June 8 Dawson Creek to Chetwynd 70 miles

We read in a magazine that Chetwynd has the most chainsaw carved sculptures in the world so decided to make a small side trip to stop there. Then, we discovered in Milepost that they are having an International Chainsaw Carving Competition this weekend so going to stop there for a day or so. Arrived here about 12:30 and got set up. Headed downtown to watch the carvers work. It's an invitational so there are only 12 very good carvers here, one from Japan. Their carvings stay here in the community after they are done. Will be interesting to watch them work.

June 7 Whitecourt to Dawson Creek

We waited for the mail to arrive, still no glasses so we are going on again without them. Marilyn will mail to Kenai when they get to her house. They may chase us around this whole trip. Left Whitecourt about 1:30 and drove to Dawson Creek, mile -0- of the Alaskan Highway. A large black bear ran across the road in front of us and up through the meadow on the way. We thought it was a dog at first but then realized it was a bear. Ran as fast as a large dog though but I think I can outrun Sandi so should be OK. Arrived about 6:00, another short day on the road but we need to stop here and get travel info, take some pictures and go on to Chetwynd. We had nothing out for supper so went to a Pub across the street for a sandwich and a beer. Decided on only the beer as the place wasn't too nice. Stopped at another bar and grill and it wasn't any better so went to McDonald's and back to the Happy Bus. Must be 10-12 RV's here at Wal-Mart waiting to head north. Met Frankie, retired Army, traveling alone. Doesn't seem like much fun but a nice guy so he'll met a lot of people and have a good time. Will probably run in to him again.

June 6 Hinton, Alberta to Whitecourt, 120 miles

We misread the map but it could have been worse as we didn't get lost. In Alberta the mileage on the map changed to kilometers and we still read it as miles. It was only a 2 hour drive from Hinton to Whitecourt instead of a 5-6 hour drive. We could have made it the night before because we stopped in Hinton about 3:00 p.m. Live and learn! Stopped at Dennis and Marilyn York's for the night. They were our neighbors in Mexico 2 years ago. We had a wonderful time catching up. After dinner we took a ride around town and to a beautiful Provincial Park and lake just outside of town. Got carried around the lake for awhile by the mosquitoes. On the way back to town Dennis drove us through a demonstration forest that illustrated old growth forest, block cutting, new growth, etc. It was an educational and interesting trip.

June 5 Lake Louise, AB to Hinton, AB--190 miles

Still raining this morning when we woke up. We started up through Banff and Jasper National Parks in the rain and very low clouds. We considered postponing to let the clouds clear but it's a good thing we didn't as it rained all day. We didn't get to see a lot of the parks because of the clouds but we did see a bear with 2 cubs at one spot and another bear further down the road. Spending the night in a Wal-Mart parking lot along with about 8 or 10 other RV's on their way to Alaska. We found out why Canadians limit you to bringing in one case of beer. It's $41 a case here and they want our money.

June 4 Lake Louise

Happppy Birthday Sandi. We stayed another day in Banff National Park in spite of the train tracks that run about 50-75 yards from us. They didn't mention the trains until after we had paid. Beidelman would love it. We took the Jeep today and went to Chateau Lake Louise this morning. What a beautiful place! Lots of Japanese tourists there today. I'm not sue if any one is left in Japan or not. It must be a popular place for them as we saw several signs printed in Japanese. From there we went to Lake Moraine, a much quieter place and had a picnic lunch and looked around. Then off to the town of Banff, a very touristy place. Their downtown looks like Panora, all torn up for new storm sewer and streets. Raining again tonight but was sunny and warm most of the day.

Southern Alberta Canada

Woke up very early so got a head start on everyone going into Canada. We crossed the border about 8:20 and it took us only 5 minutes. They asked about firearms, beer and liquor but didn't ask about anything else. We had worried about what we could take with us but it was nothing to worry about. Great tourist information stop at Milk River, just across the border where we got lots of good stuff! Southern Alberta is like western Kansas and about as interesting. You can see for MILES! Finally arrived in Calgary and stopped at Wal Mark for gas and some groceries. Lots of French speaking people which I didn't expect in this part of Canada. Got a real shock when we filled up with fuel--$3.49 gal. Ran into rain again when heading to Banff National Park. Stayed at Lake Louise campground in the Park and will rake the jeep to explore the park tomorrow.

June 2 WOW!

Left Billings about 8:30 and took highway 87 crocc-county to Great Falls, Montana. A very nice two-lane road and we had it all to ourselves. Our preference is to take roads like this and see more of what the area really looks like, expecially the small towns. We thought SD was open country but it's nothing compared to this. We saw lots of blue sky, antelope, deer and beautiful country. All the people driving down the Interstate sure miss a lot. Another stop, this time in Great Falls at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, which was very interesting. Nice short movie of the Voyage of Discovery and lots of displays. Drove on to Shelby, Montana just short of the Canadian border and stayed the night at the Lewis and Clark RV Park. Nice park and the owner was a great help in giving us directions and ideas on where to go on our trip up and back. Would recommend this stop if he's still here; the park is for sle if you are looking for a job change. Going to Canada tomorrow.

June 1 Rain Again!

Our plan today was to drive through the Custer State Park but it rained almost all night and the forecast is rain so decided against the drive and after 3 days of rain we headed for hopefully a dryer area. Left Rapid City and headed for Sturgis. Much bigger and micer town than we expected. We had heard all the stories about this dusty little rundown ghost town in SD that all the bikers terrorize so hadn't expected much. Looked to be a nice little community about twice the size of Panora. Drove on to Devil's Tower in Wyoming and then headed cross-county toward Billings, Montana. Stopped at the Custer Battlefield and National Cemetery on the way. Custer wasn't very smart. He had 140 troops against the Indians 1500 to 2000 and he didn't wait for more troops that were on the way. Duh! Spent the night in Billings at another Wal-Mart and did some shopping. I think we buy something at about every one we stop at.

May 31 Very Windy

Strong winds and more rain today as we traveled across South Dakota towards Rapid City and Custer. Not much to see here except the prairie grass waving at us as we go by. Lots of open spaces but very pretty. After setting up camp at Kemp's RV Kamp we went to the Woodcarving Museum in Custer and met our friend Keith Morrill, the resident woodcarver. Keith carves there almost every day for the visitors. No wonder he is such a good carver. Also saw Mount Rushmore and Chief Crazyhorse National Monuments.

May 30 Already behind schedule

Not really behind because we don't have a schedule. Our plan was to leave on the 29th but Sandi ordered new glasses and they haven't arrived. Not going to wait any longer. They will mail them to our friends in Alberta, Canada and they will be there before we are. Rainy and windy day but drove to Mitchell, South Dakota where we stayed in a Wal-Mart parking lot.