The Great Alaskan Adventure

Silly me forgot to change the alarm clock in the bedroom.... so instead of getting up at 8:00 we were awakened at 7:00... too early. We were ready in lots of time to go to the hot tub for our last sit overlooking the Lake.

Ed pulled out first and then we followed, with a short stop in the parking lot to re- attatch the rear mud flaps. We had managed to loose both screws at the top of each one.

As we traveled along the highway the first part was cut through a lot of rock sections, then slowly the trees started to dwindle along with the hills. Entering Manitoba there were a few very straight sections of road where you could see ahead for miles without turns. There was also the arrival of grain elevators along the road side. It didn't take too long before we hit the Saskatchewan border.

We made a small stop in the "small" (almost non existent) town of Kandahar, the birthplace of Ed's mother. His Grandfather had owned the hardware store there, so we were hoping to at least find some relatives or remnants of their existence. No luck.... There were a handful of occupied homes, a bigger handful of boarded up homes and buildings but no sign of a hardware store. We took some pictures and then got back on our way.

We pulled into a Wal-Mart parking lot in Yorkton Saskatchewan for the night. We then moved to the Staples parking lot with permission from the staff so we could access internet. We were all exhausted from a long days drive.



This was the only picture we took in Manitoba







We saw lots of these

We started the day with a hot tub.....and surprise surprise the sun is out...It's warm and not windy!! After breakfast and getting dressed the laundry was yelling from the bedroom to be done. 4 loads later and everything was clean again and put away. Ed spent some time crawling inside his trailer and Colin was busy going over the offer to Purchase on Cort's house.

Had to make a quick trip into town to restock the fridge and get some propane.
Just as we were getting ready to have dinner Shelly called and informed us that she had bought the house she and Luke were looking at. I don't think her feet will hit the ground for the next week....maybe longer.

After dinner we cleaned up all the stuff outside and packed the trailer ready for travel in the morning.

One more hot tub tonight and then hit the sack for an early morning.



Do I have to go??

The first part of the week our weather was less than desirable. We were hoping to launch the dingy and tour the Lake but there just was not a day that was acceptable for that activity. Sunday was better but quite windy. We had Sunday Brunch at the Best Western downtown. The Restaurant was at the very top and overlooked Lake of the Woods. While we ate we watched a few planes land and of course boats scurrying around.



Ed and Frances Arrive



The Dog



What the heck!!

It rained cats and dogs. Cats were washed away

We have a great spot in the Long Bow Lake Camp Ground. We have wireless internet and the use of a lovely hot tub overlooking the lake. Our first day here we drove into Kenora and picked up a few things and then had lunch in "Haps Pub". on the way home we checked out a neat gift shop beside the campground which also houses the liquor store. The weather has turned kind of yukki....lots of rain.


I think I'm getting the picture!


Our next day was spent putting Colin's box of Electronic goodies away and hooking everything up. It has been nice to just have some relaxing time as we wait for Ed and Frances to get here. Splash even got her first "On the Road Bath

Tourist thing


More tourist things


We left the Future Shop parking lot only to run into a Marathon being run on the exact street we had to be on to leave Thunder Bay. There were all these people standing on the side lines clapping....I think they were happy we were leaving. Our first encounter was a giant mosquito holding a knife and fork and getting ready to eat a man. Next we saw a Moma Bear with her two cubs. We had to drive down the road a little ways to find room to make a u-turn. When the cubs saw the truck pulling over they high tailed it up a tree and mommy stayed at the bottom. So cute!


Mommy was just below

We also saw lots of trees ....... Colin



Is somebody trying to tell us something??

It appears there is a problem with people falling asleep at the wheel along this particular stretch of highway. While I was napping Colin saw a semi truck down an embankment with the cab flipped on it's side. Shortly after that we saw another transport truck that looked as thiough he decided to drive into the bush. They had another truck at the side of the road and they were removing the load by hand from the one truck and putting into the other truck. Must have been an interesting ride.

We saw lots of trees ....... Colin

We had two possible camp grounds to check out so we went to the fartherest one first to check it out. It was a really neat place, right on the water and very cosy, but no spaces available. We went back to the second place and had no problem getting in. It is located on Long Bow Lake . They have a huge deck overlooking the water with a hot tub in a Gazebo also overlooking the water. Just about everyone has gone home for the week so it is nice and quiet here. We will wait here till Ed and Frances arrive on the 28th.

I thinks thats really a puppy


It started out a dreary day weather wise but it would soon prove to be an exciting day. So here we go down the Trans Canada and standing right in the middle of the road......that’s right... a Moose! A very Big Moose! We slowed down, he checked us out, we took his picture and everyone carried on. Next stop WAWA. Had to check out the Big Goose....actually three big Geese, they are everywhere, on buildings, in parking lots and out in front of the information centre. OK that was fun.









We also saw 2 wild ices running down the side of the road (Colin) :)

Next came a traffic jam in Schriber, oh wait there are police cars...okay never had one of these before....a Police road block! An hour and a half later, a search of the trailer and presentation of identification we were on our way again. They were looking for someone wanted for sexual assault who was on the loose with a gun and considered dangerous. One more road block with policemen with guns out and we were able to get going again. Now the problem was we spent an hour and a half sitting with the truck running so it threw our diesel consumption and planned gas stop out of whack! We rolled into the Husky station on fumes but we did make it.



Lots of donuts were eaten


We ended up in Thunder Bay just before 7:00...that’s right a Walmart Parking lot again. Actually right across the street from where Shelly used to work at the Home Hardware and the Kelsey’s.

I moved us in front of the Future Shop for the free wireless internet (Colin)

Ready to leave Fergus


After living in the parking lot of my nephew’s body shop for almost a month it was finally time to get moving and start our trek.
The boat has been listed and most of the apartment work has been completed. One last night in Fergus, parked at Colin’s mum and dad’s Condo.


Boating ends for a while


After our goodbyes were said, we headed out on route to our first stop in Sault Saint Marie. Naturally at none other than our favourite “Walmart”. We had wonderful weather and are now the proud owners of a “Bug Encrusted” Titanium and a matching “Bug Encrusted”Dodge truck! Black Flies as big as Cows!!!! They are calling for rain tomorrow so that should help wash them off.

This is "Princess" Splash waiting to load her toys on the trailer for the big trip through Alaska and around North America