2017 Annual Recap

What can I say?

2017 was one heck of a year!

We've had a lot of pretty good years but this one is going to be one to remember....

At least until 2018!

Below is the map of our travels from Jan - Dec

January

We started off the year getting new tires for the Bus.

Using the Michelin Advantage Program thru FMCA saves us about $1000

February

Honey I sold the house!

On Feb 5th we went under contract to sell the house.

It was a cash deal, but we had to be out by March 7th so we had to move and move fast!

Living room on Feb 5

Before the ink was dry - we shifted into high-gear.

Living room one week later. (Feb 12)

Within a week the Living room bedroom furniture was sold and moved out.

Bedroom on Feb 12

March

In less than a month Kates Odyssey, the boat, and tons of other stuff had been sold.

On March 5 the movers were here to pack up what was left.

All was shipped to Tucson, Az and put into climate controlled storage.

We hooked up the toad, and left for one last time!

We were now officially Full-time RV'ers

First stop was Freighliner in Gaffney, SC 

We toured the factory where our chassis was made and had the chassis

and engine serviced while there.

Next up was Livingston, Texas where we would set up our mailing service and domile.

We would now be Texans!

We completed all the paperwork, re-insuring the vehicles etc in record time!

In 2 days we were done and headed west across Texas, chasing the

Budweiser Clydesdale Horse team for several hundred miles westbound.

Winter 2016-2017 had been wet in the desert southwest.

This translated into a "Superbloom" of spring flowers and and we were in a hurry to

get out west to see the last remnants if possible.

Chihuahuan Desert Flowers in New Mexico

Our first destination was Casa Grande, Az where we rented a small storage room.

This room was where we would keep things that we wanted from time to time

but did not have room in the Bus for.

It was now late March...

After Casa Grande, we continued west on I-10 and headed to Lake Pleasant Park

on the Northwest fringes of Phoenix.

We met Jim & Kristi here and spent about 5 days or so enjoying the great weather and

remnants of the spring flowers.

We caught one of the last Spring Training Games in Surprise, Az

April

Heading back East (south) towards Tucson with Jim & Kristi, we met 

Ron & Maxine at Catalina State Park in Oro Valley, Az.

Oro Valley is one of the places that we love and could very well be our next home town

when it is time to buy a house.

The desert was still in bloom - albeit not as prolific as it was earlier prior to our arrival.

Catalina has lots of great hiking trails and we tried to take a nice hike each day.

We took a hike in Sabino Canyon in Coronado National Forest.

The canyon is a true desert Oasis.

We visited Old Tucson Studios where many famous western movies were filmed.

We took a trip to visit Biosphere 2 - now owned and operated by the University of Arizona.

After a return trip to Lake Pleasant with Ron & Maxine we then parted ways and

we began our slow trek northward to Alaska.

First stop was the Las Vegas Motorcoach Resort.

We love it here.   The Resort is just so beautiful

Tiki Bar & Outside Kitchen

While here we stopped at our favorite place to give the doodles a bath.

Gracie in the tub

Anticipating taking the long dirt road north to the Arctic Ocean later in the summer,

I used the Michelin Advantage program to put new tires on the toad and 

saved over $300 on the 4 tires.

May

After Las Vegas we headed north to Heber City, Ut - just east of Provo, to

Deer Creek State Park.

Being early in the season we had the place almost to ourselves and had a prime

campsite with a great waterview.

While at Deer Creek we went for lunch to the nearby Sundance Resort owned by Robert Redford.

Sundance Resort

Continuing north we next spend several days in Butte, Montana.

One day we toured the Copper King Mansion which was built and owned

by William Clark.

Another Mansion built by William Clark

We left Butte on a change of weather and had some snow to contend with as we drove

north towards Canada.

Crossing into Canada we first spent a few days in Cochran, Alberta and then

moved west to Banff National Park.

While in Banff we visited a lot of the local sights including Lake Louise which was

still frozen with several feet of snow around the shore.

Leaving Banff, we head up the Icefield Parkway to Jasper.

Always majestic...

The views change with the season.

As we approach Jasper at the north end of the Parkway

the terrain levels out a bit.

We spent a couple of nights in Whistlers Campground in

Jasper National Park.

While in Jasper we toured the local area including Athabasca Falls.

Leaving Jasper we headed north on the Bighorn Highway (Alberta 40)

and then highway to Dawson Creek, BC

Along the way one must stop in Beaver Lodge to visit the Big Beaver.

In Dawson Creek, BC we (once again) get the obligatory picture at MM O

of the Alaska Highway.

Our first day northbound on the Alcan and we see our first (of many) Bear.

We spend the night at Summit Lake in Stone Mtn Provincial Park.

The highest point on the Alcan as it crests the Rocky Mountains.

The lake is still frozen.

The next day we see the usual Stone Sheep along Mucho Lake

We stayed at McDonald Campground on Muncho Lake for about a week.

There was ice floating by, but that did not keep me from taking a swim.

The views are just beautiful.

While at Muncho Lake we day tripped 40 miles west to Liard Hot Springs for a hot soak.

Leaving Muncho - it was May 30 when we passed thru Watson Lake and the "sign forest"

and found our old sign from 3 years earlier.

June

We found ourselves starting the month of June in Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon.

Canada National Parks positiion these red chairs at all the photogenic places in all their parks.

We are making a collection of Red Chair Photos as we travel thru the country.

Red chairs at SS Klondike Whitehorse

We visted Miles Canyon which we missed last time around.

There were Kayaks negotiating the canyon while we were there.

Leaving Whitehorse we continue north.

We stopped next at Kluane National Park, the Kathleen Lake Campground.

We were able to pick up a decent 3g signal from Haines Junction so this was a good place

for me to work yet be out in the wilds.

Kathleen Lake - Kluane National Park

We took a day trip down the Haine Highway towards Haines Alaska.

We drove down to the border and back.

The drive is beautiful, and the Haines Highway is in great condition and very smooth.

Dezadeash Lake Yukon along the Haines Highway

Our next stop heading North was Congdon Creek Yukon Govt Campground on

Kluane Lake.

We love Kluane Lake and this campground.

Kluane Lake Reflections

We had great solar and all three dish satellites!

We stayed here about a week.

The view of the St Elias Mountains out the front window.

From Kluane Lake we crossed back into the US and entered Alaska.

Our next destination was Valdez, Alaska

The views crossing Thompson pass are beautiful

Thompson Pass is the snowiest place in Alaska and receives almost 600" of snow in

an average year.

Keystone Canyon on the Valdez side of the pass

Our spot in Valdez was breathtaking.

Bear Paw II RV Park in Valdez

A pair of Moose just outside of town.

Our goal heading north was our rendezvous in Anchorage with our friends Eric & Pat

who flew in and spent 3 weeks traveling with us in a rented Class C RV

Here is our traveling group in Seward Alaska

While in Seward we took a wildlife cruise on Resurrection Bay and

the Gulf of Alaska.

I just love the Arctic Puffins

Mountain Goats cling to the side of a mountain.

A Whale takes a dive.

Leaving Seward we headed to Homer.

Enroute we stopped to admire the view at Trail Lake in Moose Pass, Ak

A Bald Eagle flies by

We camped on top of the bluffs overlooking Kachemak Bay outside of Homer.

In Homer I posed with my catch.

The boondocking sites along the Homer Spit.

Enroute to Soldotna we stopped to visit the Nilnichik Russian Orthodox Church.

Mama Moose gave us the "stink eye"

The Russian Orthodox Church in Kenai, Ak

The old church annex in Kenai.

Heading north to Denali, we stopped at Williwaw NF Campground so

that we could visit Whittier.

The gang poses along the Whittier Waterfront.

July

Further north still we stopped at the brand new K'esugi Ken Campground in

Denali State Park.

The campground was full but they let us boondock in the visitor center parking lot

which was just fine.

Behind us in the photo below are the Alaska Range with Denali Hidden in the clouds.

Our next stop is Denali National Park.

A couple of days in Reilly Creek Campground, then 4 nights in Teklanika further inside

the park where most campers do not go.

Kate got this cool shot of a seagull.

We hiked the Savage Creek Loop Trail.

The bus in Teklanika is dressed for 4th of July.

Yes the satellite dish is up.

We had all of our channels here in the wilderness.

Pat & Kate pose in front of Denali.

You can just see the peak poking out above the clouds in the center.

As far inside the park as you can go.

Riding the bus back to Tek, it stopped for 20 minutes at the Eilsen Visitor Center.

We told the bus driver that we were going to walk ahead and to stop and pick us up

when he came by.

It's a good thing the driver stopped and picked us up.

Just a few minutes further up the road was this big guy.

Leaving Denali we headed north to Fairbanks.

Along the way you pass Skinny Dicks.

We went to the Alaska Salmon Bake in Fairbanks

We went Kayaking on the Chena River

And then it was time to say goodbye to Eric & Pat.

They were headed back to Anchorage & Home.

And we were headed to our next adventure.

But first a farewell dinner of Kates awesome Eggplant Parm.

Next up for us was an EPIC ROAD TRIP!

Leaving the bus in Fairbanks we headed north and up the Dalton Highway

towards Deadhorse on Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic Ocean.

About 420 miles of dirt road each way with one fuel stop about 1/2 up.

The Dalton Highway Stretches far to the horizon

Only about 1% of visitors to Alaska venture further north than Fairbanks.

Almost all of them who do - turn around once they reach the arctic circle.

From the Arctic Circle we still had about 300 miles to go!

We camped for the night at Marion Creek, a BLM campground just north of Coldfoot.

We brought plenty of backpacking meals to eat and as emergency supplies in case of

trouble along the way.

Our camp in Marion creek.

The next morning around 0700 we set off for the final 240 miles to Deadhorse.

My goal for this trip was to see a MuskOx and the Northern Lights.

About 40 miles south of Deadhorse we checked off one goal.

MuskOx Grazing along the Dalton Highway

We made it to the Arctic Ocean!

Caribou Grazing in the Oil Fields.

Now past 5pm, We fed the doodles in Deadhorse.

Note the back of the pickup set up for sleeping.

After having a fantastic dinner at the Aurora Hotel - where many of the workers eat - 

we now headed back around 7pm.   It is 240 miles back to Marion Creek. 

The fireweed along the road side

For over 4 hrs we did not pass another vehicle headed the other way.

It was a magical night in Epic Wilderness!

Headed south towards the Brooks Range on the Dalton Highway

The photo below was taken around 11:30 pm.

We were about an hour from camp.

The next day we continued south.

First a stop at Coldfoot to fill up on fuel and clean the windows.

The mud on the side of the truck was about 1/4" thick in spots.

Getting back to Fairbanks it took $45 worth of quarters just to get most of the mud off!

We posed at the sign at the south end of the Dalton.

This was truly one of the best road trips we've made.

We want to go back with a truck camper and really spend some time 

 exploring up north of Coldfoot in the wilderness.

After the Dalton it was time to decide where we wanted to go and spend 

some time waitingfor fall to arrive.

It did not take us long to both agree...

"Lets go back to Seward"

We spent the next 7 weeks boondocking on Resurrection Bay.

By now, being further south, we were starting to see some darkness again at night

Our daily view.

Kate would sit out front and meet all the people who would walk by on the bike path.

The Mayor Holds Court

Sea Otters were our daily companions

Looking north from in front of the Bus towards the Harbor.

A ship arrived about every other morning.

The view changes hourly.

August

August marks the change in the season in Alaska.

The fall colors started to make their intentions known.

One morning we woke up to the start of the Salmon Run up the Bay.

For several weeks the bay was filled with Salmon leaping out of the water.

Eventually they made their way up the bay and into the streams to spawn and die.

With late August "termination dust" was starting to coat the higher peaks and

it was time to think about moving south.

The fall colors had arrived but think we timed our departure about a 

week to early to get the best peak colors

Fall Color along the Glen Highway

We found our way back to Congdon Creek on Kluane Lake.

We spent another week here.

A campfire at Congdon Creek takes the chill off of the day.

Fall Colors in the Yukon

We had a chimney fire in the cook shelter.

September

The start of September had up leaving Kluane and heading to Whitehorse for the

Labor day weekend.

Kluane Lake Fall Color

After Labor day we headed back to Muncho Lake and spent about 5 days there.

Back at McDonald CG on Muncho Lake BC

Muncho Lake BC

Lucy poses at Muncho Lake

Yes...  again I went for a swim.

42° Water

Next stop southbound was Stone Mountain.

The colors were just too nice to pass up.

Fall color at Summit Lake, BC

That night we crossed the second goal of the trip off of our list.

A strong Solar Storm gave us a strong showing of the Northern Lights

The almost full moon and the northern lights

I used a 15second exposure on my little point and shoot Cannon to get these shots.

Northern Lights at Stone Mtn BC

Northern Lights at Stone Mtn BC

A week or so later we were back in civilization...  Hinton, Alberta.

Here I found a great truck wash where I was finally able to give the bus a long

overdue bath.

Hinton Truck & RV Wash

We continued to match the change of colors as we slowly progressed

south and enjoyed our "endless autumn"

Fall Colors along the Icefield Parkway

We met up Rob & Pat and their Doodle Olivia in Banff.

Red Chairs in Banff NP

Rob Pat Kate & Greg at the Banff Springs Hotel

It was a short but fun visit and soon Rob & Pat headed back home and we headed

back into the US - Destination Glacier National Park.

Rob leads the way out of Tunnel Mtn Banff

Unfortunately, wildfires have been burning all around Glacier and the Going to the Sun Road

was closed again.    This is our third time there that we were unable to drive the road.

KOA West Glacier Mt

We visited Coeur D' Alene Idaho for a few days then headed to Seattle

Enroute it was time for a lube/filter service at Speedco in Spokane.

In Seattle we visited with Jim & Kristi and went to the Pike Place Market.

Pike Place Market Seattle

I snuck a selfie of Kate taking a selfie

Seattle Waterfront

Seattle Space Needle

We were headed next to the Willamette Valley in Oregon.

Enroute we stopped at Tough Top Awnings near Vancouver, Wa for

some replacements to our slide toppers.

October

Next stop was McMinville, Oregon for 6 weeks or so.

Kate flew to NYC to visit her Bro while I took the doodles to the Vet to begin

the process of getting them ready for next years trip overseas.

We also visited with Kates cousin Kate & her boyfriend Greg.

(yes - two Kates & two Gregs)

Greg Kate Kate Greg

And now we are in our third month of Autumn!

Fall at Olde Stone Village RV Park McMinville, Or

While Kate was gone I did some home improvements.

A new Stainless Convention Microwave and range.

And a Jura Super-automatic Expresso Maker 

November

With November came the change in Season and our "weather luck" finally ran out.

We spent a week on the coast and were buffeted by almost constant rain and 70 mph winds!

Winchester Bay RV Resort Oregon

A brief break in the rain provided this dramatic sunset.

The seas remained angry during our visit, and provided great views.

Our next stop was to be Eugene Oregon where we would spend Thanksgiving,

however the weather forecasts for all of the Willamette Valley and the coast were the

"3-R's" ...    Rain, Rain, and more Rain.

So we decided to work our way down to California where it was drier.

First stop was 7 feathers in Canyonville, Or.

Since the weather was cooperating and the hot tub inviting...

we stayed for a week.

(note there is still some fall color)

7 Feathers Resort

Pool & Hot Tub at 7 Feathers

With our luck still holding out, and our desire to visit Ashland, Oregon,

we spent a week at Emigrant Lake County Park just outside of Ashland.

Emigrant Lake Park Ashland, Or

Emigrant Lake Oregon

We really enjoyed Ashland.

It has a quaint downtown and an artsy funk to it.

Kate & I (plus the ever watchful doodles) enjoyed our Thanksgiving Feast

cooked in the new Convection Microwave Oven.

Next we headed south to Red Bluff, California

Mt Shasta

We stayed at the Durango RV Resort in Red Bluff.

Its a nice well equipped park but a tad noisy due to the adjacent freeway, but

we like Red Bluff so the noise is fine.

December

We began December in Napa California.

Its a very pretty town and area but the prices are just way out of control and way too

rich for our blood.

A tiny home not much larger than our bus was listed for almost $800k.

How much would these little shacks cost?

We were headed to Ron & Maxines house up in the foothills of the Sierra's for the holiday.

In preparation it was time to give our Alaskan Doodles a well earned bath.

Lucy gets a bath in Napa

The hills west of Napa looking down into the valley

Kates cousin came for a few nights to visit and again I had a pair of Kates.

Finally we arrived at

  "The Manor"

Ron & Maxines Palatial Mountaintop retreat.

Looking down  the morning clouds shroud the sleeping masses below.

Lots of Deer frolicking thru the neighborhood.

This is home for our Doodles.

3 years ago we drove from NC to California to leave them with R&M so that we

could fly to Europe for Christmas.

Kate supervised and we all pitched in and prepared

a small feast of eggplant for Christmas Eve

While here we took the doodles to R&M's vet.

They both had their teeth cleaned and Lucy had a cracked tooth pulled.

Needless to say - they were not happy with me at first but Doodles do forgive.

Gracie sleeping and showing off her new smile

R&M have 5 boys.

We did not get a picture of everyone together but here is 3 of the crew on Christmas Morning

along with the rest of us.

Well its New Years Eve.

That pretty much wraps up the year.

So much more was crammed into all the places but it would take a book to

recall them all.

It was a pretty decent year for sure!

Now stay tuned for next year...

I am going to try to top 2017 and I think our plans for 2018 might just do that!

Stay tuned for 2018
The Ride continues until it stops.

Happy New Year.
Thanks for riding along!