDNGv9QQQRc_xIlXW9p1AbzDwiQxKWjHCUxW5qmtN8E8SxdAPBrM-lTF7eMmzTPBhN-r3o4A/s320/P1000718.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXo2o3EYwJWbrAqyrblkBa25q31tK4OqTPbx2TlgeSR6xhdT99YV3c68EXWy4BLqe2cMRNrwRxPUAeAx8XLqI0DDm6EDZEWoj9mJQN6xxRcGIThNPAXPfkj5KBhH8j6UYoc4pshyphenhyphenr6P_w/s1600/P1000805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXo2o3EYwJWbrAqyrblkBa25q31tK4OqTPbx2TlgeSR6xhdT99YV3c68EXWy4BLqe2cMRNrwRxPUAeAx8XLqI0DDm6EDZEWoj9mJQN6xxRcGIThNPAXPfkj5KBhH8j6UYoc4pshyphenhyphenr6P_w/s320/P1000805.JPG" width="320" /></a>Waiting at the station</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbsda6V7sFs3BtZ3YXgW0FGfEOUUNOdhbCVvo8iwph7g2SW8WZLFI2u5KtMfHiBG6C8XZn7IcycdMlG1jFY9rOHfludI0q9pydosnXA2nmJsQIE0S8pIkLbnO7T_WU-GyNCCCWDr9mBo/s1600/P1000818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbsda6V7sFs3BtZ3YXgW0FGfEOUUNOdhbCVvo8iwph7g2SW8WZLFI2u5KtMfHiBG6C8XZn7IcycdMlG1jFY9rOHfludI0q9pydosnXA2nmJsQIE0S8pIkLbnO7T_WU-GyNCCCWDr9mBo/s320/P1000818.JPG" width="320" /></a>Some wildlife.mountain sheep</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIyxKcefa4cmL6AtrcpeKps0WAWLTIPC8XHfTIMAke1hRUAwsQe9e6Xb2vUB03lmUZI0c-Z8EntWmWeaiTjNTxZFXrZIRneY62LS2CKKoIzev9xh7uQSOHCQrliM8wlm8nG85YE12CNs/s1600/P1000938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIyxKcefa4cmL6AtrcpeKps0WAWLTIPC8XHfTIMAke1hRUAwsQe9e6Xb2vUB03lmUZI0c-Z8EntWmWeaiTjNTxZFXrZIRneY62LS2CKKoIzev9xh7uQSOHCQrliM8wlm8nG85YE12CNs/s320/P1000938.JPG" width="320" /></a>Banff at dusk</div>lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-21692550281117586862012-04-26T19:44:00.002-07:002012-04-26T19:44:17.578-07:00Day 5 Rocky MountaineerWow!! Just unbelievable scenery all around us..The sun is out and snow is piled high beside the rails and through the pine trees..Looks like a Christmas Wonderland..We passed and travelled beside the Thompson River for many miles.Lots of rapids but also many landslides beside he river.Only the most advanced and experienced rafters go on this one when the snows are melting and feeding the river.<br />
The service and attention to us(called The Guests not passengers)was superb.Any request was granted and any question asked was given the answer fully..Apparently if there is danger of a landslide,the army is calledin and they fire a Howitzer to create a slide controllably.<br />
Arrived in Banff just before evening and this place is beautiful.It more like fairyland with all the shoplights on people wandering around doing shopping..Terry bought another Akubra type hat.Hope this one makes it home this time!!<br />
Our accommodations so far have been excellent,nearly all have been 4star.<br />
Our journey on the RM finished here in Banff and we were waved off agian with those smiling faces.<br />
The Mount Royal Hotel here is another winner.<br />
Tomorrow we are on our own and pick up the rental car in the morning..lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-406444854712738460.post-61613451179709520802012-04-25T22:27:00.000-07:002012-04-25T22:27:22.834-07:00Day 4 Rocky MountaineerHere we go!! Up at 6am to catch a taxi to the train station.<br />
As we pulled up there was a line of around 6 people in their RM uniforms,all smiling and clapping as we got out of the taxi..What the???? Apparently we were the first passengers to arrive and this was the first tour of the new season..As we were escprted to the check in counter it was more of the same..Big smiles and clapping..Felt like we were royalty..Thought we'd try for an upgrade to Gold Leaf Service while we were on a roll but no such luck unless we wanted to pay an extra $400 each!<br />
As it turned out we thoroughly enjoyed our Silver Service and had the best hosts/ guides/stewards that we could wish for.<br />
The train travels on the same lines as Canadian Rail and they have priority,so it was a bit slow going getting out of the city area.Once we were clear we were off and running and we were served breakfast(3 courses),snacks mid morning,then a 3course lunch and then afternoon snacks!!!<br />
The train passed through a lot of farming and dairy areas for most of the morning and some of the little towns were quite rustic and quaint.<br />
The rest of the day was something we did not expect as we were then in mountainous desert country..It had it's own beauty and we saw some bighorn sheep perching precariously on the rocky outcrops.As the train came down out of this area,we were skirting around a huge lake with Canada Geese swimming around.On the other side was more like the brochures as the mountains were covered in pine trees and in the distance there were mountains topped with snow.The scenery was just beautiful all the way to our stop for the night at Kamloops.We settled into our hotel and on the table was a complimentary dinner for two at the restaurant downstairs plus a leather notebook.Nice surprise and a lovely meal was had by all.<br />
Into bed and ready for what is the highlight of the journey.The Rocky Mountains!!<br />lindylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988233776011907133noreply@blogger.com0