Fort Nelsen, BC.

Gerry and I await the arrival of the rest of the caravan in Fort Nelsen, BC, at the 5th Wheel RV park. This was an overnight stay and you can get an idea of the conditions most apparent at this park.

Gary explaining special needs for raising buffalo, interesting facts about them, and telling us the names of his bulls. They were very impressive when viewed this close from a hay wagon.

Dellene giving a narrative about the ranch and what they do to keep going. They turned to Agri-tourism when the markets for beef dwindled to the point of negative profit. The ranch sits on 1200 beatiful acres and was a real treat to tour.

A look up Main Street at the Heritage Park in Calgary, Alberta.

Located in the heart of the park is the Wainwright Hotel. A period hotel that shows what a tourist might haver looked forward to in this posh (for the day) inn. We arrived just prior to the park's closing (we were late getting here) and did not get to look inside. However, views through the windows showed a hotel that might stiff offer a weary traveler comfort even by today's standards.

06/19/05. Heritage Park boasts a rather large Canadian Pacific inventory of train engines, period pullman cars, and other rail associated displays.

This paddle wheeler, the S.S. Moyie, was originally delivered to the north west territories to operate during the gold rush. Time was not their side though, and the gold rush died out just as the steamer was finally constructed. It finished out its time working the coal trade and now gives tourists a ride around the lake. The boat was not in operation this day due to recent flooding which had dumped a lot of debris into the lake.

One of the first items you come across in the park is this vintage rail that takes you around the perimeter letting you get on or off at several points.

06/19/05. Entering the Heritage Park we are struck by the old north west territories style fort facade. A $13 CAN admission fee allowed us into a little theme park that emphasizes the look and feel of the old west.

06/19/05. The rain has cleared revealing a marvelous day and a nice, though still a bit damp, campground. We started out mid morning headed for a good lunch and then on to the Calgary Heritage Park.

06/18/05. Here is a picture of the actual jump site where the buffalo were stampeded over the cliffs. This practice is dated back at least 6,000 years and continued until the introduction of horses and later, guns. After completing this site, the caravan continued onto Calgary, arriving in, of course, the rain. As I write, the rain has stopped and we may see a fine clear day tomorrow.

06/18/05. The second stop of the day was the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump center. The center works to keep alive the history of the Napi Native American peoples. This site was one of many used by the Napi and other First Nation Tribes stampeded buffalo over the cliffs for a big kill that could sustain the tribe for quite some time. A unique exhibit of native tool making and life on the Canadian plains.

06/18/05. Here part of the SMART bunch (including Christa and Mom) stand in front of the entrance to the Ft Macleod Museum.

06/18/05. Today found us back on the road continuing toward Calgary. The caravan did take a couple of short detours for attractions. The first was the City of Ft Macleod and the Ft Macleod Museum, the original fort from the beginning days of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

06/17/05. This evening was spent at the Bridge ViwRV Park in Lethbridge, AB. As is our luck, we have rain following us. The park had been under water just a week earlier and only brought power back online 2 days ago. The park had been working their tails off to bring it back to working order when this rain hit again. Subtract all the mud and I believe this is a really nice park situated on the banks of the Old Man River.

After we got through the customs crossing, we pulled over to the visitor center about 6 miles up the road. We were very pleased to find an interactive museum depicting the dinosaur past of the region as well as some data on the First Nation tribes of the area.

06/17/05. 1235 PM. Made the crossing and it only took 1 1/2 hours. Largely in part to having only one lane open. At the end of the hour long wait to get to the gate, we were invited in to a more personal conversation with immigration. No problems and the agents were polite all the way although one of the other caravaners had a gun permit on file (don't ask me what file), they searched pretty hard to find the gun even though he told them he didn't bring it on this trip.

06/17/05. Crossing the border into Canada. First time for us, so this makes another first for the Howze crew.

06/16/05. Vehicle Inspections

Today was a last minute day for everyone to get shopping done and take care of last minute preps. Additionally, Ed came around and performed vehicle inspections. Smooth like a military operation should be. Later tonight we will have another briefing to answer any questions folks might have over info passed out last night. Tomorrow, we hit the road and should enter Canada around midday.

Ed going over the "RED BOOK," the club guide with driving directions, trip hints, matching data points to the MILEPOST magazine, trip stages, etc. Very well put together.

Wagon Master for the SMART Alaska Caravan, Jerry Pate, sharing insights from previous caravans. Had many experiences to provide us newbies with.

6/15/05. Asst Wagon Master Ed Pate putting out the "skinny" on traveling through Canada and Alaska. This was our first official meeting as a group.

06/15/05. Met with SMART club for briefing.

Today we met as a group for the first trip briefing. Well thought out. Gerry and Ed had their stuff together and were enlightening with various important informations needed for the trip. A pot luck supper and social followed after the briefing and was a great ice breaker. Good food and good company.

06/11/05. And here is the picture of Old Faithful. Pretty neat, but the other sites within the park are just as or more so impressive as this display. Lots of animal life, geologic formations, and numerous fumerols and geysers throughout the whole park. Was not dissapointed in one of the nations top destination parks.

No visit to Yellowstone is complete without a trip to Old Faithful. Here Christa and I are posing prior to going and waiting about 45 minutes before the geyser blew.

This is one of the thermal pools in Yellowstone. Though the pool has a cool inviting look, the water is highly sulphuric and hot. Stinky, too.

06/11/05. Here, Mom is standing in front of the Firehole Cascades. Pretty impressive.

06/11/05. While in Bozeman, Mom, Christa and myself decided to make a day trip of Yellowstone Park. This arch was buil in 1904. The day trip was a full day - 11 hours.

Here, we are watching the Street Stock Racers make the laps. We were so close to the track we were continuously pelted by the dirt clods flying off the track. Super Stock raced as well that night, so it was a pretty fun filled event.

06/10/05. Another big event was at the Bozeman Speedway where Blair volunteers his time and four wheel drive bronco to act as a pusher for Sprinter class racers. Allowed us to be down in the pits with the racers and was pretty exciting.

And, of course, got to get a pic in of the athlete striking an appropriate pose. For which sport I'm not sure, but given the nature of pro-sports today, maybe this is a good mix. Ryan, make sure you keep that elbow up at the plate as well. The only person I didn't get a photo of was Morgan, I just didn't have the camera with me at all times. Sorry.

Another member of the family is my niece, Jamie. I took a couple of photos and told her I was going to publish. Of course she was instantly motified and made me promise to use the 'solemn' picture. Well, it was a hard choice over the one I had with a pretty little smile, but I figured I better keep to the agreement. See ya Jamie.

When we arrived at Bozeman, I immediately was invited to whatch my nephew, Ryan, play some little league. He looked pretty sharp out there. Pictured here are my brother doing practice swings with the leaguers. Next to him are my sis-in-law, Glenda, and my nephew, Ryan. Good to check out the little leagues again.

06/05/05. That night we stayed at the relatively new RV park '7th Cavalry RV Park' in Garyowen, MT. Great little park with excellent views. The park is just 5 miles down from the Little Bighorn Battlefield. We did not have enough time to check this site out as we had delayed to long at Devils Tower. The only down side to the park is the county maintained dirt road going into the park. Really picked up some dust on that one, but the park is first rate.

My best shot of Devils Tower. Man, this is a place to see, it just pops straight up almost. More impressive is the fact that people regularly climb this mount. June the climbers are asked (strongly encouraged) to abstain from climbing as Native American tribes hold spiritual ceremonies during this time.

06/05/05. On the road to Bozeman, MT, to see my brother and his family, we had to take the detour and check-out Devils Tower in Wyoming. Worth the extra time. I might add, that the Family Restaurant just down the road less than a mile (south west of tower) was a real treat and served up some really good burgers and sandwiches. I recommend them for a hunger stop.

06/04/05. Getting off the tour bus, we got a welcome from local constables interested in our "doin's." Added a real flare to the town experience.

While in Deadwood we had to check out Wild Bill Hickcock's final resting place (yes, he is perported to actually being resting here). Interesting note; as a child, he had a protruding upper lip which is the reason he wore a mustache his whole life, and is partly responsible for his nickname of Wild Bill. Apparently, children being what they are had named him Duck Bill because of this protruding lip, but as he grew older, it became readily apparent that he would be a rather large man by then standards. Over 6 feet tall. After several "discussions" about his old nickname, the monicker changed to Wild Bill. Ain't history fun. At least history as dished out by the local tour guide.

06/03/05. Made it to Deadwood, SD. Interesting little Ex-goldtown now a gold town of a different sort - gambling.

06/14/05. The Alaska Adventure begins.

Today we left Bozeman and arrived at Dick's RV Resort in Great Falls, MT. Tomorrow, we will meet with our fellow Special Military Active and Retired Travel (S.M.A.R.T.) Club. We're real excited to get this portion of the trip under way. Met with the Wagon Masters Jerry Pape and his wife Donna, and his assistant Wagon Masters Ed Pape and his wife Kathy. Nice folks.

06/03/05. The helo ride provided a different look than we could get through the visitor center, though the cost is a little bit more (haha). Tomorrow, we head out for Sturgis, Deadwood, and Spearfish Canyon. We really loved the Rapid City area for all that there was to see and do, whether you have a family or not, this is a place to visit.

Another treat for us was the helicopter ride we took. This little outfit, "Black Hills Arial Adventures," proveded an up close view of the Crazy Horse Monument being constructed. Great ride and a good pilot.

06/03/05. We saved the best for last. Christa really wanted to see the Rushmore monument. Here a fellow tourist assisted with the traditional group shot to show we were here. Fantastic site, truly worth the trip. The Monument was, of course, the reason for coming here.

06/02/05. Christa eturned from Florida today after a day's delay due to weather trying to get out of Tallahassee. I had to take her out to the edge of the Lazy J RV park we had moved to to show her why I opted for a different park then where we were originally at.

06/01/05. One of the main sights to see is the large herds of north american bison. Here a group were gathered around the road side. You could almost reach out and touch them. A couple of bikers in front of us found this situation to be a bit intimidating.

06/01/03. Another must see in the area is Custer State Park. Beautiful. You just have to dive through to check this out.

06/01/05. The most enjoyable part of the entire park was the baby bear exhibit. These guys played, tussled, and frolicked the whole time we were there. Sat there for an hour just watching these cute little fellas.

06/01/05. Another really great attraction to the area is Bear Country USA. This drive through park lets you get up close and personal with wolves, big horn and dall sheep, mountain goats, bison, and about 250+ bears. A real treat.

Some kept him on his toes. Here he had one piece left and these fellows wanted their share.

Although there were several other shows offered, this was the winner. The trainer pictured had a hungry bunch of gators and crocs on hand and handled these guys pretty well. The photo only shows a representative of the number of inhabitants in the enclosure (around 40 if I had to guess).

06/01/05. Inside the solarium, one can find many beautiful birds, orchids and other plants, lizards and snakes (Boas actually) all loose in this controlled environ.

06/01/05. The next stop was the Reptile World attraction. Family owned, this interesting amusement featured rare and exotic birds, insects, plants, and of course, reptiles.

5/1/05. The entrance to the right is the smaller 75 foot cave used by Sitting Bull and other native americans as a food locker. the temperature in the caves stays a cool 45 degrees year round. As stated, this is a vigorous tour with the initial descent being about a hundred feet to the vertical. A ladder broken into four sections with rest stops provides access. Most areas of the cave are only accessible by experienced cavers going in on their bellies.