Canadian Rockys

HI, Not even 100 miles (160 km) into Canada, a big, big Bear crossed the highway in front of us. The picture is dark and a little "shaky" but he is the first.

The cell phone service here is 79 cents a minute so don't feel neglected if we don't call you. Unless it's important don't call us but we do get emails and would love to hear from you that way. Jack thinks it will be free in Alaska. Gas is a $1.11 per liter which works out to about $4 a gallon.

The countryside is so impressive. We stayed in Randim Hot Springs, BC. We spend about an hour in the spring and the water was about 104 degrees, very relaxing. They found Radon in the water in the early 1900s but there is more Radon in a watch battery.

We are now in Banff, Alberta. It's a tourist town open all year round. It's a lot like KW with tons of tourists, like a cruise ship is in. The homes are very close together like KW but it's very hilly here. Too hilly to even ride the bikes. Luckily they have a transit service thats inexpensive.

Beautiful weather and haven't seen one person on a cell phone and we are at an internet cafe and we are the only ones on a laptop.

Jack wants to do the Gondola ride, we'll see! Love Gail

Jac

Visiting Tom & Judy in MT

Hi, On our way to Tom and Judy's home in Missoula, we had breakfast with their daughter, Alison in Bozeman. We hadn't seen her in years. She is a beautiful, lovely woman. That is Tom and Judy on their frontporch with their dogs. Can you see the snow on the mountain. Tom took the picture of us having lunch at a restaurant in Lolo Pass, Idaho. Thats where Lewis and Clark mapped part of their Trail. It was a beautiful drive through the mountains. We had the Rig serviced today and will head for Canada tomorrow. It's been fun hanging out here. The views of the mountain ranges on both side of their house are awesome and love seeing Elks, Llamas and Horses everywhere. We might have trouble getting WiFi in Canada so if you don't hear from us for awhile, keep checking. Loved to hear your comments!!! We are headed for Lake Louise near Banff. Take care, Love Gail

Badlands of North Dakota

Hi, We left Tom and Dennis's yesterday. We had a great time with them. Lots of laughs and delicious meals. We drove across North Dakota in the rain to Dickinson, ND. I saw a double rainbow.
Today we are staying in Medora, ND in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which is in the Badlands of ND. It's a tourist town, western style. We drove the 36 mile Scenic Loop Drive through the South Unit of the Park. The scenery, wilderness and wildlife is unbelieveable. We saw Buffalos, Prairie Dogs, an Antelope and wild Horses. Jack is standing on top of a hike trail overlooking the Little Missouri River.
Tonight we are having Pitchfork Steak Fondue. The chefs load ribeye steaks onto pitchforks and fondue them western style in hugh vats of Sunflower Oil, while we will be serenaded with western melodies by cast members of the Medora Musical. Yahoo!!
The weather is beautiful and we will be here till sunday. Hope everyone is well. Love Gail

Still relaxing in Minnesota

Hi, Jack and I are still camped out at Tom and Dennis. What I forgot to write was that the guys built their home. They also have an outhouse (yes, they have an indoor one), outdoor shower and a garage with an office upstairs that they built last year.

There are some wonderful bike trails that go on forever. We are on a trail on a bridge overlooking one of many lakes. This lake is called Lake Bell Taine. We had lunch in Dorset at a Mexican restaurant.

Tom is not feeling well today. Jack and I helped Dennis with yardwork. First yardwork we have done in 7 years. And it is finally warm which means the mosquitos are out. The little "pests" figured how to get into the RV this morning at 5:30 thru the slideout in the bedroom. Once we slid it back they couldn't get in. Hopefully we will figure out that problem before Alaska!!!

Heading to Tom and Judy Rose's home in Florence, Montana this weekend.

We are getting too used to all this relaxing! Love Gail

Nevis, Minnesota

Hi, This is Tom and Dennis's home here in the woods of Nevis, MN overlooking Spider Lake. Our RV is parked about 100 feet from the house in our own little woods. It has been a little cool here, about 67. The sun keeps trying to come out. We will be here for a few days. We have been enjoying the quiet, just birds singing. We took a ride on the Lake and spotted a few loons with their babies on their backs.
Tom, Dennis and I are trying to out cook each other and I think they are winning. Some great meals! This is wild rice country and Wild Rice Stew has got to be the best dish I've ever tasted. Tom and Dennis went to a birthday party and won't be back til Sunday, so we have the place to ourselves.
Jack and I are going to explore the area on our bikes tomorrow. Hope all is well with everyone. Later, Love Gail

Michigan

Back again, Had a little brain fart with the blog but Clinton Curry came to my rescue, Thanks Clinton!!!

We enjoyed wonderful hospitality from our friends, Vicki and Peter in Louisville.

We (really Jack) drove to Ludington, Michigan on the upper west side on Lake Michigan. Ludington is one of MI's top vacation destinations. Then we took the scenic route up to Leland and over to Suttons Bay. Stopped into the Ciccone Vineyard and Winery. For $5 you get a glass and taste 5 wines. I thought this winery was going to be tacky but it was very nice. That's Jack enjoying his wine on the patio. This place is owned by Silvio Ciccone - Madonna's dad.

Went to a casino in Traverse City, I won on the slots but Jack lost at Black Jack, oh well.

Yesterday we traveled over the Mackinaw Bridge ( me being on the floor), stopped in St. Ignace and took the ferry to Mackinac Island. What a beautiful island. No cars, only bicycles and horses. Alot like Martha's Vineyard. Met a girl who worked at Mangoes and a guy who waited on us at Fogartys. We had sunny weather but about 50 and windy.

Today we got as far as Iron River, WI and it was cloudy and 42. The upper peninsula is beautiful with wonder views of Lake Superior. I have now seen all the Great Lakes. We are in a campground and have not seen one human being. I think it's too cold for the locals.

Hopefully we will soon be on our own personal campsite at the Creigthon/O'Connor campground in Nevis, Minnesota overlooking Spider Lake. Can't wait to see you, Tom and Dennis. Next time I'll try to download 2 or more pictures. Love Gail

Louisville, KY

Hi, We are here in Louisville, KY visiting our friends, Vicki and Peter Williams. She is from here and he is from New Zealand. He is an artist that paints all over the world. He got us into the VIP section of Churchill Downs, where he sets ou shop and paints pictures. Takes him about 3 hours and we got to watch the races and lose bets. He was the offisial artist of the 125th Derby. We met a lot of people and even got a photo of Calvin Burel, the jockey who won the Derby and Preakness.
We are parked in their driveway and have been enjoying wonderful meals in their garden. Yesterday we went back to Churchill Downs to go thru the mueseum and Peter gave a personal tour of Louisville.
We will be here til Thursday and heading for the Michigan penninsula. Love Gail