The Ottcrew Bucket List: 2015

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

July 21, 2015 Missoula, MT to Orem, UT

The bikes are headed home. Looking no worse for wear. We came and did what we wanted to do and are now ready to be home.

Last gas stop, Malad, ID. Home before rush hour!

July 20, 2015 From Longview, AB across border thru Glacier to Missoula, MT

We stayed at a KOA campground in Longview. It was huge. Next to us were Boy Scouts. Harley riders delighting children by starting up their no muffler bikes. We were next to a train track and under the flight path of the airport, behind a cabin of crying children and barking dog. We determined that we were leaving early to beat the heat. It was quiet when we got up. Except the airplanes. It was cold. Mitch, the host at Longview campground said that there was no dew. We woke up and were soaked! But still in good spirits!

Went from Longview, AB to Missoula, MT. Though Glacier park back way--still pretty. Saw an ambulance go up. We could only imagine as we saw many stupid things people are doing with a 1000 ft. drop just a foot away from them.

Had lunch in Kalispell. Shelley won the free meal by guessing the temperature! She guessed 92. It got to 90 before lunch. David guessed 89. We are all anxious to leave.

July 19, 2015 KOA outside Jasper to Longview, AB

Today from KOA at Jasper (Hinton) to Longview in Alberta, Canada. Jasper...It is the start of the park...like the ice fields. Lake Louise and Banff. We saw an elk up really close, baby black bear, Grizzly. Big horn sheep.

We also encountered wood bison. Big daddy bull chased cows all to the road blocking traffic with 2 semi at the front either direction. They circled the babies and challenged anyone to move them. Harold's bike is the reddest so we put him up front!

Saw a semi burned out and the other side of the freeway backed up for miles. Saw a car in the ditch with emergency responders and a bullet bike down. We think he hit a sheep. Responders passed us so we didn't stop. Ride was beautiful today. It was before and continues to be my favorite part of the trip.

We went on a back road to Longview. It is of the path of cars. Winding beautiful mountains. Picture bonanza. High mountain meadows with cows and water.

Rivers etc...oil up there too. we are out of the Canadian Rockies. Sad. Temp today ranged from 60s to 70s. Perfect ride temp. That is what I recommend anyone for a vacation. But right now lots of tourists (especially Asians). We are tired. We are glad to be able to do this and have laughs and memories.

July 18, 2015 Buckinghorse River Wayside campground to KOA outside of Jasper

Drive today through Grand Prairie had lots of oil companies, coal mines, and logging. Went to Athabaskan Falls. What splendor!

Went to a KOA campground just north of Jasper. We are all tired. It was a very blustery windy day--reminds us of bobble heads. We got into lots more traffic which makes passing scary. This campground has showers!

They call Tim and David's Tent "the Hilton"

July 17, 2015 Destruction Bay to Watson Lake to somewhere between Fort Nelson and Fort St. John

Today went to a campground between Fort Nelson and Fort St. John: Buckinghose River Wayside Outside of Watson Lake: Can you say, how many engineers does it take to fix a motorcycle?

July 16, 2015 Palmer Alaska to Glenn Allen to Tok thru border to Destruction Bay

Went past Matanuska Glacier on the way to Glenn Allen.

More beautiful scenery on the way to Glenn Allen--with no rain!

Then headed to Tok, Alaska and to the border. No problems at the border. Five years ago it was a hassle. At the border Tim saw that David had a low tire on the trailer so they changed out the tire. The guys fixed the flat when we got into camp. Our trailer tires are getting bald. Hope we can make it. It did rain a little today. The roads from the border to destruction bay were horrible. Holes, dusty, muddy. We saw a mother moose and calf right off the road. Went 564 miles today and we were tired. We trade around scripture and spiritual thought and prayer. It is good. We recognize that we have been very blessed in our travels. Be safe, be kind. Lots of mosquitos at this campground. An Outhouse. No water. The guys watched a movie with the mosquitos.

July 15, 2015 Seward to Palmer Alaska

Got up and had Breakfast burritos. Went to a bakery.

We headed from Seward back up the highway to Palmer. We finally are in early enough with no rain to sit by the fire and enjoy each other. Amy is feeling better. We went to the campground we had been before and it was closed. This is the second one we have tried that was closed. But there are many from which to choose. We are now at a beautiful campground at the bottom of Matsu Mountains. This one is a bit pricey at $27/tent. That has been what we pay for all of us up to now. It does have laundry and showers, and wifi. Today's ride was like I15--lots of traffic getting out of Anchorage. Some rain but not bad. We stopped at Walmart for essentials. Whenever we stop, everyone comes up to talk to us-4 Goldwings with trailers are a novelty and not seen together that much I guess! Great campsite and view!

July 14, 2015 Anchorage to Seward and Homer

Tonight seward. Road to miller's landing was so torn up it was life threatening like we would pitch into the ocean. Rain all afternoon.

Amy has hypothermia so we have a cabin and are trying to warm her up. In the cabin David stoked up the fire for Amy to get warm--Dad/Dale-style. It was too hot to sleep in the cabin so some of us slept outside. We had to pitch our tents in the rain. In the middle of the night, the fire alarm went off in the cabin and Shelley and Tim were in medication-induced comas with cpaps on. Henry finally went in to check on those in the cabin while other cabins were cursing them. Weather report is to rain all week and we need to reevaluate or travel plans. Can't enjoy any sight seeing when you are being pounded with rain and cold. No fishing boats available. But we did find one good catch!

Monday, July 20, 2015

July 13, 2015 Denali to Anchorage

Headed to Anchorage for Breakfast at Gwennies. A long way to go for world famous pancakes!

July 12, 2015 Fairbanks to Denali

Today we woke up at the hotel and got ready for church. Went to 9am Fairbanks ward. It was a great meeting and the people there are very warm and welcoming. Back at hotel we had a late checkout and did some laundry. We were able to get on the internet as well. We packed up and left about 1pm-ish. There was a hot dog stand outside and we had a reindeer hot dog. We rode down to Denali to eat at the Salmon bake for Harold's bucket list. It was a couple of hours' ride. Denali was socked in with clouds but we finally got a glimpse from 43 miles away. Another Harold bucket list item from the last trip when we couldn't see the top at all. Then we headed south into more construction and gravel and sinking rain. We stopped about 9pm and set up camp in Denali south view..which like a parking lot set up. More rain as we set up and the good things is we will not crawl out to mud in the morning. So surprised we have cell service. It is still bright out. We need a black tarp for the tent to keep the light out. We saw a moose on the the drive down. Hopefully Tuesday we can go fishing if the weather permits....There are so many songs about rain that are running through our minds now....

July 11, 2015 Destruction Bay to Fairbanks

Arrived in Alaska!

Stayed in hotel in Fairbanks and ate at Big Daddy's Barbeque.

July 10, 2015 Watson Lake to Destruction Bay

Have hit rain most of the way. Set up camp at Destruction Bay on Kluane Lake.

July 9, 2015 Dawson Creek to Watson Lake?

40 degree drop in temperature today.

July 8, 2015 Jasper to Dawson Creek

Will try to piece together loads of messages I got all at once. Evidently no cell coverage for a day or so and then they all came in. Camped at Jasper Wapita Campground. Next day on the way to Dawson Creek, BC had forest fires. Luckily the road was open again. Over 80 miles of smoke. We should have Highway thru the Danger Zone on repeat!