THE SHAKE DOWN TRIP

7/29/2016

We got the motorhome stocked up and headed out from the house around 4:30 PM. Mental note; don’t leave during rush hour again. Traffic wasn’t too bad by Alaskan standards after we got through Big Lake. There were a couple construction sites where they’re building bridges over railroad crossings, but only a small delay. The pups didn’t like it when a flagman from one of the construction sites approached the motorhome to let us know we had a 10 minute wait for a pilot car.  We hit rain about Talkitna all the way to where we decided to camp. It was heavy at first but then a drizzle. The pups handled the trip well. We only stopped twice for potty breaks.

We found a nice spot about 10 miles into the Denali Highway from Cantwell along a small lake. The sign said Cantwell Former Village Lands. I’ll have to research that when we get home. There is no internet or cell phone service along here. First things first, level the motorhome. It was fun doing that in a drizzling rain and there was much mud because it was raining here for a while. The pups were impatient also. They wanted out to explore. I need to fix up a better dog run for them so they don’t tangle each other up. Joy and Cooper were into eating a little, but Macy said she’d pass. After making sure all the potty breaks were over, it was time to get ready for bed.

Cooper decided the dining area bunk was his along with an afghan my mom made years ago. Macy and Joy said Dave’s bed looks best for them. Macy dug her way under the covers and Joy wanted one of my pillows, but I changed her mind. A good night’s sleep it was.

7/30/2016

It had rained heavy during the night, but everything looked fine. Potty time for the pups and they didn’t waste any time. It’s now coffee time (A thank you to Jim & Nancy for my favorite machine). I turned the heater and hot water heater on so I can shower. Yes, I’m a wuse when it comes to camping and I must have a shower and be warm. I had my coffee and the pups had their breakfast while we waited, or should I say I waited for the water to heat up.

Shower is done and afterwards it was funny. At home, Cooper gets excited after I get out of the shower because he knows it is walk time. Even camping I have to tell him to hold on because I need to finish dressing. We only went for a short walk, but Cooper got his fix. Where we were, there were Posted signs all around. No, there’s no one around to say anything, but I do respect other property owner’s wishes.

We broke camp and headed further up the highway. Its cracks me up how they post a 55 mph speed limit but online they recommend going 25-35 mph. The road is only paved for a short distance and then it’s all gravel. We did the online recommendation but there were several that didn’t like their vehicles and went the posted speed. There is very, very light traffic. There’s no problem just stopping in your side of the road to take some photographs. The scenery is awesome! Why I never traveled this road before I’ll never know.

We went to about mile marker 100, which is 100 miles from Paxton. We turned around to about mile 98 and found a very nice camp spot off the road that we could get into. We leveled the motorhome (I need to name this rig) and I tied the dogs out. I don’t trust them not rambling off while I finish setting camp. I got the popup canopy up and got my Fred Meyer on sale $9.99 camp chairs out. I’ll be buying new ones before I go out again. I made lunch and gave the pups some cheese as treats for being so good. It’s still overcast, so I figured we go take a nap. Macy and Joy in the bed and Cooper on the diner area bunk.

Wow, what a nap. It got a little chilly so I grabbed a blanket and both pups crawled under and went back to sleep. I haven’t slept that good in some time. Here’s hoping I do tonight.

Now it’s time for a real walk. All three were excited and as usual, Cooper takes the lead. All was good until a squirrel crossed the road ahead. For the next ¼ mile they were looking for that squirrel.  We had a good walk. Several cars passed and everyone waved as they went by. One gentleman who looked like a member of ZZ Top slowed and leaned out the window of his U-Haul van and waved and said hello as he went by. I said hello, but the pups looked at him like he was a little off bubble.

It’s back to camp for some dinner. Joy ate right away as usual. She’s a good eater. Macy wasn’t that hungry but Cooper ate about half. You can look at my pups and see they’re well fed, so when one or two don’t eat much, there’s no concern. And for me, it’s chicken and rice because I’m well fed also.

There’s no radio reception, so my music from my IPhone was playing. Uriah Heep, Led Zeppelin, Emerson Lake & Palmer and others now known as Golden Oldies, I thought of a friend of mine from long ago.  Mike and I had talked about going to Alaska back in the late 1970’s and traveling all over for the summer. We were in our twenties and adventure was in our blood. We had camped together many, many times and were even in the Boy Scouts together. That never came about. Mike drowned on a canoeing trip that I was supposed to go on, but had to back out at the last minute due to work. Where ever he is, I hope he knows he’s in my thoughts on this trip. It’s been over 35 years and I still think of him with a smile on my face.

We’re gearing down for bed. Alaskan Summer Ale for me and some fat free puperoni treats for the pups. It’s awesomely quiet here. It’s still overcast, so the photography isn’t that great, but we’re still having an awesome time. The pups are asleep now.

 7/31/2016

Five o’clock came early. Joy had to go potty and as a friend of mine calls it, the puppy parade started. It’s a little chilly this morning so when the parade was over, I cranked up the generator and turned on the heat and started the coffee. The pups got breakfast which Macy and Joy ate. Cooper usually waits a while. I got a treat for them in a little bit anyways. Now they go back to sleep and I’m wide awake.

I had a strange dream last night. I usually don’t remember most of the ones I have, but this one strikes me rather funny, so I figured I share. A nice woman I know said she didn’t like my goatee and mustache. So I went to the motorhome and shaved off my goatee and trimmed my mustache. Not the normal trimmed short version, but the old time pencil version. You know, like the villain has who ties Penelope Pittstop to the railroad tracks mustache.  I don’t know if she was impressed or not, it never got that far. I’ve had a mustache since I was in my early twenties. The goatee I’ve had almost three years.  I get a haircut the first week of every month. Susan is my barber. She goes around my head with a #3 clipper and then trims my facial hair. She’s one of a few women I have let trim my mustache and she does a fine job. I never tell her how to trim anything or check it in the mirror when she’s done. I would figure she wouldn’t let me leave if she hadn’t done a good job. I’ll tell her about this dream, but only after she’s done.

It’s drizzly and cloudy today, so I doubt I get much photography in. I’m glad I broke down camp last night. We’re going to hang loose and enjoy the nature and then head out about noonish.

And that is what we did. It started raining as soon as we left camp and rained almost all the way to Willow. We stopped and bought gas in Cantwell for $3.31 a gallon. That’s about $.85 cents more than in Wasilla. From there we drove straight through to home. With the rain there was no need to stop and the pups slept most of the way.

All in all a good shake down trip. It’s that time of year where we’re going to get rain, especially in the Denali area. I figured out some other supplies that will make things easier and some ideas for a better setup, but all in all a good trip. Can’t wait for the next one.