Well we knew we couldn’t get through this trip without some crisis. It just ticks me off when the problems are ones we really tried to do everything to avoid.
But first the good stuff.
We headed up through Banff, Lake Louise, and camped Sunday night in Jasper National Park at a very nice campground. We were all disappointed in how commercial both Banff & Lake Louise were but did have a great bear experience north of there. A young grizzly bear was eating berries right along the road and we got some great pictures. (PS—I’ve started the picture page and will work on it more today). The bear was very, very cool and that brings our bear sightings up to 8!
At our camping in Jasper we were awaken in the morning by a herd of elk moving through our campsite. We needed milk and we tried to get Kelly to go out and milk a cow—an elk cow of course—but for some reason she didn’t want to. Kids today…
Since we had made Yuliya’s job title the dog’s au pair` we also decided Kelly could just be Yuliya’s au pair`. Yuliya loves not being at the bottom of the totem pole anymore and as she told Kelly when she arrived, “I’m so glad I’m not the youngest anymore, I feel for you Kelly”. But we all are having a good time together and have even gotten use to the closeness of 4 people & 2 dogs in a 24 foot trailer.
We left Jasper and drove up to Prince George, BC on Monday. Ironically we saw no wildlife in what would have been some of the wildest country we’ve traveled yet—but the scenery has been beautiful.
The downside of the trip is that camping has proven to be much more expensive in the parks than we were led to believe. Most nights in Canada have run $30-40 with some even charging extra if you use their showers. (we were paying half that in the states). We also are realizing that if we try to get up to Alaska on the schedule we have, it means that we are basically just driving, setting up camp, and then driving more. We are missing out on being able to just spend a few days anywhere to enjoy the area. And that would have to continue for most of the trip to get down to New Mexico by Oct. 1st. It is starting to get tiring.
So when we got into Prince George, which is that last place that has reasonably priced services, we checked all our equipment. In spite of having a brand new trailer, we had replaced all our tires in West Plains with 6-ply, to avoid the $300 they charge to fix a flat north of here. Of course, since it is our life, something is wrong with one side and even though they only have 3000 miles on them, two tires are wearing really weird on the outside and already need to be replaced. I’m afraid it’s a trailer problem but we will try to find out more today.
I also talked to a guy that is on his way back and he had bad news on distance, roads, lots of rain, (one of the rainiest summers on record) and little wildlife. We’re starting to reevaluate the trip.
I know—our goal was Alaska but actually our real goals were beautiful country, seeing lots of wildlife, and not spending all our money—all with as little stress as possible. But the tires are stressing me and I have a full blown rash on both of my hands that seems to be manifesting itself because of it.
So we are now thinking about heading back south, going to the national parks in the western US, spending more time in Seattle, a new place for everyone but me, but I have friends & relatives there, and then going down the west coast.
We would either fly Kelly out of Seattle or just drop her off in Klamath. Right now it’s all in the air until we find out about tires. I just know the stress of wondering if we would have further problems, in an area where even minor problems cost big money, is making it all a little less fun.
An update--We just got back from town and found out our trailer is probably out of alignment—and we are on the good part of the roads. We found tires for it and have an appointment for everything first thing in the morning—just an extra $400. And as if God wanted us to really reevaluate everything, we walked back out to the truck after getting everything scheduled and we looked down at our back truck tire and there was a big screw sticking out of it. We just turned around and walked back in. But by then the guys were feeling sorry for us and they patched and plugged it for free! Guess we even look needy in Canada.
But we do think we need to be reading the writing on the wall—Alaska might end up being a cruise next summer. We can still have fun doing things south—and it’s making more sense by the minute. I was just hoping with everything newer it would work out a bit better but I guess we are still dealing with the Janet & Stacy life--and we know it tends to never work out like we plan. Good thing we are adaptable.
And as Stacy’s dad just told her, “It’s a wise man that can change their plans, the foolish man can’t”. Guess this should work for women too…
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i am sorry it hasn't all been roses, but it does sound like you are having a great time in spite of it all. things are pretty good on the home front. marc came out and patched the hole in the fence and we managed to get the three little goats moved, however, vegas found a way out and is back with the horses. i suppose next week i will throw him back in, watch for the escape route and take note. jasper has joined the group out here - for weight management purposes - he did not seem to remember his friends. the puppy is looking much better, she will be getting fixed with the kitten, and i have named her sammie. she understands "no" & "sit", and i think she might be close to really knowing her name, i'm trying to work with her. potty training is still hit and miss...much more hit lately though which is good. anyway, i'm done with my little update - thought you might like to know your home is not falling apart and all are well cared for and happy.
as a side note, gramma needs you to call her asap for instructions on paying a bill
miss you guys, hope the rest of your trip runs smoother!! *HUGS*
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