September 11, 2024 Back in J-Town

The Alaskan Fireweed

Early on in our journey we noticed fireweed.  Its name comes from its ability  to mass produce on recently burned over areas (due to its deep roots that escape fire).  Its seeds stay in the soil and are viable for years so the next time a fire burns over the area and sunlight is restored to the forest floor, fireweed appears once again.  We learned the flowering stem blooms from the bottom and works its way up the stalk.  When the topmost flowers bloom, winter is less than six weeks away.

"When fireweed turns to cotton, summer will soon be forgotten." 

13,093 miles later and like the fireweed our amazing journey has come to an end.  UNLIKE the fireweed, our summer and the memories will never be forgotten! 

                                                                                   

 

September 10, 2024 Arrival in the O-State

    

         

                                           

September 4,5,6,7,8,9-2024 LOTS of miles traveling

Our eastward journey has its own beauty! 

                    MONTANA - NORTH DAKOTA - MINNESOTA - WISCONSIN - MICHIGAN 

                                                                                         

September 3, 2024 OUR JOURNEY CONTINUES

 The compass is pointed east.

                                                                

August 29,30,31 September 1,2 - 2024 Northwestern United States

424 miles traveled.  We enjoyed our last 3 hikes on this adventure. A 5.5 mile hike in the Enchanted Forest in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.  Crossed the creek on a bridge this time and NO mosquitos!  Bigfork, Montana found us in the Flathead National Forest, hiking 6 miles including an elevation gain of 1,260 feet taking us to 7,000 foot elevation.  No mountain goats, just patches of snow and beautiful Alpine Forest!  Our 7 mile hike was in Kalispell, Montana at a county park.  Lots of gradual inclines, sunny and dry.  Our legs are ready for a rest and maybe some BioFreeze too!

                                                                                  

         

August 23,24,25,26,27,28 - 2024 British Columbia

1503 km traveled (we're in Canada now) 933 miles. As we travel through Canada we laugh when we use our Monopoly money! (yes, we love our Canadian friends) Gee, as we continue to enjoy every bit of scenery along our journey, we stumbled upon wine country. Oh darn. Guess where we've been hanging out for 4 days?  

                                                                                         

 

August 19, 20, 21, 22 - 2024 from Haines to Hyder, Alaska

These last days we have traveled 895 miles to an amazing little town called Hyder, Alaska with a  population of 12!  Their numbers may be small, but they pack a big punch!  Rick and a fellow traveler became Hyderized by the Glacier Inn.  It's a 151 proof mystery shot that you can not smell or taste prior, just throw your head back. Whew!  Hope you enjoy the images below as much as we did. This was our last town to visit in this magical state of ALASKA and it certainly did not disappoint!                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                   

Salmon Glacier