Alaska or Bust

June 13^th,  Monday---- 12:30pm Virgina and Larry plus two arrive at Robinson Lake, Idaho to meet us for the great adventure. We had arrived the day before. We were introduced to Lilly (granddaughter) and Evan (grandnephew). Rough beginning as immediately upon pulling into the campground to back into his site, Larry ran over a concrete post (about 12 inches high). Blew out one trailer tire and put the other one against it on the other side. Missed the first post or rubbed against it. So now there were two posts to try and get around and over. Camp host came over and the guys got it back over the post and past the other post. Then the guys changed the tire. Tire okay but bent rim. On the way to Idaho they broke their bathroom sink. Toothpaste fell out of the medicine cupboard and knocked a hole in it. Who would have thought that could happen?

June 14^thTuesday--- 7:30am Robinson Lk to Radium Springs Left Robinson Lake, Idaho early. Just a few miles from the border, crossed with no problems.  Planned on exchanging money at the Duty Free store on the Canadian side but they would only exchange $300! We need to stop in Cranbrook, BC so we got gasoline, and I walked down   the bank. They would only exchange $800, so I sent Jerry down also. Found a cellular place “Rogers”. But they could not put a chip in my phones. So I tried Walmart who sent me to the 7 Eleven store. They sold me a phone, minutes and a Sim card. None of which would work. After about 45 minutes they refund all but the taxes and I went back to the original “Rogers Cellular”. Bought a phone from a brand new employee, took forever. But he was nice and made sure it worked before I left the store. 3 hours in that town! Made it to Radium Springs at about 4 pm, but we switched into Mountain Time so we lost an hour. Barely got to the visitors center for this park in time. No one to collect money at the campground, but plenty of sites to choose from.

Everyone tired so we went out for dinner and drove around the area. Lots to do here tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

June 15^th Weds--- Up late, great to sleep in, cool morning temperature wise. Paid our camping fee, evidently the collection booth people only work until 12noon at the beginning of the season. Traveled looking at various hiking trails along 93 in Kootenay National Park. One spot, Olive lake was really pretty. Had to watch where you walked, bear scat everywhere. We then came back to swim at Radium Hot Springs pool. Jerry and I lasted about 30 minutes in the 102 degree water!

 

 

June 16^th Thurs.—Radium Springs, BC to Banif, Alberta   

Started the day out with the radio news channel and reporting of heavy rain in northern British Columbia. The Dawson Creek bridge had washed out and the main highway was closed south of there between  there and Prince George. Checked with the Visitors Center after we checked out of our campground. They found the highway internet site showing the flooding south of Dawson Creek. When that water goes down there should be a work around to the other side of Dawson Creek. Otherwise we will need to go around Dawson Creek in Alberta and come out north of Dawson Creek. We’ll see.