Milepost 2687 Helena, MT to Lusk, WY

Our morning out of Helena started great!  We found some HUGE cinnamon rolls and split one.  We decided to drive into Yellowstone National Park.  The weather was good, and the Element holding up nicely.

The drive to Yellowstone.  Found the sign!

Since we had a long drive ahead we couldn't explore too much of the park, but where else can you see geysers like these!

Geyser selfie!

And to think some people would pay hundreds of dollars to soak in mud like this!

Another geyser selfie!

It was a hot day!  But really warm by these.

No stop to Yellowstone is complete without seeing Old Faithful! 

After the park we drive through Wyoming.  The drive was long, and driving in the dark was no fun, we outside the park we were able to see rock formations like these!  Next stop Mt. Rushmore!

Milepost 2063 - Browning, MT to Helena, MT

Today we explored around Glacier National Park.  The Birthday Girl got to enjoy some Huckleberry ice cream, and have some great family time with her mom.  So delicious on such a hot day!

A lovely view at the top of Logan Pass.  We had to unload our stuff from the car so the Element could make it up and down the narrow, windy road.

 Recent fire damage we drive through on the Going to the Sun road.  Very sad.

Milepost 1832 - Calgary, AB to Browning, MT

We are back in the United States!  We started our morning with a nice walk in downtown Calgary.  Walking by the water was lovely.  Halfway through our walk we wondered if we could be spotted as Americans, and then several groups of students began asking us for directions.  So we must fit in at least to the untrained eye.

Downtown Calgary

Prince's Island Park

The road leading up to Chief Mountain and Montana! So pretty.

Our first photo in the United States!

Just to confirm we are in the right state!

We stopped here near Chief Mountain 2+ years ago on our way to Juneau.  It was so nice to stop hear again...Engaged and going to grad school together.

On our way to the hotel we saw a bear!!!  A very small one, but it still counts.

A nice photo of us by the hotel, the Many Glacier Hotel.  Very swanky back in 1915, now very historic, but clean, and peaceful.  They have great Montana influenced drinks!

Our view at breakfast sitting together on the dock!  Not bad, not bad at all.

A little walk later that morning.  Found the water.

There were range cattle grazing along the road to and from the hotel.  From a distance I swore they were bears.  Unfortunately, just wild cows.  And not too friendly...I said "moo" to one, and it farted at me!  How rude!

Milepost 1583 - Kamloops, BC to Calgary, AB

So it's been a while since we last posted.  Had a long, stressful drive from Kamloops to Calgary.  Our day started out great.  We had sun, and little traffic leaving Kamloops, but 20 minutes outside town we encountered construction.

The drive was fine in British Columbia.  The road was dry, and the other drivers, while many, only passed in the passing lanes.

Once we got into Alberta, the drivers became more aggressive.  After only 70 miles I had to become the passenger, it was so stressful.  In the rankings of places with bad drivers, there Long Island, Massachusetts, and now, Alberta.  One driver passed on a double yellow, just to go one car in front of us.  We finally made it to Lake Louise.  It was beautiful.  We saw red canoes on the lake, and saw we could rent one, so we did!

We took turns taking pictures.  Glad my phone was waterproof.

We both look so outdoorsy!

And the one that everyone thinks is PhotoShoped.  It's not!!!!

Milepost 1182 - Prince George to Kamloops

We woke up to rain!

Finally, the rain abated.  A little...

After a delicious dinner of Costco Poutine we found the hotel and went for a walk by the water.  On our way we encountered a bridge with encouraging messages.

This is great public health in action!  Tomorrow Banff and Calgary!

Milepost 855 - Prince Rupert and Prince George

Sadly, when we woke up on the ferry, the clouds had returned.  After a bit of delay, our ferry docked, and we proceeded to customs.  Our biggest fear would be customs would require us to unload all of our stuff in the back of our vehicle.  Fortunately the customs officer was polite, and wished us well in our studies.  I got caught off guard, when he asked "what our you taking?" and I proceeded to say "everything that we didn't sell that we could fit in our car." to which he replied "what are you taking in school?"  Doh!

A brief welcome to British Columbia!

Fortunately, the clouds finally parted, and we had great driving weather.  Just a lot of driving.  We finally arrived in Prince George near 11PM.  Our hope to enjoy a walk in the morning.

Milepost 198 - Wrangell, Alaska

We left Petersburg basking in the warmest sunny weather.  A real treat for Southeast Alaska.  After sunning ourselves on some fine lawn furniture, we dinned on a great soup and salad dinner.

After dinner we wanted to enjoy the sun, so we starting walking laps around the ship.  During our first lap, the nice old lady looked over from her husband, smiled, and shouted one!  Every time we rounded the ship she'd shout two, three, four!  Finally, when we finished our twelfth lap we introduced ourselves.  The two were recent retirees from Montreal, and taking a continental tour.  He a retired police officer, she a retired nurse.  We were impressed with their retirement celebration, they were impressed with our graduate studies.

 

 Us on our laps in the sun!

Mist laying close to the water in the Wrangell Narrows.

At first we thought this was the beautiful sunset on our way into Wrangell.

Docking in Wrangell.

We only had 15 minutes to walk in Wrangell, so we hopped to it.  We found a neat Totem Pole near the Post Office, but on our way back we saw this!!!!

From the door of the ferry we go this spectacular sunset.  It was so magnificent.  Next stop Canada!

Milepost 150 - Juneau to Petersburg

Twelve hours ago we woke up, dusted the sleep from our eyes and headed out to the ferry terminal after a much needed stop for gas, food, and bacon burrito from Safeway.  Thanks to our friends Mary and Cameron for letting us stay the night and a wonderful dinner!  We will miss you so much.  Also, thanks to the Juneau Education Support Staff for their much appreciated goodbye gift we were fueled for the first part of our journey.

The burrito and the beautiful weather helped us say one final goodbye to our now former home.

A beautiful day to be on the water. 

We had a gorgeous view of the Mendenhall Glacier on our way out of town. 

We had a whale sighting while having a bite of lunch!

Finally arriving in Petersburg for a nice walk, and some more sun.  We hope it lasts!  Stay tuned!

Less than 24 Hours: Ready to Roll!

The furniture is sold. The car is packed.  The apartment is clean and empty.  After a long week of purging, cleaning, selling, and enjoying what makes Southeast Alaska special we are finally ready to depart.  

Our last evening walk on Thursday.  

We came upon this spot which seemed like a metaphor for our journey.  The immediate past lay ahead, but beyond that was a mystery. 

This morning was out last walk on Sandy Beech.  This was the first place we went when we arrived in Juneau in January 2013.  In a few weeks will run our hands through the Atlantic Ocean!

Together forever!

Such a beautiful day!  It's as if Juneau was trying to keep us here.  

After several hours our old apartment is empty.

But our car is full!