Our trip to Dawson City was great! On our way South now, Whitehorse, Watson lake then down the Stewart-Cassiar Highway.

           Great view of Dawson City 

Our trip to Dawson City was great!

Early morning at Twin lakes, I've made coffee & had my first sip. Mmm good, now some word's.

As I woke this morning I heard the loons early calm cry, that's what I've missed.

I opened the blind, it's light but not as light as would be when sunny. I feel the moist cool air come in the window. Ahh, nice, really good sleep, never heard a thing. I now hear the fridge propane burner working, good it's still on, success, well for now. 

Want a great feeling after our somewhat tense trip from Dawson city south. Smoke was building as we headed south, no fire, just more smoke.

Highway was construction for 2 hrs

then bumpity bump, humpity hump, and swerving missing the potholes and hitting the brakes kinda road. The last hour or so from Carcross was much more relaxed to Twin Lakes.

After parking in our chosen site and setting up, Polly set out the slides, and set up her insde the trailer, always something that moved. I ask Polly "how's it look?" She says "not much this time, all good".  So she gets working right away on dinner. 

I got the fridge working after a few more fuses (I should have listened to Dave and had the trailer place look at it before leaving Whitehorse) the generator hooked up, satellite 📡 dish up and TV working. Well one of the TV's.  The one in living room no signal for some reason, so do a check inside wires, and will attack the outside wires when back in Whitehorse.

Outside setup, now for a beer, I ask how long before dinner, Polly says 11/2 hrs. Ok I'm going for a walkabout. Down the trails I go, looking for what's here. I see the lake, but I'm aways from it, I see some wooden tenting platforms

on the bank in the trees, that's different. I keep working my way along the trail till I get to the beach/boat launch.

I meet the woman we camped by in Dawson city, Mary Lou, we had talked about meeting here before we left Dawson. Her hubby was taking a nap. She had been in the water already. We talked awhile, then I'm off to get my swim shorts and a towel, and back I go for a swim.  Ahhh so nice this cool, clean, clear lake  was just what I wanted. Was 80°f out, and sweaty hot today.

Gord got up and we yaked, he was coming in for a swim too, and their dog Scout, a golden retriever was after stick's, on top of the water, and when no one threw a stick, she would dive for sticks that lay on the bottom. Was a nice end of the day 😃 Cool swim, a beer, and a good yak.

Before dinner, we had thunder to start, wind, then rain in the evening, made for a nice cool breeze after a warm day. Watched a movie we had on our PVR, Insurgence. Was an interesting show. Beed after, another good day.

Waking early here means hunt for the Malita  coffee maker & a pot to boil water in. When moving things around Polly sometimes puts things where I just don't think of. As we travel, things placed in cupboards up high, tend to want to fall out onto to the floor. Polly has condensed things lower, I ask her as she's awake, "Where's the coffee pot?" Polly gets up, I move one last pan in the cupboard, yep there it is hidden behind the wok. Back to bed she goes 😴💤

Polly & I talked about our trip on our way here yesterday, what we saw, what we really will remember about it.

We'll always remember the closed signs on the side of the road, kinda erie in away. Campsites, stores, gas stations, motels, native communities, many signs, metal oil drums in the driveways, ribbon across, ropes, many kinds of blockages, all with a sign.

Closed for the season.
Closed for good.
Campsite Closed!

So many we kinda got used to it. Covid related, I'm sure, I asked a few small gas stations and campsites that were still open, how's it going. The response was always same, "Not good." Followed by "Just me and the wife/husband working it now, just not enough business. Closed the campsite, or won't turn on the water, so electric, but no water, cost too much to turn it on, and dry it out for winter again, just not worth turning on the water. Laundry closed down, same just not worth starting it up, not enough people."

We won't forget that.

The beauty of the drive was great, but neither of us will forget the highway.

The City of Dawson was just what we hoped for, just not many people, which gave us lots of room to move around, and only a couple linesups. Diamond tooth Gertie's,

 

and the Parks Canada registering for tours. They have many very good tours, and many places our parks own here, 27 buildings in Dawson I was told by one parks tour guide. They also own the Dredge, and Bear Creek community. That is another thing I'll never forget, how much government $$$ is spent here keeping this city going. Would be a whole different thing if the government wasn't here supplying money to keep the place alive.

We loved Dawson city, was much to see, a week was enough though. We went to the tours of the Dredge, the Grand Palace Theater, Polly missed a few due to a sore back, but she is ok now.

Polly's fall in the Creek while gold panning is a memory we'll be laughing at for awhile. That night we went to Diamond tooth Gertie's for the can can show, that was fun, and met Michael in the lineup, then he sat with us through the show. We got to know him well in a short time. Then after the 3 of us went searching for the sour toe drink at the Downtown hotel, outside we met 4 friends that Michael knew from before, and all 7 of us went in for a sour toe shot.

 

The friendships we made that night we'll never forget.

The Gold Rush campground we stayed in was in just the right place to visit the town,

walking all around town and just a couple block's from the Dawson City/Parks Canada info center & the Northwest Territories info center. Everything was close.

The dirt roads, and the boardwalks, that I'll not forget.

The warm days that turned into hot days before we left Dawson.

I learned not to park the trailer with the fridge side of the trailer facing the sun, that I'll not forget.

The ferry ride to the otherside of the Yukon river, and the Yukon campsite there, and paddlewheel graveyard.

Then the trip up the Top of the World highway, that was a beautiful trip.

Road was gravel mostly, but very good shape. Scenery was great, from the treed hills and valleys to the tundra at the top of the hills, and the one huge moose we saw. Also the game camera above the locked gate at the unmaned boarder crossing.

Our government is watching us, always!

The good advice we got from other travelers, not to go up the Dempster hwy, as was in rough shape, and scenery was similar to the top of the world hwy.

Our plan was to do the Dempster on Sunday, but my back was sore from the top of the world drive, so along with the advice we got cancelled that plan. I went to the campsite office and asked the woman if I could get a refund if we left a day early, expecting a policy that wouldn't allow it. But a quick yes, and she credited me the one day. I was happy with this and told her. She said she "Would gladly return your canceled day amount. Were only here because you of you.
I won't forget that either.

On our last day we wandered the town a little, trying to stay in the shade, it was smoking hot. We stopped in the jeweler's store to show them how good Polly's necklace looked on, and just shop a little more, but didn't buy. The man remembered me, said Hi. I took the time to watch him while Polly shopped.

Then we made our way to Sourdough Joe's fish & Chip restaurant for what we had been told was very good salmon and chip dinner, good for 2 to split. Well it was excellent, we won't forget that.

We met a couple that were riding motorcycles from Vancouver area, he was from Australia, and they had a friend join them as we talked. They had just drove up the Dempster hwy, and loved it. Still we were happy with our decision not to. 

We have a mindful of very good memories of our trip up to Dawson City. I'm sure glad we went. Will we go back? I'm not sure, we did want to see Alaska, but maybe by cruise ship now, who knows. Was a good visit here. Will always remember the farthest north we have been, so far 😁

Now for the Stewart/Cassiar highway.

Such a great life we're living. Love this Life ❤️🤗 😁

No cell 📲 coverage, Fridge quit, Oh look the Sun's ☀️🌞 out, We're in a new campsite, new faces, beer is good & cold 🍻 life is good 👍

Cell coverage if you have had it for awhile is hard to operate without as you travel. We depend on it for our uninterrupted communication, as well as searching for information as we move from one place to another.

When that connection is gone, we have learned how to download maps so we can navigate easy, but communication with family and friends is difficult. We go to where we can get internet if the RV park has none, like in Watson Lake.

Visitor centers are a very good resource, as always good strong internet, and on 24 hrs if you need to check something out. Not as convenient, but reliable. Library's also a good internet connection, but haven't used this for awhile.

       going to have to have another 😁

food arrives, muscles + a different bread

Now for the fridge quitting, we rolled into Pioneer RV park Tuesday at about 1pm. After registration, we drove over to the wash pad and for $1 you get 3 minutes to spray your rig down. $8 later rig and truck all cleaned up, we go park and setup. The park was less than 1/2 full, so lots of room to choose. We have full service site for a week, will see the sights of Whitehorse.

We shut the fridge down when we travel, so Polly pushes the button and drive light goes on, and we are set. After dinner and a walk around the campsite meeting a few new friends, Polly was putting something in the fridge and, "Hey the fridge is off" she says to me. So now I gotta look at what's up.

No power to the fridge at all. So I take a look at the fuses, then inside the fridge, then onto the internet. Says could be battery, as fridge operates off 12volt. I knew this because of a previous problem in our first trailer. So now remove outside back panel and look at what is possible problem there. Unplug, and plug back in fridge, turned on and off breaker inside trailer.

Shit, I'm not loving this BS 🤬

Ok ask neighborhood, there were 3 guys next site over, two I had met earlier Gary & Dan, so I wander over and say "I hate to ask this but"  so I asked if they knew what it was, or could be the problem.

Well two of them Dan & the guy I had yet to meet, came over and asked me a birage of questions. Had you done this had you checked this, till the final diagnosis was computed 🤔 no power at all ment fuse in back of fridge under this plastic cover. They had both had experience with this before. 

So I get the tools I need and take the bolts out as directed, and yes there is a fuse there.
🤔😮 What the frick! Why another fuse under a cover outside, on the back of the fridge. 

So a little more of this 🤬🤬#@$&¥

Then Gary, the first guy I met looked for a 5amp fuse, yep he had one! Plug it in and fridge starts.

Unbelievable, such a small thing, in a unbeknownst to me place caused Polly and I some Big Angst.

I thanked the guys that helped me Dan, Rene & Gary more than once. Just couldn't thank them enough.

Lucky 🤞 us again. We bought a new trailer thinking all's good right! Well still hickups happen. Asking people for help is not my strong suit, bit it did help this time. 

I have said before we are lucky, and this luck just keeps coming our way. Even if I would rather not have the problem at all, lucky we got help and got it fixed. 

Yesterday when we came home from town, the fridge was off, and the microwave was 0:00 so power went out, and drive was off. Another fuse, and running again. Not sure what's up, but fridge ran all night and all day today on a 3 amp fuse. 🤔, Going to get more fuses tomorrow, and ask at the RV place here what they think the problem could be. 

We met Rene today, with his wife Rita, we are connected now with him and Dan so will visit with them in Yuma this winter. 

Never know how life goes, lucky and friends too 😊❤️🤗

Love this close to others Life ❤️🤗

Vlog or Blog?

Us being Goofy, and just having fun in the Sun 😎 after our drive.

I was told recently do a vlog instead of a blog post. I was saying no to this idea, and still not sure, but it may be easier to do, and fun too. Polly and I were just messing around yesterday with a short vlog type post. I'll have to go look and just see what others are posting, as I want the change to be fun, not a job.

As we travel north keeping in touch with others becomes difficult. First our cell signal drops after Fort St. John, then internet become more difficult to get, have to position ourselves close to the signal. Then no signal at all. Makes this time much less easy to keep in touch. Having a conversation with friends Americo & Claudette in the visitors center in Watson lake was fun. We picked a comfortable bench,

and talked and laughed as we always do with these good friends.

A conversation with others that are not as connected to there messenger proved not as good. I did get through to our Daughter, and set up a visit with her later today when we will be in Whitehorse, all going well.

We stayed last night in a RV park/Motel/Gas station, Restaurant, Gift shop/Post office @ Teslin, Yukon. Is 1/2 way between Watson lake & Whitehorse.

 Was a good place to stop, about 3pm, time for set-up, a beer and tunes. We sat outside and talked, & laughed, as we watched the clouds form,

and planned where to next, and how long to stay where. Always looking towards our trip end, with unsure boarder openings, we do our best to plan a possible Alaska visit.

After a couple hours in the sun, the clouds became a cover so inside we went.

The wind came, and rains looked sure, even a couple drops on us, but no, no rain. Just wind, dark clouds, and then it blew over. Turned into a calm quiet evening. We watched a bit of tv, then a movie we had started watching in the morning, with Tom Hanks and a soccer ⚽ ball called Wilson 😊

Today we will drive to Whitehorse, setup for a weeks stay there while we look around the city and area. August 9th was announced today as the date Canada will start letting US tourists into Canada, tested, and shots are the requirements. No announcement yet from USA when we will be allowed to travel into the states.

Polly and I talked about this quite abit, why is it taking so long? What's the his up? How are they going to check if you are vaccinated, what kind of documents will you need? I'm thinking as we travel to the states, they don't have this ready yet. Are we going to have it on or attached to our passports? The BC government is who was in charge of our vacation, so how will it work?

We gave up the subject after awhile, and planned the time we would start our return to the island, regardless if we went to Alaska or not.

The days are long now, when we go to bed, still light out, and 3am light again, I didn't want to get up, but at 4am, I had to. So watch a little TV, news no sound LoL 😆, and then turn off and write in my notes, hoping I can transfer to my blog.

Moskitos are a concern, when we left Liard Hot springs I was outside awhile trying to wash some of the bugs off the trailer, just give it a little cleaning. Moskitos were after me full, but instead of lathering up with bug juice I just pushed through, and took the bite's and worked fast.

When we finally were all packed, I was crabby. Polly was like 😳 what the heck! LoL, I was sweating, hot, moskito bit, and wanted to go. Polly was relaxed and wondering what I was so impatient about. Well after a couple quick snaps, and a little cooling down, we laughed. Was intense bug miss-management I call it now, I have to prepare for the moskitos,  get my bug gaurd on, even if I don't like the smell.

Sofar bugs have not been as bad as I know they can be. Most days in the afternoon no prob, but having bug spray on does make it just a little less tense. 😊

Will go see if I can post this now 😜🙃😃

Another day in our life, love this life. 🤗❤️

What do you want in your life?

Pleasures, the small things in life 😊

Mostly I want to enjoy moments like this morning, quiet beside the highway, before the hustle of the day starts. 

The wave of another as they start the day. 

The sunny, bright and full as it comes up.

The sounds of birds also starting there day.

The slow moving traffic as people start out.

The beauty of gardens that are almost always around, if you look. 

The cool breeze on my legs as I sit and write about this moment in time.

Looking at the sign board and realizing that this weekend someone has planned a  music 🎶 festival here in Dawson creek.😃

The warmth of the sun now as it climbs above the bushes.

The memory of visits just past with family and friends.

Visiting with neighbours yesterday we met here, that had an accident hitting a deer, and all that came of it, negative & positive.

Seeing the Pioneer Village here, and thinking back to when I was much younger, and wanted to build a log home. Makes me laugh now 😄😆 still like the thought, not going to happen.

Big Trucks coming now, the day of work is beginning.

So many trucks here 😳😮 😁

I like the comfort of this old bench. Hard, but comfortable, and a table for coffee ☕

Small things in life 😊, I keep enjoying them. 

A walk this morning will be nice, I wonder how many pictures I'll take LoL 😆 What will I see?

This keeps me looking. 

Warm, cool, relaxed, fulfiled, comfortable, happy, oh yea, my buddy Don Lloyd's Birthday today! Got to make that call later, make sure he's awake first.

Funny how a mind works, from thinking of being content,  in the moment,

 to a birthday 😁 🎂

Okay, time for a walk. 

Then we travel. So looking forward to this adventure north. Places we have never seen before. Next stop today, Taylor BC 

 A woman comes by, asking if the office is open? LoL, nope, I say, another short conversation with her and as she leaves she says "Enjoy the moment" 

"I am" I say.  😊  Makes me smile.

Life is funny. Started this post last January, finished it today.

      Colton's family, Chris, Ciara & Chase

We think we are at the best place, then something happens, and we realize there is a glitch. Our plans have to change. So we adjust, and make a change. 

Here we are in our home town, staying put waiting for someone to say it's ok to go again. LoL, I think we may have to wait for a long time. Been almost a year already, now as it seems to be getting worse we will wait longer again. All of us wonder when, and yet no word. I haven't given up, still making plans, and even made a reservation today for September, felt good to plan ahead. Got a site we wanted, in a place where we want to go, with friends we hope to see. 

Next was a realization I had today as I was working on my table, there was a time when I had to just go slowly with the jigsaw. My impatient self wanted to push through, and another part of me remembered a long time ago when I would be alone in the garage I had rented, grinding the heads for my engine. A tedious job, but I liked the work. When I was doing the sanding today, and running the jigsaw, I felt like, just like I was 15 or 16 again, just putting my head down and concentrating on the job at hand. 

      The table I made last winter in use

So, Funny how we think, when we are doing what we really like. Just completely absorbed in the moment. 

Forward 6 months

When we came to Grande Prairie this time we had a trailer belly full of goodies for family and friends. That was the absolute best feeling to give someone something they wanted and loved. 

On the other hand the creation of these gifts was selfish on my part as I enjoyed every moment of there creation. If someone paid me to do what I did, it wouldn't be as enjoyable. Dust, noise, cold, heat, just some uncomfortable moments. I loved them all as I was totally absorbed in the moments that created the goods. 

Happy to give, especially when received with such appreciation & love. 

Today we travel to Dawson creek, a night or 2 at Mile O RV park and a visit with Uncle Doug. Monday he turns 92, we will celebrate that with him. What a milestone, 92 years. He told me last year as we stopped in Harrison lake to visit a friend that he remembers cutting down a huge Douglas fir in 1938. It was 81/2 feet wide at the butt. He told me he remembers where the stump was exactly, and wanted me to go there and find a man that he knew then. "He would know, he would show you the stump" WOW I thought, what memories we have. 

I did drive by, I did ask about the man at the store, but nobody remembered him. 

Uncle Doug did, just like it was yesterday. 

Sun's up now, another beautiful day ahead.

Looking forward to travel again 😊🤗♥️

Today another gift, and more memories will be made. I wonder if they will be long lasting, or short and fleeting? 

Yesterday we made some long lasting memories, we enjoyed our family and friends, gave a few pictures, hugs, and shared dinner. Pictures were taken, solidifying the time in our memory of this exact time, and what it meant to us. 

           Colton's smiling 😊

      Polly grandmother's as she loves ♥️

             Proud Grandpa

I take alot of pictures, some say way too many, I just love it. This is my way of seeing and enjoying the beauty I see. For every picture I post you may see, I'm sure I've taken fifty I have not shown. 

Deleting photos is hard for me, as I do have memories attached to the photo, of the walk, the sounds, the smells, the weather, the love. So much can be captured in a photo. 

Uncle Doug took many videos, he has been trying to condense them, and narrate them so people can view them when he's gone, and know what the times ment to him. He has not been too successful at it, but is a continuous desire of his. I hope to watch a few of his movie's with him today. 

Yesterday I got to enjoy our grandson Colton, and family Chris, Ciara, Chase, Three dogs, Gunner, Blue, and Winter, even the neighbors stopped over for a "Hi how are you, how's the new baby." They had a baby 6 weeks ago. Their cat Finnegan followed them, and even there other cat came over. Was a really nice moment in time. 

Family pictures were taken just before this meeting, and that is preserved in my mind now, the pictures are great, they preserve the memory. 

When I make something as I did, it preserves in my mind the moment making it and giving it. And as pointed out by Wendy Crispin, the horse made for Colton will likely be a family heirloom. I had never thought of that before. Makes me kinda proud and happy 😊

Ciara is the person that wanted the rocking horse, Chris wanted it like a Mustang. I got to enjoy making it. Polly gets to tell the story, she's very good at this. Chase watches as all happens. And we all build a memory of this time. 

The picture just cements it in our mind. 

A moment in time, that's important to us.

 I want to remember these days 😊🤗♥️

In a working man's town, well really a working Town, everybody's working.

   Our new addition, 

    Colton William Kenneth Browning

Surprise waking to rain this morning. Nice to have a little cool down.

We have been busy enjoying family & friends while while here in Grande Prairie, our stay has been wonderful. Yesterday was great, Ciara got out of hospital, (sooner than she expected) so we had a chance to visit with Chris, Ciara, Chase & their new addition Colton in the afternoon. I remember now what soft skin a baby has, he just looks so purfect. 

Polly held him as soon as we got in the house, I almost had to pull him outta her grip 😆 so I could have a good look. He was very content, we all love him. Chase has a brother, I'm looking forward to seeing them both grow up. 

I'm a soppy kinda guy, but no tears just very happy for them with there new son and brother. Was a very nice visit, love all around us, felt so good. 🤗♥️

We came home after our visit, and wholly crap, almost 4 pm. Waaat, we were to leave at 4 for dinner at Jack & Wendy's and meet there Son and Daughter-in-law John & Matty.

 Well Polly had her appetizer ready, (Crab dip) just a little warmup, and packed and on our way, only a 2 minute drive away. We sprung into the house, as Jack was getting the chicken ready, and Wendy was mixing the salad, felt like coming home, as we stayed next door at there kids house in the driveway when we arrived a week ago. 

Friends who make you feel like family are such a pleasure. We grab a drink, sit and watch them as we all yak, they continue there dinner making performance, and we talk about our new grandchild, and how good it feels, Polly telling how he looks, how she enjoyed the visit. 

Rain in earnist now, nice to hear on the roof.

Our visit was good inside, then to the garage, smoking is part of there lives, so out we go, dinner is on its way, and we sit and enjoy their company. Joke and laugh 🤣😂 and tell stories, some we have told many times before. 

I get reminded of a deal I had made on FB marketplace for some mudflaps to protect the trailer as we travel north. So I let them know I'll be gone for awhile, and Polly stays and off I go. No problem!

On my way back from picking up this mudflap bar, and mudflaps I pass a saw mill. I've passed it before, but this time I think to myself, hey it's front and center in town. Just like in Port Alberni, mills front and center. I just never thought of that before. 

Now comes the thunder, I have not seen the lightning yet, but sure it's out there.

When driving around town here, I do see logging trucks once in awhile, but not as much as oil drilling equipment and tank trucks. I know this is a working town, but I just don't think of the logging and sawmill. 

Then if I really look around I see the farmland all around the town, just surounded by the most beautiful, huge farms. That was the start here, logging, sawmills and farms. Oil came later I think, but oil and gas is what expanded the town to a city. 

Fast paced, and growing is how I would describe Grande Prairie, & young, so many young people. Is nice to see, the future is in places like this. Gee where the heck am I going with this? 😂😆

As we drive into and out of Grande Prairie from our campsite we pass a multitude of equipment working on the new highway expansion, twining the highway, just making it wider I'm thinking, so it can handle more volume is what I'm told. 

Thunder right above now, 😀 I like the sounds. 

This place is growing in leaps a and bounds, every time we come, new this and new that. I like to see it, and enjoy the whole experience. When you live here I'm sure it gets to be ole hat, same ole same ole. But for me as I walk and drive the town, all's new, all's interesting. Eye's wide open I would say. 

But that Mill, I just didn't see it the way I did yesterday, just passed by it and didn't pay it any mind. 

The wind now, the push after the storm. I'm guessing it's passing by now.

Meeting John and Matty in the garage as I came back was nice, and dogs, there were 5 and so many different personalities in them. 

We talked outside till dinner was ready, Jack in and out BBQing chicken as he came back and forth. Wendy was most all done her prep. Was a most relaxing time being with friends. 

Dinner was excellent, half chicken pieces, I didn't take a picture of were in a huge bowl, and salad, corn, with a forgotten beautiful potato salad in the fridge, darn lol.  Was fun to meet John and Matty with Jack & Wendy. We are welcomed back, John says a 30amp plug be there next time we show up. Nice 😃 

     Dog's loaded first, then John & Matty

Wholly crap, now the winds shaking the trailer 😳

We leave tomorrow for Dawson creek, another short visit with Uncle Doug, and then we travel north to see country we have not seen before. Dam I'm excited.

Will be happy and sad time, to leave family and friends with a new baby here though, but knowing we will return before we head back to the island, that's a good feeling. Knowing we will see them all again in the not to distant future. 

Calm now, the storm has past I think. No more rain, wind has eased. That was fast. 

Polly sleep's as I write. Sometimes I wished I could sleep in, and once in awhile I do, but mostly I wake early and enjoy the day, early morning - till almost dark. 

Wholly shit, I ran outta Kleenex, must have been soppy-er than I thought. 😊

I sure do love this life 🤗♥️

I took a short walk, and took a few pics of the sky, storms still on. 

Polly's up now, coffee ☕ she asks, nope I'm done, thanks. Our day begins, and I'm finished this short story 😃😆😂

Dinner tonight with Chris Ciara Chase & Colton William Kenneth Browning. What a handle 🤗🤗🤗♥️♥️♥️ 

Get a picture of the whole family together, that's my goal later today. 

Sun's out now. LoL what fun weather 👍

Was going to wash the truck today. Hmm, 🤔 maybe another day. 🙂