November 17, 2007 (if anyone is still looking)

NEW PICTURES

NEW PICTURES - of the trip back down the Alaska Hwy. Made it as far as the first RV park in Canada, White River RV resort w/airstrip.

Still hoping to make the finish of this project by Thanksgiving but not sure at this point. Seems like getting reading for Christmas is using up all my time. Hard to believe that we were in Alaska, seems like a life time ago. But the pictures prove we were there.

Kluane Lake

And while we were out exploring the campground, mom and dad's little Kelly found a way to entertain herself (and others).

Inside the Burwash museum they had many exhibits of the animals native to this area. It's very impressive. The next bunch of pictures are from the inside.

As the area started to come back to life the first plants to appears were the low growing seasonal ones like the fireweed shown here. The fireweed puts a lavendar/fuchsia blanket over the scarred land and it is a beautiful thing to see.

Remember: double click and it's probably readable.

In early 1999 there was a terrible forest fire at Burwash Landing and it burned acres. All of the items in the little museum were moved to a safe place.

It's hard to read but if you double click you might be able to make it out.

Debbie and Sparkee take a picture of this plaque.

A closer look of the information

Here's some history regarding Burwash Landing of the Yukon Territory.

Hi Sparkee, do you like going for loooonnngg bye-byes.

"Yes, I do"

Marlene and Fille beside the REAL MilePost 1093 at Burwash Landing

Marlene and Fillie and Burwash Landing,

Mile Post 1093 of the Alaska Hwy.

Debbie and Kevin with Piper and Zoie and trying to figure out how on earth a person uses this HUGE gold pan.

Zoie, ya gotta let go, you dumb dog.

A little tug-o-war. Zoie always wins.

Debbie says, "Zoie, ya gotta let go if you want me to throw it"

At White River RV park they also have an airstrip and the dogs loved playing frizbee on it - off leash. That was a big deal to them and we really wore them out.

Julie and Debbie - the O'Neal Gypsies - on the bridge of the White River. It got its name because of the color of the water, sort of a creamy color because it's glacial runoff.

I've been working on the highway, la, la, la.

all the live long day...............

Anyone remember M*A*S*H*??

Don't think Julie was part of the cast but this truck sure could have been.

Roadhouse at White River.

Wonder if Kevin could make this one run again?

First night in Canada is spent on the White River. Some very interesting artifacts here left from the building of the Highway.

On down the road we go, into Canada and the Yukon.

One last look, good bye Alaska, don't know when we might be back, if ever.

Did someone say potty break?

The Alaska / Yukon border and a walk to the gift shop. Julie and Marlene take the "woofies" for a potty walk.

A point of interest at the Tok Visitor Center. Little Gypsy J bus is in the background.

The RV park in Tok where mechanics do their work. It gives the shoppers one more crack at the gift shops in Alaska. A few miles down the road we leave Alaska behind, darn.

This is the problem piece; something to do with California emissions control. Well, this ain't California so Kevin get's shorter fan belts, puts back what Muttley Manor does need and we're set.

Let's see what do we need and what can we toss?

Another night in Tok and dad and Kevin investigate a strange noise coming from the motor of Muttley Manor. Kevin is an excellent mechanic, another reason we are all glad he could join us for the trip back. Dad is also a great fix-it guy so between the two of them we have no worries.

Global warming takes its toll on the glacier. This view dramatically shows how far back the glacier has melted. It used to cover from where it is now, down that straight stretch of the river and round the corner slightly in 1993.

And here it is. See the knoll or bump in the middle of the picture that's right on the leading edge? In 1993 the glacier was up and over that bump and came out as far as the break in the trees that runs horizontally along the front edge of the bump. Probably will be back to it's right turn around the mountain in the next 50 years like the Portage glacier.

Oh stop, gotta take a picture, of what??

The Matanuska Glacier, that's what. It was a glorious sight to see in 1993 when Julie first saw it. But this is where one can really see the effects of global warming. In 1993, it was REALLY a glacier and almost had a glow about it in the daylight. Now, only 14 years later, it looks sort of like the remnants of snow in a field. It's really sad and scary to some degree.

Here we go again. By now we just expect it.

Now we hit the road, the ENTIRE Alaska bunch back in true form. While we were in Anchorage Debbie and her son, Kevin, flew up from Bellingham to rejoin us. We are very grateful that dad has his "man servant" back as driver of the bus for the trip back down.

Now I remember - mom's second most favorite sign; second only to Walmart.

Hummmmm, this place looks familiar. It definitely feels like city camping.

Dreamcatcher wiggles her way through followed by those of us who are taking the pictures.

So what's the first thing we hit?? Construction, naturally. It wouldn't be Alaska without construction.

A true "sign" that the Alaska bunch is headed for home. Everyone a little sad, it was just too short of a time.

Dreamcatcher takes one last look.

We turned our nose towards home
after our stay at brother Randy's place
at Anchor Point and
headed for Anchorage.

We all wanted just a little more time at
Deep Creek so we parked it there for
one more night. Dad finds a minute to
do a little house cleaning.
Sure do like this spot,
just wish it wasn't so far,
far away.