Home…

Got home yesterday about 4pm. It was a good day of travel. The border crossing went well. The guard only wanted to search my truck; had me put Abby in the camper. Had a huge brain-fart in Tok. I decided that since my truck was telling me that I still had over 200 miles to ‘E,’ I’d wait to fuel in Delta Jct., about 100 miles North. Didn’t take into account the fact that I would be wanting to go home so bad that I’d start pushing the limits of the truck so I could maintain 80mph, even up the hills. Needless to say, when I rolled into the gas station 10 miles south of Delta, I ended up putting 30 gals. of fuel into a 29 gal. tank. Yeah, oops

So, all told, I drove over 11,000 miles in six weeks. I haven’t tallied up the total mileage yet, or done any of the other chores that I need to do. I ran out of my glaucoma drops four days ago, and I’m starting to feel the pressure on my optic nerves. Fortunately, the pharmacist was awesome and got the insurance company to ok a refill even though ‘it wasn’t time.’ I don’t understand how it can not be time for a refill when I have no drops left, but that’s ok.

Monday, August 27, 2007

Pink Mountain, BC to Watson Lake, YT

Miles today: 455

Avg. MPG: 7.7

Re-reading some of my posts when I was traveling out last month; I was amazed when my gas mileage dropped down to 9 something. Boy, I wish I was getting that good of miles now…

Pink Mtn. to Watson Lake is a big push over the Canadian Rockies, for those that have never traveled the Alcan. That by itself is interesting enough (the view is well worth the loss of mpg, trust me), but to make things even more interesting, once you hit Summit Lake, BC., not only are you contending with extreme uphill/downhill roads, but around almost every corner is either sheep or caribou waiting for you – IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. Great fun (or something like that). Thank God, all the ones that I encountered were on the side of the road.

So then I get past the sheep/caribou corridor and start to relax, thinking I’m done with animals in the middle of the road. Not so. Apparently since the last time I came through this way in 2003, the buffalo decided to make a comeback. Guess where they like to hang out? You got it; in the middle of the freaking road!!! Thankfully, I managed to miss all of them too. Some of those suckers are huge; they could easily total a small car, and put a huge dent in a big one.

The next two days are big mileage days. I am 867 miles from home. I am finished with the Canadian Rockies; however, the Cassiar Mountains still await me…

Friday, August 24, 2007

I am in Edmonton, Alberta. Traveled over 450 miles to get here; not really by choice. I’m staying in a very large RV Park. You could probably fit all of Moose Creek and Salcha residents in it, and still have some room left over. All they had was a back-in spot; fortunately for me, I’ve now had lots and lots of practice backing this beast, so I slid right into my spot

I have only 360 miles to the start of the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek, BC; then it’s only 1488 miles to home. If I can do the same miles everyday that I did today, I should be home by Wednesday. Cutting it a bit close with the legal stuff, but I’ll still have enough time.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I am almost halfway home. The return trip is more about rolling out the miles rather than the scenery. I feel as if I am ready to begin to find a life for myself, whatever that may be. I’ve got legal stuff to tend to, but that’s minor stuff. After that, it’s time to be something other than a caregiver -

Wow; interesting concept…

Time to go home…

Today is my last day in Vermont. Tomorrow I’ll be headed home. 4000 miles to home; long trip again. I won’t be taking any sidetrips, just a straight shot (as much as possible). It’s been a good trip, but I’m ready to go. Unfortunately, it will be alone, but that’s just a fact of my life now. I am alone, and this trip has underlined that fact, over and over.

Today will be the last day spent with my kids and grandson. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we’ll be able to spend the day outside with a campfire. It will be bittersweet; happy because I’m with them, sad because I’m leaving them tomorrow.

I will be updating the blog whenever I have Internet connection, which prolly won’t be the first few days while in Canada. I’ll be going straight up into Canada tomorrow, and staying there until I cross the border into Alaska.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

I’ve been having a good time visiting with the kids, and of course, my grandson is the cutest kid in the world. Went down to Southern Vermont to visit my youngest sister last Friday, then headed over to Salisbury, Mass, to visit with one of my older sisters. The kids went with me and we all had such a good time. I got to do karaoke Friday night with little sister, and spent the day with big sister on the beach. It was so good to get back to the ocean again; I’d forgotten just how much I miss it. The kids were like little kids, rolling around and splashing in the waves. I even got my grandson’s feet wet in the ocean. He was good with that until a wave got him in the face. He was done after that. I also had an addition put on my faerie tattoo. Had to have the grandbaby’s zodiac sign added to it. It’s near his mother and uncles’ zodiac signs.

I’ll be heading home on Friday. Unfortunately, it’ll be just me and Abby, but my son and his fiancee have job interviews tomorrow and are hoping to follow within a few months.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Bet cha thought I’d fallen off the Earth, huh? I didn’t, but I’m close enough. In order to get on the Internet, I have do drive about 20 miles away from the campground just to get a connection.  I’m having a good time with daughter and grandson.  Aiden has really been scoring with Gramma.  I think he’s prolly got enough clothes and toys to last him a few years at this point.

I will start my return trip on the 18th.  Unfortunately,  I think it will be just Abby and I on the return trip.  The trip home will be much faster than the one coming down.  I must be back in Alaska before the end of the month for legal crap.

On the good side, drinking is way down.  Most nights, it’s one or two beers, rather than the 12-18 that I was doing before I left.  Hope that continues once I’m home.

Although it’s been good to see the kids, I’d forgotten just how much I detest this state.  It will be good to get back on the West Coast where people are ‘normal.’  Whatever that is; perhaps a better definition would be ‘where people are what I’ve become accustomed to.’  Meaning friendly without needing to micro-manage someone else’s life.

I will try to get another blog entry done in the next couple of days.  I’m planning on a road trip this weekend to visit sisters in Southern Vermont and Mass.  I am looking forward to seeing them.