Destination realized !!

What an awesome place, Telegraph Cove is.  Even with no phone service with Verizon, no tv and terrible internet.  The village was a logging and saltery hub when it was started and the owners are working so hard to maintain the integrity of the place.  They are constantly working on the buildings, which most of them are rentals for overnight guests.  So quaint.  Several restaurants, museum, store and a hub for whale watching, bear watching and sport fishing charters.  Really rustic.

Patti is away on business until the week-end so Marty and I went out in their boat to try our luck for salmon.  Bad luck.  We fished in the fog but caught nothing.  She took me around part of Johnstone Straight and showed me so many of the sights.  Caught 2 black cod for supper - boy, were they good - and she showed me how she feeds the bald eagles.  She catches non-sporting fish, whistles at the eagles up in the tree tops on the shore or on one of the islands and throws the fish out just a little ways from the boat.  I put the shutter speed on really fast and boy, did I catch some shots of the eagle swooping down on it's prey.  Hopefully, when Patti gets back, she can show me how her computer works and I can share some photos.

This coming Monday, I am going out on a fishing charter for halibut and salmon and what ever else wants my bait.  Tomorrow, I might get to go out again with a guide that just wants company.  Hope, hope.

The weather is still awesome - so nice and cool.  Don't give up on me on this blog.  I'm still working on getting more stuff out.  I really thought Verizon would work up here.  I was told today that they are coming but that doesn't do any good now.

Lost, but not for long

Jumping blueberries, Batman!!  I've never seen so many blueberry fields in my life, but then I've never seen a  blueberry field before - ever.  Took a while to figure out what they were.  Workers everywhere, with big-brimmed hats, picking this precious fruit.  Perfect climate for them.  Cool, moist, wonderful weather.  Making you in the desert feel worse?  Sorry, I'll try to behave.  Shortly after leaving the rv park just inside the border yesterday, there were fields of blueberries, hay -both grass and alfalfa, and lots of potatoes.  White blooms for white spuds and purple blooms for reds.
I did get lost; just a little.  I missed a sign for the BC Ferries.  Either I wasn't paying attention or the cataracts are messin' with me.  I found my way back on track and found the terminal.  BIG, BIG, BIG.  Cost me $269.00 one way and it was a 2 hour sailing.  The kids stayed in the trailer - not allowed up on the people decks.  I went up and got a cup of coffee and soaked in the sights.

The view from my rv park in Nanaimo is so sweet.  The streets are terraced so every spot has an ocean view.

This BC Ferry system is amazing.  Don't know how many of these giants there are but it must be big business.  So many ferries; so many employees and the darn things run to and from so many different places, 24 hours a day.  

I met a wonderful couple here at the park - Merv and Gail.  They have lived their entire lives on Vancouver Island.  Hey, it's a BIG island.  They have been married 40 years and never rv travel off of the island because, like I said, it's a big island and there is so much to see and do.   They have been to Fallon, believe it or not but their memory of Las Vegas, not so good.  They went to Las Vegas one year in August  to buy a car.  August,I tell ya.  EveryCanadian I have come in contact with have  been so friendly.  The out of country tourists; not so much.

I'm getting ready to pull out and head north for Telegraph Cove.  Hope I have internet up there.  This park has allowed me to post from here.  My MiFi isn't consistent.  We'll see what happens up there.

Hello, Canada

How does one not look nervous when they, indeed, are nervous?  That was me, standing with the puppies outside the Canadian customs office while 3 customs officers searched my truck and trailer.  They wouldn't even let me stay with the rig.  I had to stay far away by their office.  I just knew I was going to jail because I packed my favorite wine - 4 bottles of Me'nge 'a Trois.  I don't remember how many we are allowed, but worried, I was.  I even stopped in Washington at a fruit and veggie stand and bought fresh corn, squash, apples, apricots and "just arrived" Hermiston, Oregon cantelope.  We'll see if they are as good a melon as Fallon grows.   All of that, I was afraid they would take away or take me away for bringing it over the border.

Going through the Idaho panhandle yesterday, I really wanted to stop and take a picture of Lake Coeur d'Alene because it was so beautiful, but couldn't find a place to pull over.  I did find a history sign that was interesting.

Coming up to the Columbia River, the country was so dry but I couldn't help but remember last summer when Connie and I saw the headwaters of this huge river up in British Columbia south of Golden.

The Mighty Columbia River - Sure didn't look like this in Canada.

As I got closer to Seattle to get onto I-5, I could actually feel the moisture.  It was the neatest sensation.  I could smell it and feel it.  Didn't have to see the ocean to know it was near.

Down to the wire...

It's Friday morning, the 19th of July, and I'm sitting in Moses Lake, Washington.  Drinking my coffee with 2 pups in my lap, which is routine now, realizing that I'm getting close to Vancouver, B.C. and the ferry trip over to Vancouver Island for my month's stay.  Can't say I'm sorry my travel days are numbered for a while cause my back is tight and sore, both elbows hurt from hauling out and putting away the power cord, which is heavy.  My shoulders are sore and clumsy me, I tripped over the diesel hose while filling up yesterday and smacked down on my right knee and it is sore and bruised.  Whine, whine, whine.  I'm starting to sound like Jaxson.  
I'm pretty close to my last stop before the ferry trip, so I have decided to go all the way in today and scout out the area.  I heard from Patti yesterday and she asked me to pick up some whole chickens if I had room in the freezer cause they are so pricey on the island. This area is rolling terrain with coulees where most of the ground is in grain.  Hot, too.
Kinda of a boring post but next one should be better.

Bozeman, Montana

Bozeman is in a very large valley surrounded by so many mountain ranges.  I spent the night plugged in at my friend, Gretchen's place up on a hill with the entire valley and surrounding mountains for a view.  Stunning!!
The drive from Cody was smooth 'cause I traveled via the freeway (I-90) for the most part, keeping in mind my ferry reservation in Vancouver, B.C. on July 21.  The mountain ranges on the way to Bozeman have such neat names, not to mention their beauty.  Coming into Bozeman, the Beartooth Range, which is one of my favorites, brings back a memory of  years back when Kelly and I traveled over Beartooth Pass from Cooke City, Montana to Red Lodge.  Talk about feeling like being on top of the world!

Beartooth Range at quite a distance.

These are the views from Gretchen's.  Beautiful place to live, don't 'ya think?

I witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets while visiting Gretchen. Trouble is; which photos do I post?  It was truly amazing.

Short visit, but Gretchen is so busy managing the family farm and her 3 kids.  Her daughter is 5 and twin boys are 3.  Has her hands full.

Off in the morning to Missoula for a stopover before heading up to Vancouver,B.C.

My apologies to my Montana and Bitterroot Valley friends that I won't be in Missoula long enough this time to visit.  I will be back the end of August and hope to see everyone.

Truck running like a champ and Maddie and Jaxson seem to be enjoying wherever they are as long as I am close

Next stop, Cody, Wyoming

Leaving Lake Hebgen, I drove to Cody through Yellowstone Park.  First time I've been in the park for years.  I was pleasantly amazed to see how much the burned areas have recovered.  Saw a few elk and quite a few buffalo as I went through the park.

I had forgotten how beautiful parts of Yellowston are.  When I drove past Yellowstone Lake, it looked like an ocean because the waves were crashing on the shore.

Just outside the park and not far from camping sites, I spotted a cinnamon-colored bear feeding along the river.  Hope the campers were aware of their surroundings.

 The canyons on the way to Cody were so interesting.  The rock formations are amazing.

I am having so much trouble downloading photos, but I sure will keep trying.  That's why no posts lately.

I had a wonderful visit with Nancy Mori in Cody.  We took a day trip one day and went to Big Horn National Canyon and Park.  I have seen the Big Horn Mountains but never this canyon.  Yikes!  Talk about impressive!  A Grand Canyon in miniature for sure.  Nancy packed a lunch and we took a "short" hike down to a ranch that is part of the park now but all the buildings are still standing that a woman author lived in.  There was a main house that they are working on, a barn, chicken house, a spring house with the spring water running down to the creek and so many other buildings that we couldn't figure out.

Spring house

Main house

Of course, most of my friends know my fondness for outhouses :)

As you can see I have figured out this tablet's quirks so I am getting photos posted.  Hope it continues.

Big Horn Canyon

My friend, Nancy at Big Horn Canyon.
Next stop will be in Billings to visit with Gretchen, who used to live next door to Kelly and I in Victor, Montana.

Fish On!!

Out on the lake, what is that I hear over and over, again?  Is it the cry of a loon or some other bird I'm not familiar with?  No, it's Robbin and Laura in their pontoon boats hollaring, "Woo Hoo" every time they hook into a huge rainbow or a German Brown, or a "hog" as they call them.  There is no stopping these ladies when it comes to fishing.  I'm trying my darndest to catch on to their technique, which is a different way for me to fly fish.  They are known here at Hebgen as the "fishing queens" and boy, do they live up to that name.  Robbin caught and released 21 rainbows and 7 browns yesterday morning, all around 20+ inches long.  Super fishery.  I accused her of catching the same fish part of the time.

 

This is one of the "hogs" I caught.  This rainbow had to be at least 20".  I love this kind of fishing but most of the time I'm trying to untangle my line or set up a new fly because my knot came undone or I've dropped something into the water I can't retrieve so I look like the 3 Stooges all wrapped up in one.  Hire the handicapped - that's me.  Fishing time:  15 minutes.  Set up time:  1 hour.
And we won't go into my skill on the pontoon boat.  Oars?  Now there's a 4-letter word.

Just to prove what a good time the puppies are having, here's a photo of Maddie and Jaxaon.  Self explanatory when you see the hole in the ground and the color of their drinking water.  This time, just this time, Jaxson is the inocent one.

Small change in plans -- On Wednesday, I will tow through the park (Yellowstone) and drive to Cody to visit a friend that used to live in Fallon.  Then to Bozeman to see friends and my "used to be mine" Paint fillies.  After that, it is westward bound.  I heard today from Patti up in Telegraph Cove and they are enjoying cod, black cod, Chinook salmon and coho salmon.  Daytime temps are in the 60's.  WOO HOO!!  I love that weather!  Sorry for folks back home in the heat.

Til next post -----------

photos

The Tetons in the distance and my 4th of July decorations.

And my "blurry" fish.  I was so excited that I couldn't hold the camera still and hang onto the net at the same time.

Hebgen Lake, Montana

Back in Montana!

A short drive (finally) from St. Anthony, ID to the Madison Arm Resort north of West Yellowstone, Montana.  Just had to pull over and try to get a shot of the Tetons to the east of me.  Kinda far away, so it didn't turn out well.  Arrived at the resort about an hour after friends Robbin and Laura (from Sparks) arrived.  Next two days were down days.  Needed them after the rush of getting everything loaded and taken care of at home before leaving.  This resort is worth the horrible, washboard, forest service road that leads to it.  The peopleare so friendly and Hebgen Lake and the surrounding country are beautiful.  They try and remember folks by name.
Finally got out on the lake today.  Robbin and Laura in their motorized pontoon boats and me in a borrowed, "row it yourself" pontoon boat.  :)  Robbin towed me out to the deep water to fish with them after spending the evening before setting my fly rods up for success.  And after much adjusting to this new way of fishing, I got the first fish of the morning.  A beautiful 15 inch rainbow trout.  Picture turned out blurry so I won't post it.  "Sure, Jane.  Tell us another story".  Honest, I did!
I decorated the trailer for the 4th of July with bunting and American flags.  The owners of the rv park hosted everyone in the park to a BBQ - a yearly event.  People brought salads to go with the wonderful hamburgers and someone made homemade ice cream!  What a wonderful time.  No wonder some of these prople have been spending there summers here.
Sorry, no photos this posting but the pictures won't download for some reason.  I'll have to figure this one out.