RVGossontheroadagain: 07/21/25

Monday, July 21, 2025

July 18th Day #70 Friday-tThe Columbia Icefield

Left Dawson Creek and Walmart for another day of boondocking at the Columbia Icefield. On the way we saw some beautiful lakes but also dead trees from the recent fires with a smoky haze.

We got to the Columbia Icefield and both the RV & car parking areas were packed. A lot of the RVs were traveling with a tour company and then others were rental RVs. Luckily some RVs were leaving and we found two spots.

And this is only part of the packed parking lot.

Our RVs in May were all alone in the parking lot.

We saw one animal today.

Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel

After climbing two steep staircases we reached the gift shop. Cathy wanted a cup of coffee but the line was wrapped around the room so she said to forget it.

Went back to our RVs for our last Happy Hour drinks together. We hope to see each other is another 10 days at the Bear Center in Ely, Minnesota so it wasn't a tough good-by.

On our own tomorrow as we head to Montana and Cathy & Charlie head to North Dakota.

July 17th- Day #69 Thursday Dawson Creek

Looking back I felt like this spot, Dawson Creek, was the beginning of our Alaska trip. It was mile zero on the Alaskan Highway and we had no idea what the roads were going to be like, only what we had heard and read.

I felt it was truly the beginning and so now I sadly feel it is over. I loved the state of Alaska with all of its animals, undeveloped lands and friendly people. It's hard to leave and Ed feels the same way.

May 25, 2025

In the background you can see our Alliance RV and on the other side was Cathy and Charlie's Avenue. No one else was there. Today, the whole parking lot was full of cars, people, busses and a few RVs.

We were so lucky that it was early in the season so we could get pictures like this one of Aussie.

We lost another hour of time and are boon docking in the Walmart again. It is a great location because you can walk to Mc Donald's, which we did for dinner. There was also a Canadian Tire which has everything including KitchenAid appliances, pots, pans and a lot of other kitchen utensils.

In the morning Ed walked over to Mc Donald's to get breakfast to go and eat while driving to our last stop with Charlie and Cathy, The Icefields.

I wonder if it will be crowded there too?

July 16th Wednesday Day # 68- Ft. Nelson

On our way to Ft. Nelson we passed beautiful Muncho Lake Provincial Park.

Stopped at Toad Park and this time Tetsa, the cinnamon rolls shop, was open. It was 2:30 and there were only 9 rolls left. She made 250 cinnamon rolls that day. When we left three people had come in asking for the buns and left very disappointed.

There were a lot of interesting things displayed and some for sale.

We saw a lot of animals along the road today.

BEARS

GOATS

MOOSE

We arrived at Ft. Nelson and it was packed! We didn't have cell service so we couldn't call for reservations which has been a problem. Cell service is sketchy here in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. We were lucky to get two spots.

We are enjoying having power after two days of boondocking.

July 15th- Tuesday, Day #67 Watson Lake Tire Problem

First the landing gear problem and now the tire.

We left Kluane Lake at 8 am and Ed noticed low pressure on the back right trailer tire. So we stopped in Whitehorse to get it fixed at Integra Tire. There was a little metal piece that pierced the tire so they had to plug it.

It happened on the Alaska Highway which is a horrible road on both sides of the border. The roads are worse than our trip up because now they are doing construction. Up here the idea of fixing a road is to drop a lot of gravel on top of dirt, smooth it down and then let the trucks and cars drive on it to make it hard. It makes the roads bumpy, dusty and rocky.

In Talkeetna we met a couple driving an air stream and their water tank got punctured and the hitch bar got bent driving on the Alaska Highway. I guess we were lucky.

After a long, long day of driving (420 miles) we got to Watson Lake where all the signs are hanging on posts. Again a lot more RVs than our trip up!

We were both exhausted but decided to take Aussie for a walk in the Sign Post Forest for one more look at our sign. Who knows if we will ever be back to see it again?

Look at how light it is at 10:00 pm. I am going to miss it being light all the time!

July 13th - 14th. Leaving Alaska and crossing the border into Canada

Day #65 July 13th Sunday

Last stop in Alaska, Tok. We stayed here on May 30th. We went to the grocery store for a few things but not eggs, produce or meat because you can't take them across the border.

Then we walked next door on the path leading to FAST EDDIES restaurant. In May the place was almost empty but tonight it was packed! It took a little longer to get our food but it was still delicious.

Day #66 July 14th Monday

We crossed into Canada. They asked if we had any produce or fruits, and how long are we going to stay in Canada. No questions about fire arms, tobacco or meat like they asked when we entered in May.

Stopped at Buckshot Betty's for cinnamon rolls. I only could eat half of mine.

We stayed and boondocked at Kluane Lake, just like we did on May 31st. There were a lot more flowers and green grass this time and a few more RVs.

July 12th Day #64 Friday- Valdez Visitor Center and RV Park

Today we went to the Valdez Visitors Center.

There is still light from 11:15- 4:18 am!

Cathy has taken us to Visitors Center in every town and city that we visited. This center had a telescope on a Eagles nest. You could barely see the babies but the adult Eagle was on the branch.

The North Ranch Lodge and RV was a wonderful place to stay. The couple who owns this RV was wonderful. Karen even wrote a book about the place which was owned by two brothers. They are opening another RV park just north of Ocala in January. We told them we would definitely visit!

North Ranch Lodge and RV Park