2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (88)

08/07/2019 No Travel Day – Recouping in Bismarck

Start Location:

• Hillcrest Acres Campground
• 5700 E Main Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501
• 701.255.4334

Start Time: N/A

Mileage:  57,533.0

Cost Per Night: $35.00 USD
Weather: 49-72 F Light Clouds

We spent the day relaxing. Paul made bacon for my breakfast. Then he dapped sections of the roof since the storm obligingly pinpointed a leak. We did a load of laundry and researched the next couple of stops.

Our poor neighbor could not get their RV started. Paul tried to “jump” it; however, they needed to purchase and install a new started. (This couple looked just like Santa and Mrs. Claus. They were just a friendly.)

We learned that this RV park just acquired new ownership three years prior. The new proprietors spent some time and money refurbishing the property and it really showed. We really enjoyed our stay here.

Wildlife Spotted: Birds

Our Spot (#32)

Hillcrest Acres Campground

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Travel Day - Bismarck, North Dakota (87)
2. Travel Day - Jordon, Montana (86)
3. Journaling at Dick’s RV Park (85)
4. Happy Anniversary on the Road (84)
5. Travel Day – Great Falls, Montana (83)
6. Travel Day – Fort Macleod, Alberta (82)
7. Travel Day – White Court, AB (81)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (87)

08/06/2019 Travel Day - Bismarck, North Dakota

Start Location:

• K&K RV Park
• 448 Montana St, Jordan, MT 59337
• 406.557.2265

Start Time: 8:30 a.m.

Mileage:  57,222.4

End Location:

• Hillcrest Acres Campground
• 5700 E Main Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501
• 701.255.4334

End Time: 3:45 p.m.

Mileage:  57,533.0

Cost Per Night: $35.00 USD
Weather: 60-92 F Scatter Thunderstorms

Route:

• 200 East
• 94 East

We awoke to discover that our new chip had spider webbed. Our insurance company will not be pleased. It continued to lengthen as we drove until it reached the very bottom.

We really enjoyed the K&K RV Park. It is a small Mom & Pop operation with very friendly staff. Besides really fine internet; there are no amenities – perfect for an overnight stop.

The road was pretty again today. There were a few rough spots but nothing to complain about. We reached the campground late for us, but you have to factor in that we changed time zones and lost an hour.

There was no one in the office when we arrived, so we drove to our spot (32) and hooked up. Paul discovered that there is only one water hook up for two sites and no tee. However, we called the manager and they sent someone over to fix that.

We had to wait until after the rain slows though. We were able to set-up right before the thunderstorms started. It even hail and the lightening entertained us.

Hillcrest also featured excellent internet. This is wonderful because we are out of our Series DVDs (Sopranos, Downton Abbey and Sons of Anarchy).

Wildlife Spotted: Turkey Vultures; deer Slow rabbit

The Montana Countryside Was Dotted with

Nutritious Grasses Make the Entire District Ideal for Livestock Raising

Circle, Montana has about 600 residents and is the McCone County Seat.

Jordon, Montana to Bismarck, North Dakota

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Travel Day - Jordon, Montana (86)
2. Journaling at Dick’s RV Park (85)
3. Happy Anniversary on the Road (84)
4. Travel Day – Great Falls, Montana (83)
5. Travel Day – Fort Macleod, Alberta (82)
6. Travel Day – White Court, AB (81)
7. Travel Day – Charlie Lake (80)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (86)

08/05/2019 Travel Day - Jordon, Montana

Start Location:

• Dick’s RV Park
• 1403 11th St SW, 1403 11th St SW, Great Falls, MT
• 406.452.0333

Start Time: N/A

Mileage:  56,983

End Location:

• K&K RV Park
• 448 Montana St, Jordan, MT 59337
• 406.557.2265

End Time: 12:30 p.m.

Mileage:  57,222.4

Cost Per Night: $25.00 USD
Weather: 60-90 F Sunny

Route:

• 191 North / 87 South
• 87 South / 200 East
• 200 East 

Our journey covered some really flat countryside. Big Green Farms and Ranches were everywhere. It was so flat you could see ‘forever.’ Unfortunately, we experienced another chip, this time on the driver’s side as a truck passed the ‘Beast.’

We got groceries and gas in the tiny town of Jordon. Our campground is super affordable ($25.00) but does not have any amenities. However, a big plus is their internet which works!!! We were even able to watch Netflicks.

I use my internet time to check on bills and research our next couple of overnights.

The owners were not present when we arrived. However, they instructed us just to park and set up in Spot 1. Paul met with the lady later to pay – He said that she was very nice.

Wildlife Spotted: Ducks; dead raccoon and two dead fawns on road. Lots of livestock: Cattle; horses;

Doing My Morning Stretches as the Sunrises

Spot 1 at the K&K RV Park

Great Falls to Jordon, Montana

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Journaling at Dick’s RV Park (85)
2. Happy Anniversary on the Road (84)
3. Travel Day – Great Falls, Montana (83)
4. Travel Day – Fort Macleod, Alberta (82)
5. Travel Day – White Court, AB (81)
6. Travel Day – Charlie Lake (80)
7. Travel Day – Fort Nelson (79)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (85)

08/04/2019 Journaling at Dick’s RV Park

Start Location:

• Dick’s RV Park
• 1403 11th St SW, 1403 11th St SW, Great Falls, MT
• 406.452.0333

Start Time: N/A

Mileage:  56,983

Cost Per Night: $43.34 USD
Weather: 54-86 F Sunny

Paul used my leftover Kobe Lobster to make a delightful egg scramble. We placed two new stickers on the motor home map (Alberta and Montana). It was really nice walking around outside without having mosquitoes to deal with.

Dick’s RV Park is clearing out. We decided to stay an extra day so that I could get caught up on my Journaling. Paul was happy because with less campers, the internet grew strong enough for him to watch his show on Netflicks.

Wildlife Spotted: None

Two New Stickers (Alberta and Montana) on the Beast's Map

Lobster Egg Scramble

The Beast in Spot 35

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Happy Anniversary on the Road (84)
2. Travel Day – Great Falls, Montana (83)
3. Travel Day – Fort Macleod, Alberta (82)
4. Travel Day – White Court, AB (81)
5. Travel Day – Charlie Lake (80)
6. Travel Day – Fort Nelson (79)
7. Travel Day – Watson Lake (78)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (84)

08/03/2019 Happy Anniversary on the Road

Start Location:

• Dick’s RV Park
• 1403 11th St SW, 1403 11th St SW, Great Falls, MT
• 406.452.0333

Start Time: N/A

Mileage:  56,983

Cost Per Night: $43.34 USD
Weather: 55-91 F Sunny

Our 45 Anniversary was leisurely. We went to a laundromat. While I was watching the washing machines go round and round; Paul went to get his hair cut.

We tried to use our RV Trip Wizard app to schedule our next couple of stops. However, I just could not get it to cooperate.

For our Anniversary Dinner, Paul took us to Kobe Seafood and Steak. That is just what I ordered, Lobster and Fillet Mignon. We sat with some locals. Bob, our performing chef was wonderful as he grilled our Japanese teppanyaki fare. 

Poor Paul only had a salad and Fried Rice. Our waitress is a vegan, so she knew exactly how to take care of Paul’s dietary needs. With two glasses of red wine for me, our bill was only $63.00!!! What a bargain.

Dick’s RV Park rents DVDs for $1.50. We got two to entertain us in the evening. We used the fan we bought at the home depot – it worked great to keep us cool.

Wildlife Spotted: None

Laundry Day

Chief Bob Lights Up the Onion Train

My Dinner – Lobster and Fillet Mignon

Happy 45th Anniversary at Kobe Seafood and Steak

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Travel Day – Great Falls, Montana (83)
2. Travel Day – Fort Macleod, Alberta (82)
3. Travel Day – White Court, AB (81)
4. Travel Day – Charlie Lake (80)
5. Travel Day – Fort Nelson (79)
6. Travel Day – Watson Lake (78)
7. Yukon Wildlife Preserve (77)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (83)

08/02/2019 Travel Day – Great Falls, Montana

Start Location:

• Daisy May Campground
• 249 Lyndon Road, Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada
• 403.533.2455

Start Time: 8:00 a.m.

Mileage:  56,765.1

End Location:

• Dick’s RV Park
• 1403 11th St SW, 1403 11th St SW, Great Falls, MT
• 406.452.0333

End Time: 12:30 p.m.

Mileage: 56,983

Cost Per Night: $43.34 USD
Weather: 59-95 F Sunny

Route:

• 2 South
• 3 East
• AB 4
• 15 South (USA)
• 89 South

We reached the Sweetgrass Border Checkpoint at 9:40 a.m. There were about 15 cars and 4 motorcycles ahead of us. For the first twenty-five minutes of our wait they only had one station open. We waited about twenty minutes and only five cars crossed the border.

When they opened the second window it went much quicker. Five minutes later, after a few cursory questions, we were back in the USA!

After setting up camp, we had to run to the grocery store. Our cupboards and refrigerator were bare.

Then we were off to the Montana State Fair. It only cost $5.00 per senior to get in. The exhibits were very interesting. We skipped the rides and only played two games. Paul popped five balloons with bean bags and won me a square pink pig.

The weather was really hot and sunny. A storm promised to supply a downpour. While it did not rain while we were walking around the fair, the Montana Sky was gorgeously cloudy and grayish black.

The big event of the evening was the Larry the Cable Guy Show. Nick Hoff, the warm-up comedian was very funny. While Larry was trying out some new material – he was also hilarious. I have never heard Paul laugh so hard. Unfortunately, my fair German Sausage had me running to the bathroom; nevertheless, I really enjoyed the show.

Rain, Thunder, and Lighting entertained us back at the RV.

Wildlife Spotted: Magnificent Golden Eagle on a post; family of ducks in a green slimy pond;

Paul is Still Smiling after Six Days of Driving

Port of Entry – Back in the United States of America

Montana State Fair Entrance

Getting Better at the Selfie Thing

The Tractor Parade

Paul Loved Posing with President Trump

Dark Montana Sky Promises a Storm

Loved the Larry the Cable Guy Show

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Travel Day – Fort Macleod, Alberta (82)
2. Travel Day – White Court, AB (81)
3. Travel Day – Charlie Lake (80)
4. Travel Day – Fort Nelson (79)
5. Travel Day – Watson Lake (78)
6. Yukon Wildlife Preserve (77)
7. Travel Day – Whitehorse (76)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (82)

08/01/2019 Travel Day – Fort Macleod, Alberta

Start Location:

• Sagitawah RV Park & Campground
• Riverboat Park Road, White Court, AB T7S IN9
• 780.778.3734

Start Time: 6:52 a.m.

Mileage:  56,389.7

End Location:

• Daisy May Campground
• 249 Lyndon Road, Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada
• 403.533.2455

End Time: 1:56 p.m.

Mileage: 56,765.1

Cost Per Night: $48.30 CAD
Weather: 53 - 87 Sunny

Route:

• 43x East 
• Highway 16 E (Edmonton) 
• 757 South 
• 16 East 
• 31 South 
• 39 East 
• 20 South 
• 11 West 
• 781 South 
• 54 East
•  2 South 

We have a long day on the road – 373 miles; so we left early. We were also very eager to leave the mosquitos behind. I do not know how the other campers do it. The kids were outside playing well into the evening.

One unwanted by product of an early start is the fog. We could barely see in front of our faces. Luckily the road was pave and relatively straight.

The fog lifted around 8:15 a.m. We took some back roads which led us through some beautiful farm country with lots of stock animals to see. We also passed huge fields of yellow flowers, which are actually fields of Canola – Stunning.

I really earned my money as navigator today. There were so many highway changes. Plus I took on the duties of mosquito killer – not sure how they all get inside the RV!

We drove through the very congested Calgary. Calgary’s nickname is ‘Cowtown’ because it is one of Canada's largest beef-cattle producers.

The Daisy May RV Park looks much much better on the web than in person. However, it was okay for an overnight stop. There were some shade trees, we were just not in those spots. Its big plus was there appeared to be no mosquitos!!!

I got bit twice by mosquitos on our drive today. We were killing a bunch of them while we were driving. I thought they might be getting in through the bathroom. Paul dapped some holes in the fan – hopefully that will stop them from getting in.

Wildlife Spotted: pond ducks;

Not So Wild Animals: alpacas; horses; cattle

Our Journey Started Very Foggy This Morning

There were Beautiful Canola Fields in Bloom Everywhere

Passing Through Calgary (Cow Town)

Whitecourt to Fort Macleod - Alberta, Canada

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Travel Day – White Court, AB (81)
2. Travel Day – Charlie Lake (80)
3. Travel Day – Fort Nelson (79)
4. Travel Day – Watson Lake (78)
5. Yukon Wildlife Preserve (77)
6. Travel Day – Whitehorse (76)
7. Travel Day – Destruction Bay RV Lodge (75)