1961_KELLERMAN-BAUER Trip to ALASKA

1961_KELLERMAN-BAUER Trip to ALASKA1961 KELLERMAN_BAUER Trip to ALASKA Written by Frances Violet HUGHES_KELLERMAN

Sat. 27 May 1961:
6:15 am:
Mileage: 6,214
We are starting our trip to Alaska...one big adventure. Hope we like it. The sun is shining at present. We have been looking for a place to buy ice. The men just decided to smoke a cigarette every hour.
9:40 am:
Stopped for gas in PERRYSBURG. We are now on our way to the turnpike. We just come on the turnpike at MAUMEE. 9:50 am.
Had our first coffee break at 10 am. Put air in the tires at Plaza Oak Openings. They got the water hose instead of the air. But saw their mistake before it was too late. We just crossed the INDIANA line.
Indiana Line:
Mileage 6410
nice and sunny
INDIANA Turnpike 11:25 am. Stopped for lunch at ELKHART, IND. Had fried chicken, ham, deviled eggs, coffee and cake.
On our way again at 2 pm.14.9 gal. of gas.
Mileage: 6,497
3 pm: IND. State line (mileage: 6,569). Pd. toll: $.50; toll: $.30; Toll: $.50. Edna has a few pkgs of dimes...at this rate they won't last long.
Just passed (Ogden Ave.) on the tollway.
Gas at Belvedere Plaza. 16.4 gal. Mileage: 6,670. Coffee Break.
South BELOIT, leaving the Ill. Tollway. Mileage: 6613
WIS.7 pm. MEADOW VIEW TRAILER PARK 8 pm.

Sunday, May 28
Mileage 6,745
OREGON, WIS. 5:30 am.
Weather: Beautiful
We all slept good last night. Had breakfast at 6 am and on our way. Bought gas at RICHLAND CENTER. 8.1 gal .6888 per.
Taking a little time out for BAUER to hunt for his gas credit card. He found it, thank goodness.
Just had a coffee break at LaCROSSE. Crossed the state line into MINN.
We are driving along the UPPER MINN. RIVER real pretty. The water looks clear.
Urban stuck his finger in the cigarette lighter to see if it was working. (it Was)
MISS. RIVER...lots of fishermen. Just right for traveling. Gas 10.7 gal.
Mileage: 6945
Rt. #61 not such a good road. Had lunch in trailer along the River. It is getting warmer all the time.
Entering MINN. 2 pm The Lilac bushes are Beautiful. The people leave them around their yards as hedges.
We stopped here at BIG LAKE, MINN. Parked our trailer among the trees. Cooked our supper, had a shower and will have a few (card) games. Wil be off for Canada in the morning.

Monday, May 29:
Time: 6:30 am
Mileage: 7,091
Weather: Cool; Temp. 49
First stop for gas 10.2 $2.43
Mileage: 7,184
There is a gas war on here in this area, so we are taking advantage of it.
MOOSEHEAD, MINN. Stopped for lunch; had hamburg, pie and coffee.
We just entered N. DAKOTA. Mileage: 7,303 at LARGO. this is a busy town. Pop. 38,256 12:30 pm, Gas 11.1/Gal 3.83
Mileage: 7,325
Crossed CONTINENTAL DIVIDE at ECKELSON, N.D. We have travelled 1,173 mile.
At JAMESTOWN, N.D. we saw a monument of a Buffalo on a hill. At first, we thought it was real.
MINOT, N.D. Warm and windy.
We are all sitting at the table writing. Kelly is writing a letter to the neighbors all in one. It is so windy that we have to keep the trailer door shut; the way the trailer rocks, I don't think we will have much trouble going to sleep...or else, we might get seasick.
We had macaroni & cheese, corn, salad and coffee. I guess we will play some cards and then call it a day. We traveled 495 miles today.

Tuesday: May 30:
Memorial Day
MINOT, N.D. 6:30 am
Weather: Nice but windy
Mileage: 7,586
We had a nice trailer camp. but I guess they forgot we needed the the toilet and locked the door, so we had a little difficulty.
We are just entering CANADA. 1,472 miles from Akron. We went through Customs at N. PORTAL without any trouble. we had our coffee break while we were parked.
This Highway #39 is straight and level; lots of Beautiful Farms and cattle, Rivers and Lakes. We haven't seen many People. The Dandelions are in full Bloom everwhere.
REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN:
Weather: Hot.
Bought groceries today in LUMSDEN, SAS. then stopped under some shade trees and had our lunch.
We are parked here for the night at a wayside park along the NORTH SAS. RIVER, between SASKATOON and BATTLEFORD. we expect to be in EDMONTON tomorrow morning. Good Night.

Wednesday, May 31; 6:30 am
Mileage: 8,060
PAYNTON, SAS.
Weather: Cloudy but warm. 8 am
Stopped for Gas and coffee. Very nice Restaurant.
Mileage: 8,157
We are entering ALBERTA PROVINCE at LLOYDMINSTER 9 am. Mileage: 8,211
So far, this has been a nice drive; very pretty countryside.
MINBURN, ALBERTA: 11:50 am; had our coffeebreak. Mileage: 8,273
We had our lunch in a Park at ELK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK. But didn't see and Elk. Almost got stuck with the trailer, But got out OK.
12:00 pm: We are on our way to EDMONTON. Got gas and ice here at EDMONTON. Had icecream cones. Very good.(Just Kelly & I)
7:15 pm: BLUE RIDGE ALBERTA
Weather: Nice
We are staying in a nice camping place tonight. We had Beef stew and Bisquits, salad, Plums and coffee for supper. We are all writing cards and the day's events, nothing much to write about, so far. But expect something in a few days.
A lady and her 16 year old son just drove into the camp from Alaska. She had a small compact car. It was really loaded. They slept in the car along with a dog and cat. They left Alaska Sat. at 3:30 pm and was driving on to N.Y. about 3,000 miles to go. She liked Alaska and plans on gong back there to live.

Thursday, June 1
Mileage: 8,502
WHITE COURT CAMP.
Weather: Cool and Sunny
Left camp at 5:50 am. First stop for gas today on Hgw #43; 11.1 gal. Mileage: 8,633
Nothing very exciting. The scenery isn't much to look..lots of burned forest. We saw quite a few Homesteaders.
Edna and I have been playing Tumbled Word Game. She beat me by one game.
We started seeing Snow-capped Mountains in the distance, near GRAND PRAIRIE (Mileage: 8,688), ALBERTA. We are getting near DAWSON CREEK, the first Mile Post. We saw some beautiful farms along the highway. They happened to be Experiment Farms is one of the reasons for such nice buildings. We are entering BRITISH COLUMBIA 11 am. Mileage: 8,747.
DAWSON CREEK 11:40 am; Mileage: 8,771 We stopped here for a few hrs. and did our grocery shopping. Filled Propane gas tanks. It is real hot, about 90 in the sun. We left at 3:40 pm. and hope to find a nice place to camp for the night. We are crossing PEARCE RIVER: a beautiful picture and a nice big bridge on MILE POST #35

Friday, June 2: 5:50 am
CHARLIE LAKE, B.C.
Mileage: 8,831
Weather: Cool but Sunny
We stopped here last night on a Pretty Lake. Nice and Quiet. We went to Bed about 10:30. It was still light.
The Sun is coming up; looks like it will be a hot day. We covered our bed in the trailer with plastic; also the car. We expect it to be dusty today.
We just started on the dusty road (Mileage: 8,850). We are not too bad off as long as someone don't get in front of us.
We are 91 miles from DAWSON CREEK going towards ALASKA. Not as dusty or rough as we expected but of course, we have a long way to go.
First stop on gravel road. Got gas and mailed cards at WONOWON Post Office (Rt. 97). Saw a young Moose on road at MILE POST #156. Had a coffee break at MASON CREEK. Urban set his cup on the seat and Kelly moved a box and spilled it all over Urban. So now he is sitting in a wet seat. He says he doesn't mind, but I think he is just being polite.
BUCKING HORSE RIVER; Mile Post #157; Took pictures of beautiful snow-capped Mnts. by the NORTHERN ROCKIES at MILE POST #195. Bought gas at TRYTCH MNT. LODGE MILE POST #201 (Mileage: 8,887) Had lunch here. We had cream of potato Soup, Tossed Salad, Coffee & Doughnuts. We are on our way again.
We just passed a Circus truck parked along the Highway. They had some ponies and a Pink Elephant out walking around. We didn't have anything to drink but coffee...{;-)
Just stopped at MILE POST #237. Filled our water Tanks with some good, cold water comming from a poke out of a Mnt. I talked too soon. we are really having dust now. Trucks, cars, and Greyhound Bus.
There are a lot of people going to Alaska.
Stopped at FT. NELSON for gas. Mileage: 9,088. Bought cards at 10 cents each. Mile Post #301.
I guess this will be all for today. It is almost 9:30 pm and the Sun is just going down.
We are going to play some cards, then it will be bed time.

Saturday, June 3
Mileage: 9,148
STEAMBOAT MNT. 4:40 am
Weather: cool
We got up at 3:45 am. It is now ten till five. Kelly looked at his watch wrong. We saw two deer.
We are entering the NORTH CANADIAN ROCKIES. Highest Point in Rockies: 4,250 ft. at Summit. Took pictures here. MILE POST #392.
Coffee break at The Village. We spilled coffee again, on the back seat. This time, Edna got it on her. I guess we are getting careless or else we are not awake.
Just bought ice: 25# for $1.00. Pretty high, but everything is high around here.
Mile Post # 463: MUNCHO LAKE, one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the world. We took some beautiful camera shots of the lake from several different spots.
The circus just passed us again. we have seen some Rivers. The fast flowing TROUT RIVER (MILE POST #475) and now the LAIRD RIVER, over which the only Suspension Bridge on the Highway (MILE POST #495) 1,143 ft. long cost over 2 million dollars. Had lunch at the LAIRD RIVER BRIDGE (Mileage 9,293).
We took a side trip ; walked thru the woods and boardwalk and Mucky Path to see LAIRD HOT SPRINGS. It is 85 to 90 degrees all the year. It was a 1/4 mile one way. It was worth seeing. I lost my scarf along the way. We stopped for gas. (Mileage: 9,332).
We are now in YUKON TERRITORY (Mile Post #590) at CONTACT CREEK: At this point, engineers from North & South first made contact while building the Highway in Sept. 1942.
The circus we talked about seeing for two days, stopped at our camp here, today. The young man that was traveling with it, with his wife and four children. They are from California. They plan on a show in ANCHORAGE June 9th thru the 19th. David NELSON of the "OZZIE NELSON show, is to be their special guest. The elephant they have plays in the T.V. Show: "Circus Boy". They make shows in Hollywood.
This has been a long day. I think we will go to bed early even though it is still daylight.
We are stopping at a state park (Mile Post #632) for free. There are quite a few trailers now. This is at WATSON LAKE in the YUKON. Will write more tomorrow. Quite a bit cooler here this evening.

Sunday, June 4; 6:15 am
WATSON LAKE campground
Weather: Cool...had a shower last night.
Went to bed last night at 9:30 pm. Everyone wanted to stop as we were getting tired. First stop was at Sign Post at WATSON LAKE, where the famous cluster of humerous Mile Post signs set up at the road junction during construction days. Year by year, passing motorists add new signs boasting the home town. There are so many now that there is hardly any room to put them. We signed our names on one from Hamilton, OH. We saw ones from Toldeo and Wooster. It would take an hour to read them all. Dad took a picture.
We are crossing the UPPER LAIRD RIVER BRIDGE. This is the last of the crossings on the river.
It is 7 am. (At home you would be home from church and getting dinner.)
We are looking at some more white-capped Mnts. Some real deep ravines. We are riding on the inside now, but comming back we will be on the outside.
No danger as long as drive slow. Edna worries about it, but so far, it hasn't bothered me much.
Had our coffee at RANCHERA MT. (Mile Post #710) in YUKON TERRITORY. Road not so good at this point. Stopped and took Pictures of UPPER RANCHERO RIVER. I put my hands in the water. It was like ice. Took a pretty picture.
Crossed the SWIFT RIVER. The name just suits it.
The snow-covered mnts. look so close, we thought we might walk over and make some snowballs. But the next turn took us away from them again. Some real steep hills here.
We are entering TESLIN LAKE AREA. A big bridge 1917 ft. long.
We drove through an old Indian Village. The original cabins. The Village was established long before the advent of the Highway.
Raining. We saw an Indian couple walking along the Highway close to this Village, with two Big dogs carrying their packs. Further on, we saw another couple with one Big dog and a younger one walking with him. I suppose they were training him for a Pack dog. They were walking in the other direction. I am glad we were riding for there is not any houses for miles.
Edna asked me if I had ever had a flat tire. I said yes...one. Kelly & Urban said that hadn't had any for years. We hadn't gone but a few miles till we had a flat.
We had driven 805 miles on gravel road., We got it changed O.K. Thank goodness there was not too much traffic. Two cars stopped to see if they could help. We have driven 3,510 miles so far.
We are parked in Public campground tonight (WOLF CREEK). Everyone with trailers is trying to find a way to keep out the dust. A man told us to leave the Roof Vent open. We tried it and it helped a lot but the car is sure a mess.
A lot of People have their Trailer windows all taped up. It was raining when we stopped here, but it has quit now.

Monday, June 5; 6:40 am
10 Mile from WHITE HORSE (Wolf Creek)
Weather: Cool, windy. Mileage: 9,724
Stayed in a Public campground last night. It was filled up in a couple of hours. Now we are on our way to ALASKA. We stopped in WHITE HORSE this morning and looked around and mailed some cards. We expect to stop here to sight see on our way back.
Just saw some ice in a field along the road. There are high Mnts. covered with snow nearby. We are passing thru a forest that was burned out. It looks pretty desolate.
We stopped at an Indian Village & Cemetery. A lot of the Graves had little houses built over them. Some had curtains at the windows and Rose bushes planted inside. One had their belongings buried with them. 57 miles from WHITE HORSE, they also took a picture of a little Indian girl. Stopped at KRAK R KRIK LODGE and bought gas and had our coffe break: 10 am.
Beautiful Mnt. Range (going towards ALASKA). We think it is St. ELIAS RANGE, Canada's Highest Mt. 19,850 ft. at Mile Post #1000.
Had lunch on KLUANE LAKE. We drove around it for about 85 miles. A beautiful spot (Mile Post #1072). Met some People that live in ALASKA, also SEATTLE. They travel back and forth every 6 months. They have lived in ALASKA for 4 years.
The wind is terrible in this area. We stopped for gas at WHITE RIVER LODGE. 10,000 miles just came up in the odometer at Mile Post #1168.
Went through Customs at Mile Post #1202. At 7:15 pm. We now have 112 miles to go to American Customs.
It is getting around bed time. We traveled 324 miles today. Edna is starting to fix her bed and as she can't go until we get our bed made. We will have to call it a day. It is 11 o'clock here. 5 Hours slower than Akron. Tomorrow we have to turn our clock back another hour. We are staying at MIRROR LAKE Camp tonight.

Tuesday, June 6: 7 am.
MIRROR CREEK CAMP GROUND
Weather: Sunny & Warm
Leaving YUKON; Mileage 10,058; Entering ALASKA 7:15 am. 3,844 miles from Akron.
First stop for gas: 7.1 gal. $4.15; 10,101 NORTHWAY JCT. MILE POST #1263. Going thru this Mnt. range. We are getting Rain. It looks like snow on the mts. A half hour ago it was so warm, we had to have all the windows open.
Had lunch at ANTEL CAMPGROUND. It has stopped raining. But real cool.. I put my wool slacks on. After lunch we are in GAKONA, ALASKA. A small village with about 10 houses. P. Office, Trading Post, Store and gas station.
Not much to write about today.

Wednesday, June 7; 6:15 am
GLENALLEN, ALASKA; 10,307 Miles
Weather: Cool & Sunny
We are leaving the trailer park today while we take a side trip. We had a wonderful drive today to VALDEZ. Lots of beautiful Mnts. 10 to 16,000 ft high, covered with ice and snow.
This has been a nice road to travel on after the long dusty ones.
We just stopped at the foot of WORTHINGTON GLACIER and had our Picture taken. We had been watching this Glacier for a long ways but had no idea we would get right up to it. There was a Picnic Ground there, so we had our coffee there. It was a very beautiful sight.
Edna and I picked up some pretty rocks, but the men said they wouldn't haul the big ones.
Entering THOMPSON PASS, CHUGACH MNTS. Elev. 2,722 ft. Each picture we take is more beautiful.
Next thru Tunnel in mt. at KENSINGTON PASS. I just saw a tunnel in mt. that was hand carved. Some Prospectors were going to run a railroad thru it, but it was abandoned in 1906. It was mentioned in REX BEACH STORY: "THE IRON TRAIL".
Then we took a Picture of BRIDAL FALLS. Flowing down off the mountains and HORSETAIL FALLS, with a drop of 300 ft. LOWE RIVER.
Kelly had been so busy taking pictures that he forgot he hadn't shaved this morning. He plugged his razor in the car and shaves while we are driving.
We had a fish dinner in VALDEZ. Very good, but much too much to eat. We had Red Snapper, Pole Beans, Soup, Rolls, Salad & coffee...also dessert, but we had to pass that up, for $1.75 seems like that was much for here. When they say everything is so high. We paid 29-39 cents for Bread. Fresh Milk is .99, but a couple of pounds of Bananas was $1.34 which was pretty high. But these things all come in from SEATTLE by Boat.
The only trouble is the BAUERS like to sleep in the mornings and we are always awake by 5 o'clock or earlier. Tomorrow morning, I think I will go out in the car when I wake up and read and let them sleep till they are ready.
Mr. BAUER is not feeling good this evening. He is napping now. I think he will feel better when he wakes up. I hope so. He had done all the driving the last couple of days, so Kelly could take Pictures. But Kelly could drive and take Pictures, too.
We are 6 hrs. slower than home. So we are all fouled up that way. We want to do some washing tomorrow when we reach ANCHORAGE.

Thursday, June 8; 7:30 am.
Campground near GLENALLEN , ALASKA
Weather: Sunny, Nice.
Saw lots of Beautiful snow-capped Mts. and Glaciers. MILE POST #103
We fixed our lunch while we were parked at a service station. There were a couple of Big dogs. One was real friendly. I think he would of gone with us, but he would have had to sit on someone's lap. Most of these People have these Big dogs. So far we have seen 3 Labradors, 1 Malamute, 4 Huskies, 1 pup Huskie and Wolf mix. They all were real friendly.
Kelly took off his glasses to look at some Mt. sheep thru the field glasses. He laid them on the car. We got in and started and they fell off. He had to walk back quite a ways, but he found them OK. Thank Goodness they weren't Broken.
We came thru PALMER. It is a most important community of the MATANUSKA VALLEY. Headquarters for the farmers Marketing and Social and Business Center for the largest and most highly developed farming Region in ALASKA.
We arrived in ANCHORAGE about 4 pm, found a trailer park. Went to the P.O. and had a letter from Helen. Drove around the city some to find some Ice and a Laundry Mart so we could wash tomorrow.
We all had a shower. Edna & I washed our hair then we had supper. We have been writing cards and letters. It will soon be bed time. Tomorrow afternoon, we will go sightseeing. This is a beautiful city. There are about 100,000 People including the Military. This will be all for today.

Friday, June 9
Mileage: 10,776
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
Weather: Sunny Am; rain pm.
We stayed at WHITEBIRCH TRAILER COURT last eve. and today will leave in the morning. We did our washing and shopped; drove around town and went to the JONES MUSEUM; saw a lot of stuffed animals. Then we looked for some souveniers and went to the dime store; they are just the same as home. We drove around the city some more; took a few pictures. Then bought a piece of wood to put in front of the trailer to keep the gravel from marking it and breaking windows.
We had our dinner and washed the dishes. Edna popped corn. The rest of us having been writing cards. Dad and Urban fixed up our log for the day. We spent quite a bit of money today. Had the car greased and serviced, a new air filter, had a couple of tires mounted and with groceries and washing we spent around $72.00. Dad said if we did much more of this we would have to start home tomorrow. Not much to write about today.

Saturday, June 10; 7 am.
WHITE BIRCH TRAILER COURT, ANCHORAGE ALASKA
Weather: Sunny, nice & cool
We left camp at 7 am. filled up with gas 7.4 gal.; 10,777 miles. We are on our way to SEWARD & HOMER.
It is starting out to be a lovely day for traveling. A pretty drive with the Hyw. running parallel with the ALASKA R.Rd. and the water a winding road for 10 mile. Took Pictures of the TURNAGAIN Flats, head of the TURNAGAIN Mts.
MOOSE PASS; MILE POST #77 drove to SEWARD and mailed our cards. We have been trying to buy ALASKA STATEHOOD STAMPS but so far, have only been able to find a few. Today we got some of KANSAS STATEHOOD.
We stopped for lunch along the Highway after our trip from SEWARD. Quite a busy town, but not much to look at, but it is quite a fishing Port for Salmon. Then we went to KENAI, another bay town and the OIL CAPITAL of ALASKA. In 1959, Natural Gas was discovered and will finally be piped to ANCHORAGE.
This city was originally a Russian Fur Trading Post, founded in 1791, during the Tentures(?) of the Russian Churches and Missions where built here. The last church was built in 1896 and is still in use. Kelly took some Pictures of the Oldest one and the last one built. The dome and steeple are very unusual. The dome is Bright Blue and the Steeple is Bright Yellow. Some of the buildings are as old as the Mission. You could tell by the wood in them. This town is situated on the Shore of COOK INLET, quite a body of water.
We then came back to SOLDOTNA and then started towards HOMER. We are parked in a Public Camp tonight. We plan on leaving the trailer tomorrow while we go to HOMER and it is all Gravel Rd. I must get cleaned up now before the Rush starts as we are going to have a game of Canasta tonight. We have been playing Euchre. All for tonight.

Sunday, June 11; Mileage 11,053
JOHNSTON LAKE CAMPGROUND; 7 am
Weather: Cloudy, nice driving.
We went thru NILICHIK while at one time was a quaint fishing village, colonized by the Russians. Some of the descendants still live here.
We, I mean Urban, Kelly & I, climbed a steep hill to see some Russian Orthodox Churches Built around 1820. One had a cemetery in the back.
We are now in HOMER, where the trail ends and the sea begins. We spent some time along the SeaShore looking for shells and drift wood.
Then back to HOMER. We stopped at a BERRY Products Shop where they make jams and jellies out of all the different kinds of Berries in ALASKA.
We bought a few trinkets and some jams & Berry jellies. She had a big freezer full of Berries. We then came back to where we left our trailer. Hooked up and came on to this camp grounds. Had our supper and are now writing a few cards. It has been raining, but looks brighter now. It is Pretty light most of the time. 19 hours 8 min. of daylight June 9th 1961; Sunrise:2:25 am; Sunset: 9:53 pm.

Monday, June 12; Mileage: 11,260
COOPER'S CREEK CAMPGROUND; 7 am
Weather: rain
Several miles on we crossed BERTHA'S CREEK. COOPER is a pretty Popular name around here. (Al & Bertha COOPER were good friends and traveling companions who went on a previous trip around the perimeter of the U.S.A with my grandparents)
We drove six mile on side road to see PORTAGE GLACIER and ICEBERG LAKE. The blue ice was made a beautiful Picture. It was raining hard so we didn't look very much. The men got some lumps of ice out of the lake and filled our ice-box. Mileage: 11,383 on Odomoeter. We are now on our way back to ANCHORAGE. The views look different coming back. We picked up a man with a flat tire and hauled him to a garage. The men drained the water tank and filled it with fresh water.

Tuesday, June 13 Mileage: 11,587
Camp outside GLENALLEN
Weather: Rainy & cool; 6:30 am
Just as we were ready to leave this morning, we found out we had a low tire and had to have it changed.
As we were driving along, we saw a Fox and a few other small animals that we didn't know the name of. But we didn't see any Moose or Caribou-deer that this part of the country is famous for.
We then drove on to the Park entrance at MT. McKINLEY and found a place to have our lunch. Urban found another leak in the gas tank so we decided we had better start back.

Wednesday, June 14
We saw lots of pretty scenery on the way up and got a good Picture of Mt. McKINLEY, so weren't too disappointed that we didn't get to go clear through the Park.
We hadn't gone too far when we had another flat tire. these two-ply tires from Goodyear are not working out so well. And we still have a lot of driving to do on gravel roads. We are going to FAIRBANKS 173 miles. We drove over 160 mi. today at 20 per hour as we didn't want to have another flat. We are really Pioneering as far as trouble goes.

Wednesday, June 15; 7:15 am
Mileage: 12,088
PAXTON LODGE, GAKONA, ALASKA
Weather: Cool-looks like a nice day.
We are on our way to FAIRBANKS. Everything seems fine this morning. Just saw the Memorial to Gen. RICHARDSON for which the Highway was Named. This is a different range of Mts. again, we are supposed to see RAINBOW MT. They were a little hazy, so we didn't get any Pictures.
Just saw BLACK RAPID GLACIER..or the "GALLOPING GLACIER". It mysteriously and suddenly advanced nearly a mile in the month od Dec. 1936, before it halted it's plunge toward the hyw. In 1940, it had moved forward 4 miles from it's former terminus. Thus, it earned it's name of "GALLOPING GLACIER".
FAIRBANKS: we stopped at a nice park for our coffee break and as they had running water; the second on our travels in Parks, we filled the water tanks. This was BIG DELTA CAMPGROUND.
Had our lunch at HARDING LAKE CAMPGROUND...the place where Will ROGERS and & Wiley POST took off for P. BARROW in a plane and lost their lives.
We have our trailer parked here at NORTH HAVEN CAMP. The ALASKA COLLEGE is a couple of miles from here; a beautiful place. We are going to wash tomorrow. The men will have the tires and gas tank fixed. We are all cleaned up, so now will play cards.

Friday, June 16
Mileage: 12,173
NORTH HAVEN TRAILER PARK, FAIRBANKS, ALASKA
Weather: Sunny & Warm
The men have gone to town. Edna and I cleaned the trailer, washed a couple of Sports shirts and ironed them. Edna cleaned the cupboards and scrubbed the floor.
I baked a Pie and cooked a Cottage Ham. Will have some cabbage cooked with it for lunch. Then we will go to the Laundrymat and then some sightseeing if we have time.
We drove out and saw an old River Boat: "NIANANA", The last Sternwheeler Stean Boat to operate on the TANANA and YUKON RIVERS. It is now in Dry Dock. We also saw a monument to Felix PEDRO; site of the Famed PEDRO CREEK discovery claim. The city of FAIRBANKS was created thru this claim.
We took a ride this eve. on STEAS Hyw.thru the gold mining district. This was old Placer mining. Just like Strip Mining for coal in PA. Weather: Saw the sunset about 10 pm; got back to trailer a 11 pm. without any light.

Bought a qt. of icecream at $.91/qt. Had IceCream and coffee and it is now time for bed.

Saturday, June 17; 7:30 am
NORTH HAVEN TRAILER CAMP, FAIRBANKS, ALASKA
Weather: Sunny & warm
We are stopped here at a Service station to have our trailer brakes fixed. They weren't able to do much, so we are still getting shook up when the car stops sudden.
We are parked tonight at 40 MILE HOUSE, a nice place. They raise Husky dogs here. In one lot they had 21 and inside 5 more big ones and 5 pups. Then another, a mother dog and 4 puppies. They were so cute. All the dogs were real friendly. They just loved to be made a fuss over.I doin't think there was that many dogs in ALASKA. We start for DAWSON CITY tomorrow.

Sunday, June 18;
Mileage: 12,610
40 MILE HOUSE, TETLIN, ALASKA
Weather: Sunny & warm.
We are on our way to DAWSON CITY. We saw two Moose along the road, grazing. Got a good Picture.
Just passed a Gold Mining Dredge and walked 1/2 mile to see it. How they ever got the Machine back there is beyond me.
There are some of the most beautiful flowers blooming in the fields and Mts.
Just passed KING'S ROAD HOUSE; boundry line between ALASKA and the YUKON. It seems like we are on the Top of the World !
We are going thru this chain of mts. just up and down and around. We can see the road for miles ahead of us and it looks like a cowpath.
We are now at CANADA's Customs. Edna just said to the Custom's Officer, "We got to stop here?" and he said, "You sure gotta" and laughed.
Our trip through ALASKA we went thru Customs at "LITTLE GOLD CREEK". Mileage: 12,724.
We had our dinner on top of the Mt. Ham Sandwich. Baked beans, Celery, Carrots and Coffee.
We are still on these high mts. We have to drive in 2nd gear both up and down. The last five mile were so steep, but we arrived safe and crossed the River on a ferry and Parked for the night. Had supper at 9:30pm.

Monday, June 19
Mileage: 12,790
DAWSON CITY, YUKON PROVINCE, CANADA
Weather: Warm; rain afternoon
We are sightseeing in DAWSON CITY. The first trip was the Post Office. A large building, but old. In the yard next to it were some old Engines. Took Pictures of Kelly & Urban...in it Dad, blowing the whistle and Urban throwing in the wood.
Then Robert SERVICE's Cabin, where he wrote some of his famous poems of the YUKON, of Gold Rush Days.
We then went on The KENO RIVER BOAT, which is being renovated for use as a tourist attraction. The first time we we were ever on one of them boats. We then went up a Mt. road about 3 miles to the dome; the very top where the People of DAWSON go to see the Midnight Sun on June 21. We could not stay to see it, but you could see for Miles.
Took Pictures of the Cemeteries on the Hill. We were certainly surprised how many People are buried there and I suupose a 1,000 or more people are buried there. Some are pretty well taken care of and have nice stones, but others you can't find the graves for Bushes, mostly wild Roses. There were around 40,000 People here around 1897 and there was an epidemic of Small Pox, Typhoid Fever and Scurvy. They are still using some parts of the cemetery.
The town looks like Pictures we see on Television, with boardwalks on each side of the street; no paved streets.; A lot of the old buildings are still in use; lots of log cabins. They are going to revise the old theatre amd I think some of the other ones.
We had our lunch and got ready to leave for WHITEHORSE: 4:15 pm.We went thru KLONDIKE TERRITORY. Then had nice roads for a while. But got on some new road and it was raining. We had some anxious moments. But thru at AK(?) and found a nice campground to spend the night.

Tuesday, June 20; 8:16 am.
Mileage: 12,907
14 & 1/2 miles from STEWART CROSSING.
Weather: Cloudy & Windy.
As we came to STEWART CROSSING, we passed some big road grading machines and had to wait until they made a way for us to pass.
Just crossed PELLY RIVER BRIDGE, built in 1959. The traffic used to cross on a ferry,
Took Pictures of an old Trapper's Cabin and Cache.
Kelly took my Picture with a Pretty Husky dog. Saw an Indian couple come out of a store. Urban tried to talk to them but they just said "yes"...instead of "How". There are a lot of old timers around this section.
Drove 1 mile off the main road to MINTO, a Ghost Town. (excuse mistakes; I can't spell at times). Took some Pictures there. This was where a lot of People, during the Gold Rush Days, had to stay over the Winter on Starvation Rations and many of them are buried there with no grave markers.
We are now at TWIN LAKES Campground. The men bought fishing licenses. Urban went out and caught 1 real Big Trout about 3 & 1/2 lbs. and then pretty soon another smaller one. We had them for supper. Very Good. Edna caught a grass Pike, good size but Put it back. I decided to bake a cake while they were fishing. I had it in the oven about 10 min, when the gas went out and had to call Urban in from fishing to connect the other tank. The cake done pretty good, at least it tasted alright.
The men are still fishing but not having much luck. It is too windy. Maybe by tomorrow morning it will be better.

Wednesday, June 21
TWIN LAKES Campground
WHITEHORSE: MacBRIDE Museum
Weather: Sunny, windy
Saw a lot of relics. The cabin of Sam McGEE. Old stagecoach that traveled over the highway we were on. Going to DAWSON CITY as late as 1920. I am sure I would not of cared for the ride.
All kinds of antiques. Just most anything that was used 50 or 60 years ago.
Urban went out fishing early this morning and caught another Trout. Dad wasn't so lucky. They ate the fish for supper tonight. They said it was fine.
We had a nice drive here to WHITEHORSE. The roads were not too bad.
We did some sightseeing. We are parked for awhile to have the trailer brakes fixed. We sure will be happy as they kept us shock up every time we stopped and was also very annoying to the men.
Changed tires here while we cooked supper.
Kelly and I took a little walk and saw a couple more old riverboats. This is quite an old town. But some of it is very nmodern. We have to hunt a campground spot for tonight.

Thursday, June 22:
WOLF CREEK Campground: 10:20 am
Weather: Sunny, Cool; 15 miles from WHITEHORSE
We started out from camp at 8:30 am. went to MILES CANYON; a beautiful sight. Walked on a foot bridge across the YUKON RIVER. Then climbed a steep hill back onto the road before we found there was a good road.
We came back to camp, hitched the trailer and are on our way at 10:30 am. We stopped at SQUAGAM LAKE and had our lunch. The men did some fishing, but didn't have any luck. We can see them raising, but they don't take the bait.
We came on to this campground on Beautiful TESLIN LAKE and went out in a boat with an Indian guide. But did not have any luck. It was a nice ride.

Friday, June 23; Mileage: 13,298 Miles
TESLIN LAKE Campground
Weather: Cloudy, cool; 8:30 am
MORELY LAKE Mile Post #770. B.C. 9:45 am. Leaving YUKON TERRITORY.
Stopped at SWIFT RIVER Lodge for gas and water. Left mail. Had coffee break 11:30am.
Just now a big bus went by with a sign on the front ("Dust Devil"). It sure suited him for we couldn't see for awhile after he passed.
We then drove on to WATSON LAKE and took Pictures of the Sign Post from all over the country.
We stopped on our way to ALASKA but Dad didn't think to take the cover off the lens of the camera. We wrote our names again as some one had painted over ours, from the first time.

Saturday, June 24;7:30 am
WATSON LAKE Campground; MILE POST #632.
Weather: warm, cloudy; Mileage: 13,486
When we drove into this camp last night, we didn't know if we could find a space or not. But it is a Pretty big place so we parked and stayed. There were 20 trailers of all kinds there.
We left this morning at 7:30 am. There seems to be more of those truck campers on the road than any other.
We just crossed a big bridge that is being repaired. The gas station man said we just got over it in time as it was going to be closed for 4 hours while they poured concrete. I bet there wil be a line because you are almost to it before there was any warning.
Had coffee at WHIRLPOOL CANYON RAPIDS on LAIRD RIVER. MILE POST #538. A very dangerous looking River. the River was down now...if we would have stopped there on our way up it would have been much higher. There wa big trees and logs laying on the bank. went back to LAIRD HOT SPRING Camp and fixed our lunch. Saw a Moose grazing in the field. Stopped here on our way up. MILE POST #496. Crossed a big bridge. We are passing a lot of Places now that we saw before, but they don't look the same. We just had a rain shower. Lots of Mts. But they are not covered with snow like they were 3 & 1/2 weeks ago.

Sunday, June 25; Mosquitos terrible.
Just a Place along the Hywy. MILE POST $380
Weather: Sunny, warm; 8 am.
The Place was thick with mosquitos and (we) are certainly glad to leave.
We are going over some Mts. now. Tetering Rock, Indian Head and Steamboat. If you use your imagination, you can see them.
Stopped at FT. NELSON for coffee. MILE POST #301. We stoppedhere on our way to Alaska and paid 10 cents for Post cards & 20 cents for old newspaper.
We have been gathering wild flowers. They are beautiful to be growing along the dusty hyw. They will be dry when we get home, but will still have some color. It is raining now pretty hard.
We just had a light shower. It settles the dust and makes driving lots nicer. Stopped for lunch along the road. MILE POST #222. There are not many camp sites in B.C.
MILE POST #194. Had trouble with gas filter. Coming up TRUTCH MT. Still climbing SIKANNI HILL the book says.
Stopped for gas. Had to Pay because the lady said they did not recognize credit cards of Phillips 66 on this hyw.
Stopped here ar WONOWON VILLAGE. MILE POST #101. The man at the gas station said we could park our trailer in a lot in the back. We have it all to ourselves (Johns and all). Must get cleaned up before the rush starts.

Monday, June 26
Mileage: 14,035
WONOWON, B.C.; 7 am
Weather: Sunny, nice
It started out to be a nice, warm day but didn't last long. We drove about 25 mile till we came to the road construction (MILE POST #75) then we came onto some new paved rd. that has been done since we went up to ALASKA.
We arrived in DAWSON CREEK at 10 am. Went to the P.O. and had a letter from Miriam. Thought we would have one from Helen, but didn't.
Had the trailer brakes looked at. But they couldn't do anything for them. I did some washing then we did some shopping.
We left DAWSON CREEK in the rain. We are in ALBERTA, B.C. now.
Just passed the GRAND PRAIRIE Airport. A Pretty Picture with white building and green fields. This is a flat country with rich farm lands. GRAND HYW. a lot different than anything we saw farther north.
Just passed a large sawmill. Then the sun came out. We drove a few miles and crossed a river and found a nice campground. Had supper, then folded the clothes I washed, put them away and wrote about the day's trip. Will close for tonight.

Tuesday, June 27
Mileage: 14,256
SMOKY RIVER, a nice place.
Weather: Rain and cool; 7:20 am
We started out this morning in the rain. It looks as though it may last all day but of course, it is early yet.
This is a new Hyw. and very nice to drive on after some we have been on.
We stopped at 10:30 am for coffee at a campground, real new and the nicest one of the few where there was water...at MILE POST #152.
Crossed ATHABASCA RIVER; coming into WHITE COURT. Gas here and Ice cream cone for Kelly and me.
We still haven't been able to get our trailer brakes fixed.
Afternoon: EDMONTON, ALBERTA
Weather: Sunny now
We are at a place now; have been for over 2 hrs. The mechanic had to go to town to get the part; hard to tell how long it will be. I hope not too long as we haven't had any lunch; only pie and coffee.
But that is the way it goes. On a long trip, you can run into anything. It is after 6 now and the men here are not having any luck. It is sure a Puzzle they have been working on it for four hrs now.
Brakes still not in good shape. We are getting ice in EDMONTON. We are at a nice camp for the night. Everybody tired after waiting around for 6 hrs.

Wednesday, June 28
Mileage: 14,547
Campground: EDMONTON, ALBERTA
Weather: Sunny & warm; 8:20 am
First stop for gas at TWIG INN Service. Odd trees with knots on for Post at cafe. On way to JASPER, NT'L. PARK. Passed the town of WILDWOOD, saw some goats: 1 nanny with litle ones. Just passed CHIP LAKE: a beautiful view.
Had coffee and filled our water tank with good, cold, well water. ALBERTA can certainly be Proud of their Public Campgrounds. Stopped at EDSON P.O. to drop our mail. This is another beautiful drive going to JASPER. We can see the high ROCKIE MTS. in the distance. The snow is about all gone. We saw our first Bear with two cubs.
MALIGNE CANYON: A wonderful sight.
Sure glad we stopped. At first it just looked any mt. stream, then we walked over the Rocks and there was a deep canyon with the water gushing thru. The canyon was so narrow, that the water made an awful Roar getting thru. We walked on until we came to a bridge and there it was so deep, you could hardly see the bottom. In all, it was a wonderful day.

Thursday, June 29
Mileage: 14,804
COTTONWOOD CREEK Campground
Weather: Nice, warm; 9:30 am
Went to WHISTLE MT. Ski View. Then to town of JASPER. Supposed tp be like SWITZERLAND.
Went up to Edith CAVELLE MT. Beautiful View; 11,033 ft. Pretty close to GLACIER, looks like one is slipping. The MT. was named for a nurse: Edith CAVELLE, who was shot by Germans in first World War. When she was helping soldiers escape. Took Pictures of GLACIER, Birds, Chipmonks.
Then came back to camp and had our lunch and wrote a few cards to the kids.
We are on our way to BANFF. Saw ATHABASCA FALLS. Really Gushing. Then saw 1 Mule Deer, 1 Elk with horns, 20 Mt. Goats.
Taking lots of Glacier Pictures. MT. STUFFIELD: 11,320. Saw Pretty falls @ MILE POST #61. Going up 1 & 1/2 mile to see snowmobile and COLUMBIA ICE FIELD. It was raining or we would of taken a ride out on the Glacier.
Met two women from CINCINNATI, OHIO. They say they take a different trip each year; next year: ALASKA. Went back to toe of Glacier, 1 mile. It is real cool, Edna & I took off our warm slacks and now wished we had them on.
Kelly thought he lost his trailer keys, but instead of putting his gloves under the seat when he locked the trailer, he put the keys there. Urban put a new film in the camera, then took a couple pictures before he noticed it (camp time).

Friday, June 30
Mt. Camp Ground near (1/2 way) BANFF.
Weather: Cool; Circus Mt. camp; 8:35 am
We just started out today and saw a cow Moose and calf cross the road. They went into the woods too fast for get a Picture and Kelly didn't have any film in the camera.
This is a Nice, New Section of Hyw. real smooth. I can write without scribbling.
More and more high mts. these CANADIAN ROCKY MTS. are just enormous. They have names, but we would have our book filled if we put them all down.
We stopped at PEYTO LAKE VIEWPOINT & NATURE TRAIL. It was snowing & foggy. Kelly was very much disappointed because it was a beautiful sight. There were Wild Flowers all over the Place and lots of them have the names on Markers. Pass BOW LAKE. Real Blue, like Turquoise. A real Blizzard now. Sure glad we are in the car, so we will have a cup of coffee now.
Another Glacier with three tiers. A creek named HELEN.
Just enetering LAKE LOUISE. Kelly is taking Pictures of just what the book says about it. Beautiful, with a Big Lodge looking out on Lake and Mts. Lots of people with money staying here. Edna & I went inside the Hotel. Sure would be nice to stay there for a week.

Saturday, July 1
Mileage: 15,827
TUNNEL MT. Camp; 9:30 am
Weather: Sunny
This is starting out to be a nice day. We had a nice camp with showers & washrooms. The camps are crowded with trailer-campers and tents. We are on our way to CALGARY. This is a holiday in these parts: Dominion Day. I remember once when we came to CANADA on July 4th and Fred couldn't understand why they didn't celebrate like we did at home. I know he was very much disappointed. We did some grocery shopping, bought some strawberries and ice cream, had that for dinner. We saw a herd of beef cattle. They may have been brought in for water as it is very dry in this section. The water holes are dried up and the wheat is real short and getting yellow. They need rain bad.
We have been riding for quite awhile and haven't seen anything but fields. The sign says watch for Antelope. We saw one and then 3, then 5, some little ones. Altogether, we saw 52 in all. A couple herd of sheep. All kinds of cattle. We stopped at MEDICINE HAT, a nice town and saw the Goodyear Plant here. Then drove around a little and about 25 mi. to this camp. It is crowded. Not as nice as some. 15 mi from MEDICINE HAT.

Sunday, July 2; 8 am
Camp near MEDICINA HAT. Hyw.#1
Weather: warm, windy
It is warm this morning. Kelly, Urban and I took a walk about 6:30 am and gathered some desert flowers & cactus and one dry Tumbleweed. We stopped at a park and some woman saw the Tumbleweed. She called it "Russian Thistle" and was so surprised that we had one. She thought it just blew in. I guess they see so much of it in this country, she said she would have to tell her mother that one.
We left ALBERTA PROVINCE and came into SASKATCHEWAN about 8:30 this morning. Had a flat tire on trailer at 4:30 pm. 15,666 milage near REGINA. Got it fixed O.K.
So we are now camped for the night.

Monday, July 3
Mileage:15,702
BREMEN BLUFFS, SASKATCHEWAN (looks like BREMY?); 8:am
Weather: Warm, windy
Nothing much to write about today. We had a nice camp last night. Left about 8 am. and crossed into the PROVINCE of MANITOBA about 11:20 am. these Provinces can't compare with ALBERTA when it comes to nice Camp sites. There are lots of nice farms in this area. We stopped at a town: MOSIMINI (not on 1997 AAA Map?) and mailed some cards and a Birthday gift to Marcia. Had lunch at ELKHORN Picnic spot. We bought some fresh milk, the first since we left. Had some on cereal with peaches for lunch. A nice spot tonight. PORTAGE la PRAIRIE.

Tuesday, July 4
PORTAGE la PRAIRIE, MANITOBA
Mileage: 16,001
Weather: Sunny, Beautiful; 8:15 am.
This started out as a beautiful day. We left MANITOBA C. at 12:00 pm. We are now in ONTARIO. we are coming into LAKE OF THE WOODS. Had lunch on hyw facing the Lake at KENORA. Sure would like to spend a couple of weeks here.
We are going into town now to get car gas and a tank of gas for the stove. We didn't spend much time after that. We run into some bad road. We are camped on an abandoned Rd. along a lake tonight. The men have been trying their luck at fishing, so far no good. It is now 10:30 pm. Bed Time.

Wednesday, July 5
Near KENORA, ONTARIO
Mileage: 16,221
Weather: Sunny, warm; 7:42 am
Kelly caught a nice Bass this morning. I cooked it for he and Urban for supper. There isn't much to write about except a lot of road work. There are lots of Parks and Picnic tables, but not many places to overnight. We will be in PORT ARTHUR before too long. we stopped here to go to the P.O. had a letter from Helen. we are parked in a nice Provincial Park tonight. Right along LAKE SUPERIOR. Kelly and I went down to the Beach and washed our feet. The water was pretty cool.

Thursday, July 6
PORT ARTHUR Provincial Camp, ONTARIO
Mileage: 16,515
Weather: Nice; 8:20 am
We started out today with nice sunshine. This is a nice Hyw. Lots of trees and lakes. This hyw. was cut thru a lot of rock, some of it Granite in Pink & Grey colors. We stopped along the road at a Park to eat our lunch (1:30 pm). Had just driven in when a car came down the road. It skidded across on the other side from us, went down over a 10 ft. embankment and turned over on the top. Dad and Urban and some other men ran over. Lucky they could open the doors. They got the man out and then the lady. They were both O.K. except she had quite a few bruises. They were on their way to a wedding ! We just hope they are alright. They were very lucky. We found a Place to stop. Not very good as the Black flies and Mosquitos were terrible. We had to get in the (trailer) and stay there. I don't like those places very much. But it was geting late and we were afraid to go any further. So much for that. (Written in pencil at the top of the page:) We had a card from them after we got home.

Friday, July 7 (Marcia's birthday: 8 yrs)
Near WAWA (135 miles from SAULT.ST. MARIE
Mileage: 16,809
Weather: Sunny
We have traveled quite a few miles (16,968 mi) today over some nice country. We are at SAULT ST. MARIE now, waiting to cross on the ferry for MICH. We are hee at the CANADIAN Customs. Just thru one place and will now pay our money to cross over. $2.25 with trailer & car. There are a long line of trailers, Big trucks, cars with boats. We have been waiting for about an hr. and are now on the ferry and moving, but we can't see much as thre is a trailer ahead of us.
We are now in the U.S.A.. Will go though Customs here. Everything is O.K. 4:00 pm. Crossed the Big Bridge - 6 mile long -Stopping at HARTWICK PINES tonight. Nice Place.

Saturday, July 8
HARTWICK PINES Campground
Mileage: 17,114
Weather: Warm, Sunny
We left camp around noon and drove to LOVELLS. Had mail from Helen. Then we started for LEWISTOWN to have the car rewired and buy groceries.
We drove about 10 mile the wrong way. The saw a sign pointing the other way. We didn't go to our old camp place. Edna hasn't felt well for about a week, so we are starting back towards INDIANA and CELINA. She may see a doctor there. I hope it is nothing Serious. We had a nice drive from LOVELLS to HARRISON, where we are camped for the night at WILSON Campground. We have elec. & showers.

Sunday, July 9
Mileage: 17,245
Weather: Sunny, warm (Pretty Lake)
Left camp at 10:30, had a nice drive. Lots of traffic going both ways. We stopped at a nice wayside table for our lunch. We had hot roast beef sandwiches (we roasted the beef last night), Celery, Carrots, Jello, cookies & coffee. The men thought it was a real good deal for Sunday while we are still traveling.
We are past LANSING, MICH. we are going to ST. MARY'S to Edna's sister's for a couple of days to let Edna rest up and maybe see a doctor.
We arrived at Alice & Bill's about 7:30 pm, parked our trailer and hope to relax.

Monday, July 10
ST. MARY'S
Weather: Nice
We just took it easy. I cleaned up the trailer. Urban & Enda went to town to visit relatives.
We had a light lunch with Alice and then layed around some more until time to get supper, which was around four o'clock. Bill gets home at that time. Edna & Urban just got back. We had lots to eat. Chicken with all the trimmings and Lemon Pie. Edna's brother and wife & their grandson came in the evening. We had a nice time. Edna didn't go to the Dr.

Tuesday, July 11
ST. MARY'S; 10 am
Weather: warm, maybe hot
We had a nice drive from ST. MARY'S. The farm lands look pretty good. They need rain bad. We are on the new 71 Hyw and are having our lunch at one of their Picnic Places along the Hyw.
We arrived at BAUER's at about 4:30 pm. Kelly Backed the trailer in their drive without much trouble. We loaded our things in the car from the trailer and came on home. Sure nice to see the House and Yard and be welcomed by our neighbors. Helen & Art & kids came in for a few minutes. Art stayed to Pick Cherries. We drove 11,600 mile. We both feel wonderful. A wonderful & exciting trip.