Category: Wildflowers

Day 23: Exploring Jasper National Park

Posted in Alberta, National Parks, Waterfalls, Wildflowers, WildlifeTagged , , , , , , 1 Comment

Day 23: Friday, June 7, 2013

This elk was there to greet me as Blondie and I took our morning walk
This elk was there to greet me as Blondie and I took our morning walk

Blondie and I were surprised to find an elk next to the dumpster in the campground as we made our morning walk! I didn’t even see her until we were very close to her. What a great way to start the day!

The rain started coming down as we were ready to go out and explore the area. The town of Jasper has a few blocks of restaurants and shops. We enjoyed a nice breakfast at LuLu’s Cafe and did a little shopping at an outdoor outfitters shop. We had the same idea as many other people and went to the Visitor’s Center to check email. The place was packed with many people checking their phones, computers, and tablets for news from home. The connection was slow so we gave up and decided to go on a drive recommended by the clerk at the outdoor store.

Bear are frequently sighted on the Marmot Basin drive so off we went in search of bear. The narrow road climbs to a ski area which is closed for the season. It winds beside rivers and lakes with views of the mountains. There were no bears but it was fun looking.

We didn’t find any bears but we had some beautiful scenery on the Marmot Basin Drive
Indian Paintbrush grew beside the road
Loon, Jasper National Park, Alberta

At the end of the road we came to Athabasca Falls. There are easy walking trails for exploring both sides of the falls.

Henry and Blondie enjoyed the falls
We stopped to look at Athabasca Falls
Athabasca Falls
Athabasca Falls
Athabasca Falls
Athabasca Falls

Four elk awaited us at the entrance to our camping loop when we returned. They were resting in the grass around two empty campsites. Such a great way to end the day!

We were greeted by elk in our camping loop as we returned from the drive.
The elk were enjoying the grass in two empty campsites
Just chillin’
Elk near our campsite in Jasper

Day 14: Rainy Day Driving in Montana

Posted in Montana, Parks, Rainy Days, RV Parks, WildflowersTagged , , 4 Comments

Day 14: May 29, 2013. Sheridan, Wyoming to Cardwell, Montana. Cardwell Store and Campground. Site 32. 314 miles traveled.

Today we knew we were truly in the mountains. Henry negotiated steep 6% grades on I-90 in the rain. Off in the distance, between rain showers, we could see the Rocky Mountains. The rain was coming down so hard we couldn’t see them at times. We eventually crossed into the high plains and the Big Sky Country.

We crossed the Little Bighorn River not far from the Little Bighorn National Monument which memorializes the Battle of Little Bighorn where Custer’s Last Stand took place. We also passed a few Lewis and Clark Historical Sites.

The rain finally stopped as we pulled into a small RV park/gas station/store/casino in Cardwell, Montana. We were surrounded by mountains and enjoyed watching magpies and blue birds flying all around. Several rabbits hopped through the campground. We watched a Great Blue Heron flying right over our heads and a Bald Eagle soaring high above the trees.

Welcome to Montana
Driving through Montana
Mountains in Montana
This bunny was trying to hide by not moving
Montana Wildflowers
Mountains in the distance in Cardwell, Montana
View from the campground in Cardwell, Montana
Our campsite in Cardwell, Montana
Waiting for sunset in Cardwell, Montana
Montana Sky

Day 8: A little fun and relaxation in Iowa

Posted in COE Park, Iowa, Tourist Attractions, WildflowersTagged , , , 1 Comment

Day 8: Thursday, May 23, 2013. Coralville Lake Dam Complex Corps of Engineers Park in Iowa City, Iowa, Lindner Point Campground, Site L2. 181 miles traveled.

After 2 days of hard driving we decided to take a break and stop around lunch time at a Corps of Engineers park on Coralville Lake in Iowa City, IA. The drive from Illinois took us across the mighty Mississippi River into Iowa. The first exit in Iowa is for Le Claire, the home of Antique Archaeology from “American Pickers”. We didn’t want to try to find it with the trailer behind us so we continued on to  the World’s Largest Truckstop, the Iowa 80 in Walcott, IA. We bought diesel and wandered around the huge souvenir shop and food court. There is parking for 800 trucks with additional spaces for cars and RV’s. In addition to the shopping and food there are showers, a barber shop, a dentist, chiropractor, a movie theater, and even a self-serve dog wash!

This sign is on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River. Le Claire is the location of Antique Archaeology on “American Pickers”
The MIghty Mississippi separating Illinois and Iowa
At the Iowa 80 truckstop
The World’s Largest Truck Stop
Iowa 80 – The World’s Largest Truckstop in Walcott, Iowa
A few of the trucks at the World’s Largest Truckstop. There is parking for 800 trucks.

After getting set up at our site, we took a drive to check out the dam and lake.

Lindner Point, Coralville Lake, Site L2, Iowa City, IA
View out the back window at Coralville Lake, Iowa
Canada Geese at Coralville Dam
Henry at the Coralville Dam
Water flows into the Iowa River
Fossils from the Devonian Fossil Gorge

We took a walk on the Woodpecker Trail near our campsite after dinner.

Along the Woodpecker Trail near our campsite
This interesting structure on the Woodpecker Trail was created by University of Iowa students
Created by University of Iowa students
View of Coralville Lake from Woodpecker Trail
Wildflowers on Woodpecker Trail
More Wildflowers on Woodpecker Trail

We found that there is more to Iowa than just corn fields! Ready now to continue our adventure!

For more information on each picture, you can hover your mouse over it to see a caption. Or, you can click on a picture to view them one at a time.

Day 7: Driving through Farmland

Posted in Illinois, RV Parks, WildflowersTagged , , 2 Comments

Day 7: Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Kamp Komfort RV Park, Carlock, Illinois Site 14. 383 miles traveled. Crossed into Central Time Zone.

The scenery in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois was totally different from the mountains we saw yesterday and the roads were mostly straight instead of the curvy, mountain roads. The only time we weren’t surrounded by farmland was while we were on the bypass around Dayton and while it rained on us going around Indianapolis.  Many of the fields have been recently planted so we couldn’t tell what crops will be growing soon. In some places we could see then tiny sprouts jutting up through the rich, dark soil.

This old barn is located just down the road from the campground
We drove through Indiana
Entering Illinois
Kamp Komfort is located on this country road
Flag on a mailbox in Carlock, I
The campground is across the street from this field – notice the windmills in the distance
Our home for the night after a long day driving
Our view out the back window
These wildflowers formed hedges surrounding the campground

Day 1 – First Day on the Road to Alaska

Posted in North Carolina, RV Parks, RVing, WildflowersTagged 5 Comments
Leaving Lil Tybee
Hitched up and ready to go!

Our first day on the road started out great. We got everything packed up, hooked up the the RV and were on our way at 9:04 am. Our hopes for an easy, relaxing day were soon squashed.

Shortly after we turned east onto I-20 I tried to call the park where we wanted to spend the night. A guy named Steve answered the phone. No, this wasn’t the number for the park. I Googled the park on my phone and every web site listed the phone number that I had called. Very strange. We decided to go somewhere else.

We were getting ready to pull off the interstate for lunch when Henry saw that one of his sensors indicated there was water in the diesel. Luckily there was a GMC dealer at the exit and they were able to work on it. We unhitched the RV on the side of the road by the dealer and Henry drove the truck into the service department. After about an hour and a half and about $400 dollars we were on our way again.

Our unexpected stop at the dealer caused us to travel through Charlotte, NC right in the middle of rush hour. Most of you know how much we try to avoid going through cities when traffic is bad.

Wildflowers in the woods
Statesville KOA Site H10
Blondie was in heaven chasing her ball
View out our back window
Wildflowers
Our campground was surrounded by woods

All ended well. We arrived at the KOA in Statesville, NC around 5:00. We were able to relax for a little while before dinner. Blondie is happy – there is a fenced in doggie play area so she can run off leash!

Day 1: 278 miles traveled