On the Road to Somewhere_Canada Day 3

June 12 and 13

We stopped for the night here (121.78602, 121.40443), on the side of the road, as we had put on 395 KM (245mi), that day.

I spotted this sign as we traveled in search of a spot to spend the night:

So I went inside and found Frank, butcher, who provides the best bacon, sausage and jerky in the area. At least by the recommendations of his customers inside. If you miss, large slices of bacon, then this is the place to stop. Price per Lb., is $7. But boy is the bacon thick.

His shop looks to be a converted garage with a very large freezer:

Along with the butcher shop, next week the fruit stand opens up:

Finally, with the meat processing, remember we are in Canada where 1 shop does it all, he processes game.

We had been walking DaGirls in the area, and we spied this neat little bear:

One of the interesting items to note, is the many jobs/crafts/business the locals in small areas perform. The sign next to this was: Build timber mills, 3D CADD, Egg Farm, Welding, just to name a few.

Ok, so it is back on the road, Susan has already covered about 50 miles since I have taken to writing everything. It is getting close to time to  switch drivers, I will be back later to catch up.

As Susan Says SeeYa

Safe Travels and Journeys from DaGirls 

Della                     &                      Tilly

On the Road to Somewhere_Canada Day 2

June 11

Thursday, what a day, all ready, loaded and heading out to meet Barb and Dan to head to provincial park for a short 1.5 mi hike and picnic. This hike goes thru a series of former train tunnels, which were redone to  allow hikers and bikers the ability go thru. Bring a flashlight.

Well, started up DaGirls, pressed for High Idle, Huh what was that? Oh maybe nothing. What, it did it again. Air, voltmeter gauge goes to zero and back up. Well I guess I should go thru the whole story. But this is not a troubleshooting story, that will come later. What I thought was a Freightliner issue turned out to be a Alfa issue - actually it was our issue. In our coach, there is a Battery Control Center/Disconnect/B.I.R.D unit. It seems that the relay for the chassis battery circuit. has been going bad for some time now. What was happening, the relay was causing a loss of voltage to some major parts of the Freightliner circuit. Othello's Tunnels will have to wait, back to the Bridges'.  With the use of their phone, called Freightliner verified what I was looking for, then a call to Martin (Alfateer’s) to confirmed location of resettable circuit breakers and Dan helped me to troubleshot it to the BCC.

Folks, I am here to tell you get to know your rig, what happens when you turn that key to the on position. Listen, Watch, Assess before you do anything and then write everything down.

Ok, so what happened? With Dan’s help off we went in search of a Intellitec Battery Disconnect Relay. Now did we find a 01-00055-002, nope. But we did find 01-00055-000. Hey will that work yep with a little mod. Fired up DaGirls Rv and hey everything is looking goooooooooooooooooood.

Ok, Susan had gotten us back into the thousand trails CG for another night as much of the day has passed.  With Dan’s help DaGirls RV made a 3 point turn on the highway and off we went back to our old spot. 

Out of all this, what was the best part you might ask? Barb and Dan Bridges, how people just open their arms and house to help out. Access to the internet, phones, lunch, shower, puppies play area. Folks I am here to tell you, when on the road, know where your friends are, find your chapter members and make plans for get together’s and be open to helping others when you can.

  

Ok,  remember this is DaGirls Rv, as you can see Della loves it here.

Ok, our plan on Day 2 is to make it to Cache Creek about 165 miles today with many of stops along the way. What about campgrounds reservations you ask? We have none zero, nadda, zippo. Meaning the only reservations we have is for Denali, 6 nights. That’s it, caution to the wind. (and Susan ads - 4 nights reserved in Dawson City for Canadian Provincial Day)

As Susan Says SeeYa

Safe Travels and Journeys from DaGirls 

Della                     &                      Tilly

June 10_On the Road to Somewhere_Canada Day 1

Sunday and Monday was spent prepping DaGirls Rv for our crossing into Canada. We heard that there is a chicken and egg ban. Going and coming, no chicken. We spent a day cooking up about 15 pounds of chicken, cooking the eggs and yes, Eric informed Susan about the potatoes, too. So in the 2 days everything was cooked and put away.

Susan made a list of the liquor we had on board and was willing to drink it all at the border instead of throwing it away if necessary. She had complied a folder of all the critical documents we would need and had it ready to produce.

Tuesday, we awoke early and prepped DaGirls for pulling out. Our neighbors came over to say goodbye and spring the exciting news. They had decided to make the jump and head to Alaska also. Every time they were ready to go something came up to stop them. Will this time they tossed caution to the wind, explained to their son they were going and guess what? He is now coming with them. Wonders never cease.

Wayne and Helen are nice people and really great photographers. You can tell by the photos I saw of prior adventures. Wayne was also in the aerospace field and held a world altitude record of 19,003 feet in a turbo charged helicopter, (hope I got this correct). He held if for 9 months before his partner went to 19,300 feet. Anyway, they ordered their Milepost and Alaska Camping guide and will be leaving within a few weeks.

Here's to you, Helen, Wayne and Son (Did not meet him). Enjoy your adventure as life only comes around once and you just have to go with. Hope we SeeYa down the road.

Ok, where were we, oh, pulling out and heading to the border. Even though the drive was short about 30 miles, it took us about 45 minutes to arrive in Sumas, WA. We topped off the fuel tank, saw we had spent the required minimum to get special prices on some food items and received a free spice. Along with the fuel, Susan spied propane at $1.40 a gallon. WOW, we were only able to take on 2 gallons, but listen folks when you see something like that you have to take advantage of it.

We slowly drove out and arrived at the border crossing. (Time:  10:05 am) (Note: DO NOT TAKE COMMERCIAL ROUTE). Once in line it was only a matter of a few minutes before we were talking to the Border Patrol Agent.

Good Day Sir, where are you heading?

Alaska sir.

Thank you, do you have any weapons on board?

No sir.

Do you have passports?

Yes sir, here you are

How long do you plan on being in Canada?

Only as long as it takes to travel safely through Canada at about 300 miles a day.

Have you ever been in Canada before?

Thinking real hard, yes sir in 2013, Sept, seeing Niagara  Falls.

Thank you, have a nice day.

Thank you sir. (Time:  10:16 am)

So as we pulled out, we looked at each other and said  "glad we were prepared for the worst."

Once on the road where was our first stop? Costco to pick up a SIM card for our cell phone and a few small supplies. Costco is just north about 1 mile on the west side of the highway. There is a closed Kmart next to it so we pulled in to vacant lot and walked over. We talked to Beau the Cell Phone rep inside and he suggested a Virgin SIM Card. Virgin uses both Bell and TELUS cell phone towers. So we had the best of 2 worlds.

Once we were done, we were off, back on the road, heading to our first camping stop. Cultus Lake Thousand Trails CG for 2 nights.

WE HAVE IT! What is it you ask? It is our own Yukon Legend Propane Campfire. Yes you heard correctly, the One and Only Yukon Legend Campfire. We had given up on locating one. We saw it in Desert Palm Springs, CA at a Thousand Trails CG. Spent the better part of a week searching for one on the internet, only to find it had been discontinued and the Campfire in a Can had replaced it. Seems the patent was bought out and then quietly production was stopped. Funny how good products go that way.

We have Merciers' and Bridges' to thank for helping us get our Yukon Legend. Irene found it in a small store in Canada and Barb accepted shipment to her house. Now that we have our Yukon Legend we are ready to have a fire every night. Thanks to our fellow Alfa Roadrunner members for their assistance.

A funny story about this product, Once in our possession, we first noticed a FedEx shipping label showing: Puerto Vallarta to Phoenix and then to BC. The packing paper inside showed the date Sunday, 10, 2012 and it was a Mexican newspaper. It also showed to be 48 of 146 items. So our best guess, made in Mexico shipped to Canada Via Phoenix and then quietly went out of production. Irene had found 2 remaining items just last month. THANK YOU AGAIN, IRENE.

While we are here at Cultus Lake, we are also visiting Dan and Barb Bridges, who we met in Quartzsite. We are having a great time with the visit.

But like all good things it is getting time to  pull up stakes and head north. Tomorrow we head to Othello Tunnels just South of Hope, along with Dan and Barb for a picnic  Check back every now and then and see what we have been up to.

As Susan Says SeeYa

Safe Travels and Journeys from DaGirls 

Della                     &                      Tilly

On the Road, to Where You Al-Ask-A?

Yep, today is the day. Day 1 to be truthful. Day 1 in our epic journey to the farthest State north in the United States of America. It will also be the last day of instant communication.

Yes, today is our jumping off day, leaving the United States, heading north, parts unknown, new land, new territory, going thru Canada, unless the border agents will not let us. So, check back every now and then and see what we see and experience in the wonderful country and world we live in.

So I leave you with the sign I saw in a coffee shop. Beth, this one is for you.

And this song as we travel

As Susan Says SeeYa

Safe Travels and Journeys from DaGirls 

Della                     &                      Tilly

June 4_Susan….Dale Where Are You?

Hum, where are we? We found this lovely 4 spot private campground, located around Graham, WA. How did we find this little gem, you ask?

Well we happen to know Doug and Wendy, by the way who just happen to be members of the Alfa Roadrunners chapter. It seems many years ago they built this little place as a retirement center.

But alas it is time to move northward, as Alaska is calling and so are other Alfa owners. Today's drive is about 150 miles to Blaine, WA, where another Thousand Trails CG is lactated. While there we will visit with Mike & Rhona Smith, Alfa owners from Canada. We have enjoyed our travels these last 15 days since Susan returned from Oswego, visiting Eric, Di, Mike, Dana and  Faith, Gavin and the twins - Aubrie & Ryan.

In the last 15 days we have traveled from Sacramento, CA to Graham WA., with the last stop being here in Blaine, WA. We have stayed in 6 campgrounds, traveled 1140 miles just to to get to our jumping off point. Have visited with our Alfa Framily along the way, met 3 Alfa's who have never joined or have been part of any Alfa Framily (Susan tried to get them to join) and enjoyed lovely weather if one enjoys cloudy, cool, wet and dreary. We have and will continue to collect many photos along the way, which we will continue to post when  we can, as internet in Canada will be only at internet cafes and other WI-Fi spots.

Ok, so these last few days will be packed with reviewing DaGirls Rv, food supplies, puppies things and paperwork that is required both for Canada and USA. Our current plan is head across on Tuesday and stay in a Thousand Trails park just inside Canada.  While there we will visit with Dan and Barb Bridges for a few days, then it will be off for the great unknown.

Today was filled with slow working diesel pumps, like 20 gallons in 50 minutes? Wow, we stopped the pump and said let's roll further north and locate a faster pump. Next we had to contend with traffic traveling on 405. I haven't seen traffic this bad since we were in LA in 2007. We traveled 5 miles in what? 25 minutes? But once we were north of Seattle, traffic was STILL SLOW. Oh well, no one said life was easy on the open road, especially in this area. But we managed, with switching drivers and taking our time north.

By the way, did I mention that we had an air bag replaced along with new front brakes. Seems we had a shoe split length way which caused a  crack on the face. For a truck this one have been an out of service event, but for RV's it is a notice. We choose to replace before taking off on our big adventure.

I will do a write up along of the Freightliner location and name for our club along with RvServiceReview Website.

Stay tune for the final DaGirls Blog as once we cross into Canada, no internet until Alaska................We Hope.

As Susan Says SeeYa

Safe Travels and Journeys from DaGirls 

Della                     &                      Tilly

Jun 3_On the Road to Somewhere_Playing Catch up

Ok, so here we sit, waiting for 2:30 pm to come around. You might asked yourself, what do you mean waiting for 2:30. 

We had a slow leak in our air system for a while, nothing major, but it was time to find it and repair. After spending a few minutes under the coach, I located a leaking rear air bag (passenger's side). I knew it was only get worst with time. So it was time to replace it. Being up in the NW portion of Oregon, made finding one not difficult but slow. 

After a few calls, and yes to NAPA also but none in stock and have to order it. The Freightliner shop north of  Olympia, WA, had one. We ordered it and had it sent to the one south of Olympia. Problem being we arrived 2 hrs early hoping that they could start on it early. Nope, best time would be 2:30 and less then an hour to change it out. All it takes is 3 bolts/nuts to remove and 1 air fitting and hose. 

So here we sit until 2:30, but hey, we're retired and taking a break now. So this is a good time to catch everyone up on this weeks pass events. So where do I start, from last night and work my way back. Or start from Sunday and work till now?.................Hum

Tuesday afternoon we company arrived. Ken Mathis and I have been communicating via email for the last week. Trying to see how we could get together. You see, his parents live in Tillamook, and he was visiting them for the week. Sooooo, he just said he driving to Seaside (80 miles) to visit DaGirls Rv. We are so glad he did, not only did he bring Lady, but his folks came with him. What a hoot good time we had together. We spend over 5 hours together. Talking, looking and enjoying everyone company.  But after dinner (thank you Ken for that), it was time for them to leave.

Tuesday morning we went to Astoria to visit the Maritime Museum. What a place to visit and learn about the area, including Cape Desperation. I take my hat off to the USCG service. We learned what it takes to provide service to the area in the winter. This is some of the roughest seas  in the area. Looking at the boats/ship that patrol the area you wonder why anyone would work in those conditions.

Along the way we learn about the Coast Guard ship Columbia, a Lighthouse ship on water. Imagine yourself on a ship, anchor and bobbing around like a cork in very rough seas. Every person will get seasick sooner or later, let me tell you.

While inside the museum, the bridge of the USS Astoria is inside. The bridge was donated to the museum and the museum  was built around it.

Another site we were told, was the Bowpicker restaurant in Astoria.  We were informed that we would have to wait in line, up  to 45 minutes to get lunch. Lunch consisted of Albacore and Chips. YUM. People come from all over to get there Albacore and chips. We couldn't wait to get our hands on it.

Remember the saying a picture is worth a thousand words? Well the photos speak for themselves. Really they do.

Yes that is what it says - CLOSED

Finally a few additional photos

As Susan Says SeeYa

Safe Travels and Journeys from DaGirls 

                Della                     &                      Tilly

June 1_A day in the life of Susan and Dale playing tourist.

Where did we go today? Fort Stevens State Park in Hammond, OR.

What is there you ask yourself?  ​A military fort and not just an ordinary fort. ​​This one was build in the 1890's and decommission in the late 1940's. ​

Our day started chilly and damp, but it is a place where we could see and touch Oregon's military past. A past where very little was written in the history books of Florida or Illinois schools.  ​There is a free guided tour of "Battery Mishler", ​however it was not available when we arrived.

The follow write up is by David Lindstrom of the Friends of Old Fort Stevens, who is a park historian.

David Lindstrom noted that Battery Mishler was built in the 1890s to protect the mouth of the Columbia River. "In the late 19th century, America was emerging as a world power and we had many potential enemies who looked at the Pacific Northwest with envy. Some strategists said that if our enemies traveled up the Columbia River and reached Portland, they had a straight shot to Seattle and they could go south if they wanted to – it was viewed as a hub by the enemy."

A century ago, Battery Mishler was a part of a Columbia River Harbor Defenses that included multiple gun batteries that were located on both sides of the Columbia River. Fort Stevens is one of three forts built at the mouth of the Columbia River and it boasted eight concrete batteries – including mortars and long and short range rifles. Fort Canby and Fort Columbia were on the Washington state side.

At Ft. Stevens, Battery Mishler was the only underground battery and it housed two 10" guns that were open to the sky. Each gun was mounted on disappearing carriages, which hid the guns behind concrete and earth walls when not being fired. Each gun was operated by teams of 35 men who worked efficiently as one unit to fire each massive gun.

"It was choreographed," said Lindstrom. "You had to be at your station for a task at a specific time and nobody else could be there but you. All of that was figured out and choreographed and practiced."

The guns could fire 617-pound shells at a distance of nine miles. "The concussion from each firing was amazing!" added Lindstrom. "When the mortar battery fired, the concussion would rip your pant leg seam. The men didn't wear ear plugs either. You could feel the pressure of the blast across your entire body.

There is a tour that will takes you past hallways and rooms and interesting features including a massive underground gun pit. The huge gun was mounted atop a large, thick concrete pillar.

Koch added, "You get a feel for the grit of the work and what the environment was like for the soldiers down here. You can't duplicate this anywhere else – you can only get it at Ft. Stevens. You're not going to see this anywhere in the United States – only here in Oregon."

In the late 1800's, Fort Stevens was a significant statement to the world that the United States was a force to be reckoned with: "What we see here is a manifestation of a nation's effort to become a world power," said Lindstrom. "We were an emerging world power and this shows how the US developed that position."

Koch offered that a tour of the Ft. Steven's defenses rounds out a fascinating and rewarding visit to the state park: "You may be here for a camping weekend or for enjoying the clamming tides or just to walk the wonderful beach we have here. But then, you can step over here and explore a bit of Oregon history. You get the best of everything that state parks can offer."

The Underground Battery Mishler Guided Tours are free and occur daily

​ except for when we arrived​. A $5 daily parking permit is required. Year-round parking permits are also available from Oregon State Parks.

The Fort Stevens attack was the only time during World War II that a continental United States military installation was attacked by the Axis Powers.

The Japanese submarine I-25, under the command of Tagami Meiji, was assigned to destroy enemy ships and engage the enemy on land with their 14 cm deck gun. Also transporting a Yokosuka E14Y seaplane, the submarine was manned by a crew of 97 men. On 21 June 1942, I-25 was in US coastal waters, following allied fishing boats to avoid mine fields in the area.

Late that night, Commander Meiji surfaced his submarine at the mouth of the Columbia River. His target was Fort Stevens, dating back to the American Civil War and armed with obsolete Endicott era artillery, including 12-inch coast defense mortars, and a number of 10 in (250 mm) disappearing guns.

​

Meiji ordered the deck gun manned and opened fire on Fort Stevens' Battery Russell. The first shots were harmless, in part because the fort's commander ordered an immediate blackout and refused to let his men return fire.

Most rounds struck a nearby baseball field and a swamp, though one landed near Battery Russell and another next to a concrete pillbox. One round severed several large telephone cables, the most significant damage the Japanese caused. Seventeen 5.5 in (140 mm) rounds were fired by the attackers.

American aircraft on a training mission spotted the I-25 and called in an A-29 Hudson bomber to attack. The A-29 found the I-25, but the submarine dodged the bombs and submerged undamaged.

No lives were lost during the encounter. Nevertheless, the attack helped to create the 1942 West Coast invasion scare. Rolls of barbed wire were strung from Point Adams southward in case of an invasion. The wreck of the Peter Iredale was entangled in the wire and would remain so until the war's end.

"Fort Casey Disappearing gun" by I, Jonathan Zander. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

"Seacoast-Battery". Licensed under PD-US via Wikipedia -​

Sailing from Salina Cruz, Mexico, on or about September 26, 1906, the Peter Iredale was bound for Portland, Oregon with 1,000 tons of ballast and a crew of 27, including two stowaways. The voyage up the coast was unremarkable until the night of October 25, when Captain H. Lawrence sighted the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse at 3:20 a.m. local time. The crew altered course first east-northeast and then northeast to enter the mouth of the Columbia River in thick mist and a rising tide. Under strong winds out of the west, an attempt was made to wear the ship away from shore, but a heavy northwest squall grounded the Peter Iredale on Clatsop Sands (now called Clatsop Spit). High seas and wind drove the ship ashore. A lifeboat was dispatched from Hammond, Oregon and assisted in evacuating the sailors, who were tended to at Fort Stevens. No casualties occurred in the accident.

As Susan Says SeeYa

Safe Travels and Journeys from DaGirls 

                Della                     &                      Tilly