Fri May 03 07:21:48 1996 (date of email)
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Day 1 Alaskan Highway Adventure
Well, you might be suprised to get this message, but I thought I'd include a few of my friends on my daily trip updates.
For those of you not in the know, I left Wednesday (May 1) on a 30 day journey with RV and my DOG to the Alaskan Highway and back. I plan to take pictures, etc and include them in a new CD-ROM. I will be using the Quicktime VR panorama technology.
I decided to go a bit high tech, so I've got a RV, a Power Mac 6100 and a modem with acoustic coupler. Only problem is to find a telephone each day to send and retrieve messages. My first encounter was a bit comical. I pulled up in front of a "drive up" telephone (they have a lot of these in Wyoming due to the cold in the Winter), ran my 50 foot cord outside and attached the accoustic coupler, ran back in the RV (jumping over my Dog Prince) pressed DIAL and waited for the first "modem not responding" (this sounds like experiences from several years ago). Well, I did this about 10 times (probably to the amazement or amusement of the guy on the other phone) until I decided it just wasn't possible (this was one of those NO-NAME phones). After 10 minutes of this chase in and out of the RV, I pulled my accoustic coupler off the phone (I do get credit for not driving away with the modem attached to the phone don't I?) and looked for another phone. I found one a couple blocks away at a deli, another drive up, but this one was owned by US West. This time I brought the phone receiver into the RV, hooked it up and dialed. Viola! connection. Well, I had it set at 2400 baud, logged in and found 100 messages waiting for me. After 10 minutes, I logged out and set it to 9600 baud and away I went, 4 times faster! Well, I had time to retrieve the 100 messages and send two messages before my guilt got the best of me for hogging this phone. Anyway, I'll send this message in the morning with the same phone. Hope it goes smoother!!
I have a cellular phone with me, but I'm too cheap to try to use it at about $1.40 per minute and who knows what baud rate. Maybe I'll try it once, just to have tried it.
Anyway, today was a drive from Boulder to Buffalo, WY along Interstate 25. A lot of rolling hills, mountains in the background, sagebrush, and billowing clouds. WY is truly the Big Sky country (or is that Montana). You always feel like you are looking at the landscape through a wide angle lens. The sky really dominates the scenery. Some varied landscape, but mostly wide open spaces. It was pretty cloudy and a bit rainy today. As I sit and write this, I hear the patter of rain on the top of my RV. Kinda nice for a change. (Snow doesn't make much sound while coming down!) I finished loading the RV this morning in the snow!
I stopped at most all Rest stops, mainly to let the Dog out to stretch and smell all the other dogs that stopped to smell all the other dogs! WY has nice rest stops. Dump station for RV, water filling station for RV, nice picnic area, nice enclosed area for dogs, etc.
Had a lot of time to THINK. IT is lonely when you are by yourself and your dog refuses to answer back to your profound statements (well, occasionally a wet nose signals acceptance).
Prince is having a bit of trouble trying to understand what's going on. I'm sure he will adapt quickly, but his never been in such a mobile abode. He spent a lot of time on the blanket on the couch.
Well I sit at a KOA camp hooked up to electricity and water. The propane heater gives me instant heat, and lets me cook my meals. The microwave is handy for modifying the texture and taste of most anything, but quickly. Tonight, bratwurst, cheese, corn and bread, not too inovative, but quick. Dishes are done already! It costs $18 for the night, but what the hey! It's safe and I can use the computer without using gasoline to run the generator.
OK, enough said about a basically uneventful day. Oh, maybe one of you can help me solve a riddle that will earn some food for me or a million dollars. Here's a Disney question (McDonalds): In Disney's "Pocahontas" which one of the following things does Pocahontas refer to as "Strange Clouds"? Mist from a Waterfall, Fog from the Sea, An approaching hurricane, smoke from a forest fire, cotton or a ship's sails?
Well, my neck is sore from the poor angle of viewing. (I have the keyboard in my lap and I'm looking side ways from my tri-focals.)
I'd of course be thankful to any one of you that wrote me back and kept me informed of what you are doing. It gets lonely on the road and since I went to the trouble of taking this less than portable setup, I should reap the benefits.
Tommorrow, I plan to get close to the Canadian border. (My first real destination is Banff Nat'l Park, probably get there Friday.
Thanks for listening.
Newt Perdue
PS. Next morning: night in the RV went fairly smoothly, dinner wasn't fancy, but good, a bit cold last night, had to turn on heater, a bit smelly of propane gas, had to open a window, but really quiet here and the bed wasn't too bad (sleeping above the drivers seat. If I can avoid waking up and forgetting where I'm sleeping I'll be OK (it's about a 6 foot drop on the side). Cold this morning, and damp with clouds, but birds are singing and life is good. Have a good day yourself please.
Remember, life is what you make it, so make it good!
Fri May 03 07:23:55 1996
To: Donna_Perdue
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Good Morning day 2
Donna,
Just a quick message to let you know about my first night in the RV. Generally OK. Got real cold (I forgot to bring the other blanket that I wanted to bring!) I got up and turned on the heater in the middle of night. Also, I smelled propane (I must look for a leak or pilot light out), so I open a window next to my head. Once that happened, I slept better.
Otherwise, really quiet here. Prince was a prince. No problem at all sleeping.
He is patiently waiting for me to let him outside while I type this.
I suspect I'll make it to Great Falls, MT tonight or somewhere near there.
Weather looks quite cloudy and rainy (though not raining now) still.
I went to bed fairly early (09:30PM), I was really tired.
Back after morning chores. They had a dog run here and Prince availed himself of it with good results. He did his poop and I had the privilidge of picking it up with a plastic mitt! A bowl of dog food, a dish of cereal and we were both satisfied (I had the cereal). Now if I can just remember to unplug the power cord and water hose, It will be WAGONS HO!
Newt
Fri May 03 18:32:53 1996
To: Donna_Perdue
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
HI
Im at Fort Ponderosa Campground. 406-277-3232, in Belt Montana, near Great Falls. I'll send more later. All OK.
Newt
Sat May 04 08:00:02 1996
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Day 2 Alaskan Adventure
Well, day 2 passed uneventfully. Got off after sending e-mail from my roadside phone booth at about 8AM. Drove till 6PM. Staying in a nice off the path RV park near Great Falls, Montana (quite a few miles out in the country near a creek. Pretty rainy today, but beautiful sky. Different storm cells all over the place, each one identifiable. Lots of hilly terrain with beautiful snow capped peaks as a back drop. Really sparse country up here. Kinda wonder about the crowded cities. Why don't more people and companies move to the west? (That will get me shot at up here.)
Not many rest stops in Montana. WY was great that way. Guess they don't want to welcome tourists?
Typical problems with my computer here at the RV park. The power they supply is wired backwards and all works but my power bar to the computer (which bothers to check), so I have to use the generator to use the computer. Coming to you via gasoline (really expensive, $1.48 per gallon for 85 octane unleaded! I'm getting about 7 - 8 miles per gallon the road!!!!!!!
Well, I don't want to waste the rest of the daylight here (a storm just passed and it's suddenly really nice). So, until tommorrow when I should be coming from Canada (that will be a great phone experience), bye!
Night two went fine. Beautiful morning with chirping birds, the whole nature scene. Well, not so natural. I did have a shower in a nice warm bathroom instead of the creek. It was about 28F last night. My RV heater is like a slot machine. Sometimes hot air, sometimes freezing air, sometimes takes forever to shut off, you get the picture. But I'm not complaining. Prince had his play time running after a toy, bringing it back and refusing to give it to me til I rip it out of his teeth.
Newt
Sat May 04 18:11:18 1996 (date of email)
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Alaskan Adventure Day 3
Well, Just a note to keep you informed of my "work" in progress. Please let me know (politely) and I'll take you off my mailing list. Not everyone should have to listen to my dribble if they don't want.
Well, I sit in a very manicured RV park outside of Calgary, Alberta Canada. Not my cup of tea, I'd rather be next to a creek under trees by myself, but I'm not familiar with the territory and well, it's easier and safer and I'm tired.
Pretty boring trip today, mostly wide open spaces, rain, clouds, and smooth sailing. Montana could certainly use some rest stops. By the way, I decided to take this "boring" route to make time at the start of the trip. If I have time on the way back, I plan to go to Glacier National Park and Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons. I've personally been to each, but will do so for the CD-ROM if I have time, but priority is for the Alaskan Highway!
Getting through Canada customs was a breeze: any firearms, (nope, not me!), animals or other people (just me and my trusty dog, prince, whose nose was pushing over my shoulder through the window, couldn't hide him if I wanted.), where you going, why (photography, "will you sell any", right!), when will you return, do you plan to sell anything in Canada and thanks, don't need your drivers license or dog rabies certificate(like it said in the tour books).
Alberta looks pretty much like Montana, lots of grain farms, and except small differences like the yellow lines down the middle of a divided highway, the middle of the one way highway?? Stopped at a lake to eat, lots of foam lining the shore, a up-close pollution example.
Gas is expensive! Of course they dilibertly try to confuse us Americans. First they sell it in liters, not gallons (God's measurement system), then they sell it for Canadian Dollars not American ones (God's currency). Why could they call them Canadian Canuks or something? Then they add a good Government Sales Tax (which you get back at the border if you itemize and apply for it). Anyway, the $65 for 3/4 tank sounded expensive. Haven't done all the reverse polish arithmetic yet!
I had asked the lady who provided the RV when I'd know to change the septic tank. She said I'd know. I know! Whew! I'm glad to do that tonight!
I'm getting pretty good at steering this thing in the wind. I guess it's kinda
like riding a horse. Takes some time to make it go the way you want. My friend
Peter Goertz wrote: "Kinda Jack London 96, isn«t it ? Only difference
is that the dogs are not pulling the sled but rather lay on the coach
of a RV with its master moving the thing." I brought Jack London's "Call
of the Wild" to read (it's on the computer), so I'll know what he means
soon.
Tommorrow I plan to enter the Banff Natl Park. Always wanted to see it. Hope the weather holds out and allows me to take a few QTVR panoramas.
Well, I'll end this here and hope that I can figure out how to use the phones up here. I've already ascertained that 800 numbers (contrary to some people's advice) that work in the states don't work here.
Newt
Sat May 04 18:14:54 1996
To: Donna_Perdue
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Calgary
Well as you might know from reading my more public missive, I'm in Calgary. I'm doing this computer stuff first. I have to move the RV back to the front of the office and try to hook up with the phone. You'll know it's successful if you get these messages.
I miss you. Prince is doing fine, he is starting to be more relaxed. Today he brought that huge orange toy up over my shoulder and startled me by dropping it in my lap (while driving).
He sits a lot next to me, expecting me to use one hand to drive and the other to groom him! I usually do unless I see a big semi approaching on the side!
Well, I'm hoping to BBQ some ribs tonight. Unless I get lazy I'll do it. It's cold here and wind is blowing hard but the Sun is out.
Really lonely!
Newt
Mon May 06 08:55:56 1996
To: Donna_Perdue
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: HI MONDAY MORNING
Hi darling, hope you had a good night's sleep.
I slept OK, not great. I've got a touch of Montezuma's revenge. Probably the beans (I opened a large can and have to finish it) and the gorp I've been eating.
This AM it is SNOWING. About 4 inches so far. I've been debating what to do. Prince and I walked out to the highway (and almost got covered with snow from the snow plow) to find out if the highway was plowed. (I got my answer quick.)
The only problem appears getting out of the park here. I think I will give it a try. I'll first play with the e-mail trying to get it out then go out the park. I'll drive REAL carefully. This thing is not exactly a four wheel drive. It's more like Miss Piggy on ice skates.
I fixed pancakes this AM, and fried Ham. Not bad (except the clean-up). So far I haven't spent money (other than gas), and the camp fees and certainly none on food yet.
Well, I'll write a general message to all and be on my way (to the phone first).
Love ya and miss ya (more each hour).
Newt
Subject: Alaskan Highway Adventure Day 4
Hi,
I was unable (and unwilling) to get the e-mail out yesterday. The time-out on the phones is quick and I decided that I need to sit at the computer and listen over the speaker, but I've forgotten the command to do that. (I'll call Donna)
Day 4 was a real treat. Driving from outside of Calgary, Alberta to outside of Jasper, Alberta was day 4's itinerary. If you've never been to the Canadian Rockies, you are missing a real beautiful trip. However, going through it in one day is like visiting Disneyland in one hour (sorry for the trite analogy). I thought Colorado was spectacular, but the Canadian Rockies redefine the word for me!
The most obvious difference is the noticible TILT and layering to all the geologic substructure that make up the mountains, and the jagged peaks that this makes. Kinda like describing a beautiful sunset in terms of it's light spectra (sorry). The rugged peaks and deep valleys go on seemingly forever. Glaciers with the bright blue ice dominate some of the higher peaks. North America's largest ice sheet, the Columbia Ice field is here, though it was pretty much covered in clouds as well. I was able to go to the "Toe of the Glacier", a huge snow covered tongue of ice reaching down from the ice field. I didn't have time to go to the interpretation center or take the bus trip up higher and walk on the glacier (next time).
Wildlife was really abundant. I saw several groups of Elk, mountain Sheep, and a Black Bear (about 4 miles from where I stayed.)
I really didn't have the time I need to take the pictures I wanted to take. To make things worse, one of my cameras (I have about 4 on this trip) batteries went out twice in one day. I was able to find a replacement in a one horse town with a Radio Shack behind the convenience store. I figured that the battery was probably there for 3 years already!
I plan to come back this way on the reverse trip and maybe the weather will be a bit better. Speaking of the weather, it was beautifully clear in the morning, but by the time I got to the mountains clouds started to assemble over the Rockies and some real beautiful views were obscured (I assume). But, it could have been a lot worse, so i'm really not complaining.
I'm writing this on the morning of day 5. The weather is with me again. 4-5 inches of snow on the ground and still coming. I'm gonna try to get out of this beautiful camp and get to the road where things are plowed. If I had the time, I'd just wait it out here.
Well, I'm ready to go and see if I can send this message over the pay phones in the snow in the forest. A natural e-mail message for you.
Newt Perdue
Tue May 07 20:35:27 1996 (date of email)
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Alaskan Adventure Day 5
Well, I'm not doing too well with e-mail access. The pay phone thing just gets beyond funny. I still don't have the command to listen to the phone over my speaker. These messages may all be sent when I get to Alaska (where I can just dial 800) (I think!)
Today was a disappointment. My vision: every day beautiful scenery, award winning photography. WRONG! Woke up to 4 inches of snow and it was snowing until about 3:30 PM all day, sometimes making me slow to about 30 mph because of visibility. The (alleged) beautiful view from Jasper was not to be seen thanks to the snow and clouds. I'll see it on the way back (I hope.) I did get to see my first ever wild Wolf. It was trying to cross the highway, but backed off when I approached. I stopped and tried to take a picture, (we'll see how that turns out, since I had trouble with the camera.) The wolf was black and not too timid. Beautiful big animal.
Lots of interesting water from Jasper, kinda a large swampy area, but lots of snow accentuating everything. From what I hear, this storm is quite unseasonable for the area. (I remember last year in Colorado we had the most snow in May and June!)
Anyway, not much to report. I'm staying in an RV camp tonight in Valleyview, Alberta. The Valley refers to the Peace River valley. This is a major drainage from Northwest Canada. Upon entry into the area I saw that we were kinda on a Ridge and could see down into the River valley.
Lots of Logging here. Lots of forests. The forests are extremely dense with very small diameter trees (I guess the cold winters do that).
I microwaved my food tonight, had a beer and just relaxed in front of the computer (I know I'm strange, don't say it.).
Well, tommorrow I reach the official Mile 0 of the Alaskan Highway in Dawson Creek. I pray for good weather.
Well, some day you'll receive this message. (Like when you are reading it.) (RV's parks must become e-mail capable!) (how about Electrical, Sewage, Water and a T1 connection to the Internet!)
Well, until the world catches up with my imagination, later,
Newt Perdue
Tue May 07 20:48:51 1996 (date email was sent)
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Alaskan Adventure Day 6
Well, I'm still mystified by the phone booth system and e-mail, so you may get this when I get back or the very earliest when I figure it out. I'll just keep writing them with the expectation that you care. (You don't have to tell me.)
Today we left from Valleyview, Alberta and drove to Sakanni River, British Columbia, somewhere between Dawson Creek and Ft. Nelson, on the ALASKAN Highway.
This morning the weather was pretty nice, high clouds, but some blue showing (first time in a long time), but really cold (probably 22F). My sewer valves were frozen, so i have delayed emptying the holding tanks (yuk!).
Drove through mostly rolling hills, farm land, then large tracts of forest with what look like winter aspens and Lodgepole pines. None much larger than about 6 inches in diameter. Lots of clear cutting (and some reforestation), lots of gas drilling (and the roads that go with them, the muddy kind only large trucks will even try).
Went through Mile 0 of the Alaskan Highway (they started the southern route here in 1942, only 8 months to build the 1500 some miles through virgin (then) woods. Amazing feat. (and with government workers)
This afternoon the weather was quite cold and cloudy, not too great for picture taking! I hear the weather in Alaska is Spring like, can't wait!
Prince is doing great, probably bored out of his mind! He enjoys the excursions we take outside, esp. the ones without the leash. He then does his race horse trick, or maybe his race dog chasing the rabbit trick, running in circles at speeds approaching the speed of sound until he almost collapses!
Well, if you ever get this, file it under boring and hope for a better report next day.
(It is kinda interesting, being this far North with so few people. Kinda lonely but imparts a feeling of freedom.)
Moose dropping outside my RV, maybe we will see one in the morning.
Well good day.
Newt
Thu May 09 22:14:52 1996
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Alaskan Adventure Day 7 & 8
I never realized how hooked I was on networking. As someone once said (and I believe it now,) The computer is the network. I still have been frustrated by sending the e-mail from a pay phone. I've decided it's all in the timing. I've got to time the delays. Well, now I've got to find a phone. This morning, er.. whatever day the 9th of May is, I tried this, but after several retries, found out that the pay phone (on the highway) was also a party line. I was blasting someone's ear for several minutes, not knowing this until I picked up the handset and listened. Whoops! Northern Canada is a bit in the back woods, to say the least.
Well Yesterday I drove through some of the most beautiful country. Two Provincial Parks offered up spectacular Rocky Mountain peaks, wide rivers, and snowy lakes. Lots of snow everywhere. The peaks look saturated (is that possible?). I passed the terminus of the Rocky Mountains (yes they do finally end way up here.) The day was beautiful, only a few scattered cumulus clouds place where they should be. It was on the cold side (22F), but crystal clear. Saw a Bear, but again missed the photoOP. Quite often there is just no place to pull off the road due to no shoulder. Often you can stop in the middle of the road, as long as you are quite certain there is no SEMI coming behind you at 99 kph or higher! There are a lot of these and they move, independent of your own plans!
Saw lots of Caribou feeding at roadside. Even saw a Moose cow feeding last night at this incredible hot springs, called Liard Hot Springs. I rented a space (no utilities), in the forest, in a Provential park and next to a boreal swamp with hot water. Really interesting place. They had put a boardwalk through it to the hot springs (about 600 meters away). There were actually two springs, one about 800 meters. I went to the farthest one and was able to enjoy alone time (I really need that you know). But what was incredible was the 80 foot trees surrounding you, and a gap in the trees that revealed great snow covered mountains painted by the setting sun (doesn't set to about 9:30 right now). Wow, a spiritual moment!
However, as all things must balance, this morning when leaving, I went back to the Hot Springs with my Camera to get the "pictures", and was heckled by drunk campers (some how they thought my aviator' sheepskin hat was "cute".) Drinking beer at 7AM, ah, the pleasures of nature.
Today, May 9th, was another beautiful day. Today I ventured into the Yukon. Again, lots of trees, mountains, rivers, lakes and SNOW! Warmer today, esp. this evening. Near the continental divide (water on the West goes to the Pacific, and water on the west to the Artic sea), there were more fantastic mountain ranges. The rivers up here are really wide, and numerous. Lots of ice floes and large chunks of ice at the edges of all the rivers, some still completed covered with ice. One guy told me that this time last year the trees were already with leaves (not this year).
Well, I'm in a little place called Teslin, in a sparse but great RV park. Finally the water is running (last 3 nights it's been frozen). I look out on a ice covered lake (the largest natural lake in Canada), with snow capped mountains and blue sky in the background and type on the computer (I'm really sick). The dog has had his run and tended to business and I'm ready to make my bed (over the cab of the RV) and snuggle up with a great book. Each night I do this, hoping to read lots of pages, only to fall asleep after about 8 pages. Driving all day long for (now 7 days), is tiring, esp. on the eyes.
Gas continues to be proportionate with the Latitude, just about the same in fact. I've paid .$70 per liter (but that's Canadian), so its about .62 and I'm at latitude 60 North.
I took a rest from my own cooking tonight and ate at the Yukon Motel Cafe (adjacent to the RV Park). Wiener Schnitzel, a good Yukon meal! It was nice to have someone else fix and clean up.
It's kinda exciting for me, the concept of actually being in the Yukon. I remember my first introduction to the Yukon: Sargent Preston of the Yukon (RMCP). It was a 50's sitcom, kinda a cross between the Lone Ranger and Sea Hunt (huh?). Anyway, the Yukon was always such an adventurous looking place, so hear I am in a comfortable RV, with my computer and trusty dog, Prince.
I'll probably be in the Yukon through tommorrow, then Alaska!
Well, someday i'll get this to you (snail mail would probably be faster at this rate!)
Newt
Fri May 10 22:31:57 1996
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Alaskan Adventure Day 9
Well still no luck with e-mail tonight! I even enlisted the help of the operator! I'll keep trying!
This morning left Teslin and drove to Otter Falls Cuttoff, really just a single business with Gas, RV Park and stuffed Animal display!
I didn't drive much today. I stopped a lot for photos, lots of beautiful mountain country in the Yukon! Also, the 3,000 mile mark was passed near Whitehorse, so I got the oil changed in the RV.
I stopped at a beautiful place called Miles Canyon, its really a narrow canyon that the Yukon river goes through, about 100 feet wide and 50 feet deep. The interesting thing is that the water is emerald here. With the rusty vertical cliffs of the basalt next to the green water, it makes for a really beautiful place. I took a couple 360 pans here!
I tried my hand at fishing today. A real sad sight! I haven't fished in 20 years and then you can add the hours on your two hands! I bought a real nice pole and reel (without instructions) and a few spinners. What I was spinning was the line, in tight little loops. I just couldn't get the hang of it. Later, I asked someone at the place i change oil, and figured out the mysteries of the reel. So tonight I tried a bit at a beautiful little river near the RV camp. Unfortunately, the place I tried was a raging rapids, and don't think I did the right thing. I was also worried that my dog was about to plunge over the ice ledge into the raging creek, never to be seen again (by me). So after about 20 minutes I gave that up!
I'm having trouble adjusting to the amount of daylight. Here it is 9:30 PM and it looks about like 7 PM in colorado. The sun doesn't set (depends on the latitude), until about 11 PM. Then it shows its light again about 4:30!
As an old guy I just met told me, do like the Indians do: Sleep when your tired and Eat when you are hungry. Problem is, I know some people that would eat and sleep without relief using that algorithm!
Well, tonight I made myself Hamburger Steak, Baked potatoes, corn, fresh bread from Whitehorse bakery AND I made cookies! I'm stuffed.
Dishes are done, Dog is conked out and I'm ready to make the bed to fall asleep with my exciting Carre book.
Until the next time.
Newt
Sun May 12 08:53:16 1996
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Alaskan Adventure Day 10
The question is: does Newt still have his mind together? I really can't answer that. I've not talked to 3 or 4 people in several days for more than 1 minute each. One starts talking to his self. I get along with myself fairly well, don't argue much, or interupt. (I'll let you decide.)
Any way, the e-mail thing is just frustrating as hell. Finally got to Alaska last night and first thing I did was call Donna on our 800 number and it worked, so I figured I could dial the 800 number for my Internet Provider. WRONG. That number doesn't work in Alaska! So, I'll try another time this morning.
Yesterday, drove from a place called Otter Falls Cutoff, I think outside of Haines. Most of the day I drove along the eastern edge of the Kluane National Park (Canadian). Beautiful mountains, and Kluane Lake, (largest in Canada) and forest. Weather was fair, mostly partly cloudy, wasn't the best for photography. I'm still hoping my second chance on the way back will recoup some of the photo opportunity losses. Miles and Miles of Black Spruce forests. These trees are about 6 to 12 inches in diameter and sometimes 50 feet tall, with tufts of green at the top, quite scraggly, but that seems to be the major tree up here.
At the international border, there is a 20 foot swath of cut trees as far as the eye can see in any direction. I guess they did that to make sure they could see the boundary from the air (???). On entry to Alaska, the highway follows a beautiful extremely wide river valley with the mountains of the Wrangell-St.Elias National Park (USA) in the background. One can imagine the wildlife feeding in the flat permafrost marshes. I didn't see much in the way of wildlife yesterday, kinda disappointing.
Well, I'm now in TOK, AK, and getting ready to head on UP the road to Fairbanks, AK, the official end of my trip. I will include the journey to Anchorage, hoping to get some pictures of Mt. McKinley, if the weather cooperates.
Weather has warmed up, it was actually 50 F last night about 9:30. (The sun didn't set till about 11:30, and was up at 4:30 again!
Well, I'll try my e-mail excerise later and see if I can finally get this to you.
Yours
Newt
Sun May 12 08:57:50 1996
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Happy Mothers Day
Hi, I'm so glad you'll be with someone on Mothers Day. Kate was really nice to invite you. I'm sure she enjoys your company. I feel like a heel to be gone both Mothers Day and our Anniversary.
Well, I'm headed off to take a shower. It will feel good. I've been trying to take one every 2 days. I usually need it.
I'm in TOK, AK right now, had a good night's sleep and not in a real hurry. Should only take about 5 hours to Fairbanks. It's 7AM and I'm probably gonna be on my way about 8:15 (after trying to send this @#@%! e-mail again.
I really miss you and need you. I alternate between feeling this was the wrong thing to do and that it will be OK. The photography has not been the best. Plus my new CANON is broke (it eats batteries for Lunch, I've been through 3 of them). It must have a short in the electrical circuit. My Pentax is sorta broke, (the mirror sticks) so I really just have my Canon A-1. Makes things a bit more inconvenient.
Well, I love you and miss you so much.
Until next time.
Love
Newt
Wed May 15 09:28:47 1996
To: Donna_Perdue
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: HI
MORNING,
Here in my cousin Charisse's driveway in Palmer, AK. Just discovered I may have left my navigator at the restraunt last night. !@$##W$!
I' can't believe it! I'll go back and check, but geeze, what next.
Wind is blowing hard (hope the fire is out). Makes for a nice gentle shake of the RV when sleeping.
Don't know when I'll get off today. I'll go by the restaurant, and then the film place (take care of my two major disasters so far).
Well, I've had a good visit with Charisse, lots of personal talk.
I really miss you.
Wish me no more disasters. Ok at the very least as small as the ones so far.
Love Ya
Newt
Wed May 15 09:45:16 1996
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Alaskan Adventure Days 11 & 12 & 13
Well,since this is delayed in writing, It will be shorter (my memory is not so good).
I drove to Fairbanks in good weather. The scenery is fair, mostly rolling hills and the boring forest (Scraggly looking black spruce and leaveless birch trees). There are some nice views out to the surrounding mountain ranges. It was good to be in Alaska.
They have a visitor center at Delta Junction, the official end of the Alaskan Highway. I stopped there and took photos. Talked to a couple people. One couple had been on the road much longer, NC to NV then to AK. Another bicyclist had just finished 100 mi from Fairbanks!
Fairbanks is a modern city, lots of everything we see in the lower 48 (they get really mad when you refer to the lower 48 as the US). I first went to the U of AK museum. It was a really great place, although a bit smallish. I was lucky, it was graduation day and the entrance fee was free. Picked up a couple books on the AK highway and left. The campus is modern looking and I suspect a good University. Lots of research type places situated at the campus (USGS, etc.)
Interesting, all the parking places at the University had electric receptacles to permit plugging in your car. It gets to 70F below at times.
Stayed across from a place call Alaskaland which featured an opening day special Salmon Bake (something all over Alaska). I decided that for $7.95, why not partake of the 1995 season Salmon (BBQ ribs too.) A bit lonely eating by myself, but good. I walked around the Alaskaland (not really opened yet), lots of old buildings preserved from the Early days of Fairbanks (1910). Listened to a lady practicing harp under a gazebo in the warm sun (I was the only one, she was pretty good!)
Next day, on to Anchorage, AK. This part was just pure beauty. Mountain ranges all around, and the highlight, a visit to Denali Nat'l park. Now you really can't do justice to a Nat'l Park in 4 hours, but I tried. I drove the normally closed road into the park (closed to private vehicles) about 30 miles. Lots of tundra and fantastic peaks rising all around. About mile 9 you can see Mt. Mckinley. Well, if you are lucky. It is 50 miles away and the haze from a Anchorage area forest fire made the photography a waste. That was a real disappointment, but from what I could see it was really an impressive mountain. I think it has the highest rise (from bottom of mountain to top) of any mountain in the world (about 18,000 feet). 3 river valleys (made really wide by retreating glaciers) with opportunity for wildlife viewing (saw a wolf in the short time I had).
Got on the highway and the view from the highway was even more impressive of the Park. A little better view of McKinley, but still quite obscured. I arrived in Wasilla, a suburb of Anchorage about 8PM. My cousin lives there. The last time I saw her was at her wedding 23 years ago. Now I'm in time for the divorce!
We spent yesterday driving (nice past time after driving for 12 days) to Seward on the coast of AK, but unfortunately, the otherwise beautiful drive past mountains rising from the sea (basically fiords) was marred by the heavy smoke from the nearby fire. We had lunch in the small port of Seward, saw the Princess cruise that was in town from Vancouver (pretty white ship) and headed for the EXIT glacier. You can actually walk up to the Glacier! What a site.
Well again, didn't get back to her house until 8 PM again. This morning is probably the last time I have to get e-mail out until I hit the lower 48 states.
I'll try to keep up the log and send the messages when I can. I still would love to here from you guys.
Thanks for listening.
Newt
Thu May 16 10:08:14 1996
To: Trip_List
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Alaskan Adventure Day 14 (or so)
Today I was preparing to leave Anchorage, on my way back. I had a couple duties to perform. First, I had left my Navigator device (GPS) at a restaurant the night before and had to retrieve it (they opened at 10:30). It was there. Whew!
Then, I had a small scare with my photography. The exposure setting part of my Canon came apart and I was afraid that I had set the exposure of the camera wrong on day 1! I had a couple rolls of film developed that confirmed that all looked OK! Whew again!
So I was outta Anchorage by 11AM on my way to TOK, AK via a route called the Glenn Highway. Some really awesome landscape was awaiting me. A climb out of Anchorage (actually Wassila) took me past some beautiful mountains rising out of a wide river valley. Later, after several photo stops, and a lunch stop, we reached the St. Elias, Wrangell mountains. Wow, they rise up from 2,000 feet to a height of 16,000 feet. One of them is the only active volcano in Alaska. It has been getting warmer since the 1964 AK earthquake and is not filled with molten rock. Anyway, many miles of having those majestic mountains rise before me on the highway made me feel like I was in some kind of fantasy land.
I found a place to stay off the highway between there and TOK, a deserted campground right next to an icey creek.
Well, my generator is acting up. Onward!
Newt
Thu May 16 21:22:13 1996
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Alaskan Adventure Day 15
Hello friends.
Who knows when you will get this message. I didn't even try to deal with transmitting e-mail tonight. I'm staying at an RV camp that is also housing a Road construction crew and the outside pay phone stays busy. Who knows what they would think or do if I did my normal comedy act with the pay phone!
Today, I drove from a little campground at Porcupine Creek in a desolate part of Alaska (most of it is) to this RV camp at Pine Valley in the Yukon, a single stop, cafe, gas station and RV camp. Most of these places are run by a single family, the husband usually running the gas station and the bar (one or both sides of it), the wife everything else. Mostly pretty friendly.
I was sad to leave Alaska and decided that I really needed 3 weeks here. It is so full of beautiful scenery and outdoors things to do and all I could muster was DRIVING! I'd like to come a little later in the season, and I'd love to come in the deep of winter to see the Aurea Borelas (sp).
Although I drove along side of the beautiful Wrangell mountains, they were mostly covered by clouds. In fact most of the day the sky was grey to white, with little direct sun to encourage my photography. This road met TOK, AK, a place I'd been on the way up, and only 100 miles or less to the Canadian Border. I fueled up there, since gas prices are higher in Canada. (For one thing, they have a Goods and Services tax 7% on top of all the other taxes and gas cost.) So I was back on the Alaskan highway (which is mostly in Canada), and a chance to get some more pictures (not today).
I'm now approaching (and aside of) the Kluane Park, a very beautiful area full of high mountains and river plains and a huge lake. Near here I photographed a Moose cow (not Moo Cow) eating peacefully in one of the river bottoms or Slough's.
I also spent about 4 hours driving through various construction zones again. God that is tough. Everything in the RV bounces around mercifully, and often falls over (like my tripod). The RV is filty and covered with dust. I'm really amazed that my computer and hard drives haven't fallen prey to the bounce and dust of the road. (I hope I don't speak too soon.)
Prince remains a great traveler. Half of the time he sits or lies at my side demanding that I rub him. When the road gets tough and he can't coerce me into rubbing his head, (this rig needs both hands at times to keep it headed in the right direction) he goes back to the couch and presumbably sulks. I've let him out at most of the rest stops, my only hesitation is the MESS that is around there and his propencity (sp) to eating anything he sees that might be edible.
Geez, there is a lot of litter, esp. at the rest stops. WHY can't people use their litter bags or a trash can???? mumble, mumble.....
I'm reading an entertaining book written in 1947 about the exploits of a single woman with a JEEP and a 40 foot trailer running this road when it was a real adventure! Amazing what we humans can do with determination and drive. Compared with her adventure, I'm on the best highway in America (NOT).
Well, I finally broke down and bought a cheap bottle of red wine to keep me company at night (we all know I need some company).
Well, I'm reciting 50 heal mary's (or is that Hell, or Hail) that the weather will be great for photography tommorrow. I also sacrificed a marshmellow to the photographic god (whose name I've forgotten, but is probably something like, FLASH, or CHROME, or KODIAK).
Well, Tommorrow I pass through some really nice landscape so..... till tommorrow.
Newt
Tue May 21 21:54:40 1996
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Alaskan Adventure Days 16, 17, & 18 I think
Gee, I really got out of the practice of doing this message every night. What happened is that I stayed at several camps that had no power and I didn't really want to waste the expensive fuel for this. So I'll summarize.
Last I remember pulling out of Porcupine Creek and heading south towards the Kluane Lake region. This is a beautiful area in the Yukon bounded on the East by a large lake and the west by huge glaciers and mountains. In fact the Glaciers go all the way to the Alaskan coast. You really can't see them from the road, but you know they are there. The road follows the lake and huge cliffs border the road and the lake. In fact one is so steep, sheep live there (called Sheep mountain). I saw several of the guys. Lots of sweeping views of the snow (and glacier) capped mountains as you leave the area. I stopped at one of the rest stops, fixed lunch and looked out over the lake and mountains. These lunch stops are really great usually.
That night I found a somewhat sparse RV camp, shared with construction workers to stay in. This RV is pretty quiet inside so I slept fine.
Next day I traveled again through perhaps the most beautiful scenery on the Alaskan Highway. This goes through a couple national or provincial parks, one called Stone Mountain (for the Stone Sheep). A beautiful lake in the middle of so many Rocky Mountain Peaks, mostly iced over still but suppossed a deep green color when it thaws. Lots of animals this day. Stone sheep seemed content to let me photograph them from every conceivable angle. They were about 15 in number and decided that the only good stuff to eat was on the side of a small cliff next to the road. It's funny to watch them watch you. They must be thinking ("he could lose some weight", "funny the way they put these black things up next to their eye and make funny noises", "what a smelly exhaust, couldn't they turn off that infernal engine?"), OR stuff to that effect. Sheep are smart.
Oh, Later, while rushing to my favorite hot springs I saw the photo I was waiting to get. Of course, the wrong lens was on the camera and two cars were following closely. I stop (in spite of the fact there's no place to pull off) and reach for the camera, quickly changing lens and roll down the window as the cute 2 baby black bears and their mother scurry into the forest!!!!@@#$@ This happened the next day and the film was gone! I did finally get a black bear picture (I hope).
The hot springs (Liard Hot Springs) camping grounds was full (it was Victoria Day weekend (the old queen Victoria is still celebrated), but there was a commercial (and crummy) RV place across the way, full of high school students celebrating their graduation (why, why???). In any case, I took advantage and walked across the Alaskan Highway to the hot springs. They were great. Finished up about 10:30 (still light out) and went back home (I would have prefered Helicopter service at that point).
In any case, the rest of the trip on the Alaskan Highway was pretty dull (the second time around), the last part of the Alaskan Highway being mostly rolling hills and litter! Don't get me started about litter (not liters). I swear, I don't think anyone has ever heard about NOT throwing out any conceivable item from your car. STOP!
I then deviated from the original trip and went a different way, going to Jasper National Park via Prince George rather than Edmonton. This was is great, having mainly forested, mountainous, lake and river terrain instead of the plains of the other way. I stayed last night at a lake called Bear Lake next to Crooked River. In the forest, under pines, right next to the lake, beautiful ducks and birds singing all evening! Left this morning under a blanket of fog, but even that looked great hanging on the pines and lying low on the lakes.
In Prince George (a huge city in British Columbia of 75,000), I changed oil (the second time at about 6500 miles). Crossed lots of rivers, followed the Fraser river for some time (a major river in BC). Entered the Rockies again and had the view of the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies in my window for some time. They have a complete Provinical Park dedicated to this one mountain (Mt. Robson). It is impressive! Also got a great 360 photo of some water falls.
Anway, I'm in Jasper at a big but nice campground surrounding by high mountains and pines.
Well, I thought working at home was lonely, but this tops it by some amount. Being alone with the only "people" to talk to the dog, gas/convenience store clerks and that's it. Yesterday, I pulled up to a small gas station in the middle of no where, a pregnant lady walks out and fills up the RV. When the gas stopped automatically she kept trying to fill it. I said it was OK (don't fill it more.). She said she had to get it to an even number. I said I was paying by credit card it didn't matter. She said it did 'cause she had to enter the numbers into the books at night and if it was some number like ---.73 it is harder than presumbably -----.75 or .00. I didn't argue further.
The only thing on the radio up here (when you can get it) is pre-election interviews of the NPD or Liberal candidates for Premier of BC or Alberta. They have their provincial elections next week. I listen cause I'm so hungry for conversation (even if it isn't mine).
Well, to be truthful, I'm tired of typing and my neck hurts ('cause my computer glasses are somewhere on the floor). So, until the next time.
Newt
Wed May 22 20:23:06 1996
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Alaskan Adventure Day 19 (?)
It seems like it should be Day 20, but whos counting (I'm not).
Today, I took it easy, mainly because I wanted to get some good pictures of Jasper National Park. I managed to get about 4 QTVR panoramas this morning before the bad weather set in. This park (as I mentioned on the way up here) is just magnificient. Basically, you drive through a valley (Hiway of the Glaciers, or something like that) about 100 miles long that has 3 to 4,000 foot cliffs or peaks rising above you. Generally you follow a wide river bottom, probably filled with ice some thousands of years ago. Lots of wild life here. (Bears, Moose, etc.) (Gotta watch out for those etc, they attach humans when least expecting it.)
Anyway, lots of snow here still (ugh!), but whenever I could get a clear view of both sides of the valley, the river and some sun directly on one side, I'd stop and take a QTVR pan. (Each is about 18 photos, and sometimes I take 2 to bracket the exposures.) It's really risky to take so much film without verification that your photography is working. That's where I'd love to have a really good digital camera. Take a few photos, go into the RV and download the images to your computer, examine them and take them again if they aren't right! This is possible today, but the images of any camera I could afford just aren't high enough resolution.
The "high"light of my trip today was an unplanned hike to the foot of a glacier (Abacathsca Glacier) essentially up the snowfield in front of it, about 1 kilometer but quite steep. The snow was packed, but it was still neccessary to wear the right shows (boots, which I had). I was exhausted, but managed to trudge up there with my tripod and QTVR pan head and cameras and take a QTVR in spite of the bad weather (it was lightly snowing and the peaks had been covered). At least I got some exercise, badly needed after sitting and driving so long and munching on anything in sight, mostly out of boredom!
This afternoon I drove through beautiful scenery only barely decernible due to the rain and clouds. I'm staying tonight in another campground for us RVers among the pines, pretty much the only place to stay in the Park due to the late winter. Here snow is piled up 3 feet high at every corner. And it's cold again! I'm actually in Banff National Park, the two join together in the middle, not sure why they bother to have two of them?
Anyway, it always feels good to stop for the day and make "camp". I've really gotten to look forward to climb into my bunk bed (above the drivers seat) and read for a couple hours (or every how long my eyes will last).
Well, until next day.
Newt
Thu May 23 20:24:38 1996
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Alaskan Adventure Day 20
Well, I sit under the pines again, in my trusty RV writing one of the last notes to you about my boon doogle (I'm sure you all feel this by now.) to Alaska and return. Tommorrow I shall be the in USA, finally able to transmit this e-mail on a phone that I can use my 800 number! So tommorrow you should get these messages. Sorry for the delay.
Today, I left Lake Louise for Banff under cloudy skies, again obsucuring some of the peaks, but worse, making the photography poor (snow peeks against white clouds just don't normally work!) By the time I got through looking through the expensive and upscale town of Banff the weather started to improve and I headed on my way back a bit towards Jasper, but turned west to Kootenay Natl Park. Before that, I was able to get a couple nice QTVR pans from Meadows that were surrounding by sharp snow capped peaks.
The drive across the Continental Divide was great and I stopped often for photos. Another opportunity for a QTVR (at a river bend with Mtns and blue sky). I met a guy cycling from Jasper to the US border at a rest stop at the top of a very long climb and offered him a drink. He accepted and we shared our lives for about 15 minutes. turns out he had two back operations and now, under what he calls the care of a guru therapist, he is doing long cycle trips, and preparing for a marathon run next year. he's 52. Made me feel bad, but that there may be some hope (when I get 52).
I'm staying at a place called Fairview or Fairfield Hotsprings. After writing this note, I plan to go and soak in the hot springs (I know this doesn't sound like a work assignment to most of you, but driving and photography is hard work!) Think of me trying to make some sense out of some 90 to 100 rolls of film when I get back. If I just don't lose the film or the film logs I may be OK!
Prince continues to be one. He had several runs while I was photographing today. He loves to be let loose in a large meadow and just run until his clock runs down (which doesn't seem to be before someone or something interferes and i have to call him to leash!)
Well, you are probably wondering why I am even bothering to send you these messages. They haven't exactly been the travel adventure of all times. I decided I needed to have some notes to remind me of what I did as I put the CD-ROM together and this is it. Hopefully, the photos will be a nice supplement!
I'm currently planning to go into Glacier Nat'l Park, Yellowstone and Teton's on the way home to try and get some 360 pans! Hope the weather cooperates. I'll try to get Big Spurt or Old Faithful to pose for a 360 pan. (The problem isn't the geyser, but the thousands of people surrounding it!)
Till tommorrow,
Newt
Sat May 25 21:14:40 1996
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Alaskan Adventure Day 21
Well today really did turn into an adventure. I left the campsite in Fairmont, BC refreshed and headed down the highway looking forward to returning to the USA.
I approached customs (after stopping and getting a few gifts and my Canadian Club at the duty free) and they asked the normally questions, where you been, where you going, citizenship, any guns, how many people in the RV, etc. Then a guy comes out of the customs office and asks me to step out of the RV, instructs another guy to drive my RV to a garage and tells me to follow another officer into the building. I ask what's going on and get ignored. I'm wondering if I forgot to shower last night?
They took me into a "holding room", an empty room with nothing but a door, and I asked again. Nothing. They fisked me just liked on TV, pretty throughly. A rather rotund lady officer asks me if I've been in trouble with the law. I say no. She says to wait (like I had a choice) and closed the door. I sat in there 10 minutes until a guy comes in and asks where my ID is. I told him where in the RV and asked him to bring it here and I'd show him. (They didn't bother to have me show them, they just went through my pockets.)
So another 10 minutes goes by and they finally come in reserved, but friendly saying there must have been a mistake. They said their computer popped up a warning that the driver of my vehicle was "armed and dangerous". While I do have two arms, I'm not very dangerous, except to myself. (Sorry, it wasn't funny at the time.) I was really pretty shook up. As I sat in the "holding room", I was wondering how long I'd be held without food, water, my one phone call, would I ever see my children again, would I ever know what I'd done?. It's really a frightening feeling (and hopeless) to be denied your rights.
After it was cleared up, I put up a little fuss about how this could have happened. If it was so important and serious, why didn't they catch this going into Alaska, or Canada? They said probably some guy didn't punch my numbers into the computer or someone did it wrong! Whew. I called the RV owners and they said the license plates were new one year ago. They were gonna call DMV (I'm sure they will have the answer in no time!)
Anyway, I'm in Glacier National Park and the road over the top and through the beautiful mountains (the main attraction) is closed due to too much snow. (I was here a couple times in the past, but wanted a few QTVR pans.) In any case, I spent the afternoon taking pictures (QTVR pans) of waterfalls on the great river. (Also about 30 minutes doing my e-mail in a disserted campground).
Just finished a great pork rib dinner I BBQed under giant Cedars in the only campground open on the West side, next to MacDonald Lake, beautiful here. Weather great.
Today is our (Donna and me) eleventh aniversary (who knows what they call it, Titanium, or Iron, or something like that!) I'm here and very lonely, oh well, such is the fate of the working man and women today.
Tommorrow, I plan to go to Yellowstone for a couple days before heading home.
Thanks for tuning in.
Newt
Sat May 25 21:34:06 1996
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Travels with Prince Day 22
Well, today started with fantastic weather, all the more frustrating that Logan Pass through Glacier was closed. It was the best weather they'd had all spring! I took a couple more pictures (some mirror reflection of the mountains from the lake) and scooted down the road towards Yellowstone. A pretty uneventful day (thank God!) with great weather and views of Montana farms, horses, cows, green pastures with dandilions making them bright yellow with Mountains in background. I took a couple photos like this (naturally).
Prince and I play a bit while we are traveling. I point out all the cows and horses and sheep. He jumps to the window looking for them. If I point, he usually goes to that side of the RV to look. Gets real excited (don't know why). Of course if I say, "there's a dog", he goes even crazier! I'm working on him pointing out the good looking girls. (don't know why)
We are in a KOA campground with electricity tonight near Bozeman, MT, about 80 miles from Yellowstone. I just finished dinner. The only problem with an RV is it is like sleeping in your kitchen. It smells for a day like what you cooked or burned last. Tonight I thought I'd make cookies (I have some generic cookie mix, just add water). Directions say, 3 cups of mix to 1/4 cup water. For me that is about 3 shakes from the box into a bowl, and add enough water from the faucet directly until it looks right and mix. Well, it ended up as one sheet of 1/4 inch cookie burned on the bottom and raw on the top. Pretty good actually. Scraping up the remains and put in a baggy, I have enough for tommorrow.
The mountains toward Yellowstone look socked in with rain (or snow) clouds. I hope it will blow over tonight and make a great day for photos.
What idiot planned a visit through Yellowstone on Memorial Day weekend???? Oh well.
Well it's back to the end of my John Le CarrŽ novel (The Night Manager) and see WHO DID IT (or actually, if the good guy gets the bad guy).
Later
Newt
Sat May 25 21:25:03 1996
To: Steve Jay
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Re: Alaskan Adventure Days 11 & 12 & 13
Yes Steve, I received it and sorry if I haven't been prompt to answer. As you may have read I've still not master the art of this "on the road" e-mail. Not only are there technical difficulties using pay phones, there is sort of an embarassment, esp. when someone is waiting and you have a long cord dangling out of your RV with a strange device on the phone. I guess I should have made up my "Sorry Temporarily Out of Order" sign and just skip the questions.
I still think there should be the universal Internet socket on the road. A new physical and logical interface that you put your quarters in, a physcial plug and away you go, surfing on the road. Call it "Internet to Go". There's a start-up, or maybe a new business unit for Cisco!!!
Later
Newt
Tue May 28 21:18:12 1996
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Alaska Adventure: The last testament
Well, I'll more or less wrap things up. I'm not home yet, but only about 4 hours driving time (not including any stopping for pictures) from home.
Yellowstone was pretty good, except it was rainy and cloudy.I still managed to get a couple Quicktime VR's. Most of them of waterfalls and canyons (jumped over the protective fences and made sure I had the best shots, probably not a good idea. A ranger later told me the area in the Canyon overlook that I was standing was almost completed demolished in the last earthquake, the part I stood on was the only part standing!) Anyway, pictures can be impressive with clouds.
The number of people was a bit frustrating, but it didn't bother me too much. I stayed in the Madison campground which I felt lucky to get a place with it being Memorial day and all. Wow, the water has been running really high in all the places in MT, WY so far. Makes for really impressive waterfalls.
Of course, probably the biggest attraction for most tourists in Yellowstone are the BISON, ELK and MOOSE (a bear if you can see one). We saw BISON in great numbers (almost ran over one (er.. reverse who does what to who there)), Elk were not as numerous and only saw briefly a couple Moose. Still didn't get the desired MOOSE picture.
The road from Mammoth to Madison was probably the worst on the entire 8,000 mile trip! Stuff bounced all over the damn place (the computer still keeps computing, including the hard drive that has not moved from the foam rubber on the floor since I left!).
I tried twice to transmit e-mail. My modem just won't connect to the provider's modem. I suspect it has something to do with the path they are using from Yellowstone(?).
So next day, raced out to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone at 8AM and only one other person was there (at first). He help me and my QTVR tripod/camera assembly over the railing. I felt a bit nervous and guilty ('cause I'd probably critize someone else I saw doing the same), but you only live once.
Tried to get a good pan on the south RIM but too many people by then, and not a real good place (I needed a 20 foot ladder with a tripod on top!)
Left the park and headed for the Tetons. Picked out a camp site about 3PM and then went in search of a good QTVR. Found a couple. Unfortunately, the peaks were generally in the clouds, but still impressive. This morning, leaving Teton, some of the peaks were clear, so I got a few nice single stills.
Crossing the Continental divide for about the 100th time, I was out of the Rockies, into the beautiful foothills in WY (all red sculptured rock), and one of the tires on the RV decided to fall apart. I put out a flare, and started the process of changing the tire. I located all the stuff (jack, jack handle, wrench, blocks, spare tire) and then couldn't get the hydrolic jack to work. I then tried to loosen the bolts on the tire and that wouldn't work, frustrated at that, a nice rancher stopped and he tried also, with same result. Since my CELLULAR phone was out of contact, and his radio wouldn't work, he drove 30 miles to the next town and called AAA for me. About 1.5 hours later (after I had lunch in the RV), a AAA tow truck showed up. I had learned about 5 minutes before that the damn bolts were left handed and I had been trying to tighten them all the time!!! Anyway, the jack still wouldn't work and they made short order of it. So.. 2 hours later I was on my way. Next large town I bought a new tire and had it put on in place of the spare! So about 3 hours were taken with the tire today.
I drove till about 7:30 and I'm in a nice campground next to a roaring river (Encampment River) close to the Colorado border. I've taken a scenic short-cut to Colorado from WY which I've always wanted to do. Now, I'm just hoping that the 12,000 foot pass through Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park is open (and that the RV can climb it) so I can avoid a lengthy detour to home. I live about 40 miles south of the park.
Well, Prince is doing fine, a bit ancy and loves to get out and run when possible. I think he will be as glad to see home as I will.
Well, I'll send all these messages tommorrow after getting home.
Thanks for listening and please come visit us.
Newt
Thu Jun 06 14:34:05 1996
To: editors@tidbits.com
From: perdue@csn.net (James "Newt" Perdue)
Subject: Hardy Equipment
I thought you might be interested in a couple experiences of mine.
I just completed a 30 day trip in an RV (1983 Ford Jamboree) to Alaska and back
(to Colorado), via the Alaskan Highway (part of a CD-ROM project I'm doing).
I installed my Mac 6100 with DOS card and Apple's AV monitor, a separate hard
drive (from APS and Quantum), a V.34 modem from Zoom, an acoustic coupler device,
50 feet of phone cord and a ZIP drive in the RV. I tied the Monitor and Computer
to a table (with a 1" piece of foam underneath), and placed the hard drive,
the Zip drive and the modem on the floor on a piece of foam (1") (Not tied
down).
I also used an APC 600 battery backup to plug in the equipment, which was powered by a generator on the RV or an AC power source when possible.
The amazing part (for me) was that the equipment functioned without a problem for the 30 days and I'm writing to you on it now. Not a problem! The vibration and bouncing encountered on the Alaskan Highway (and in Yellowstone) was tremendous. I drove about 28 days straight. Potholes, washboard dirt roads (miles and miles of it), and synchronous concrete slabs didn't fret my trusty Mac and it's partners.
If I was so amazed, why did I take it with me? Good question. I mainly used it for e-mail, notes, and playing my favorite CD's at night. Of course, I had a lot of larger intentions that I never had time to do.
In any case, Kudos to those manufacturers for making equipment like that! If you have any contacts at those various companies, feel free to forward this message.
A side note. I didn't have a lot of luck in Canada and some places in the US with my acoustic coupler and pay phones. There is a lot to be desired using e-mail on the road. I would love to see a company work on providing such remote access easier (I have some ideas.)
Use this as you may, including as vapor bits in your computer.
Good bit of Mac reporting consistently from you guys. Keep up the good work!
Newt Perdue
THIS LOG IS COPYRIGHTED BY JAMES N PERDUE. Please write me at perdue (at) rvinteractive (dot) com. for permission for reprinting.