Migration

We had an absolutely fantastic drive south this spring. It was pretty drizzly at some point most days but overall it was a great drive south. One of the things, I look forward to is seeing the night sky dark and full of stars on our drive south.  Just before we leave the village you can no longer see the night stars as it just isn't dark enough.  We go to bed in full daylight and awake to full daylight.  I really miss the night sky and STARS!  I find it rather uncomfortable but at least I still sleep like a rock. We took 9 days to drive the approximately 2,400 miles to our front door.  I now call this drive "The World's Longest Driveway!"  I love the drive through the Yukon and British Columbia--nothing but stellar country to explore!  I am just going to post photos below with captions of some of my favorite parts of the "Reverse Migration."

We fly out of Unalakleet to Anchorage first.  This flight is just under 400 miles.  We then pick up our rig and stay with a long time dear friend for a few days.  Our dogs need to get their travel papers to enter Canada. 

Here is Tally trying her best at 68 pounds to fit into a dog bed made for about a 12 pound dog.  Just proving that our dogs do in fact love their dog beds.

If Tally wasn't bad enough here is 78 pound Sadie trying her best to fit into this little bed!

In the Yukon at one of the provincial campgrounds.  We love their huge picnic tables and roomy campsites. I love knitting at a camp fire!

Muncho Lake which has several great campgrounds. Working on a pair of socks out of PDS Yarn.

Tally who can never say NO to a stick and water!

Another great campground in the Yukon. 

Sock progress.

Traveling . . . dog style they get the back seat.

Lunch on the road.

Sometimes in unlikely places like Fort Nelson you meet up with a long time friend. I coached her two boys in cross-country skiing in the 80s.  

Buddies they love each other and just snuggle up for the daily drive.

Snow on the way up Pink Mountain!

Dinner prep.

Miss Sadie my buddy!

These photos are from a place we have got to ski at some winter.  I wrote about this spot last year as well and I just might have to retire here!  We just love the look and feel!

Hot Mocha and a fire  . . .Bliss!  

This is a great campground--Bear Creek!  Plus they had Loons!

Dogs trying to hide from mosquitos!

Toasting dawn, loons, and coffee!

Spring growth is always a nice treat to see green after an Alaskan winter.

We always enjoy checking out the smaller ski areas on the drive.

Ancient cedar forest

Miette Hot Springs is always such a treat!

Heading out from Miette we saw this young cub and mom on the road.

Front step home!  I have a front porch now!  It is still in the works but I can sit here and read, write, knit, relax and enjoy life!

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