ALASKA W/O THE RV

Since driving to Alaska is out for us we decided a nephew's wedding was an opportunity we could not pass up. We flew to Anchorage rented a van and headed for Girdwood where the wedding was to be held.

So we headed down the Seward Hwy (AK-1) where we had rented a house for a couple of days. The wedding was held at Crow Creek Mine.

The Day before the wedding we headed up to the top of Alyeska Ski Resort on the tram.

The day after the wedding we took a Cruise on Prince William Sound to check out the glaciers.

Leaving Whittier Harbor

Surprise Glacier

The next day we turned in the rental van and took the bus to Talkeetna.

Had lunch at the ROADHOUSE

Stayed overnight in the Talkeetna Alaska Lodge and got a beautiful view of Mt. McKinley.

This mountain is not always available for viewing as it does produce its own weather. We were just really lucky.

Next it was on to Denali National Park and the Denali Bluffs Hotel.

To our delight we got to see some wildlife.

Momma Moose

Her baby

The gorgeous park views

Then it was time to head back to the Anchorage Airport on the Alaska Railroad.

We left Alaska at 2:40am on Sunday Morning and arrived home by 10:00am. We were exhausted but overall it was a great trip. What a beautiful State.

OUR FIRST BIG TRIP SINCE CANCER REMISSION

After a year of dealing with CANCER treatment and making it into remission a new life has started for us.

As you will recall we bought a new smaller motor home last year in hopes of this day. 

We are on a three week trip from NV to AZ, NM, CO & back home. We are traveling with two other couples from our Good Sam group. On the schedule to see are the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert - Petrified Forest, Carlsbad Caverns, & a steam train trip in Durango, CO.

So to test us we have visited a Ford service center in Kingman, AZ to check out a check engine light, nothing found to stop our trip, we will follow up when we get home. Yes it is still on, but everything is running OK. Then as we pulled into Albuquerque, NM we blew a tire, the next day was Memorial Day with all tire stores closed we thought. We found a Firestone Tire Store open, bought 4 new rear tires, not my choice of tire, but no other choice unless we stay another day, and arrived very late in Carlsbad, NM to catch up with our travel companions. Despite these challenges we are having a great time and enjoying traveling with friends.

HINT:  You can click on a picture to make it larger.


Grand Canyon Train

On the Rim

Our Traveling Group

I will be uploading all our pictures On Picasa when we get home.

NEW RV - HITCH ITCH IS SETTING IN

2006 ITASCA CAMBRIA CLASS B+ 26'

Above it the new RV week pick up tomorrow. As I am not physically able to deal with the 5th wheel, Dam Cancer, we traded it in on the Class B+ that the wife feels comfortable driving. We both have cabin fever and Hitch Itch really bad. We will only be able to travel on extended weekends as medical appointments and  my cancer treatment schedule keep us close to home. This floor plan should work out for traveling and sight seeing. Workamping is now a thing of the past for us as I am unable to bend, twist or lift weight. Maybe we will still be able to do interpretive tours at light houses if I can build up my strength to climb the stairs.

TRAVEL PLANS FOR 2012 ON HOLD

For those who follow this blog we need to update you on our current situation.
Rick started having severe back pains in August 2011 when we were in Oregon.
When we finally got home in October he spent a lot of time going to doctors to figure out the problem.
While visiting the kids for Christmas he fractured his L1 vertebrae. By the time we returned home he could only walk with a walker. The doc ordered an MRI and the diagnosis was Cancer of the spine and pelvis.
So you see why all travel plans have been put on hold as we tackle this diagnosis head on. We still are not completely sure what type of cancer it is, but the Oncologist is leaning towards Multiple Myeloma. A cancer in the bone marrow that messes with the plasma cells. So radiation treatments to kill the present tumors and some type of chemotherapy to put it in remission. Because it has compromised his spine and weakened the bones he has to be very careful not to fall, bend or lift anything heavy. He has had the L1 compression fracture fixed with a Kyphoplasty procedure and the Oncologist is working on the back pain with steroids. So with the steroids and Percocet pain meds he is starting to rest more comfortably.
If you are interested in following the journey down the Cancer highway with us we post quite often on our Facebook, Rick Towner, page to help keep friends and family appraised of all the happenings and results.


Wish Rick a speedy recovery so we can get back on the road.

HECETA HEAD LIGHTHOUSE

I finally have a WiFi connection where I can update our travel blog. We are currently in Agness, OR on the Rogue River as Hosts. More on that later. 


This blog will bring you up to date on our Host/Interpreter adventures at Heceta Head Lighthouse, located 12 miles North of Florence, OR.  We were there for the month of August. The first 15 days we gave tours at the lighthouse before it was closed for a full restoration. We then spent the last half of the month as relief Camp Hosts at Carl G. Washburne State Park (where we had a site during our lighthouse duties). Our sight was dark due to lots of trees.  We didn't have cell or WiFi service, but did have satellite TV to entertain us.  We also enjoyed a visit from some friends from our Good Sam Chapter during our last week.


We really enjoyed this volunteer position as Host/Interpreters and will return to this lighthouse when the restoration is complete in about two years.

OUR HOME FOR AUGUST

CARL G. WASHBURNE STATE PARK

WE HAD THE PARTY/MEETING SITE WHICH ALSO GOT THE BEST SATELLITE RECEPTION

HECETA HEAD LIGHTHOUSE

THE TOUR ENTRANCE

THE WORK ROOM WHERE THE LIGHT KEEPER SPEND HIS SHIFT

HISTORY PICTURES

(CLICK ON PIC TO MAKE LARGER)

THE WEIGHT ROOM - BOTTOM OF TOWER

CIRCULAR STAIRS TO THE TOP

THE FIRST LANDING

THE WINDOW WILL BE REPLACE DURING RESTORATION

LIGHT KEEPERS UNIFORM & KEROSENE POT FOR LIGHTING THE WICK

SOME OF THE WATER DAMAGE TO BE REPAIRED DURING RESTORATION

ENTERING THE WATCH ROOM JUST BELOW THE LENS

THE VIEW EAST FROM THE WATCH ROOM WINDOW

THE CLOCKS WORK CABINET NOW WITH 1/4 HP MOTOR TO TURN THE LENS

PICTURES OF WHAT THE CLOCK WORKS LOOKED LIKE

DRAWING OF THE FIRST ORDER REVOLVING FRESNEL (FRAY-NEL) LENS   

LOOKING INSIDE THE LENS FROM THE WATCH ROOM

LOOKING INSIDE THE LENS

THE TOP OF THE LENS SUPPORTS

LOOKING OUT FROM THE LENS ROOM

THE DOOR TO THE CAT WALK TO CLEAN THE OUTSIDE WINDOWS

ONE OF THE VOLUNTEER HOST/INTERPRETERS 

CLEANING THE STAIRS AT THE END OF THE DAYS TOURS

SISTERS, OREGON

Sisters, Oregon, one of my favorite places to spend relaxation time. We are here for a week to recuperate and recover from a very stressful time at Bear Lake.

OUR SITE AT BEND/SISTERS GARDEN RV PARK

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL FULL SERVICE RV PARK

POOL, PUTTING COURSE, PLAY GROUND, HOT TUB