The Migration South

The reverse migration happened once again. It went as smooth as could be and took 8 days to migrate from Alaska to Montana.  The driving was long and slow.  The camping was relaxing.  "The Girls" did great as we headed to warmer buggy weather.  BC and the Yukon were just glorious with lots of snow up high and rivers still rising to the top of their banks. Home is perfect and was well loved over the year. I love being back in the neighborhood and nestled in my beloved Whitefish even with the changes and upgrades within the community.  The Farmers Market was nothing but full of wonderful organic produce on Tuesday night.  I am now in the throws of planting my flower pots.

This huge tree had a good size ravens nest up near the top.  What a raucous these birds create.  We camped near this tree last year in the Yukon.  By the sound of things, the ravens have another healthy family.  

Breakfast on the road . . . oh, how I love fresh raspberries!

The joys of a campfire lightening up the night!

Miss Sadie enjoying the green lush grass. We don't have grass like this in the village. June 1st (today) is Miss Sadie's Birthday.  She is 9 years old.  Sadie came to us as a rescue 7 years ago! 

As I call Powder King: "My Retirement Community."  I have yet to ski here but I know I would love the place.

Oh, where does the bear crap?  Any place the bear wants!

Boy and his dog.

Girl and her dog. Birthday Girl---my Sadie!

I would say a nice small black bear.

You should be able to see the rear print here.

Mount Robson, is such a stunning peak! 

Camp at Mount Robson.

Our new Mountain Hardware tent, that sleeps two people and two dogs comfortably.

Our Camp Kitchen

Jiffy Pop Popcorn on the fire . . . the secret is vice grips and a leather glove!

Both BC and the Yukon have the greatest picnic tables.  The Yukon tables are a sheet of plywood which makes them HUGE!

Miss Tally who doesn't like bugs!

We camped at the Icefields tent only campground. This place has a lot of fond memories from my mountaineering days.

Coffee a must no matter what! I am always the first one up and the coffee is my job.

I just love evergreen trees. I especially love pines against a high alpine sky with fresh snow on them.

Panorama of our Icefields camp.

Early morning with the Columbia Icefields in the background.

UFOs, bugs, camping and relaxing on the Southward Migration

If you look closely you will see a black ring in the sky.  A UFO?  We think it must be a gas leak or carbon in the sky above the oil fracking area in Canada?? Ideas??

Our car camping set up to stay dry in BC.

One dog can deal with the bugs better than the other!

Trees with leaves and after the tundra what a nice break.

Our friend   . . .

We flew out of the village and into Anchorage for a few days of running around before starting our 8 day drive to Montana.  Our reverse migration trip went well.  I think the biggest difference from last year to this year was the general temperatures we encountered.

Last year’s drive through the Yukon the lakes were still ice covered.  This year those same lakes had people swimming in them.  The Yukon was dry with forest fires already burning.  Northern BC had fires and extremely dry weather as well.  Central BC and south, we saw more rain and far more snow in the mountains from the ice fields to the border.

I jokingly call this my BC retirement village!  This Powder King Ski area and I just love the look of this remote ski mecca!

Jiffy Pop popcorn is just fun to have and once you learn the right technique it always comes out great over a fire.

Yum!

The deal is a leather glove and vice grips!

Mount Robson such a stellar peak!

Hot Spring:

We stopped in Miette Hot Spring just outside of Japser, Alberta for an over night in one of their cute cabins.  We were able to get in two great soaks while looking at the towering peaks.  Like all older cabins, they tend to be a bit dark inside but other than that the cabin we stayed in was cute and fun to relax in after days of camping.

Cute little cabin at Miette

I love this little door,

a small wonderful door to

the inside wood box for

a wonderful fire!

Columbia Ice Fields: 

This part of our trip we only do on the way south as there is less traffic and tourist.  We stayed at the campground that I used when I was ice climbing long ago in the 80s.  I have a special attachment to this little rustic campground.

Over all our drive was great with the added bonus of slowing down and relaxing in each others company with the girls.

Setting up camp in the Ice Fields

Socks with PDS Sport weight yarn

I am always happy in a tent.

Knitting away with a great fire . . . bliss!

I am always drawn to lichen.

Ice Fields

My Canadian Friends

Now we are home and just loving life . . . down south for a bit!

No bugs

Grass, flowers, soil, warm spring temps

A nice variety of flowers from Columbia Falls Nursery.

Time to fire up the grill

Morning bike rides on my favorite bike trails in and around Whitefish.  This is one of my favorite bridges on Whitefish Trails.

Bridge through the trees with early morning light