September 28, day 75

Standing on the 13th step of the CO capital, 5280 feet UP

We are at a KOA in Fort Collins CO.  We never stay at a KOA because they cost so much but after a day of driving and having a bite to eat at the Odell Brewery at about 6:00 PM we just did not want to travel more. 
We enjoyed our 50th national park at Rocky Mountain yesterday.  There were thousands of cars which we could not believe.  As we entered I asked the lady if they were always this busy and she said no, it was a FREE day and one of the most visited days of the year!  We have a way of finding those kind of days.  At the Odell brewery it was kind of the same story and I asked them if it was always so busy.  The gal said not really, they were celebrating their 25th year!   So the story goes, each place is different!
We have 740 miles to brother Dave's and Marlys.  I am so excited to get my guitar.  We now think we will pull into St. Paul October 3.  Terry has in mind that we should entertain several people before we head to Naples on the 17th.  I also have some woodworking to do for Christmas before we head south.  Sister Helen promised to have potato salad at her place on the 19th--a hand made guitar, grandma Lee's potato salad compliments of Helen and a wonderful wife, life is GOOD.
As I write Terry is taking down things so we can get on the road.  So I need to finish the FP, post this and get dressed.

September 26, Friday, Day 74

No need to explain.  While I was listening to baseball in the 60's Terry was listening to music and of course this song was popular by the Eagles.  It was fun to visit but it was our second time!!
We are in a sweet campground just outside of Colorado Springs and it is a neat place.  We spent the last two nights with high school friend Leanne and her husband Frank.  Leanne and Terry were buds in HS and they must still be as i woke up the last two nights about 2 AM or so when Terry finally came to bed.  Frank is a retired navy guy who now loves to hunt and fish.  He also likes to take care of prairie dogs who ranchers do not like.  His total this summer is 7200+.  He said if we visit next time before September 1st I can get in on some of the action!
Our plans are a bit up in the air as there are so so many things to see and do around here but we are tied to a September 30 date with brother Dave and Marlys.  I can hardly wait so see my guitar.  Who in the world would be so blessed to get a gift like that?
Enough for now.  By the way, as we entered the camp grounds today our trip meter turned to 9500 miles.  We have at least 1300 miles to St. Paul..

End of day 70

No pictures, just a note.
We are camped in a county fairgrounds campgrounds outside of Flagstaff.  There are about 90 sites and I am guessing there are TWO campers here.  Very peaceful with BIG pines and shade.  No hookups but that is fine.  For $17 we are good.  We spent the the afternoon in old Flagstaff looking at buildings and then took in two mico brewries.  I would say one had an amber that would fit in the top 3 of the last 100 we have visited.  A growler, oh yes!!  It will be an early bed time with maybe an early morning.  Last night we watched a movie in our camper of tennis in England which was predictable but fun to watch.  After that I think Terry watched a TV movie while I dozed off!  Tonight we have no electric, no water and just a peaceful setting which is perfect. 
I saw on the web that our Pen Fed bill is there, that is where most of our gas has been charged, and I was afraid to look, but who cares as it is only money, right???
To get internet I had to fire up the generator but I think it is time to turn it off.
Will head farther east tomorrow.

Day 70--the end of week 10 on the road--September 22

We are camped in Kingman Az.  As we walked up to register I thought it kind of looked familiar.  When the gal took our name she said, "You were here last year on September 7!" 
I need to drink my FP quickly and get this done as the sun will peek over the mountains soon and the computer screen will be difficult to read.
We had lunch at a Route 66 cafe in Kingman yesterday.  Of course we had to order a burger and malt!
As I sit at the computer at the back of the camper I am looking at a desert land with shrubs, cactus and little animals running all over the place.
I saw on facebook this morning that a friend Noreen W. died yesterday.  Noreen worked in the People of Praise office when I started doing Servant Camp and her husband Pat was our insurance agent for a time.  I think Noreen was about my age.  Those things kick start thoughts and emotions that I would rather not deal with!!!   Anyway Noreen was a wonderful lady who endured much hardship in her family.  I know she is in a good place today.  I pray for Pat and her family.
Here comes the sun and there goes the screen.  Wait, there is still FP in the cup.

Route 66, good burgers, great malts and I love that pickup!!

I posted this little guy before but wanted to show his "want to be' dream below

Day 67, September 19

We are in Hesperia CA for the night.  We stayed at a CA state park on the coast last night.  No hookups and with a senior discount it was $43!!!  Ouch  Tonight we are in a gated RV park.  We have electric, a pool, showers, game room, a library with books you may take and more for $35!!!  Go figure.  We may stay two nights as we are exhausted.  I think the events of the last couple of weeks, the travel, my back that is acting up, Terry's flu like feelings over the last several days have all taken a toll.  I think it may be a good idea to sleep in with air of course if it is hot, lazy in the pool and read.  We will see what we think in the morning but the travel, the events back in MN have taken their toll, a little bit anyway.
Our trip meter rolled over the 8000 mile mark two days ago.  We have about 2500 miles left on our trip.  We did take in Pinnacles NP and Channel Island NP in the last two days.  Pinnacles was our 48 NP and our first disappointment.  It just did not come close to NP standards in any way.  Channel Island is of course 5 islands off the coast but their visitor center was wonderful and the movie was so interesting.  We escaped the traffic along the coast without any damages.  CA traffic is just, well all one can say is it is CA.
I will see if I can dig up some pictures that have not been posted.  I only have about 1000+  to chose from!
No FP as it is evening!!!!!

fly fishing in Oregon

I think this is a "want to be" buck!!!  He was in our camp site

The plane that we flew in from Haines to Gustavus AK

We spent a short time here.  John and Travis graduated here in 92 and 94--long ago!!  The campus is beautiful.

This is the front of the melting glacier

close up of a melting glacier in AK

just pictures

like our gas pump on the farm except ours was not white

that is a BIG house boat!!!!

this may be our next camper!!!!!

a new use for old boots

Crater Lake on a sunny day but in the smoke of  wild fires

Day 1 of week 10 (day 64) --September 16

Terry arranged a meet and greet with the captain

Sure I can steer this ship!

tents on the ship

more tents

Terry's cousin Leslie, son Matt and us  We visited them in Shady Cove OR

Terry found a great camp grounds in Redding CA for the night.  We are now headed south as we will take in Pinnacles NP and Channel Island NP towards the end of the week.
Our schedule is pretty loose except we told a friend we would be at their place in Angel Fire NM on the 25.  From there we head north to Rocky Mountain NP and then decide which route to St. Paul we take. It looks like we may arrive in St. Paul on October 2 or 3 now but we will see.
I was bummed last night as I set a growler out to dry and then dropped it on the cement--no more growler from Ashland OR.
The weather in CA is a far cry from AK.  Most of the time in AK the day time temps were in the 50s or 60s and here in OR and CA we have had day temps in the mid 90s.  They have had no rain for months and everything is brown brown brown.  Yesterday we passed Weed CA on I5 and it looked like they were in danger of a fire coming into town.  We could see the flames from the highway.
Terry and I do not know how to act now.  The only water we have seen in days is in the shower!  I think our minds and body are tuned in to how to avoid getting wet and when should we take the side tent down so it is dry.
Leslie made coffee yesterday at her place so I missed my FP but today oh yes it is super!!

Day 61 I think!!

the only gas station in Gustavus AK

a mountain goat on the mountain side

this moose posed as we drove past

huge chunks of ice off a glacier--as they melt the dirt flows out

We arrived in Washington yesterday morning about 8 AM  Our ferry ride was nice.  Of course the inside passage way is fun to see.  We spent yesterday afternoon around Pikes Market in Seattle which was really interesting.  Today we will head towards Crater Lake NP and try to see it in the sunshine!
Our modern world always amazes me.  On the ferry in Alaska my phone rings and it is the dr office in Naples wanting to set up an appt to have the plate removed from my right wrist.  We set a date of October 29 which means we need to be in FL by the 28.
Our last adventure in AK was a plane ride to Glacier Bay NP and it was spectacular.  I will not say the experience made up for 30+ days of rain but maybe!!!!  The pilot took us through and over the mountains and NEVER have I had such an experience---something to cherish forever.  I will be posting pictures but the pictures pale compared to seeing it in person.
We had to give in to cost yesterday and camp in a KOA.  We never use KOA because they are expensive but most campgrounds were full.  One person said "it is a weekend and here it is still summer!"  Well that may be true but summer is gone in AK.
After taking several days off to fly back to MN it takes some effort to get in the camping spirit again.  Of course the delicious FP this morning helps a lot!

Last day in Alaska

the grizzly in the lower right is out for a moon light walk and some salmon

This is it, our last day in Alaska.  We have a trip planned that has had to be canceled 3 times so we will see what happens today!  We board the ferry at 10:00 and set sail at 11:00.  Alaska has been wonderful BUT the weather has been iffy.  We could have seen and enjoyed so much more if there would have been more sun and less rain but I have no regrets it is a trip of a life time.  I am so proud of Terry who has embraced camping and I think actually done better than I.
On Friday morning we will get off the ferry in Washington and head down the coast to southern California.  We are hoping for WARM weather and dry days--we will see what we get.
It is a cool 43 here with a wind so my fingers are not working so well on the keyboard!
My FP coffee is the saving grace!!

a closer look at the hungry bear!

We are in Alaska again and guess what---it is raining!!!

summer is over in Alaska

a active fish wheel that the natives use for subsistence living

Terry loves things bigger than life!

now that is a bench!

again bigger than life

We arrived in Haines yesterday about 3:15 to a rainy day!  Our flight out today to see Glacier Bay NP was canceled so we will not see that.  Tomorrow we will spend getting ready to board the ferry in the evening.
We came back to a car and camper that were dried out and ready for us.  The camp people took the tent and canopy out on a dry day and then put them in again.  NICE
Not much to say.  I did get my FP made after we returned from the airport.  I am sitting under the canopy in a steady rain--so what is new for Alaska???
I am struggling to get my enthusiasm up for the remainder of the trip.  I am sure it will come but.....  Tomorrow it is supposed to be nice and sunny and that will be nice as we should be able to put the tent and canopy in the camper dry.  That is important as it will sit in the camper for 4 days and one does not have access to it on the trip.
NO, my FP is gone.

Sometimes by doing right you are wronged but life goes on

No pictures today
Terry's mother, Dorothy, died Tuesday at about 6:30 AM, about 36 hours after we arrived in Bemidji. It was less than a week from the time she was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer!
We arrived in St. Paul this evening.  Terry, her sister Jen and brother Keith accomplished much during the last 36 hours.  Dorothy had a SMALL house and most of it has been gone through and it will go up for sale this fall.  Dorothy had her "house" in order so that will make things easier for her children.  The situation only reinforces the fact that life is fragile, life is short, life is fleeting in so many ways.  It reminds me to keep my face towards God and remember what is important in life.  We are in the midst of a long trip and even that kind of event pales compared to life and family.  The heading of my blog today will not be explained but....I will say that all is well in Terry's family but times like this are the Devils playground for sure.
We have made plans to return to Alaska Saturday.  We will leave St. Paul on a 7:00 AM flight and arrive in Haines at 3:05 PM and that is with a 3 hour difference.  We will then board the ferry on Monday evening, the 8, and precede with our trip.  Our plan is still to get all the parks in Alaska and arrive in St. Paul about October 1st.  We now will have Dorothy's event in Buffalo SD on October 17 and probably head for Fl shortly after that.  I do want to get this plate out of my right wrist.
I am dealing with a back problem so I am hoping it heals.  I think all the travel has made one of the nerves in my back angry and it is affecting my leg and with that good sleep is hard to come by.  I actually went in for a massage in Bemidji and I think it helped a bit but when I asked the lady what I could do she smiled and said "you could consider changing your life style!"  Sure I can do that right now but what do I do about the car and camper in Alaska?????
No FP at 8:00 PM

Family comes first of course

this moose crossed the road just ahead of us

As the sun goes behind the mountains at our camp site in the Yukon

Fall is in the air and in the landscape

Maybe our nicest camp site on the trip so far--in the Yukon on our way to Haines

At 9:00 PM central time on Sunday we were settled in for a week in Haines Alaska, at 9:00 PM central time on Monday we arrived in Bemidji MN (northern MN)  After a call from Terry's daughter Kim saying "If you want to see Grandma again you should go"  I went on line at the camp site at 3:30 on Sunday and by 4:15 we had flights to Juneau, flights to Seattle and then on to Minnesota.  We left our car and camper with wet side tent and canopy inside at the camp site and the owner drove us to the Haines airport for a 5:45 flight out.  The plane had 5 seats so everyone was window!!  We made a stop at Skagway and then on to Juneau.  We got a room for Sunday night in Juneau and flew out at 6:00 AM Monday. Because the plane was full out of Seattle we got a free upgrade to 1st class which was nice.  My son Travis picked us up at the airport, we packed a bit, got some things out of our garden and drove 4 hours to Bemidji.  Our schedule for the next few days is up in the air.  Terry was able to spend a little time with her Mom last night but at this point she sleeps most of the time. 
Of course we will have to pick up our trip again as our car and camper can not sit in Haines so the question is when?
Sometimes life gets crazy, too busy, very difficult and more.  In the last 48 hours we have experienced it all.  It appears that Terry's Mom is in the last days of her life.  It has been long (88 years) and it appears that she has all of her affairs in order so I do believe she is ready.  I say that and then I think are any of us really ready for the end of life?? I do know my Mom, Ruby, died at the age of 84.  She was not able to do a lot the last few years of her life and she would say from time to time she was ready for what awaited her after this life!  She died in her sleep sitting in her favorite chair while taking a morning nap.  She even left half a doughnut under that kitchen table cloth which she intended to eat after her nap.
I went downstairs this morning intending to enjoy a free breakfast only to find that in this hotel the free breakfast consists of "good morning" and the real food costs $15.  I said yikes and then hopped in the car and drove a quarter mile for my "senior" $.50 at the golden arches. 
No more thoughts and for sure no FP this morning.

Day 48 and a BIG TWIST

As I write we are in a Best Western in Juneau.  We got a second phone call today saying that Terry's mother is continuing to deteriorate health wise with her lung cancer.  SO in the last 3 hour we booked a flight to the Twin cities and plan to be in Bemidji MN tomorrow evening.  We left our car and camper in Haines and our return trip is up in the air.  We ask for prayers for her mother Dorothy and for Terry that we can arrive in time for Terry to have some time with her mother.
Life can sometimes throw curve balls and this is certainly one of them.  As one would guess the air fares are sky high but to be able to spend time with your mother one last time is worth what--at least a million!!
SO our next several days are up in the air.  If anyone reads this you can also say a small prayer for my back which is sore and the air travel tomorrow will not be kind MAYBE!!
Enough for now.