Evening Day 5 and Day 6 ---- Almost There!!

 Well after the annoying delay in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada we happily went on our way.  We remained calm about the delays but were both pretty tired when we decided to stop for gas.  Now the highways in Canada are not like those in the States --- there aren’t many gas stations in between towns and some towns are so small there isn’t one, so when we see one that looks like it is easy to get in and out with the motorhome we stop.  We thought we were being proactive in getting gas early.  We pulled into the pumps and neither one of us saw the chains hanging down from the rail.  After we heard the clang, we realized we had to back out and pull in on the other side….well you can’t back up a motorhome with a tow car very easily, so we had to stop and unhook the car and move both of them.  That wouldn’t have been so bad, Bill is so good at it but there was a vehicle with three guys and a dog in the only spot we could fit through.  It was like a “Candid Camera” skit --- they did everything you can imagine.  They all 3 went into the store, tied their dog up and fed him outside the store, put in a can of something in the gas tank, then started pumping the gas.  They all three took turns going in and out of the store.  It finally looked as if they were done and then they went in to get ice, opened the back end of the SUV and started arranging things in the back.  Untied the dog and emptied his water and food dish, put him in the car and we thought “alright!”.  Then 2 of them got back out of the vehicle and went back into the store and then rearranged things in the back of the vehicle again!!  By this time I began to think they were doing it just to see if they could irritate us.  Bill wants to know who has been praying for us to have patience.  Seriously we were at that stop for over 1 hr and we didn’t even need gas at that point.

We finally came to a stopping point at a WalMart in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada.  I can say we were glad to be off the roads for the night even though we had hoped to get a little farther down the road.  We decided to make an early start of it the next morning and were on the road by 7:15AM.  We were so proud of ourselves and had high expectations for the day.  We were headed for the library in Vegreville, Alaberta, Canada where we could get some free wi-fi.  Again not as easy to find as in the USA.  We do not have internet service while we are in Canada --- it was ridiculously expensive for only 10 megs of data, which would last us a day or two maybe .  We did check e-mail and update the blog before heading back down the road.  Now we are making really good progress and have made our plans for stopping tonight and then a truck pulls up next to us in horrendous traffic in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and honks.  After I roll down the window he tells me that the back tire on the PT Cruiser is wobbling.  Bill had taken it in to have the tires checked and rotated before we left Michigan and we were not aware of anything happening on our trip thus far.   So we continue out of Edmonton and head for a town that puts us a little closer to Dawson Creek and make an appt with Kal Tire for 7:30 AM Friday 6/25.  Here’s to a blessed day tomorrow – we should be in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada by a decent hour tomorrow afternoon/evening.

Now the scenery was and is beautiful.  We have had great weather and no rain until today.  We did have some rough winds and rain/lightning the last hour of our day on Thursday, 6/24.  We took some awesome shots of the sky and the landscapes.  We are just about to leave the flat lands behind and head into the mountain areas.  We can see them up ahead.  Oh yeah – we did see our first “wild” animal.  Right along Hwy 16 there was a coyote walking the opposite direction we were going.  I didn’t have the camera out and ready at that point and Bill uncharacteristically did not cooperate and turn around for me to get a picture.  He said I could find one on the internet and fake it!  LOL.  Say a prayer for us to have a beautiful and uneventful day tomorrow.

Day 4 & 5 - WE MADE IT TO CANADA

Tuesday 6/22/10, Day 4 we actually left Minnesota, traveled through North Dakota and into Canada by 8PM.  We were a little nervous about Canadian customs for two reasons.  One, I had forgotten to have my name changed on my Passport – realized a little too late in the process to have it sent off and have a new one returned with the “Martin” name.  So Bill kept reminding me that my last name was Oberst if they asked.  I carried a copy of our Marriage License and the document from Social Security showing my name change if they asked for it.  Bill kept saying, “Don’t offer it --- just give them your passport.”  Well they didn’t question it so that was a relief.  The other thing, Bill has a Concealed Weapons certificate.  You are not allowed to take handguns, etc into Canada and we didn’t have one on us but he was concerned that they may search the RV & vehicle to make sure.  That wasn’t an issue either.  So, the verse comes back to me…Matthew 6:25-34; its all about needless worry!  Lesson in faith and what is and isn’t important in this life!

As we traveled through Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois & part of Wisconsin I felt the scenery and terrain were very similar.  And I had been to all of those states so although we enjoyed the trip it was familiar territory.  Then as we got farther into Wisconsin and Minnesota things started to change.  The scenery was beautiful but it was late in the day and we didn’t get any pictures, I regret that because it was awesome.  However, in North Dakota the landscape changed considerably, the land was flatter and stretched out for miles and the sky seemed larger than life.  I was impressed by the yellow saffron growing in the fields amongst the green pastures and the blue sky.  We kept slowing down and stopping to take pictures so this train passed us like three times.  The pictures we took can’t describe how beautiful it all is.  Again we are reminded of the diversity of the land & sky our God has created for our pleasure.  Each new turn emblazoned that on our hearts and minds.

   

We spent our first night away from Grand Blanc at the house in Marblehead, the second night at a truck stop, the 3^rd night at a WalMart parking lot and the 4^th night at Hidden Valley Campground in Estavan, Saskatachawan, Canaada.  The campground was not something to get excited about except that we had electricity and water.  We were also able to dump our waste tanks and fill up with fresh water again.  Back to civilization for a night.  Not complaining about the dry camping – I’m fine with that, but once in a while electricity is a good thing!

We left camp a little late Wednesday.  Bill cooked an awesome breakfast of pecan pancakes &  bacon – again that electricity thing.  We had only gone about 50 miles when we hit this little town, Weyburn, Saskatchawan , Canada.  Okay….we all have been going nuts with the construction going on in our home areas….but seriously, this was crazy.  We spent about an hour trying to go ¼ mile ---- these young kids (I know they probably aren’t as young as us old folks think they are) were only letting 1 or 2 vehicles through every 10 minutes or so….I kid you not most of the time nobody was going either direction.  Would like to say we won’t complain about construction back in Michigan/Ohio but I know we will. 

As far as “wildlife” goes – we haven’t seen any yet but I know that is coming as we near Alaska.  We have seen horses, cows, buffalo, sheep, llamas – the normal ranch/farm animals….looking forward to something a little more exciting.

Day 1, 2 & 3 -- Not as planned

Well we knew that the trip was not going to have an early start as we were attending Jean Solem's daughter's, (Mary Anne), wedding .. so Saturday night we left around 8PM hoping and praying that we could stay awake long enough to get on the other side of Chicago.  The bad news is it was really late when we achieved that goal....the good news is going through downtown Chicago in a motorhome with a car in tow at 2:30 AM is a good time!!  LOL.  We couldn't quite make it to Rockford, IL that night (morning) so we stopped about 1/2 hour short and texted Nina (my brother Steve's wife and my dear, dear sister/friend) that we would be there for breakfast.  She didn't disappoint us as we arrived shortly after 7:30 AM Sunday morning to some good home cooking of biscuits & gravy and eggs.  Yum, one of our favorites and I'm no good at making gravy!

As we couldn't travel more than the 305 miles to Rogers, MN, (where we had an appointment to have the motorhome serviced), we decided to attend church with them and have lunch before leaving Rockford.  See God finds a way for something good to come out of even irritating situations like delays in your travels.  It was a great place and time to be delayed as we had a wonderful visit with Steve, Nina, Mandy, Wyatt & Abbey.  It was good to see the sweet faces of friends at Calvary Christian also.  Unexpected blessings along the way.

So here we sit Monday, 6/21 in Rogers, MN, 4-1/2 hrs after our 12:30 PM appt --- still waiting for them to finish working on it.  They believe the battery needs replaced and are finishing that up now.  Hopefully we will be on the road again within the hour.  Not knowing how long they were going to take to repair it --- we decided against a movie (wanted to be ready to roll as soon as they called, lol).  We went to lunch at Subway (tried the chicken salad sub -- my advice .. stick to what you know you like).  Ran a couple errands, took a nap in the PT cruiser (great to have a tow car), went to Culvers for ice cream & chili cheese fries, worked with the WIFI on the blog, took another nap in the car....and still waiting.   We could have watched two movies by now and saved calories or probably not they have great popcorn.

Well they finally finished the repairs at a tune of $550 (Bill was pretty accurate in his estimation), they replaced both Auxiliary batteries.  We are crossing our fingers that this was the problem -- the batteries are only 5 yrs old as is the Motorhome so doesn't seem as if they should need replaced...but we are on the road again. Left Wisconsin Monday AM, spent most of the day in Rogers, MN and made it to Fargo, ND at 10PM.  We should be in Canada mid-afternoon today, Tuesday, 6/21.  North to Alaska!!!

Snafu #1

"Snafu" as in "problem, glitch, minor to major annoyance"

"#1" as in "I'm sure there will be others!"

Have you folks ever seen a motor home out there on the highway with it's slides out?  No.  Me either.  Same for the levelers.  If the levelers are down, you can't drive.

Well, while setting up on our first night out (Marblehead, OH) everything froze, with the levelers down and the slide half way out, it just froze.  (Picture Bill breaking out in a cold sweat - which actually would have felt pretty good considering the HOT sweat I was drenched in at the time.)

After letting it sit for a minute, everything worked again - sort of.  The slide would move, but only came part way in.  Long story short (too late - I know), everything is retracted, we are on the road, but we don't dare try to push anything out or down.  We have an appointment with Camping World in Minnesota for noonish today and hopefully we'll get this resolved.

I'm sure it's probably just some little $500 part.

Bill

Ready, Set, Go!! Off to Alaska!!

So the trip we planned while in Estes Park, Colorado last August is here!!  It seemed like such a long time off but as usual, time flies when you are having fun!  LOL.  So, the past several weeks (months) we have been planning, buying what we need for a few months, packing, practicing, packing, planning and most of all getting as much "Grandchildren" time as possible.  Our kids too of course.  We love them and enjoy spending time with them also....but the grandchildren change so much daily.  They learn new words, expressions, talents....you name it they are so much fun.  We think Jackson may have a future in dancing, Grayden as a singer and Blair has a smile that lights up the world.  Too early to see Brynn's talents but she is so sweet and lovable, such a good baby girl!

Jennifer, Rob & Grayden came up for Memorial weekend.  They had not yet seen little Brynn and wanted to wish Blair a Happy 2nd birthday.  So we took advantage of that time to go to the Detroit Zoo.  It was great to have Jackson, Grayden, Blair & Brynn all together, although Brynn was usually asleep during the picture taking.  She did wake up to wave at us at one point.  We topped off the time together with church on Sunday and then lunch at Famous Daves.  All the kids were great!

We had the privilege of caring for Blair and Brynn for 8 days when Mandy had to go back to school to finish out the year.  She was sad to leave them but we enjoyed spending the time with them before we leave Michigan.

Bill had a wonderful surprise -- David had a layover at Detroit Metro on his way to China for work.  Bill, Kyle, Megan & Jackson picked him up for lunch and spent a couple hours catching up.  That was a beautiful blessing -- David lives in Denver and has not been back home since the Christmas holidays.  It was a nice Father's Day present for Bill.

2nd Shakedown

Our second "try out" was to the P. J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon, MI on Lake Michigan near Holland, MI (the Tulip Festival site) and Grand Haven, MI, another beautiful area.  We didn’t pick up the motor home until Wednesday morning and spent several hours packing.  We packed so quickly that we forgot several things, not the least was Bill’s medications.  Now when you get our age that is a major thing….pills, pills, pills!  Not good.  Anyway, we are making another list of what we forgot this time so that hopefully for the Alaska trip we are more prepared and thorough.  Anyway, we arrived at the camp Wednesday around 8PM and the girl said, “You must be site #42”.  I said, “Are you psychic?”.  And she said, “No, you are the only ones camping tonight!”.  Can you believe out of approximately 250 campsites, we were the only ones there.  We couldn’t stop laughing.  It was so weird knowing you have a whole state park to yourselves!!  It was like being the only 2 people left in the world .  We walked down to the beach of Lake Michigan Thursday morning and stood in awe at His creation…it was so amazing to see the beautiful water, waves, sand, trees, sky, horizon, NATURE!  God’s gift to us mere mortals.  Such a humbling, uplifting, inspiring sight --- all that with no sign of anything man made, Nothing!  Just His beauty.  Such a blessing.

We spent Saturday and Sunday mostly in Holland looking for tulips, windmills & wooden shoes.  We did find the wooden shoe factory and were able to observe the making of a wooden shoe and talk to the man “behind the shoe”.  Saturday was a day of exploring but Sunday we met friends, Dane & Shannon along with their children, Aubrey & Carson, for worship service and a wonderful dinner at their home.  Another great visit.

Then we were off to Windmill Island to tour the original windmill from Holland, Denmark.   This windmill was donated to Holland, Michigan as a thank you to the United States for help given Denmark during World War II.  It is still a working windmill to this day.  As it has been such a wonderful spring, the tulips had already met their prime but as we strolled through Centennial Park we found many beautiful tulips still in bloom of every color imaginable. (except black, they haven’t been able to come up with that one yet!)  Sunday evening we watched the sunset over Lake Michigan and had a huge campfire.  We sat around the fire making future plans and eating s’mores until midnight!  It was such a great fire we hated to douse it.