Lost another hour! Mountain to Central time midstate milepost 174. Morning drive into the beautiful (blinding) sunrise again on I90, wishing for a few clouds, then after 100 miles of sun, it was over 100 miles of very heavy dense fog, watch out for what you wish! I had planned to visit the rest area in Chamberlain where there is the 50' high stainless steel Dignity of Earth and Sky sculpture on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River but heaps of construction on the bridge crossing the river and the exit was closed eastbound. I could have exited later and turned back for the open westbound exit but because of the slow traffic I was able to view out the window. I had camped here in years past researching our ancestors who lived and died and are buried in Pukwana. Weather is getting warmer, temps in the 90's tomorrow with wind, back to shorts and singlet (I always wear my sandals).
29 September 2023 Friday - Rapid City/Sturgis South Dakota (71 miles)
Morning visit with our father at Black Hills National Cemetery. I enquired at the office why the letters of his name were not darkened like some of the others. They told me that in the past lithochrome was used to make the letters easier to read and that it was guaranteed to last a long time, but it did not, so they no longer use it but now make the letters of the name deeper. Then visit with chamber of commerce to get a map then to visit our father’s grandparents at Bear Butte cemetery. I walked downtown Sturgis full of tshirt shops. Our uncle had the Sooper Dooper grocery store since the 1950's and had rented out the parking lot for tshirt vendors during bike week but it was torn down and is now a bank. I then visited the local library where a man (who had gone to church with our cousin) showed me the upstairs genealogy section. I found old newspapers and city directories (1950s and 1960s) that had listings for our great grandfather and our uncle. Drove by the Fort Meade Medical Center where our father had resided with views of Bear Butte.
28 September 2023 Thursday - Billings Montana via Wyoming to Rapid City South Dakota (381 miles)
Another longer drive day and
another gorgeous drive with colorful sunrise and autumn colors and very few vehicles
on interstate except near bigger cities of which there are few! I have
driven this area many times in the past while in my van and had visited several
of the historical sites such as Little Bighorn Battlefield and Devils Tower but
gave them a miss. Also did not drive the slower shorter route 212 as in the
past but instead stayed on interstate 90, the time ends up being about the same.
I stopped at the Wyoming visitor center on the border with South Dakota to
visit the Vore Buffalo Jump but it was closed for the season. I had visited the
one in Alberta (Head-Smashed-In) and it was quite interesting. A buffalo/bison
jump is a cliff area where indigenous people would kill these animals in mass
quantities by driving them off a high cliff. Petrol prices keep getting lower
as I travel east, over $5 in Washington, now less than $4 in South Dakota. Enjoyed full harvest moon set in Billings and moon rise in Rapid. Found that the 58th annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup is this weekend,
A longer drive day, had considered stop in Bozeman but the hotel price is higher than I wanted to pay because it is the main gateway to Yellowstone, and Butte was sold out as were other hotels in Billings, maybe everyone is here to view the beautiful autumn colors. Gorgeous sunrise for my dry drive east on I90 with temperature range of 30 to over 70 degrees. Most of my rest area stops were at truck parking areas with outhouses. The rest area at Anaconda has a sign display of the history of Anaconda, established in 1883 by Marcus Daly for copper mining. The tallest surviving masonry smelter stack in the world at 585 feet is on the hill and can be viewed from the highway. I have stopped here before on my previous journeys. Also crossed the Continental Divide at 6400' just east of Butte. I have found it easier to drive 80mph and even got close to 90 when passing, such fun, but not good for the gas mileage! I could never do that in my van.
26 September 2023 Tuesday - Spokane Valley Washington via Idaho to Missoula Montana (186 miles)
Heavy rain going east on I90 then fog at Lookout Pass 4700' on the border of ID and MT then just clouds and sunshine in Montana, beautiful scenic drive with autumn colors passing Lake Coeur d'Alene and following the Clark Fork River. Heaps of road construction with stops in quaint town of Kellogg Idaho near Coeur d'Alene National Forest and St Regis Montana for the 'best milkshake ever' huckleberry! The speed limit on I90 in Montana is 80 so drove the speed limit of 80 for a few miles but too fast for me! Lost an hour today going from Pacific to Mountain time at the ID/MT border.
25 September 2023 Monday - Ellensburg to Spokane Valley Washington (190 miles)
Rain and wind and fog, then finally overcast and a bit of sun and warmer! I could barely find the exit for the first rest area (four on this journey travelling east on I90!). Great crossing of Columbia River then scenic exit to view the Wild Horses Monument (real name of this sculpture artwork is Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies completed in 1989) and great views of the river and valley. I did not hike up the steep hill of sand/loose rock to see them up close, much nicer in profile. There are signs on the fences of the interstate that identify the crops growing in the fields! My lucky day again for early checkin and then walk to local Mexican restaurant and visit to Duluth Trading Company store which I last visited at their flagship store in Mount Horeb Wisconsin (when they were building their ugly five story headquarters that towered over all the small houses and shops of the village).
24 September 2023 Sunday - Bellingham to Ellensburg Washington (192 miles)
Early morning start for drive on I5S to I405 to I90E, decided to not do a long drive for next few days. And Sunday is a good day to avoid weekday traffic in Seattle and Bellevue! Beautiful scenic I90E through Cascade mountain range over Snoqualmie Pass at 3000' where they are doing much work to widen the road on the east side. Some nice autumn colors! Although there are three rest areas on the portion of I5 that I drove, two are closed due to vandalism and may remain closed permanently. The hotel here is small and less busy and I was able to checkin early. Overcast morning then rain in afternoon.
23 September 2023 Saturday - Bellingham Washington
Cloudy start then rain, morning visit to Whole Foods for healthy salad then shopping at REI for some new clothes! I have left most of my (old) patagonia long underwear in storage in Juneau so was fun to find something new.
22 September 2023 Friday - Bellingham Washington
Arrived 7am Alaska time (8am Pacific time) to sunny day in Bellingham. First stop at hotel for brekkie then to Costco for much needed $7.99 car wash, unfortunately no vacuums. A day to do catchup and organizing and run errands. It was not the best journey due to no sleep because of the number of barking dogs on the car deck below me, I have never seen so many dogs on the ferry. If a passenger is a walk-on without a car in which to stow their pet, their dog is stowed in a cage on the forward park of the car deck. I had chosen a forward stateroom thinking that it would be quiet and not on the main hallways, but not! They did comp me for three meals which I enjoyed in the dining room yesterday (an at sea day).
Shopping at Yeagers sporting good store in Bellingham for new pair of Lems shoes. I have had to purchase these in the past online so was happy to find them in a store only a mile down the road.
21 September 2023 Thursday - Columbia ferry
A bit of excitement in the afternoon, the passenger in the stateroom next to me was ill and they determined he needed medical care. We initially thought they were going to call in a helicopter which they have done in the past. Instead, at 8pm we stopped near Campbell River on Vancouver Island where they launched a lifeboat and took him into town but we still stayed on schedule.
20 September 2023 Wednesday - Columbia ferry
Gave a miss for short stops at Petersburg at 130am and Wrangell at 5am but did get off in Ketchikan for our five hour stop for about five mile roundtrip walk to town, overcast until our departure when it poured down rain.
19 September 2023 Tuesday - Columbia ferry
Rode the $10 bus for seven miles to downtown Sitka on a beautiful sunny day (found that it rained four inches the next day). Walkabout to Castle Hill and Pioneer Home (where I had planned to visit a friend there but she passed away earlier this year) and various shops. I had wanted to take the funicular to the Cape Fox Hotel at top of hill but it is being rebuilt so walked Creek Street then up the stairs to the Cape Fox then back down through the neighborhoods.
-------------------------------------
18-22 September 2023 Monday through Friday - Juneau Alaska to Bellingham Washington
on board the Columbia ferry via Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell, Ketchikan.
-------------------------------------
17 September 2023 Sunday - Juneau Alaska
Wind and rain and cold! Not yet equinox and already feels like winter!
16 September 2023 Saturday - Juneau Alaska
Wind and rain and cold for memorial service for my former Main Street neighbor Alma at the Shrine of St Therese who passed away in August. She has had severe dementia for ten years and has been living in a care home, with her husband visiting her every day. A service at the chapel and at the columbarium then snacks at the lodge, seeing more friends I had not yet seen during my stay in Juneau this summer. I stopped at the Arboretum for a walkabout on the way out the road and also did walk on the new rosary grotto path at the Shrine before the service.
15 September 2023 Friday - Juneau Alaska
A gorgeous sunny day! Morning followup blood work at the doctor office then walkabout of the neighborhood to Cope Park with another Carol friend, she and I have both been so busy to find time to meet so today was the day! Then afternoon cardio walk up the Blueberry Hills hill before the rains return for remainder of weekend/week.
14 September 2023 Thursday - Juneau Alaska
A very rainy windy day with flooding and rock/mudslides so a good day to spend morning at the library continuing my research after yummy breakfast at the Sandpiper. Afternoon visit to the Last Chance Mining museum where my friends Renee and Gary have lived and worked for many years but found that they closed the museum on 11 September so stopped at the House of Wickersham museum to visit with another friend Mary Kay. Beautiful waterfalls out Basin Road due to the heavy rain.
13 September 2023 Wednesday - Jnneau Alaska
Getting ready for ferry departure on Monday. One of the hooks/clips for the Honda rear window shade broke, although not while I was using it, I had found the pieces in the door shelving! So I ordered the $4 part and had the dealer folks install it and then found that another cover piece was missing, but it still works. Afternoon walk up hill through the Blueberry Hills homes and chat with the neighbors.
12 September 2023 Tuesday - Juneau Alaska
Afternoon end of year thank you from tourism folks for buffet luncheon onboard the Ovation of the Seas cruise ship!
11 September 2023 Monday - Juneau Alaska
Spent morning at the state archives research library with my friend Carrol going through more boxes that I had donated twenty years ago for our hiking friend Paul Emerson, so many memories. Luncheon burrito at el Sombrero.
10 September 2023 Sunday - Juneau Alaska
Morning visit with my friends at Pioneer Home then afternoon walk in the sunshine along the seawalk and the whale sculpture. Met a woman for whom I had housesat ten years ago and she asked if I could housesit again while she is travelling next April, we will see! I had gone to the used bookstore looking for reading material for my journey south on the ferry (I have been reading library books during my stay) and a woman there was reading Tracy Chevalier so returned to shelves and found her books...then decided to visit library and check out the dvd Girl with a Pearl Earring, great film. Normally I read the book first but will do it in reverse.
9 September 2023 Saturday - Juneau Alaska
Saturday hike up Dan Moller trail in the off and on rain! I was glad to have my Kahtoola grippers for the very slippery stairway of boards.
8 September 2023 Friday - Juneau Alaska
Morning spent at state archives research library going through the boxes that I had donated when our hiking friend Paul Emerson died twenty years ago. Met friends for lunch at Spice, great Indian food! Then visit to the newly purchased condo by my friend Marcia.
7 September 2023 Thursday - Juneau Alaska
When I purchased my new car last year, I had hoped to not have the drama of fixing things that I had with my 1999 Dodge, but no. Last Sunday I had message on my dash that I had Emissions System Problem, always happens on a Sunday and then this was holiday weekend! I drove to Honda dealer first thing on Tuesday but they had no time available until Thursday (today) but still had to wait around for four hours to find that after they had run all the diagnostics, they could find nothing wrong. I still think that they 'hit something' when they had done service ten days ago.
6 September 2023 Wednesday - Juneau Alaska
The rains have returned and days are getting shorter and colder! Spent the morning renewing my sirius at the cheap rate, even though it does not work in Juneau, it is great to have when driving across the lower 48. Meeting friends and running errands around town.
5 September 2023 Tuesday - Juneau Alaska
Morning meeting with local lawyer to ensure that my 'do it yourself' will I had written five years ago was a good to go. She was very impressed with the work that I had done so only had to pay for her half hour meeting today instead of much more for her to write one for me! I had heard this woman speak at various meetings in years past so had decided to meet with her for assurance, a worthwhile visit.
A bit of excitement in the afternoon, the passenger in the stateroom next to me was ill and they determined he needed medical care. We initially thought they were going to call in a helicopter which they have done in the past. Instead, at 8pm we stopped near Campbell River on Vancouver Island where they launched a lifeboat and took him into town but we still stayed on schedule.
20 September 2023 Wednesday - Columbia ferry
Gave a miss for short stops at Petersburg at 130am and Wrangell at 5am but did get off in Ketchikan for our five hour stop for about five mile roundtrip walk to town, overcast until our departure when it poured down rain.
19 September 2023 Tuesday - Columbia ferry
Rode the $10 bus for seven miles to downtown Sitka on a beautiful sunny day (found that it rained four inches the next day). Walkabout to Castle Hill and Pioneer Home (where I had planned to visit a friend there but she passed away earlier this year) and various shops. I had wanted to take the funicular to the Cape Fox Hotel at top of hill but it is being rebuilt so walked Creek Street then up the stairs to the Cape Fox then back down through the neighborhoods.
-------------------------------------
18-22 September 2023 Monday through Friday - Juneau Alaska to Bellingham Washington
on board the Columbia ferry via Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell, Ketchikan.
-------------------------------------
17 September 2023 Sunday - Juneau Alaska
Wind and rain and cold! Not yet equinox and already feels like winter!
16 September 2023 Saturday - Juneau Alaska
Wind and rain and cold for memorial service for my former Main Street neighbor Alma at the Shrine of St Therese who passed away in August. She has had severe dementia for ten years and has been living in a care home, with her husband visiting her every day. A service at the chapel and at the columbarium then snacks at the lodge, seeing more friends I had not yet seen during my stay in Juneau this summer. I stopped at the Arboretum for a walkabout on the way out the road and also did walk on the new rosary grotto path at the Shrine before the service.
15 September 2023 Friday - Juneau Alaska
A gorgeous sunny day! Morning followup blood work at the doctor office then walkabout of the neighborhood to Cope Park with another Carol friend, she and I have both been so busy to find time to meet so today was the day! Then afternoon cardio walk up the Blueberry Hills hill before the rains return for remainder of weekend/week.
14 September 2023 Thursday - Juneau Alaska
A very rainy windy day with flooding and rock/mudslides so a good day to spend morning at the library continuing my research after yummy breakfast at the Sandpiper. Afternoon visit to the Last Chance Mining museum where my friends Renee and Gary have lived and worked for many years but found that they closed the museum on 11 September so stopped at the House of Wickersham museum to visit with another friend Mary Kay. Beautiful waterfalls out Basin Road due to the heavy rain.
13 September 2023 Wednesday - Jnneau Alaska
Getting ready for ferry departure on Monday. One of the hooks/clips for the Honda rear window shade broke, although not while I was using it, I had found the pieces in the door shelving! So I ordered the $4 part and had the dealer folks install it and then found that another cover piece was missing, but it still works. Afternoon walk up hill through the Blueberry Hills homes and chat with the neighbors.
12 September 2023 Tuesday - Juneau Alaska
Afternoon end of year thank you from tourism folks for buffet luncheon onboard the Ovation of the Seas cruise ship!
11 September 2023 Monday - Juneau Alaska
Spent morning at the state archives research library with my friend Carrol going through more boxes that I had donated twenty years ago for our hiking friend Paul Emerson, so many memories. Luncheon burrito at el Sombrero.
10 September 2023 Sunday - Juneau Alaska
Morning visit with my friends at Pioneer Home then afternoon walk in the sunshine along the seawalk and the whale sculpture. Met a woman for whom I had housesat ten years ago and she asked if I could housesit again while she is travelling next April, we will see! I had gone to the used bookstore looking for reading material for my journey south on the ferry (I have been reading library books during my stay) and a woman there was reading Tracy Chevalier so returned to shelves and found her books...then decided to visit library and check out the dvd Girl with a Pearl Earring, great film. Normally I read the book first but will do it in reverse.
9 September 2023 Saturday - Juneau Alaska
Saturday hike up Dan Moller trail in the off and on rain! I was glad to have my Kahtoola grippers for the very slippery stairway of boards.
8 September 2023 Friday - Juneau Alaska
Morning spent at state archives research library going through the boxes that I had donated when our hiking friend Paul Emerson died twenty years ago. Met friends for lunch at Spice, great Indian food! Then visit to the newly purchased condo by my friend Marcia.
7 September 2023 Thursday - Juneau Alaska
When I purchased my new car last year, I had hoped to not have the drama of fixing things that I had with my 1999 Dodge, but no. Last Sunday I had message on my dash that I had Emissions System Problem, always happens on a Sunday and then this was holiday weekend! I drove to Honda dealer first thing on Tuesday but they had no time available until Thursday (today) but still had to wait around for four hours to find that after they had run all the diagnostics, they could find nothing wrong. I still think that they 'hit something' when they had done service ten days ago.
6 September 2023 Wednesday - Juneau Alaska
The rains have returned and days are getting shorter and colder! Spent the morning renewing my sirius at the cheap rate, even though it does not work in Juneau, it is great to have when driving across the lower 48. Meeting friends and running errands around town.
5 September 2023 Tuesday - Juneau Alaska
Morning meeting with local lawyer to ensure that my 'do it yourself' will I had written five years ago was a good to go. She was very impressed with the work that I had done so only had to pay for her half hour meeting today instead of much more for her to write one for me! I had heard this woman speak at various meetings in years past so had decided to meet with her for assurance, a worthwhile visit.
Then met friend James for very healthy lunch at Zerelda's and hike on Brotherhood Bridge trail along the Mendenhall River...a gorgeous sunny day!
4 September 2023 Monday - Juneau Alaska
Spent morning planning my return journey to Florida and then haircut with Heather. I ended up doing her genealogy after I returned home and identifying the location of her father in a photo dated 1925, onboard the ship Ussukuma bound for South Africa.
3 September 2023 Sunday - Juneau Alaska
First Sunday not working at the kiosk so morning wash of clothes.
2 September 2023 Saturday - Juneau Alaska
A very wet day so gave the hike out the road (Windfall) a miss due to the wet boards on which we would have to walk, getting a bit wimpy in my old age (and fear of falling!). Did a driving trip instead to my local haunts: Mendenhall Campground and the local private campground, Skaters Cabin and West Glacier trailhead, Montana Creek, Fritz Cove (where I toured open house). I continue to 'put out my feelers' for places to stay next year.
1 September 2023 Friday - Juneau Alaska
Morning volunteer work at the Salvation Army sorting and hanging clothes then walkabout downtown of the First Friday Art Walk. A friend has ceramic show at local gallery.
4 September 2023 Monday - Juneau Alaska
Spent morning planning my return journey to Florida and then haircut with Heather. I ended up doing her genealogy after I returned home and identifying the location of her father in a photo dated 1925, onboard the ship Ussukuma bound for South Africa.
3 September 2023 Sunday - Juneau Alaska
First Sunday not working at the kiosk so morning wash of clothes.
2 September 2023 Saturday - Juneau Alaska
A very wet day so gave the hike out the road (Windfall) a miss due to the wet boards on which we would have to walk, getting a bit wimpy in my old age (and fear of falling!). Did a driving trip instead to my local haunts: Mendenhall Campground and the local private campground, Skaters Cabin and West Glacier trailhead, Montana Creek, Fritz Cove (where I toured open house). I continue to 'put out my feelers' for places to stay next year.
1 September 2023 Friday - Juneau Alaska
Morning volunteer work at the Salvation Army sorting and hanging clothes then walkabout downtown of the First Friday Art Walk. A friend has ceramic show at local gallery.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.