We left Willow and went back to Glennallen to pick up our mail before we headed to the lower 48. Our bosses at the campground were gracious enough to let us stay for free for as long as we wanted, so we were there a few days then started the journey home. I must say that we were both dreading the long trip a bit until we got on the road. The first day we decided we would stay in Tok, as we hadn't stopped there going up. We pulled into a campground and they only had 15 amp. service so we elected to go on to the border, to a campground right on the Canadian border called Border City. We had stayed there on the way up, so decided to try it again. As soon as we pulled into our site, we spied a Teton 5er and a motorhome near us and the men were out cleaning their rigs. I soon realized that we knew the people! They had spent several days in the park at Glennallen. So we cocktailed and visited with them that evening. They were also heading home, via Haines to catch the ferry.
So, after Border City we headed south across Canada. We didn't have any trouble at the crossing, other than they took my chili! I had made the mistake of telling them that I had cooked chili in the fridg made of Canadian beef, so they confiscated it. Said you can heat meat to 3000 degrees and not kill the Mad Cow virus. I was very put out since my chili is never the same twice in a row and that was a damn good batch! Barry said he thought they just wanted it for supper! Anyway then we started across the Yukon and the worst stretch of road on the whole Alaska Highway. It is only about 60 miles and you just have to go slow. We stayed in Calgary a couple of days and took a guided fishing trip down the Bow River. That was really fun, and resulted in several pretty large Browns. It was ironic, we stayed in two different parks in Calgary, one being the worst we had been in and the other the nicest. The one that didnt't stack up was very crowded and full of people working contruction in the area. Some of the rigs didn't even look like they would run. The second place we stayed was beautifully kept, and huge sites.
It took us about 2 weeks to get from AK to WY. We stayed in Casper about 3 weeks and also made a side trip to Sundance. In Casper we saw old friends, and of course the kids and got our Dr. appointments and that sort of thing accomplished! then we set out for NM. We went to Steamboat Springs to see friends then on to Fort Collins, also to see friends. We stayed at the
Wittington Center in Raton. It is the NRA center and a very nice place. They have a big camp ground out in the desert that is very nice and quiet.
Then we came on to Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge, our new home until the end of February. What a cool place! We are actually volunteers, but they give us our site, propane, laundry, 2 shirts and a coat. Plus we can drive the government vehicles around the refuge to look at the wildlife. The Sandhills are just starting to come in. There will be several thousand of them here in a week or so. There are also thousands of Snow geese, ducks and other birds, all making their way south. Some of them will stay here for the winter, others will travel on. On the 13th the Refuge holds the Festival of Cranes, an event that draws thousands of people. I'm sure Nov. will be our busiest month here. There are about 30 of us volunteers, most of us living in RVs here on the refuge. So far we are really enjoying it, and I will try to not take so long in making another entry!
