Way To Go Guys!!

A HUGE Congratulations to Chuck, Mike, and Tim.

What an accomplishment.

We are so proud of you!

Fun Pics

Almost there

Saying goodbye to Hyder

Mike found a new friend

We saw a lot of these signs. "YEAR ROUND", Really?

"I heard I could find "Meals on Wheels" over here somewhere? ~ Ted E. Bear

Got that right, not after 1700 miles!

A Few Late Posts

The guys have had some communications challenges. Tonight I've received posts that are late, but I think worthy of sharing because it captures what they have experienced and have been feeling. So, hopefully you can make sense of these and enjoy them for what they offer. Here we go:

Day 27

We are on our way home! Below is the final count of walking and riding for the entire trip. We left Hyder, Alaska, at 7:30 AM and ended the day in Smithers, BC, at 7:15 PM. 650 miles. The first hour we made 36 miles. That’s how mountainous it is. At the end we thought we were going to run out of gas. We were going from Prince George to McBride (approximately 94 miles). There was one gas station in between and the gas was $8.00 per gallon. They suggested we just get what we need to get to McBride which they said was 74 miles away. It turned out to be 94 miles away and we were close to running out. One gas gauge does not work on the motor home and the other is inaccurate!! The last tank of gas we figured we got about 3-4 MPG…guess it was the way the driver was driving (wasn’t me). The 10 gallons we put in at $8.00 per gallon gave us 7.2 MPG…better (I was driving). The normal price us here is about $5.60 per gallon and the further south we go the lower the price becomes. We quickly set up camp and tried to get football on the radio (Sirius) or my computer. We were somewhat successful and got to follow one game - A winner by the way!

One the way out of Hyder

We are in awe of the beauty

We hit the hay early and looking for a big day tomorrow. We were unable to communicate so we have to apologize for all the info and the pictures you haven’t received yet. They are amazing, however, agreed?

Day Walk Ride Total

(8/2 Sat.) 7.5 55 62.52 

(8/3 Sun.) 1 60 613 

(8/4 Mon.) 5 52 574 

(8/5 Tue) 4 14.8 18.85 

(8/6 Wed) 8 60 686 

(8/7 Thur) 8 47.1 55.17 

(8/8 Fri) 12.5 60.2 72.78 

(8/9 Sat) 28 35.2 63.29 

(8/10 Sun) 7 30 3710 

(8/11 Mon) 16 53.9 69.911 

(8/12 Tue) 4 57 6112 

(8/13 Wed) 18 50.4 68.413 

(8/14 Thur) 11 49.4 60.414 

(8/15 Fri) 14 61.1 75.115 

(8/16 Sat) 15 55 7016 

(8/17 Sun) 6 62.6 68.617 

(8/18 Mon) 16 60.2 76.218 

(8/19 Tue) 17 64 8119 

(8/20 Wed) 2 60.5 62.520 

(8/21 Thur) 11.5 50 61.521 

(8/22 Fri) 16.6 52.6 69.222 

(8/23 Sat) 2 75 7723 

(8/24 Sun) 7 80.6 87.624 

(8/25 Mon) 8 88.9 96.925 

(8/26 Tue) 10 72.4 82.426 

(8/27 Wed) 3 66 69

TOTAL 258.1 1473.9 1732

Day 26 
Good News:

No, GREAT NEWS! We are in Alaska!!!! Hyder, Alaska! I have to tell you this is beyond belief. I promise you that this is something like I’ve never seen before. Now, I know I’ve said that before (like in Jasper, and I meant it) but this is beyond a picture, beyond a description. It brought tears to my eyes. I can tell you this - if you take a vacation and come to Stewart, BC and Hyder, Alaska, you must drive up 37 and over on 37A and it will be the most incredible experience you’ll ever have. (check out the pictures)!

Bad News: 

Another accident/fall. We went out to where you view the bears eating the fish and I was walking along on some wood timbers and took a nose dive onto the asphalt parking lot, face first. My face got the worse of it, but both hands and one knee were also bleeding. I had onlookers that came forth to help. I was very fortunate that I missed my eye by fractions of an inch. Quite a bit of blood, and some ouches that will hurt more tomorrow. Maybe even a black eye? 

No pain, no gain!

More Good News: 

Today in Hyder we went 20 miles up a gravel road (awful) to see the Salmon Glacier (along with 20 more). It was the worse road trip in a long time. The 20 miles took 1 hour to complete. BUT it was worth it (see the pictures)

Even Better News: 

After the Glacier viewing we went back to the salmon stream where the bear frequent. It is run by the US National Parks. Turned out it cost $5 each to walk out the boardwalk down the stream. The ranger told us it was real iffy this late in the season that we’d see bear. We left and talked about it and Mike said if I was at the casino I’d make the $5 bet and not think twice. We went back to pay our way in and the ranger said “What is the Grace Fund?” We told him yes and low and behold he let us in free. We waited for awhile (with lots of other people) and then BOOM! someone called out BEAR! He was way down the stream. My camera wouldn’t pick him up, but sure enough he walked up the stream and I got some fabulous pictures of this huge grizzly eating salmon. WOW WOW WOW or how about OMG (better Paula?). Hopefully the pictures will tell the story better. My trip was complete. We got back to the campsite about 7:30 PM and we are getting to bed early and heading south tomorrow.

Not-So-Funny Story:

When we checked into an RV park in Hyder, Alaska, we asked the lady where the salmon stream was that the bears frequent? Told her we might just ride our bikes up there. She said, “NO NO NO NO! You will not do that...that’s called meals on wheels.”

We met another local who told us about Gordy who was eaten by a Grizzly several years ago. Said he was a cook across the street (seafood restaurant) and after cooking all day he left to go home (smelling like fish) and didn’t make it across the street. They have no police in Hyder so they had to call the game warden.

There was a wager made whether there’d be a Tim Horton’s and/or Subway in Stewart or Hyder. There was neither, nor was there any other kind of fast food. In fact there was one gas station in Stewart and none in Hyder. At the border there was a guard station going into Canada and everyone had to stop but NOTHING going into the USA. Hmmmmmmm, interesting.

PS: It’s COLD here and my body really hurts.

~Chuck


Day 22

What a Saturday. We had to hustle today - need to make tracks with Tim back in the saddle. He is finally health wise ok…obviously a 24 hour bug? Today the temperature was cold. When we went out to take off on our bikes we had to go back in and put on sweatshirts/jackets our caps, etc. before we took off. That’s a first for us (with the extra clothing). You can see us adorned in our cold weather gear in one of the pictures for today. WE will make Burns Lake today. The smoke and the hills/mountains are back. Hopefully the pictures will tell the story.

I want to update you on our physical condition: I’ll start with the worst - ME! 

Mike (AKA "Sleeping Beauty")

As you know I'm 66 and feel much closer to 86. My whole body aches, but let’s get to the specifics. My cut knee is healing nicely. I have a big scab about they size of a silver dollar and just as hard. My left should still hurts big time if I try to raise my left arm. Other than that it’s not bad. For some reason I don’t seem to have much strength in my fingers, I tried again to cut my fingernails with a fingernail clipper and can’t squeeze hard enough to cut them. Even tough cutting a fried egg this morning with a fork - can’t push hard enough. My right knee hurts after we’ve ridden over 20 miles in a day. My eczema is flaring and I want a MASSAGE IN THE WORSE WAY! Other than that I’m fine! Mike: He said he’s getting tired of the ride day in and day out. Starting to take a toll on him. Said his body is numb! Two nights ago he fell asleep at 8PM and slept until after 6AM. We know he was asleep cause we heard the snoring. He is the youngest of the group at 62 so he shouldn’t have too much to complain about.

Tim: He is the OLDEST of the group at 66 (one month older than me). He claims he’s getting stronger every day (other than his cold setback). He takes arthritis medicine and states that he could hardly walk 50 feet a couple years ago. I do have to say he’s one of the best dancers I’ve every seen (just kidding Nancy). 

Now let’s talk appearances: Tim: No change. Mike: A little slimmer in the middle.
They both shave and shower almost daily so no appearance changes or bad odors. Chuck: Slimmer (but I think you’ll still recognize me Sandi and kids). My beard is longer — maybe keep it this way? My hair is also longer: matts down during the night.

We met a guy yesterday, Jerry Woods, who stopped us on our bikes and asked where we were going, etc. He was a very nice guy and incredibly he is 76 years old and had triple by pass last summer and hopes to be climbing mountains next year. We told him we might go to Stewart. He said you have to see the grizzly bears down at the creek scooping the salmon out of the water. We said; really? He said yeah it’s incredible. That makes our decision much easier and I think we’ll head to Stewart and then over to Hyder, Alaska. If we see what he tells us we will for sure get pictures Mike said he’d even snuggle up close for a picture!

Special note: Monster Cookies. 

Mike and DEBBIE made 5 dozen monster cookies for our trip? These are made with oatmeal, M&M’s, corn syrup, butter, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and pasteurized milk. They are AWESOME! You can’t eat too many (the are monsters in size) and we STILL have a couple dozen left. Debbie, you may want to send the receipe. I strongly recommend and endorse them. Thanks DEBBIE (and Mike).

~Chuck

Driving Home - Day 28

Day 28

We just finished our 2nd day driving home. We went from McBride to Jasper and then we stopped and went to Tim Horton’s (free wifi) and tried to send emails. After 90 minutes we had only sent 10 emails with pictures out of 40. We had to get on the road so we took off with hopes of finding a spot tonight with better wifi. We headed south (a new route) and drove thru Banff National park thru the rockies. Beyond belief (again) as we went thru the mountains for 100 miles. We got a bunch of pictures that hopefully we can send. We are now just east of Calgary. Approximately 1200 miles from home. 

One thing we talked about today was what we’d try to remember if we had to do this over. How about the following that we don’t have: 

• toaster
• spatula
• thermometer
• Binoculars
• crock pot (that was Tim’s addition which I veto)
• clock
• better camera (telescopic). Well needed on this trip.
• Tim’s bike (his wife, Nancy, told him to bring it. He didn’t)
• Our wives

What we remembered that was critical: Your prayers for us! I only took 4 falls (all bad) but still walking. Miraculously. Mike hasn’t fallen or had any accidents - A MIRACLE! Today it rained ALL day! Incredible how we missed 99% of that weather. We hope to be home in 2.5 to 3 more days! We are ready!

PS: Part of that once in a lifetime vacation you must go to Stewart/Hyder! In addition you have to drive thru Calgary and up thru Banff National Park (thru the Rockies). You won’t believe anything could be better than that until you get to Stewart, BC, and Hyder, AK.
We have quite a slide show to play which we will at the "Party of the Century" prior to the White Sidewalls playing. You are in for a treat!

Love you all and God bless. Keep praying till we get home.

Chuck & Mike

THEY MADE IT!!!

Woo Hoo the guys DID IT! They made it to Hyder, Alaska!!
(insert fireworks, confetti, balloons, and marching bands here). WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They actually made it there as planned, in on piece, no major mishaps or obstacles, in less than one month. Truly amazing. I have to say I'm very impressed. What a fantastic accomplishment. A HUGE congratulations from all of us back in Luck, WI and beyond.

Chuck sent me these pics but I have yet to get his blog post, so I apologize for lack of details at the moment (I'm sure I will receive them tonight sometime). They are probably out celebrating, and who could blame them. In fact, I really hope they are. They deserve to relish in every bit of their moment...and what a beautiful place to do it, too.

Downtown Hyder, Alaska

WE DID IT!!

Bad omen? He showed up just before I took a digger ~ Chuck

Hyder harbor

Hyder harbor

More Hyder harbor...

The rock slide we came upon.

This one had Mike's name on it...(look closely). Poor Mike.

Salmon Glacier

More of Salmon Glacier

Big 'ol Grizzly looking for fish

"I'm looking for a man named Chuck, have you seen him"? ~ Ted E. Bear

"Sorry, my name is Boo Boo. Yogi will be here shortly" ~ Boo Boo

Approaching the End - Day 27

Hi everyone, I haven't heard from Chuck since Tuesday. I've only received three pictures - two of glaciers and one that leads me to believe it's the road into Alaska. I heard a rumor they made it already, but you know how rumors go. Until I hear from them myself, I'm not going to post this as fact. The pics came with little details, so I'll share with you what I have. In case some are still wondering, the men decided to go to Stewart, BC (which is on the Canada-US border) instead of Prince Rupert. It made for easier AK entry.

In awe of the beauty!

Here we go!

Approaching Stewart

Day 25 and Finally Rain!

DAY 25!

Guess what? It’s raining out this morning. Let’s hope by the time we take off it will have stopped. 

It rained all night. We finally took off about 8:30 AM as it had let up. We made it about 8 miles and it started sprinkling (or is that sprinklering Sandi?). It got a little harder and we finally had to seek shelter under a tree at about 11 miles. My head and heart are no longer swollen. The rest of the day continued in the same fashion . Not a down pour but hard sprinkles enough to make us stop and take shelter. Fortunately today Tim followed us in the motor home so-to-speak and we were always close enough to catch up and seek shelter there. We realize how fortunate we’ve been. If we would have had weather like this off and on throughout the trip we’d probably be back in Edmonton! Ouch.

As long as we're talking about rain, let’s talk again about trains. Mike counted one with 151 cars (he’s been going nuts since I counted one with more than he had counted). He wins! About time he won something!?

GOOD NEWS: We made 82 miles today and we have only about 70 to go tomorrow to reach Stewart. It looks very mountainous however. We’ll see. WE ARE SUPER EXCITED. And, we are told Hyder is a community of old hippies so we might just fit right in!? (at least Tim and Mike will).  We are also anxious to see if we can see Grizzlies getting salmon in the river. Mike says they probably aren’t there now...what a naysayer.

COMMUNICATION: Jim Larson saved the day. Tim Bradwell knew Jim as a computer expert and a customer and suggested I call him with my communication/computer problems (which were serious). Anyhow, spending almost 30 minutes on the phone with Jim as I tried (sitting in McDonald's) to get my computer to communicate. Trying to do this over the phone really makes it tough. Jim came through and somehow by the end I was communicating again. If you need an expert call Jim. My HERO!

We’ve learned that as we draw closer to Stewart and Alaska communication is going to be even tougher...so if there’s a black out period that’s why.

HOME: Our trip home might be just as adventurous as the trip out as we are going back to Jasper and then south to Calgary and into the states. That’s lots of mountains and I hope this old buggy can make that. If not we will hang our hopes on Tim "Mr. Fixit" Bradwell to come to the rescue.

~Chuck

We are in the mountains again!

Downhill is good.

What a view!

I'm always ahead of Mike

We could not ride this road.

Beautiful.

Here we go!