Andy Altman
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Let the journey begin – Day 1
This first day was pretty uneventful – driving through the familiar valley towards Lake Shasta. The first glimpse of Lake Shasta was a shocker. The water levels are SO low! As anyone with a pulse knows, CA is in an epic drought, and we have marveled at the low levels in familiar lakes, but this…
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Bend to Boise to Moscow (Idaho)
Drove through eastern Oregon towards Boise, more high desert vistas. I was reminded of another result of climate change – there were hardly any bugs on the windshield. Remember back in the day when you would scrape them off at the next gas station? Not anymore. Arrived at Corey and Lisa’s (nephew and niece) new…
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Lake Moyie to Banff
Now “stuff” is getting real! The history of this area as a travel destination is fascinating. My kids will tell you I never miss an opportunity to learn about the history of places we travel. (“Historical Monument ahead!! Pull over!”) Now you are compelled to suffer the same fate… When the transcontinental Canadian Pacific Railroad…
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Extraordinary Beauty and History on the Icefields Parkway
Today we drove the Icefields Parkway to Jasper. This defines “the journey IS the destination.” This drive was a bucket list item for Andy. It did not disappoint. In his own words: “The most magnificent 144 miles I have ever driven is the Icefields Parkway”. For me, each turn revealed a new vista, more stunning…
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Jasper Environs 6/9
Headed up to Malign (pronounced “Maleen”) Canyon and Maligne Lake. It’s a bit of a schlep so GyPSy entertained us with historical anecdotes, observations and descriptions of points of interest, plus more geologic instruction and naturalist knowledge. Historical Reference Alert! As with most of North America, locales, mountains, rivers, and other natural features were “discovered”…
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The Alcan Part 1
What’s the story behind the Alaska Highway you ask? Glad to help… I will shamelessly lift from Guide to the Alaska Highway, by Ron Dalby: “The dust had barely settled over Pearl Harbor’s sunken battleships in December 1941, when the US Government decided to build a road from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, through Yukon Territory,…
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The Alcan pt 2- Dawson City (June 15-16)
Got an early start from Whitehorse. Goal: Dawson City We made great time, and were feeling smug, right until the last 100 miles. There was road construction going on, involving more gravel washboard roads. It took two hours to go 60 miles! We made it at last, just a bit later than expected… Dawson City…
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Dawson City to Chicken Alaska – Top of the World Highway
To leave Dawson going north, you have to cross the Klondike River on the ferry The ferry runs 24/7, but can only take a certain number of RV’s and trucks on each run. These larger vehicles line up and wait for the ferry worker to wave you on. We got there early and pulled in…
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Fairbanks (June 18 – 22)
Headed out from camp in the AM. The tilted RV had been removed! Drove past Chicken (again) and finished the Top of the World Highway headed to Fairbanks. However, these guys were not helping. * Every time we went around a bend here was another group. None were interested in exiting the road. We were…
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Denali June 22-23
Short trip to Denali, but still got the very last available campsite spot. It was late afternoon, but I decided to bite the bullet and do laundry since it was available. Nothing like a laundry room in a National Park to make friends… * Next morning we did an easy hike to the Denali Visitor…