2014 - Driving to Montana - the end of our journey back to "America"

On May 19th, we continued on our journey stopping in Dawson Creek for a few pictures and a spoon.  No, I do not plan to collect them but I did want one just to remember the many things that has happened so far this year.

The town was pretty much shut down because of some Canadian holiday so we had to go to the gift shop in the old elevator to try to find something.

As we got closer to Calgary there was lots of farm equipment on the road.

Big round elevated building in Calgary - then we drove on through Calgary, past the Border to get back into the US of A and on to Helena Montana to make our new home.  Such a pretty drive from Great Falls to Helena.

 

We arrived in Helena on May 20th and settled into our hotel for a few days waiting to close on the house at 5320 Silver Creek Rd.  

On May 23rd, we closed on the house and spent the weekend moving in.  We spent our first night in the house in sleeping bags on the floor.  So many boxes so  much stuff.

 

By the end of May we were settling into our retirement home - what would happen next is a story for another blog.  But for now, this is the end of my Way up North adventures.

2014 - Driving to Montana - Part 2

On the morning of May 18th, we awoke early and decided to drive on to Lake Watson for breakfast.

We started the morning by seeing this big black bear near the side of the highway.  One of many we would see throughout the day but I was informed early by JW that we were not going to stop to take pictures of every bear.

After breakfast, we had to do one touristy thing and that was to stop at the sign post forest to get some pictures.

We drove on and saw many animals during the day.

Caribou crossing the road.

 

A mama bison nursing her baby.

More mountains.

We finally arrived at Stone Sheep Mountain and there were a number of sheep feeding on the hills.

And more caribou.

 

 

We stopped and watched this mama bear with her triplets feed for a while.

Then drove on to Ft. St. Johns to spend the night.

2014 - Driving to Montana - Part 1

The day arrived that we would be leaving Fairbanks - May 16, 2014.  I worked that day while John finished up a few things and got everything packed then at 1:00 when I got off work, we finished loading and drove toward Tok.  We were a little concerned about how Tinkerbell would handle the trip but she was totally awesome.

John made her a nice little bed so she could lay in the back and relax.

Crossing the Tanana River near Delta Junction.

After laying on the bed for a while, Tinkerbell decided she should be up front with John where she could look out the window.

Then finally she settled into his lap to get some sleep.

The mountains down toward Tok were so beautiful.  Still a lot of snow though as it hadn't really warmed up a lot.

We spent the night at Tok and had pizza for dinner.  Then bright and early the next morning (Saturday, May 17th) we drove towards Canada.

It was still early morning when we arrived at the border to Canada so had to stop and get a few pictures. 

 

  

 

Then we had to go through the official border crossing - fortunately that only took a few minutes.

Since it is spring in the Yukon, the bears are out.  This big grizzly was feeding right near the side of the highway.

Since it hadn't really warmed up a lot, the lakes still had ice floating on top.

 

So many beautiful mountains we passed by on the drive down.

The Canadians seem to like lime - they even have Lime Crush Soda - something I can not find anywhere here in western America.  I loved these Coconut patties and only wish I had bought more.

 

About 8 PM, we found a small little motel and were able to get a room with a lakeside room and were able to get a quiet night's sleep.