Status: Senior
- bought to you by Seacroft
Status: Senior - brought to you by Seacroft

Royal Hudson steaming along the waterfront - stuff of dreams

A number of years ago my husband had one of the few good experiences with my father.  Dad was a bit of a miserable sod, but we had bitten the bullet and taken my Mom and Dad to the west coast as a 50th anniversary present.  Dad was a steam train buff, so thrilled to visit North Vancouver to see the Royal Hudson, a restored steam train.

Dad was thrilled when we got tickets for the "boys" to take the train up the coast.  They often talked about that day trip and how much they enjoyed both the scenery and the  steam train experience.  So we were sadden to find the Royal Hudson no longer taking tourists and steam enthusiasts for a jaunt.

Imagine my smiles when I read that on Monday, February 8, 2010, the Royal Hudson steam train will make a monumental passenger trip from Vancouver to White Rock, with a return trip the following day. This 2010 visit will take place in connection with the winter event the Bite of the Rock dining event (visit www.biteoftherock.com). 

“We are delighted to be able to have the Royal Hudson chug along White Rock’s pristine waterfront once again,” said Don Evans, president of the West Coast Railway Association. Train passengers are invited to stay overnight and enjoy the hospitality of the beautiful waterfront community before heading back to Vancouver on February 9. Visit www.tourismwhiterock.com for a list of local accommodations of B&B’s and hotels.

Tickets go on sale in January through West Coast Rail Tours. Tickets for the Royal Hudson are $125 for a one way trip, with return transportation by bus, or $250 for a round trip on the classic steam train.This journey wouldn’t be possible without the partnering of  BNFS Railway and the West Coast Railway Association.

Wish we could be aboard, instead of sitting here waiting for the next snow storm in Prince Edward Island.  After a couple of sunny, teaser days of mild weather the forecasters are threatening snow and minus double digit temperatures.  Brrrr.




Posted by Julie Watson at 1/28/2010 10:36 PM | Add Comment

Welcoming 2010

So, Its that time of year again.  A new year and we are all supposed to make life changing vows, aka resolutions which we WILL live by.  Yeah, right.  Like most of us I’ve made resolutions.  Most of them totally unrealistic.

Thinks like I won’t over eat.  Or, I will exercise for two hours every day.  Or, better yet, I will walk 2 miles a day.  Yeah right.  Like that will happen.

So this year my resolutions are more realistic.  More importantly, they are doable things that will have a positive impact on our future.

#1 I will remember that my priorities in life are my husband, son, mother, daughter-in-law, my career and myself.  The users will not move ahead of them - ever.

#2 - I will approach each day with a positive approach.  Out with the negative reactions.  Instead of reacting to things with a look at how the world treats poor me, I’m going to take a new approach of finding the good in things.  There is always some.  Its just a case of looking for the good or positive spin.

#3 - I’m going to be nice to people.  Smile at people I see in the coffee shop, the bank and so on.  It doesn’t hurt me and it makes them feel good.  It comes back

#4 - I will be respectful.  Respect for another person’s viewpoint, feelings, accomplishments should be automatic.  I will especially be respectful of other cultures and religions.  Just because its different doesn’t mean it is bad or that they and their feelings are not deserving of my politeness and respect

#5 - I will try to exercise more and eat healthier.  Note I said try.  That is doable.  I will do my best and won’t beat myself up if I have a bad day.  I’ll just get back on program as soon as I can.

#6 - I will get the hole in my right ear re-pierced.  OK, I know this may fall into the category I was going to avoid, but man I’m tired of earings slipping into one ear with no problem, and having to fight and hurt to have an evenly balanced head.  I feel so silly being scared of this when I went through a total knee replacement surgery and physio, had a tooth (huge back molar!!!)  pulled, got both flu shots and big toe fixed.  One little ear piercing won’t hurt - or at least not so much that I can’t take it.

#7 - I will do more pro-active things for the environment.

#8 - I won’t buy for the sake of momentary satisfaction.  If I don’t really need it, I will not buy it.

#9 - I will continue de-junking.  It’s a slow process, but I will persevere.

 # 10 - I will savour each and every moment.  Time is too valuable to waste with stressing about what has gone by, worrying about things I can’t change or being anxious about things in the future.

#11 - I will focus my mind and my efforts on things that matter, fighting that which distracts me from the goal I have for life and work.

#12 - I will be more spontaneous and worry less about consequences.

Pretty general stuff, but it sort of defines how I want to live my life.  

Wishing you a Happy New Year celebration and a great year in 2010

Posted by Julie Watson at 1/1/2010 1:00 AM | Add Comment

Savour Canadian Winter

A couple of years ago I was able to fulfill a fantasy when I spent a week in Banff during the winter.  I’m not a skier, or in any way athletic, but I love the mountains.  I especially savour the mountain air in winter and spring. Scented by the earth, and pines and the breezes brushing over snow it seems to awaken my mind and body with its freshness.

My stay in Banff, highlighted by a passing winter storm that I watched come, arrive, and go, from the mountain top accessibly by cable car, was a wonderful vacation.  Of course staying at the Banff Springs Hotel was part of the magic. 

Last year we visited Jasper in February, enroute to Edmonton for a family visit.  Again the magic of winter enthralled us.  Wildlife- elk, big horn sheep, mountain goats, caribou and even a wolf on the prowl - made this visit a never to be forgotten experience.

The two events triggered a desire to enjoy more of Canada in the winter.  For many of us the best way to do that is to take in a winter festival.  We have a number of terrific events to choose from.  In February Ottawa’s Winterlude and Quebec City’s Winter Carnival are well established and easily accessible.

If you love skating then what they claim is the world’s longest manmade skating rink is a must. The Rideau Canal offers 7.8 km or 4.8 mi of ice.  Its almost as much fun to watch as to glide along or shoot a puck. Those who are less athletic will love the Rogers Crystal Garden’s ice sculptures and the Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom snow sculptures. It’s a three week affair, so check out the schedule for special events and make sure you sample a warm, fresh “BeaverTails” (relax—they’re pastry!)

The Québec Winter Carnival claims to be the world’s biggest winter carnival drawing almost a million people to the historic old city to see snow and ice sculptures, mascot Carnaval Bonhomme’s Ice Castle, a night parade (so good it’s always done twice) and games at the Plains of Abraham, where everything from snow tubing to a winter zipline’s happening. Cold? Warm up with “caribou”—hot, red wine or port mixed with maple syrup or white-lightning booze...whatever suits you.

Now is one is event more adventurous and wants to experience a true northern winter, then Yellowknife’s Caribou Carnival in March can be linked to Iqaluit’s Toonic Tyme.  The Caribou Carnival on a frozen lake in the North West Territories has been happening for more than 50 years.  No same old, same old here though.  They add a wrinkle or two every so often – like kit skiing and boarding or snow volleyball.  Add in a maple sugar shake, traditional Dene hand games, snow sculptures, sledding and music and you have a great time.  

Toonik Tyme, is filled with genuine local cultural tradition. This spring festival in Nunavut’s capital honours the annual return of the sun to Canada’s Far North, with igloo building, snowmobile and dogsled races, a community feast and traditional Inuit games. But the golf tournament on sea ice draws a big audience, too.

If heading to the true north appeals then do check out other tourism opportunities to fill the time between the two events.  An image of tents glowing from the lights within, surrounded by people bundled up to keep warm as they lay outside to watch the Northern Lights has me hankering for this to happen in my life.

There are winter carnivals happening across Canada, so check out your local neighbourhood.  We can’t all hit Vancouver for the Olympics - where the biggest winter event of the year is happening in 2010, but we can enjoy things like watching the New Year swimmers in Atlantic Canada, or maybe heading for Winterfest in Calgary.  It was the ‘88 Olympics that sparked an annual February celebration which allows us ordinary folks to take in special events at Olympic Plaza and Heritage Park. Canada Olympic Park lets everyone who dares try the luge or bobsleigh. More sensible folk watch real pros strut their stuff freestyle skiing and trampoline snowboarding (not yet, and maybe never, an official Winter Olympic sport).

Whatever strikes your fancy, remember winter should be a season to be enjoyed.  Nor just endured.  

Till next time
Julie

Posted by Julie Watson at 12/25/2009 5:08 PM | Add Comment

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES or REPORTING ON JACK

Time for an update.  It is now Monday evening.  Jack was sprung from the hospital at 5:15 pm today so we went back to the campsite and will start home tomorrow.

We have strict instructions to get to an ER if he starts to feel grotty again, or the fever comes back.  They have done a lot of eliminating of things and are still leaning to a viral or bacterial infection because of the “inflammatory markers” in his blood and the way his temperature keeps spiking. 

They have done cat scans, x-rays, blood tests, urine cultures, all sorts of goodies. Haven’t found anything wrong in his stomach, bowels, etc. and heaven knows they have been looking.  Results are not back from all of the blood, urine and other tests so they are going to send them on the our doctor at home when they come in.  In the meantime they have given us copies of reports and a CD with images (cat scans/xrays/etc) to carry.

Pretty darn cool.  The treatment continues to impress us.  One of the things I think was really cool was the beds.  They move almost constantly to relieve pressure points, stop bed sores, that sort of thing.  Jack said it was really comfortable.  Another thing was meals.  The nutritionist comes in to discuss your menu, offering three choices, but also saying if you want something else we’ll prepare it for you.  It was like ordering in an upscale restaurant.  And everything was good. 

We were treated so well both at the hospital and the campground that we almost hate to leave.  Almost.  Not quite.  Life awaits at home.  So we are heading east Tuesday morning and going to see how it goes. 

Life it seems is normal.
 Julie


Julie


Posted by Julie Watson at 9/28/2009 9:36 PM | Add Comment

Evenful few days

Well folks its been an interesting few days. So here are a few highlights

Saturday
John flew into Toronto today, and he and his childhood friend, Joey Kulchar, came down to Fonthill in a rental truck to pickup some of the furniture from the house.  Joey can use it - needs it, and we need to get the stuff gone so it was a win-win situation.

John arranged his travel to Maritimes so that he could take the stop over and get a lift down to see Mom for a few hours.  She complained about his long hair - as usual - and didn’t seem to appreciate the effort he made - but that is Mom. It was very helpful for us as John and Joey took a dozen or so boxes of books to donate to the library, and lugged the storage boxes of stuff I want from Mom’s house but can’t fit in the RV to take home, to Jenny and Jesse’s garage.  Saved Jack and I a lot of lugging and helped empty the house.

Sunday we took Mom out for a drive around Port Colborne and along the Niagara River/Parks then out to lunch at the Mandarin.

Monday the “Got Junk” guys came and took 1 ½ truck loads of “stuff” out of the basement.  Cost us $800+ but was better than trying to do it ourselves.

Tuesday was our last day with Mom, so spent it doing her running around, took her out to lunch etc.  She had a melt-down so there was a lot of anger and emotion going on.  Upset because we were leaving, because we had just dumped her in this place where she doesn’t want to be, she may as well not live because no one cares or wants her around and etc.  Jack and I had both sort of had it especially with the accusations so this time she heard a few realities back.  Ended up with us having a frank talk, her apologizing and promising to try and adapt and put a more positive spin on things.  We left to sleep at Jen and Jesse’s and got to hear a bit about her trip to Vancouver.

Wednesday we stopped in to say goodbye to Mom and she was so much better.  Apologized again, and said she was going to go down to coffee with the ladies.  We left on a good note, had breakfast with the Rogers and headed for home.  Stayed near Lake Oneida in New York State.  Jack was still not feeling well.  John phoned to say Chrissy had to be taken into the hospital by ambulance.  He is in St. John, New Brusswick.

Thursday We drove through Adirondack National Park - absolutely lovely drive - and into Vermont.  Jack has been experiencing nausea and just not feeling well.  At lunch time he started shivering and just could not get warmed up. He shivered violently for most of the afternoon even though the weather was hot and humid, and he had the heater on. With the nausea and chest pain he was in pretty bad shape.  He turned the driving over to me just west of Montpelier and I found a campground about half an hour later.  

About 30 minutes after that I headed for the hospital in Barre/Montpelier.  He was treated in Emergency. and admitted to Intensive Care.  Just after midnight they had him settled in and sedated a bit, so I headed out to the RV and caught a few hours rest in the parking lot.

On the west coast, Chrissy has had her surgery.  It was a little more extensive than they had anticipated, but she should be out of the hospital in a few days.  Glad that is over for her as she has been having severe pain for months and has been rushed to the hospital several times.

Friday - after all kinds of tests, cat scan, x-rays etc.  Jack is still in ICU.  Today about 4 pm his fever broke and he started to come around a bit.  Managed to eat a piece of toast and some Jello.  He isn’t out of the woods by any means, but it was a relief to see a bit of improvement today.  I felt comfortable with coming back to the campground for the night.  Its only about 7 miles from the hospital.  Supposed to be a frost tonight so I am grateful to have electricity for lights and heat.

 The doctors and nurses have been wonderful and the care excellent.  They haven’t found anything wrong with his heart, stomach, etc through the x-rays and cat scan and are leaning to a viral or bacterial infection. So right now they are culturing some tests, monitoring his blood for changes, treating the symptoms and so on. 

Thankfully we purchased travel insurance on Tuesday.  Our provincial covers emergency hospital care, and the travel should cover what they don’t so we are hoping we don’t have to mortgage the RV to pay medical bills.  Actually I’m kind of glad it happened here.  They are doing tests that he has never had at home and really attentive and supportive. Its good to have another opinion and since these guys are starting from scratch with no preconceived notions I’m hoping they come up with some answers for us.

Carol and Russ are still with us, anticipating that we will be heading home tomorrow.  Doubt it myself, even if he is released I don’t think he should start traveling right away,  but one never knows. One of the reasons Jack came this far was to get us up to highway 2 because from here it’s a straight run to Bangor in Maine, and they have traveled that route before so can do it on their own. 

The folks at the campground have also been super. Heck if you have to get sick this is a great place to do it because of the great people.

Chrissy is doing well - had an “emotional” day today which the surgeon told her to expect, but is eating and getting up today.

Well had best get to bed. It has turned cold, so I’m going to snuggle in. Will try to keep you posted. 

Julie  

Posted by Julie Watson at 9/25/2009 10:58 PM | Add Comment

The Fonthill adventure

So, the purpose of our stay in Fonthill is two fold.  First to visit my mother and help her settle into a new life.  Second to clean up and dispose of her old life.  To explain for anyone who doesn’t already know.  My 89 year old mother was living in a 4-level split house, that was too much for her to maintain and too lonely for her.  

We had her on the wait list for a subsidized seniors, independent living, apartment to almost 5 years.  The main reason was, and is, that these apartments on the town square in Fonthill are some of the nicest I’ve come across for seniors and the place has a great reputation.  Its not a new building, but is very well maintained, bright and cheerful.  There are 64 apartments, and only two men in the building.  The ladies, at least the ones I have met, are a great bunch.  Cheerful.  Active. Always saying hello.  They have quite a few organized activities including coffee once a week, lunch a couple of times a month (once here organized by Meals on Wheels and they put a list up so people can sign up to go out as a group to various places) and things like bingo or cards.

Mom has a lovely apartment, one bedroom, a kitchen with space for a small table and chairs, or in her case her sewing machine and chairs, a storage room, and a good size living room with a lovely patio and private little garden.  Jack mounted a new TV on the wall so she can sew or eat and watch her shows. Its actually much nicer than our place, especially the outside.

Cousin Jenny and husband Jess have done a wonderful job of moving Mom and getting her set up in her new place.  Hey not only did an amazing amount of work, they also put up with her sour attitude and constant complaining.  They set the apartment up and it is very well done.  Jenny has a “touch” when it comes to setting out rooms, and gardens.

Only trouble is Mom is having a really hard time with the move.  She says its too small, she doesn’t know where anything is, there is no where to put anything, and on - and on.  Its actually rather sad.  She is making herself very unhappy, and frustrating everyone she comes in contact with.  We all understand, but it gets very hard to not tell her to buck up and look at the all the good things, instead of constantly dwelling on the negative.  I do hope she can turn it around.

Its been a tough time for me.  Jack has been off.  As in not feeling well and just not his usual cheerful self - says I tongue in cheek. He had an "incident" in Idaho that almost had me calling 911 and has never recovered. Last week he went to Ottawa for five days to golf with Terry - that gave me a break from trying to balance between keeping him and Mom in a decent frame of mind.  I know they both have issues and am bumbling through trying to be understanding and helpful in my own ineffectual way.

One thing I have been grateful for is that some help that came my way from my cousin Susan and her husband, Finn.  They took a lot of stuff out of Mom’s house and helped pack up a whole lot more.  Today the Diabetes Association came with their truck and took 30 plus, boxes and big bags full of  “Stuff” for Value Village.  On Saturday some of the furniture went. Then today the Junk Guys came for the trash.  We are heading home on Wednesday.

Its been kind of nice to connect with family a bit.  Jack is staying at cousin Jenny & Jesse’s place.  I’m staying at Mom’s “camping” on the floor of her living room.  While Jack and Jess were off golfing (not together) we had a girl’s night with Aunt Ann, Mom, Jenny, my sister-in-law Sandra who dropped in from Victoria, BC.  She’s on a road trip across Canada.

My Uncle Phil and Donna had us over for dinner.  Cousin Leslie dropped by for a visit.  We had coffee with Aunt Ann and Peter a few times.  She had a root canal Tuesday and surgery on her back today.  We’re waiting to hear how she got on.


Latest “news” is that our travelling companions, the Rogers, purchased a Class A RV.   Should be an interesting trip home.  Hope Russ gets lots of practice between now and then.  Haven’t seen much of them since we arrived here three weeks ago but I think they are enjoying family time and being here. 


Its been an interesting time here in Fonthill with lots of up, downs, challenges and small victories.
Hope I can get through the next few days with grace and deliver what the people around me seem to need. 

Julie



Posted by Julie Watson at 9/21/2009 6:57 PM | Add Comment

SOUTH TO FONTHILL

Any look at a map of Ontario will reveal why we decided to turn south, cross Manitoulin Island and catch the ferry to Bruce Penninsula.  Not only did it save us miles, but it kept us out of the “Cottagers-heading-back-to-Toronto” Sunday scramble.  Seriously with a little superb navigation/ map interpretation we managed to avoid heavy traffic and multi-lanes all the way Fonthill.  

On Manitoulin we overnighted just 10 minutes drive from the ferry in a “rustic” campground.  We had a water view, and were entertained by what we were informed were turkey vultures circling overhead.  The water was a little active, lots of whitecaps and apparently the vultures were looking for treats washed up onto shore.

 Not that there were many campsites to choose from, but we had to be there early to ensure getting on the ferry.  The island is beautiful, typical of the northern great lakes area - lots of rock, lovely water views, farms and small towns. Would love to go back someday when we have time to explore.   As it was we did venture down to the touristy area near the ferry docks and marina for a look around a couple of shops before hooking up and getting settled in for the night.  

After breakfast we headed for the terminal.  We did have reservations but didn’t want to chance not getting on the boat as it was Sunday and busy with weekenders.  This is a very nice crossing on a great ferry.  We passed a number of islands both at the Manitoulin end of the journey and coming in Tobermory where the boat passes through a National Marine Park. 

Our drive strait down Bruce Penninsula was a bit disappointing as far as scenery goes, and Wiarton was awful - line up for gas, line up to get into Tim Hortons (pit stop) - so busy.  I navigated a route almost straight down to Delhi which took us through lovely farmlands and small towns.  This is the part of Ontario we still love - the rural farm community.  

It was a challenge to find a place to overnight, but we decided not to push on for Fonthill when we found a campground just north of the 401.  Well rested we pulled into Fonthill just after lunch on August 31st. Two days ahead of schedule.  Parted company with Carol and Rus who went to visit with their family while we headed to my Mom’s.  

For us the work is just begun.  We have a house to empty, clean and close up and a mother to try and convince that the world has not ended with her move to an apartment.

More next time
Julie




Posted by Julie Watson at 9/17/2009 3:11 PM | Add Comment

Ooops, catching you up

Ooops, was informed by my friend that I left us hanging in Wisconsin and everyone wondering if we had stalled there.  Of course we didn’t but we did have a frustrating time finding campsites, with weather and so on.  

We just trucked on through Wisconsin.  I was a little disappointed in our route change because I had always wanted to visit the Cranberry Museum and Park in that state.  We’re saving that for next time.  Went through some frustrations looking for a coffee stop.  Led to one of the more humourous moments of these few days for Jack and I.

I spotted a place called May’s with some cars outside so we put on the binders and hauled in.  Had to use the facilities so Jack and I headed right in and left C&R to follow.  A guy outside started calling out to us about bringing the rain - we went along with that because it had been following us for a while.  As we crossed the parking lot we yelled back and forth a bit - all in good fun.

Then we opened the door and walked in to an almost sleezy bar.  Picture it.  Dark and dingy.  Pool table on the right.  Bar on the left wall.  Three guys hanging over there hard liquor or beer, bleary eyes and obviously 3-sheets to the wind.  Greeted us like long lost buddies hoping to join the party. Probably because of the kibitzing in the parking lot and the hope that we had cash money in our pockets.  The bar maid was no beauty and looked like she had been rode hard and put away wet.  Sorry sight.  Not wanting to be too rude I asked if the coffee pot was on.  Nope. No coffee here.  Oh gee that’s too bad we said as we backed out the door.  It was 10 am and these guys had probably been at it all night.  We were outta there as fast as we could all scramble back in the RVs.

We finally found a café in a hotel for coffee in a town called Crandon.  Noteworthy place because it seemed to be a mecca for mud-rooters, ATVers, and red-necks in general.  Waitress confirmed it.  Would have loved to stay around for competitions starting the next day - driving all manner of converted vehicles through pits of mud, through obstacle courses and so on.  This was the stuff from TV.

Also finally got our Great Lakes Fish Fry in Wisconsin.  Fish Fries are a big deal around the northern shores of the Great Lakes.  Cheap, fresh - good food.. Choice is usually Perch or Walleye.  This day we got perch - yummy.

 Passed through more National Forest land as we made our way into Michigan and found ourselves a campsite.  Thought we had it made when we spotted a KOA sign.  We were all in need of a shower and laundry.  Turned out it reinforced our disappointment in KOAs. It was still raining so that put a damper on things - ha, ha.  Campsites were set up all wrong, water and hydro so far apart we had a hard time plugging in to both and actually took up two sites to do it.  Not level.  Laundry was tiny, in the hotel, and not very clean.  Showers had NO privacy - in hotel and part of the pool To use wireless I had to go into the hotel and sit in the lobby working on a coffee table.

Passed through another National Forest on our way to Sault Ste. Marie.  Saw some wild swans - trumpeter or trumpet, not sure of name, and lots of trees.  Filled up with gas and coffee and headed over the border.  All receipts and passports in hand.  We essentially both got waved through.  Stopped for groceries (we had been very careful not to have any fresh veggies, fruit or meat, then lunch before turning east for Manitoulin.

And that is where I will stop for today.  Gotta go do some real work!

FYI, we are now in Ontario dealing with Mom's move - will catch you up asap
Ttfn,
Julie




Posted by Julie Watson at 9/10/2009 5:25 PM | Add Comment

Trucking onwards heading towards Michigan

AUGUST 26TH
Well the night behind the bar turned out OK. Had a great night sleep. Pain not having a shower or bathrooms, but hey.  We are Rvers.  On the road by 8 am, and other than a stop at McDonald’s for coffee, and Dairy Queen for lunch kept motoring all day.  Ran into construction - again - so managed about 250 miles.   Only problem with this back roading is the lack of information about camp grounds.  And actually the lack of campgrounds.  They are few and far between. We stopped in Watertown at a municipal park.  Lovely place, camped in the big trees, big sites, a lake just steps away.  Clean.  Only down side is that we are still in South Dakota. The next campsite I could find a listing for is 160 miles!  Oh, and we are still in the Rogers black books, so the atmosphere is a bit depressing.

Nope take that back.  Its darn annoying.

It was an interesting drive today We went from pretty barren, if beautiful, landscapes to amazing colour and cheer early in the day.  They grow sun flowers here and they are just at their peak of beauty.  Sometimes these rolling fields were yellow for miles in all directions.  Between them was a mix of what we think is flax, corn fields, hay, and the ever present cattle and horses.  Passed some big herds today - mostly Black Angus. Towns are few and far between.  Most of the dots on the map represent a half dozen buildings sprawled around an intersection.  We crossed the Missouri River, but many of the other rivers marked on the map (and showing on our GPS) were dried up.

We’re in north-eastern South Dakota, and will cross into Minnesota tomorrow morning.  This area we stopped at has lots of small lakes or ponds so we are seeing pelicans again, along with some tall white birds that look like cranes, ducks and Canada geese. Also saw pheasants today - the state bird and some hawks.  We often comment on the lack of small birds - have to wonder if it is the spray they use on all these crops.  Sad thought.

‘Tis now the evening of the 27th.  We really put the peddle down today.  Drove from Watertown, South Dakota, through Minnesota and about 80 miles into Wisonsin.  Total of about 350 miles, with 5 detours because of bridges out, construction, etc.  We went a bit out of our way to avoid Minniapolis/St. Paul but it was a pleasant drive so no problems with it.  Crossed the Mississippi.

 It was a long hard day and once again we ended up having to hunt for a campsite.  We are in a little tiny park, out in the boonies, about 15 sites at a put-your-money-in-the-box place.  No showers, etc. Very pretty though.  Was a bit odd at first.  The park is also home to a gun club, so it was pretty steady shooting for the first while.  Made you wonder if it was safe.  But it was a range, they stopped and all is well.  We drove an extra 2 hours to find this site and our only alternative seemed to be behind the bowling alley in Ladysmith, with no services.  This is why most folk stick to the interstates.  Campgrounds are located close to the heavy traffic areas.

Things are much better on the C&R front.  We had it out this morning before we left - aired our feelings, and got things out in the open.  So everyone is now trying to get back on an even keel.  Happily it working!


Love to all,
Julie

Posted by Julie Watson at 8/28/2009 9:42 PM | Add Comment

Cody Wyoming to the South Dakota Badlands

Its been an eventful couple of days.  We followed the advice of a bus driver and followed Rte 16 east from Cody to Buffalo where we picked up the I-90 east to Sundance on the 24th.  I must say he gave us good advice - this took us through Big Horne National Forest.  Totally awesome scenery again, mixed with challenging driving.

This road took us through another mountain pass that was about 30 miles in distance.  The road just seemed to keep climbing, even though at times, it looked like we were finally going down the Rialta kept on chugging up hill.  We did most of it in second so just merrily went up, up, up.

Eventually we came to what appeared to be the brink - road just sort of disappeared ahead - and pulled into a scenic lookout.  Since it was raining we picnicked in our respective rigs and gazed at the view the whole time. We were in the clouds, but still had a wonderful scene falling away from us. One of the more spectacular things was the huge snow fences they’ve built here.  They add something to the landscape because of how they are built - these are structures, not fences and they amble over hill and dale, sometimes alone, sometimes in row.  Must be an awesome sight when the snow is blowing.

Like Yellowstone, this park has a lot of winter activity.  Would love to visit when the snow is down, but sure wouldn’t want to drive these roads in winter..  

So, turns out we were at the top of Powder River Pass, at 9,666 ft.  It got really cold up here, and Russ swore there were snow pellets in the rain.  So, all the distance we had chugged up, we now had to switchback down.  Quite an experience.  Jack is very good at driving these mountain back roads so I don’t worry, but I do hang on.  One hand is out the window snapping pictures the other keeping me steady and giving me the security of holding something solid.  So today we started by going from almost dessert to alpine - before lunch. 

After filling up with gas in Buffalo, we got onto the I-90 anticipating some easier traveling for a while.  What a laugh.  Sometimes I’m so dumb - forgot Russ’s feelings about multi-lanes and speed are as bad as they are.  The limit is 75, and this is a great road through wide open spaces. Traffic steady but not heavy.  Jack kept his speed down to 65 with cruise control because he knows Russ doesn’t like ‘fast.’  And about half of the distance we traveled was under construction so our side of the highway was down to one lane and a speed of 45.  No one was working, just the cones to keep traffic in one lane - the other was obviously going to be stripped the next day.

Saw lots of prong horns (sort of like an antelop) along the road sides and this is a very scenic drive because the landscape changed quite dramatically, so the construction was almost welcome because it left lots of time for enjoying the scenery.

At 4 we were at Sundance, just 19 miles from the state line and South Dakota, saw a RV campground and decided to pull in.  Nice park, but as soon as Russ came in to register we knew something was up.  Later on he came over to our campsite and ‘lost it.’  He was totally bummed out because Jack had been driving “so fast”.  I pointed out that they never once used the walkie talkies to say ‘Hey, slow down,’ nor did they slow down themselves.  They know that if we loose sight of them we just pullover and wait.  We’ve been doing it all along.

Anyway Russ got so upset he threw the maps at me and stormed off.  Jack went in the other direction so that he wouldn’t loose his temper and make things worse and Carol started to come aboard me.  Shot her down by pointing out that Russ is a big boy, driving his own rig, and in charge of how fast and how safely he drives.

They came over later that evening and apologized.  Russ was “very tired” apparently hit 6 of the construction cones and was pretty upset because he didn’t feel in control.  

So now we all know Jack right.  He was upset.  He’s been trying so hard to be considerate, to do things to make it easy and enjoyable for Russ.  I have to tell you I have been amazed at his patience.  We don’t drive fast, in fact he never breaks the speed limit because of his earlier eye problems.  Just doesn’t want to take chances. 

Anyway, this am Jack has this “he wants slow, he’ll get slow” attitude so cut our speed back to 50.  On the I-90 that is a little hairy, but we didn’t have far to go, just 120 miles to WALL, home of the famous Wall Drug.  Story here is that a couple settled in Wall in 1931 because they just couldn’t face going any further.  He was a pharmacist and opened a drug store but they had few customers.  The main road went nearby but no one stopped until ‘the Mrs’. came up with the idea of offering free drinks of ice cold water.   They also offered a 5 cent cup of coffee with a donut.  The business took off and now encompasses a couple of square blocks.  It’s a touristy place, that still offers 5 cent coffee on the honour systems, good home cooked food, and a whole passel of western stuff to buy ranging from fine western art to tacky souveniers.  It is still owned and operated by the same family.  A neat place to explore.

Then I decided to heck with Russ, we had planned to take the Badlands loop road, before making time and I wanted to do it so keeping to the theory of they follow where ever we go, we set out for the South Dakota Badlands National Park..  I did set out a route that takes us off I-90 which we could pick up from the other end of the loop.

I think they enjoyed the Badlands. Hard to tell ‘cause they are barely speaking.  It is such a totally different landscape.  You drive out on the South Dakota grasslands that are rolling, but flat, then suddenly the land breaks away into these absolutely stunning formations.  The landscape is a masterpiece of erosion, barren with little plant life, and so beautiful it looks like castles rising up from the grasslands.  The badlands have vibrant colouring often in bands, some formations are red, others yellow or white, or strips of several colours.  I hope our pictures do it justice, but know they won’t you can’t capture this magnificence on a piece of paper or a computer screen.

OK, so we rolled on through the badlands and instead of taking I-90, we crossed over heading due north to our alternative, Rte 14 a lesser traveled road.  Just minutes later it turns into a gravel road, and off we go out into the grasslands where nary another creature can be seen or heard.  Glad we didn’t have a breakdown out there because I don’t think many folks use that road.  We made it through and after about 60 miles realized that there are no campgrounds out here in the boonies.  They are all along the busy highways.  Finally ended up parked in a funny little campground in the cottonwoods behind a rundown local bar and gas station in a little placed called Midland

We made an early stop (4:30) because this looks like it for a few miles and we could all do with a relaxed restful evening.  Its going to be a long few days trying to get back into Canada in time for Russ to pay his bills before the end of the month, without going over 50 miles an hour.

One interesting note.  As we left the Badlands we passed two historic site.  One is a “soddy” - its an original, built by settlers well over 100 years ago and now preserved and managed by the Parks people.  The other was the site of a Minute Man Missel launch place which you can now tour. They are about a quarter mile apart.  Two strong images of the USA.  Intrepid pioneers, settling the west in truly adverse conditions and modern military might keeping the world’s bad guys at bay.

More next time

Love Julie

Posted by Julie Watson at 8/28/2009 9:39 PM | Add Comment
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