We Are Back In The U.S.A.! Reflections On Our Adventure To Western Canada and Alaska

U.S Border (Canada/Montana)

We entered back into the United States on September 25th!  Whew!  It was an adventure of a lifetime. We started in Tampa Florida on January 20th and headed west over 13,000 miles.  We visited ten states, three Canadian Provinces and one Territory along the way. It feels good to be home in the U.S. and we really feel proud to have accomplished this bucket list adventure.

Our route from Tampa Florida to Port Angeles Washington (5900 miles) 

Our route from Port Angeles, Washington to Great Falls Montana (7418 miles)

Highlights of our adventure...

Betty's RV Park
Abbeville, LA

Lost Dutchman State Park

Apache Junction, Arizona

Hearst Castle

San Simeon, California

California Coastline

Fern Canyon Hike

Redwoods State Park

California Redwood Trees

Haystack Rock

Cannon Beach Oregon

Olympia National Park
Washington

Butchart Gardens 

Vancouver Island

Zodiac Boat Trip
Tolfino, Vancouver Island

Peak to Peak Gondola Ride
Whistler, BC

Okanagan Wine Country, BC

Chetwynd Chainsaw Festival, BC 

Liard Hot Springs, BC

Grizzly Bear checking out a fish hut (he eventually got stuck in the window)

Funniest moment

Haines, Alaska

Grizzly Bear eating wildflowers
Destruction Bay, Yukon

Lulu Belle Glacier Cruise
Valdez, Alaska

Our traveling friends (Valdez, Alaska)

Cooking King Crab Legs 
(best meal ever)
Valdez, Alaska

Kenai Fjords Cruise
Seward, Alaska

Watching Game and Fish sort  salmon
Salmon Rodeo
Ninilchik, Alaska

Brown Bear Watching
Ketmai National Park and Preserve


Mt. Denali
Denali National Park

Chicken Alaska

Dempster Highway
Yukon

Salmon Glacier
Hyder, Alaska

Aurora Borealis (we saw it but not photos)
Most awesome experience
Pelly Crossing, Yukon 

K'san Historical Village
Hazelton, BC

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Columbia Icefield, Alberta

Jasper National Park, Alberta

Chateau Lake Louise ,Alberta

A few observations....

The roads in Alaska were in better shape then we had expected

Having campground reservations in advance worked out well. Probably would not have needed them in August and September except in the Canadian Rockies

The Glacier Boat Trips in Valdez and Seward were amazing

The trip to Kenai National Park and Preserve to see the Brown Bears was worth every penny

Gasoline and alcohol in Canada is very expensive 

We saw less wildlife in Alaska then expected

It took longer to drive from one campground to another because you have to drive much slower

Weather was better then expected

Long sleeve shirts and long underwear were worn most of the time

There were very  few mosquitoes

Groceries except in Skagway were reasonable. Finding fresh vegetables was more difficult in Alaska

Hiking the trails is the best way to really appreciate Alaska and Canada

Alaska is so VAST

We loved all the wildflowers growing along the sides of the roads in Alaska 

Did not see the moon or stars due to the midnight sun for several months

Getting used to the almost constant daylight in June and July took some getting used too. Black out shades are a must 

We enjoyed this adventure even more than expected and our expectations were high!!!

Stunning Lake Louise and Banff National Parks

Banff  National Park, Alberta (28 degrees, cold and a surprise snowfall)

Bow Lake

Traveling the ice field highway to Lake Louise is so beautiful.  This mountain range roars up to the sky and I could not stop taking pictures of it. The range dusted in snow from the night before really brought out its beauty. I'm only posting three photos and it took a lot of restraint not to fill this whole post with them. :) 

We spent only one night at Lake Louise due to having to travel and spend an overnight in Canmore  to find a new chassis battery. After arriving we found out Parks Canada has a very efficient shuttle service which takes you to some of the most popular areas such as Lake Moraine and Lake Louise. 

It was a quick drive from our campground to the Visitor Center to pick up a shuttle. The shuttles are well staffed with pleasant and helpful folks who direct you to the right bus and advise you when the last bus leaves the area you are visiting. We took the Lake Moraine shuttle. If you drive you car there instead be prepared to go early in the morning to snag a very limited parking space. The bus was hassle free and easy. 

We decided to hike up to the overlook of Lake Moraine and to not look at the lake until we got up there. It's an easy trail and once you reach the overlook, even on a cloudy day the views are stunning. The water is a light blue from glacier melt and so clear. 

Lake Moraine

We then hiked down and had a snack at the lodge. From there we hiked around one side of the lake. Once you got away from the lodge the crowds soon dissipated. It's a beautiful place to rent a canoe.

Our next stop was Banff for four nights. We woke up to this unexpected snowfall the next morning. It was one of those Christmas card snowfalls and so beautiful.  It didn't last very long and melted completely the next day.

Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court Campground

"What the...???"

Jimmy was very confused about the snowfall. He hasn't walked in any for about six years. He used to love it but seemed rather confused by it this time.  

Our nephews Dan and Ben visited Banff this spring and suggested the Johnson Canyon Hike. The next day we drove out. In the summer finding a parking place here can be a challenge.  There is actually a sign as you enter telling you how many spaces are left.  At this time of year it wasn't an issue but if you come in the summer plan accordingly. There is not a shuttle to this area. A coffee shop and restaurant are also on the premises. 

It's a beautiful hike and well maintained. You go by lots of waterfalls and even one you view from inside a cave. The metal bridges make access so easy to this beautiful place.  We spent most of the afternoon just taking our time.

Waterfall viewed inside a cave

Our visit to Lake Louise did not disappoint. Again we took the shuttle bus to here from our campground.  It was very crowded but once we got on the overlook trail we did not see very many people. I guess most visitors go down to the lake to view it. However, the overlook was a much better way to see the beautiful resort and escape the crowds. This was the first National Park established in Canada. 

Chateau Lake Louise

View looking out from the hotel

Campground Reviews:

Lake Louise Trailer Campground: 5 stars, well spaced, 30 amp full hook ups, no WiFi, good Verizon signal in some places, make reservations well in advance, great location

Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court Campground, Banff National Park, 5 starts, most sites are pull through, 30 amp full hook ups, no WiFi, good Verizon signal, great location, one of the best campgrounds we have stayed in, make reservations well in advance.  This campground had been sold out for months.