Time for reflecting.....Time for adjusting to reality of retirement....This is going to be a tough act to follow....What an adventure I've had.....In talking to friends since my return, I recognize that perhaps many would have not had the courage to set off on a trip such as this....As I said before, we don't realize how vast this country is until you drive for 3 hours without seeing a single vehicle, farm, cabin or garage....and the fact it takes you 5 days to get to your destination (Heather's speed). Now comes the question, what do I do with this blog.....Certainly archive it somehow....I have started to print it off, because it has become my journal or record of memories of my trip......as I print I realize there was already some things I had forgotten.....laughs or smiles along the way.....a photo will trigger a memory..That's whats important about photos....its a record of a life or lives.....baby's births, birthdays, special events....My wee ones will have memories when they grow I will make sure of that.....I have also ensured this interest is passed down the generations, Jody is an excellent photo taker and has collected an impressive number of photos herself ;-) and each one of the girls now have small digital cameras for their own use....Maddissen is coming over today to get me to help her download her memory card.
I do not expect anyone to have to sit and watch all 2200 photos I took on my trip....All the company would be asleep in 20 min. if that happened.....but I will have a slide show on the TV as guests are over......and the odd one that is noticed will create a story to tell.....because that's just what photos do.......;-) I have received such positive feedback over this blog, it must have been a great idea....I know it was fun to do.
I must though recap my trip home.....it was another big decision which at times I doubted that it was the smartest thing I had ever done....
Day one I travelled to Whitehorse only 4 hours but it allowed me time to shop for lunches etc. because I knew there was going to be no where to stop along the way.....Phyl called me that evg. because she had heard the route I wanted to take (Stewart/Cassier highway) was closed due to mudslides......I was very disappointed as I had reservations along the way and so wanted to see the Grizzleys feeding on the salmon in Stewart BC. When I arrived at the intersection to turn south....here is the sign "ROAD CLOSED single lane traffic 11 AM to 2 PM
My questions????where????when????why??? This road requires two days travel to Stewart.....where was it closed? I went into garage to try and obtain more info.....and found out there were two or three washouts that were currently being worked on......!!!! I decided to try it.......immediately doubted my decision because right at the start there was construction on the highway and I had to follow a grader for miles as he chewed up the highway......Oh well I had committed....and obviously the decision worked out wonderful....Yes there were some hairy moments with large loose gravel and three washouts....The first day there was not much traffic at all.....but after my stay in Dease Lake overnight and meeting another couple from the states pulling a tent trailer and doubting their decision making processes, we had brekkie together and hit the road again along with numerous motor homes that I assume had been stranded in Dease Lake for a few days....Oh well at least I wasn't alone on the road if I had difficulty....
My little CRV ran beautifully for me the whole trip, even gave me great gas mileage. but I was worried about flat tires on this road so took it slow and easy. I realized I must have been stressed without realizing it as I didn't take any photos!!!!!! Wasn't until I passed the washout and was on my way to Stewart on the 2nd day I was stopping along the way.
This just may have been the nicest rest stop along the way. I also noticed campgrounds along this portion of the highway were beautiful, impeccably groomed, large sites and of course perfect views...and empty!! probably due to 
road closures....Oh for a little motor home.. ;-)))))
road closures....Oh for a little motor home.. ;-)))))
On to Stewart, I had done a lot of research with going to Stewart, they have an excellent web-site for tourists. Stayed at the Kate Ryan Inn part of the Ripley Creek Inn group. Stewart I'm told received 12' of snow per year. I think that does a number on paint.....As I drove into town the first thing I seem to notice is houses that need paint....It is a charming town with its own character....When I made reservations their only request in accommodating Oliver was that he be kept on a leash as there was chickens running through the yard.....
The room was delightfull.....hugh bathroom, cool tile floors, down filled comforters, verhanda overlooking the garden and chicken coop....Oliver and the roosters got along just fine, he lay on the step not taking his eyes off that rooster after giving one polite "ruff". The rooster continued telling him whose coop this belongs to the entire couple of days.....A macho thing!!!
Now on to my bears.....the reason I came to Stewart....In August the grizzleys come to feast prior to their winter hardships. Right next to Stewart you travel across the U/S border to Hyder Alaska "America's friendliest ghost town"
One main street and little else, another place filled with character. But the site for viewing the bears was great. There is a large long boardwalk built against the mtn. over the salmon stream probably over 1 block long. My first visit was in the morning and was lucky enough to see two grizzleys....One straggly loner and then "Monica" came with her three cubs.....They entertained me for well over an hour...She caught three large salmon and the cubs fought, argued over these salmon very loudly....
Momma caught all the fish...cubs are attempting but not succeeding at this point..
In the morning there were few people on the deck viewing the grizzleys...but in the evg. when I went back the picture changed...After viewing a hugh, beautifully colored rust grizzley for quite a while I noticed there were about 200 people on the deck. Time for Heather to leave and enjoy other sights....
Which also was not a tough thing to do....I was glad I had decided to stay two days in Stewart thinking I needed a break in the driving but I needed the time to see everything....I took the time to take some side roads and walk with Oliver up the boardwalk onto the tidal basin.....It is a beautiful spot in the world....
On the road into Stewart there is endless shows of glaciers along the highway....and a "Valley of Tears" named because of the fact there are so many waterfalls.....
Not the best time of day to be taking photos...
Valley of tears
At the beginning of my trip when creating one of the first blogs....I remember asking Would I do this again? At that time I said no.....what I meant was I probably would not drive again....I had seen the countryside, sights, etc. and it would certainly be cheaper to fly....I have had discussions with others.....about other options....perhaps flying up and renting a motorhome.....retiring the old van up in the Yukon.........so I am leaving my options open....one trip does not show me all the sights.....;-)))) I will be back...
