May 4^th

It is 1050 A.M. We are leaving our lovely little campsite in Claresholm, Alberta,heading north to Banff National forest.

We are driving through a predominantly farming area, there are large fields yellow with last years wheat stubble, and in some you can see tractors out working the soil getting ready for this years planting.

Peeking out above the fields are the Massive Rocky Mountains, dwarfing the tractors, and towns below them.

We were heading toward Calgary, Alberta, where we will pick up highway one that will take us into Banff national forest.

The traffic became more intense the closer we came to Calgary. I had the job of helping Randy navigate through all the traffic. I am not going to lie, we had some tense moments with a small Spat. However we made it through and Randy did so well driving this big rig through all of the traffic. At one point we were almost out of diesel. He was at a stop light, and jumped out of the truck, flipped the handle for

the axillary tank and we were back in business. 

It was like a mini chinese fire drill. LOL

The closer we got to the mountains the more awe inspiring they were. You would feel like you had taken it all in and then you would see another angle of the same mountain.

We drove to a small area called Lake Louise, and found a lovely RV park there with electric hookups, we still have enough water in our holding tank to do dishes, and there were nice clean public showers there.

We went for a walk to take in the beauty of the area, we found out that the tent camping area had been closed r/t bear problems, we were cautious as to where we went not getting too far away for other people.

I made a fresh pot of coffee, we sat outside and enjoyed the view, while we seeped on the hot brew, then Randy went for a bicycle ride around the camp.

Later that eve. We began planning how we would go to get to Alaska, We have the choice of about 3 different ways. I think we have decided that we will head toward Jasper National Forest in the AM. From there talk to people to find out the best route. We got out our trusty Mile Post form 2 years ago and began pouring over the map.

The time change is kicking my butt as well as the further north you go the longer it stays light. It is not getting dark till around 1030. For those that know me, know that is way past my bed time. It gets light about 630 so I am awake early.

I felt so tired, so I showered and went to bed early. Randy made us supper, I rested the rest of the eve.

May 5^th,

I awoke in the early hours of the AM, laying in bed , I was thinking how free I feel, I feel like I did when we were 1^st married, so unencumbered with life just free to explore. We were always sort of wanderlusts, but in the business of life, i.e. raising kids, jobs, etc. We lost that. I am thankful we have found that again.

In the back of my mind I worry some about a breakdown, or illness, but I rest assured God will take care of us, and just bask in the freedom I am feeling.

We started the day by closing up camp by 1050, it seems all of Canada wants you out of the camp site by 1100. That was fine as we needed to get on with the day.

We found a small road that took us up to Lake Louise, we had just started up on the road, when we saw a sign that read, not recommended for trailers. But by that time we were already committed, and could not turn around.

We got to the top with out any problem, took a small trail and saw the most awesome site!

We soaked in the view, and enjoyed the people that were up there or should I say enjoying the people that were enjoying our dogs, because they were a big hit. Many of the Asian people wanted there picture taken with our two big bouviers Gustav, and Elsa.

From there we traveled on toward Jasper National Forest. The road was very rough,even though it was paved. At one point we stopped and at a small isolated resort area and was going to get something to eat , we found that they wanted $25.00 for hamburger and fries! Even with the exchange rate, that was still very high. We decided to drive own down the road to a turn out, turn on the generator and bake some potatoes and put left over chili on them.p0]

The weather continued to decline as we climbed up higher and higher, we went over a couple of small passes, the Canadians are not much for signs, I am not sure which ones,they were.

The weather caused the the mountains to have layered clouds in some areas, and it was snowing in other areas, causing the already beautiful mountains to look even more beautiful.

We stopped at a small turn out, and put a couple of the slides out to cook something to eat. We found at that time that the cabinets above the TV where I had kept the books, had began to breakdown, form all of the bumping along on the rough road. Randy Cut down a small branch to use as a brace and screwed it back in place, we will need to store the books else where as it is too much weight for the upper cabinets.

After eating a little something we went on, still heading toward the town of Jasper in Jasper National Forest.

We got to our site at about 6pm, it was in a beautiful thick forest sitting where you felt you were all alone even though there were many campers in the area. It was snowing and sleeting by this time. We were both very tired. I worked on getting the dogs set up while Randy was putting the slides out.

We found another nasty surprise, many of my spices had fallen out of the cupboard and one Jar had broken, so there were spices and glass every where.

Bless Randy’s heart he cleaned it up and vacuumed everything while I fixed supper. Then we also found that the giant drawer under the love seat where we keep many things had broken it rails during all of the rough roads, so another thing that has to be fixed.

That will have to wait till another day we are way too tired tonight.

Our plan is to get to a town out side of the national park and camp for a couple of days just to rest, we need some down time.

May 6th 1030

Just pulling out of camp. It is snowing and sleeting off and on. The mountains continue to amaze us with there beauty.

We continued our decent slowly. The moutains had clear lines of where the snow and frost began and ended.

As we continued our decent we continued in snow and sleet. The temputure ranged from 27 degrees to 37 degrees.  The mountains and hills looked like you were in a wonderland.

We drove through several game reserves seeing animals right at the roadside.

We continued our gentle decent heading toward the town of Grande Prarie, Alberta. There we will stay for a day. So laundry, Randy wants to have the oil changed in his truck,and get caught up on groceries.

We arrived at Grande Prarie about 7:30pm. None the worse for wear. We will rest, so laundry,and stock up on groceries.

We plan to head toward Dawson Creek on May 8th.