Oatman, AZ #2

In the first post, I mentioned that many burrows roamed the town of Oatman. Here, one of them came to check me out, but seemed a little nervous to get too close unless I had some food. I tried to sit on his back, but he was not going to have any part of that nonsense.
Warmest regards, Gus

Trip to Oatman, AZ

Today, I took a road trip from Lake Havasu City, AZ, to Oatman, AZ. Oatman is an old, almost-abandoned, gold mining town near Kingman. Oatman is on the old Route 66 connecting Chicago and and Los Angeles. Tourism is the main economic contributor to Oatman today. There are a number of shops, restaurants and the locals even stage gunfights to lure the tourists to town. I thinks there are more wild burrows than people living here.
Warmest regards, Gus

#28 Stewart/Hyder to Anacortes, WA

Yes, I finally did leave Canada and get back to the U.S. When we left Stewart/Hyder (B.C./Alaska) we drove to Ft. Telkwa, Prince George, Cache Creek, Rosedale and then to Anacortes, Washington.
In the picture at left, I am looking down on the bridge crossing the gorge at Hell's Gate. I actually took the gondola across to the village and walked across the bridge.
When we got to Anacortes, we had a great farewell dinner followed by a "good-bye brreakfast" with lots of hugs as everyone went off in all directions. Many of us met up again in Redmond, Oregon, for the Family Motor Coach Association Rally.
I made many new friends on this trip and am looking forward to seeing them again in the coming years.
Since leaving Redmond, I have been to Coloado Springs, Blue Mesa (Gunnison), Moab, Utah and today I am at Monument Valley (Navajo Tribal Park) in AZ/Utah.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska # 27 Stewart/Hyder

 After leaving Skagway, Cousins Jim and Pat took me to Stewart, BC/Hyder, Alaska. On the way, there were beautful views, including more glaciers. The best part of the trip was watching the bears in Hyder. The black bear standing by the water was determined to catch a salmon for dinner. However he was a little too slow and when he jumped into the water, the salmon swam away safely--probably to be caught by a quicker bear.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska #26 Skagway

In Haines, AK, cousin Jim put the motorhome on the ferry and we went to Skagway. In Skagway, I took a ride  on the White Pass & Yukon Route train and saw some beautiful country, crossed some old bridges and went through some tunnels. I visited some of the shops in downtown Skagway, but you can see in the second picture that the town gets pretty quiet after the tour ships leave. From our campground we could watch the ships start arrivng after 4:00 AM and start leaving around 5:00 PM. From Skagway we started the long trek home. We drove to Teslin, YT, and then to Watson Lake. From Watson Lake we traveled to Stewart, BC/Hyder, Alaska. Check the next edition for details of that trip. Warmest regards, Gus

 

Alaska # 25

Sorry I left you all hanging, wondering if I ever got back to Haines from Juneau. Well, I have had very poor internet service since then as I travelled back to the lower 48.  However, I did get back to Anacortes, WA, and will try to catch up on the trip.
The reason I got back from Juneau safely was because Anna took control and made me behave on the boat. She fed me some salmon chowder and kept me out of trouble. Nothing like a full stomach.
The big event on the return trip was whale watching. Our Captain had learned where the Humpback whales were hanging out that evening and he found them. Using a hydraphone, I was able to listen to the lead whale give a signal to the other 11 whales who were circling the fish and they all surfaced at the same time to grab their dinner. It was amazing to see 12 whales all surface at the same time. What a sight to see.
I will write more later.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska #24 Juneau

After I arrived in Juneau yesterday (see #23), I boarded a bus to go downtown. On the bus, I learned some of the history of Juneau and learned to talk like a native. I now refer to "the road," "the bridge," and "the canal." 
After watching cousins Jim and Pat eat crab legs for lunch, I got to wander into some of the shops on Main Street. I looked at diamonds, emeralds, etc., and found everything to be out of my price range. I had hoped to buy a nice ring for Tedi (Tedi and I met in Jasper--See post #3) but just couldn't afford a nice one.
Later in the afternoon, I re-boarded the bus and visited Mendenhall Glacier (See photo). I saw a nice movie and another presentation about how the glacier is receding. It has receded about 2.5 miles since the mid-1700s.
From the glacier, it was back to the Fjordland Express, our 85' catamaran, for the return trip to Haines.
I have a feeling Captian Glen is going to be watching me very carefully on this trip.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska # 23 Fjordland Express

Yesterday I was on the Fjordland Express on the way from Haines, AK, to Juneau when Captain Glen Jacobson turned away and I took control of the boat. We got to Juneau safely and I had a great time. I will tell you more about the trip in the next posting.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska # 22 Tok to Kluane Lake

 Yesterday we drove from Tok, AK, to Destruction Day, Yukon (Kluane Lake). The top picture shows some of the construction on the Alaska Highway in Yukon Territory. This was one of the better parts of the construction area. It took seven hours to drive 224 miles.
The botton picture is one of the rewards of traveling the highway--a grizzly bear walked out onto the highway right in front of the motor home. He decided to go back to the side of the road and watch us pass by.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska # 21 Alyeska Pipeline

 After panning for gold yesterday, I visited The Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS). I am sitting on one of the thousands of supports for the 800-mile pipeline which has carried over 16 billion barrels of oil since it was completed in 1977.
Currently, the pipeline carries about 500,000 barrels/day, which is about 1/4 of capacity.
The support I am sitting on is designed to move so that heat, cold and even earthquakes will not damage the sturcture.
Even though the actual pipe is 48" in diameter, in the lower picture I am inspecting a sample of the welding which was done on the pipeline. Since the pipeline was designed to last 30 years, I guess the welders did a good job.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska # 20 Panning or Gold

 Yesterday I went to Gold Dredge #8 near Fairbanks and panned for gold. My assistant (left) was very helpful and in the botton picture--if you look very carefully in the lower left area of the pan--you can see the $12.00 worth of gold I (we) successfully panned.
I sure am glad I don't have to do this for a living.
They had a $75,000.00 gold nugget for me to hold. I don't know why I was being watched so closely!!
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska #19 (North Pole)

Yesterday I went to North Pole, Alaska (about 10 miles from Fairbanks) and met Santa Claus and some of his helpers. I told him I have been good--I think he believed me-- and he promised to bring some presents to me on Christmas.
Cousins Jim and Pat visited the local Elks Lodge #1551 and had lunch while meeting some of the local people. The lodge is the "fartherest north" lodge.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska # 18 Fairbanks

 After a great time in Denali, I have traveled to Fairbanks. After a great dinner at Salmon Bake and a funny show depicting the history of Fairbanks, I took a short trip on the riverboat "Discovery" on the Chena River to Chena Village. Here I met some Chena Athabascan Indians who told me how their families lived 100 years ago.
I learned alot about life here before the prospectors came; I don't think I would care to have lived then. The winters here are harsh enough now at minus 40 degrees F with all the modern conveniences.

The parka being modeled (left) may have been very warm, but.....it is still cold and dark during the winter.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska # 17 Denali

The other day I got to tour Denali National Park and Cousin Jim managed to get a picture of Denali (McKinley Peak) from the bus. I think we were about 60 miles away at the time. In addition to getting to see the peak before the clouds rolled in, I also saw a Grizzly bear with two cubs, a caribou, Dall sheep and other wildlife.
Our our driver said we were lucky to see Denali this summer because of all the rain. There have been very few days when the peak has been visible.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska # 16

Today, I visited the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage and made a new friend: her name is Allison Castillo, and she is an Inca Native working as an intern this summer. She told me about the traditional and contemporary ways of the indigenous cultures of Alaska.
In other exhibits, I learned how the contact with the European/American cultures after 1750 wiped out over 90% of the natives of Alaska through disease, etc., and how many traditions were lost because of the influence of Christian missionaries. One of the goals of the Heritage Center is to retain the values and traditions of the Natives in a changing world.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska # 15 Homer

I just spent a few days in Homer. I watched lots of fishing boats come and go and took advantage of eating some of the fresh halibut and salmon the "fishers" were bringing back. I didn't go out on a boat, but those who did said it was lots of fun.
I spend more time meeting the people of Homer and learning about the past and present in this great little town on the Kenai Peninsula.
I have seen more bald eagles here than anywhere else on the trip. I sure is fun to watch them go fishing.
Warmest rregards, Gus

Alaska # 14 Seward

After spending the 4th of July in Palmer, I traveled to Seward for a couple of day. One of the places I visited was the Kenai Fjords National Park where I went to Exit Glacier (backgrund).
Also while in Seward, I visited the Alaska SeaLife Center, Mile Marker "0" of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race, and took a Dinner Cruise to Fox Island.
It was a busy two days and then it was on to Homer.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska #13 Palmer

On July 4th, I traveled from Valdez to Palmer, AK.  Before having a big 4th of July picnic, I went to an elk and reindeer farm and got up close and personal with the animals. I was able to feed them look them right in the eye.
After the picnic, cousins Jim and Pat went to the Palmer Elks Lodge and met some  nice people. The night before in Valdez, they went to the Elks Lodge and cousin Jim by chance ran into one of his former students from Los Alamos High (Lee Bauke) who had graduated in 1983.
After one night in Palmer, we moved on to Seward.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska # 12 Valdez

Yesterday I took a cruise on the Valez Spirit in the Prince William Sound to view the Columbia and Mears Glaciers and to see some wildlife. I saw many humpback whales, sea otters, stellar sea lions, harbor seals, horned puffins and bald eagles. It was a great 9-hour trip on a beautiful, sunny day.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska #11

Here I am with proof that I have traveled the Top of the World Highway! This is an experience I need only once!
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska #10 Dawson City, Yukon

I had a great day in Dawson City, Yukon. During the day I toured many of the local historical sites such as the old banks, a bar, the post office, etc. I also visited the Jack London Museum and Cabin and the Robert Service Cabin. I drove up to the Dome, where I could see the whole town along the Yukon River. At one time it was believed that you could stand at the Dome and see the sun set and rise at the same time on June 21st. Actually, the sun set at 11:30 P.M.and rose again at 2:00 A.M.
At night I met Diamond Tooth Gertie and her dancers and enjoyed the singing the dancing. Tomorrow it is on to The Top of the World Road, across the border and to Chicken, Alaska.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska # 9

After visiting the Yukon Brewery in Whitehorse, I visited the S.S. Klondike. This 240 ft. long paddlewheel steamship traversed the Yukon River from 1937 until 1955 when construction of the Klondike  Highway north from the Alaska Highway made the ship uneconomical, since it could only operate about five months during the summer when the river wasn't frozen.
I also visisted the longest wooden fish ladder, where the salmon come after an 1800 mile swim from the Bering Sea.
A real treat was to watch about 68 teams in canoes and kayaks leave from Whitehorse to paddle down (north) the Yukon River--444 miles to Dawson City. When I got to Dawson City, I saw the winners arriving after about 56 hours. I was exhausted riding in the motor home; I hate to think of paddling a canoe or kayak for that many hours.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska # 8

Well, I finally found what I was looking for in the Yukon--a Brewery. The only brewery in the Yukon is in Whitehorse and I have found they brew some pretty good beer. Maybe it is the water. I got my growlers filled for the 300+ mile trip further north to Dawson City. I watched some of the kayaks leave Whitehorse for the race to Dawson today. The river route is over 400 miles long and the best kayakers hope to make the trip in about 48 hours!
I have cultural touring to do, so I will report on that later.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska # 7

Here is the picture which did not get posted with Alaska # 6.
Gus

Alaska # 6: Watson Lake, Yukon

I made to Yukon, and stopped to visit the Sign Post Forest. I am told that there are over 70,000 signs here, but I did not attemp to count them. So far the roads have been very good.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska # 5: Dawson Creek

Betty and I are in Dawson Creek, Britich Columbia at Mile Post # "0", getting ready to start our trek on the Alaska Highway. I hear "rumors" that the road has been improved since it was built in 1942.

Alaska #4

I forgot to mention in post #3 that the nice people at Mortorcycle Tours in Jasper allowed me to takeTedi on the tour of Jasper in the Harley with a sidecar. If you are ever in Jasper, stop by to see them at 610 Patricia Street. Very nice people.
Gus

Alaska # 3

After breakfast, Tedi and I when touring in the Jasper area. I put on my Harley cap and she wore a Hooters T-shirt and doo-rag. We have a great time and hated to leave Jasper but it was time to move on to Dawson Creek. I hope to get a picture at Milepost "0" when we get to Dawson.
Warmest regards, Gus

Alaska # 2

I am having trouble with internet connections, so my blog pictures may get out of order. After the first post I made of Columbia Lake, I visited Radium Springs, and Lake Louise before going to Jasper. The day was cloudy and raining at Lake Louise, but the buffet lunch at Chateau Lake Louise was great. In Jasper, I took the Skytram to the top for breakfast.
In the picture with me is a new friend I made; her name if Theodora, but I call her Tedi.

I left Cour d' Alene, Idaho, this morning and we traveled to Radium Springs, British Columbia. Along the way I stopped at Columbia Lake, which is fed by a spring and the water flowing out of the lake forms the Columbia River. I have followed much of the river in Washington and Oregon and have been to Astoria, Oregon, several times.
In addition to the the source of the Columbia River, I have also been to the source of the Missouri River, Rio Grande, and the Mississippi River. I guess you could say that I like water.
Warmest regards, Gus

Fairchild AFB, WA

I guess I have gotten lazy with my posts. Last Saturday I attended the air show at Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane, WA. There were lots of vintage planes, the Army Golden Knights Jump Team and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. As usual, the Thunderbirds put on a spectacular display of flying. The local newspaper reported that about 120,000 people attended the show on Saturday. I think every person drove two cars, because it took over two hours to exit the base at the end of the show.
Today I am in Blanchard, ID, at StoneRidge Resort. I will be here until Tuesday when I will travel to Couer d' Alene to meet the others who are going to Alaska. I am really excited about this trip.
Warmest regards, Gus

University of Montana

Today I attended the graduation ceremonies at the University of Montana, in Missoula. Pictured from left are Cousin Pat's sister Cathy, Pat's nephew Zack, and Pat's brother-in-law Paul. Cathy and Paul are Zack's parents. Zack received his B.S. degree in Business Administration. It was a beautiful day in Missoula on a very beautiful campus.
Warmest regards, Gus

Out of Africa, Camp Verde, AZ

Last week when I was in Camp Verde, AZ, cousins Jim and Pat took me on an African Safari  and I got to sit on Boom Boom. Two years ago when I visited Out of Africa, Boom Boom was still alive; unfortunately, he died just after I last saw him in 2012.
I am now in Pojoaque, NM, and will be going to Colorado Springs next week.
Warmest regards, Gus

Emerald Cove on the Colorado River

I went over to meet with some friends for happy hour this afternoon and two new friends showed up to see if there was any food. There are many "wild" burrows in the area and you have to use care while driving down the road. The other night we had five of them eating the palm trees next to the motorhome.
I am leaving the area (Parker, AZ) tomorrow and will spend about two weeks at Camp Verde, which is between Phoenix and Flagstaff. The temperature here the past few days had been in the high 80s.
Warmest regards, Gus

Mission San Juan Capistrano

On Friday, Betty and I traveled West from Menifee through Lake Elsinore to San Juan Capistrano and visited the Mission which was founded in 1776. The swallows are due to return on St. Joseph's Day, March 19th.
We then drove down I-5 to Oceanside and ate at a restaurant at the Oceanside Harbor before returning home via highway #76 and I-15.
Warmest regdards, Gus

Palm Springs Area

Yesterday I took Betty on a roadtrip. We left Menifee, drove to Temecula and then to this overlook on Highway #74. Behind us, looking North, is the Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Indio metropolitan area. Off in the distance to the North is Joshua Tree National Park.
It was a beautiful day after three days of rain over the weekend. I can't complain about the rain, though, as California needed the three inches we received and much more. And there was no snow where we are parked!! There was lots of snow to the Northwest in the Big Bear area.
Warmest regards, Gus

Palm Springs, CA

When I was in Palm Springs last month I visited the 26-foot Marilyn Monroe Statue that was on loan to the City. The statue is going to moved to Philadelphia in the near future.
While I was downton, I also attended a performance of the Fabulous Follies. The guest star of the Follies was Maureen McGovern, who sang "Over the Rainbow," "Blues in the Night," and seven other songs.
This is the last year (23rd) for the Palm Springs Fabulous Follies.
Warmest regards, Gus

USS Midway, San Diego

Last week when I was in the San Diego area, I took the trolley tour and stopped at the USS Midway and got to see this statue representing the iconic picture taken in New York City during the parade at the end of WWII.
While in San Diego I was able to get to Coronado Island several times, and it brought back memories of my trip there in December 2009 when I went with Sami to run on the beach by the Coronado Hotel. Sami is still happy to be with Chris and Dani in Colorado Springs.
I have very fortunate to be in Southern California this winter, where the weather has been great.

I am still trying to "fix" my blog connection issues. Hope this finds all well.
Warmest regards. Gus

I apologize for not posting anything recently. I have been having trouble with my connection to the blog. I hope to get the technical problems resolved soon so I can post some pictures from Palm Springs and San Diego.
I am currently in Menifee, CA, and will be here for several weeks.
Warmest regards. Gus