Tundy, house and beetle build thread...and exploring.

I don't particularly like fish.

 

Me either lol

 

Any idea if a social security card will manage?

 

Best bet would be to call... Or better yet, email so you can print out the response.

I also had an inventory of the truck (which they ignored) and screenshot of bank account (if i didn't have service) but my case was a little different. They don't want us nasty Americans coming across and getting stuck up here.


I made it up to grand prarie, escaping the nasty fire smoke that started to annoy my eyes. The scenic route so far is scenic oil rigs, and tons of trucks on a 2 lane road... So I'm making good time. It's more rolling hills, not much to stop and photograph like all the smoke covered mountains i left behind.

 

I'd be going to Winnipeg so not scenic by any means. I'll try to find a number to call tomorrow, thanks homie

 

Wife and I are still a while out from hitting the road, but I do have a question for you since I'm sure you have gone through it.

Once you become "homeless", against what address do you have your truck registered? Same with mail, where do you have your mail going?

 

I left it registered at my last address... Where I still have contact with them if anything gets sent and not forwarded, but all addresses are forwarded to my parents.

 

I think it also depends on the border patrol agent too. Getting into Canada (driving with military orders from AK to WA) I was able to use orders, drivers license and military ID (which at the time was accepted). When I was getting back into the states at the Washington border, the dude was a complete dick. Said I HAVE to have a passport to which I told him and even brought it up online that if I'm traveling on military orders, what I have is acceptable. He went on to say that my military ID could be fake and that's why it's normally not accepted but he'll make an exception... yeah ok man. Canadians were more excepting with letting me pass through their country than this dick hole was letting me back into my own.

 

That's what I don't want to happen. I've read that so long as you are a US citizen a birth certificate and state issued ID are sufficient if a passport is not provided. I just want some beer, fries and gravy, eh. Shut up and take my money eh.

 

Poutine eh! Haven't tried it, guess I'll have to at some point.

 

When you renew your passport you can get an optional "North America" card for some extra coin. Its a pass to go from Canada to Mexico with very little hassle.

 

Big sky Canada eh

 

While I've got service I knocked out another two updates. I only have 1/2 GB per day of tethering while international... it lasted to upload the pictures, now linking and posting is at turtle speed. This one is done, I'll try for the second one as well.


Big Skies


I was in the Banff/Jasper area for a few more days. When I saw that there was a Bridal Veil Falls here (like the one in SW Colorado), I figured I would check it out. The pull out is right along the main highway, and you can see the falls from there. The hike to view those falls do get you a little closer, but they also lead you to a more impressive, and unmarked Panther Falls.


You can hike to the bottom of the Panther Falls, as well as climb behind them and access the top from just behind trees next to the parking area. All of the viewpoints are awesome, giving you different views. You can get soaked from the mist at the bottom, feel the power from behind the falls and see the potholes and churn your stomach by leaning over the rocks to see it fall over the edge. There were also climbing routes next to the middle section of the falls that would’ve been sweet!














From there I continued north to the Athabasca Glacier. You can walk up to near the base of the glacier, and see other glaciers in the same area. It’s a pretty touristy area with lots of people, you can take guided hikes on the glacier as well as ride in the busses that drive up on the glacier.





I went with the cheaper entertainment of balancing rocks.





The next day was a rainy day… all day. As well as still being pretty well smokey as far as the eyes could see. There was another big waterfall as you get closer to Jasper.









Once in Jasper, it was time for a few quick groceries. The swim center/hot tub didn’t have hot water, so the nice warm hot tub after a long cold day would have to wait. I checked out the two brothers totem pole. It is a replacement for the original that stood there for decades.





Maligne Canyon is not far outside of the center of Jasper. It is a very deep canyon that you can walk along, and across on a series of bridges. At some points the canyon is 150 feet deep (or some more meters). I’m still trying to get used to all the different units that are used here...and the rest of the world. Some of the parts of the canyon look like they’d be fun; if you survived.

 

Big Skies continued


Hinton is a smaller city that is an hour east of Jasper. It was the closest camping to the east and I explored around a little. I found this little gem behind some stores. I think it must be along a walkway or something since it looks like it was parked there for a reason. It sure puts my little Tacoma in its place. The engine was nearly the same size as the Tacoma.





The Beaver Boardwalk is the highest rated thing to do in Hinton, and although the Beavers were mostly hiding, its a nice walk. There are a TON of interlinking trails that connect to the boardwalk. The sign at the beginning that warned that the area was used by most of the larger animals in the area seemed to be pretty correct since there were tracks all over the place.


After two days in the area, my eyes were hurting from the smoke so it was time to drive north in hopes of escaping it. The scenic route north from Hinton starts out relatively boring (especially after just leaving the massive roadside mountains of Banff/Jasper), but it gets better as you gain some distance. The majority of it is natural gas land/trucks/rigs, but it turns into rolling hills with mountains to the west. Along the way there is a portion of the Old Alaska Highway which includes the wooden Kiskatinaw Curved Bridge





The views are beautiful and go on forever. Thankfully by this time the skies were clear again and I was able to see and enjoy these views.





I saw an unmarked short road that led to a lake as I sped past. I turned around and found a gorgeous lake that was inhabited by a few beavers. I was able to watch the sun go down while chatting with a local who was also hanging out at the lake. The views were awesome, and the lake was like glass, other than the beavers swimming around. I wanted to stay up for star pictures but as usual, the mosquitoes chased me into the truck, and after a bit of reading, I was ready to call it a day.












I made huge progress to the next camp stop! Just kidding, maybe 10 minutes down the road I went to check out the river, which you could drive out onto. It was a nice spot, not many people and I figured I could get some little stuff done (like write this and edit pictures). I also wanted to make sure I had a panoramic view (not blocked by trees) since there was a higher percentage of seeing the northern lights overnight. Although now its forecast to be cloudy until the middle of the night, so I might go to sleep early and set an alarm.


From here, I’ll begin to head northwest, I have a hot springs or two on my list and I definitely need to swing by Dawson City before I get into Alaska. Theres a strange club I’ve always wanted to join!




Until next time, peace out!

 

Lots of Colorado representation at the Sign Forest in the Yukon!

You'll have to wait for a picture since its been trying to load on the forum for a few minutes now.

Watson Lake, Yukon!

 

They exist! Just got back in the truck after about 40 minutes in the windy 10 degree weather in not appropriate attire.

The lights were dancing around pretty dang fast, very strange things. I am next to the international (it's gotta fly to Alaska at least) airport so there's a bit of light pollution (Canada standards) but that did help ease my fears of romping around in the pitch black in grizzly country.... That they would be able to fly my remains out quickly if there was an angry critter in the bush near where i was photographing.

 

Even though I'm way the hell up here... There's still 30 hours of driving to get to prudhoe bay.

But that's a better place for aurora pictures!

 

Lots of Defenders cruising around... Got me thinking.


I stopped in Teslin to make some lunch, marinate a steak for dinner and see if there's anywhere near here i can see the salmon run... And the grizzlies eat them.

 

Forgot I didn't mention what it was... Since it was so tasty. Filet, zucchini and loaded potatoes.

 

Looks hella good