FosseOdyssey

The Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 created a need to provide more security for North America.  A route was needed to haul goods and equipment from the lower states to Alaska.  It was decided to build a highway and finish it in under 1 year. Random facts *ALCAN is 1523 miles from Dawson Creek BC to Fairbanks *11,000 US troops utilized *7,000 pieces of equipment *133 bridges built *8 months and 12 days to construct Here we are in Dawson Creek at the Mile 0 - the start of the highway.   The "must take" photo opportunity.   Of the 133 bridges only 1 is left.  Located in Kitkatinaw Park (20 minutes outside Dawson Creek) We were able to drive (not in the RV's) over the bridge.  It is definitely an engineering wonder. Glad we were able to celebrate the 75th anniversary.

We stopped at a rest stop outside Mt Vernon WA.   While eating lunch a fellow traveler returning to Canada asked if we wanted their limes and avocados. Canada doesn't allow us to bring  tree fruit across the border.  We started talking to him about our trip to Alaska.  FIrst stop in BC in Cache Creek.  Well that's a problem, he says.  There is a massive wildfire and Cache Creek has been evacuated and the road to Prince George is closed.   But the good news we can reroute to the east and take Hwy 1. Maybe an extra 100 miles but highway driving. Thank goodness for the internet. We found a new RV park in Clearwater- Dutch Lake RV Resort.  OF course they also had a few smaller fires a few miles from the resort and it was smokey from the cache creek fires.   But the lake was beautiful....coffee on the dock at sunrise was spectacular. Thank goodness for friendly and informed fellow RVers.  Moral of story, listen to news and be flexibl...

First stop Redding.  For those who have ever traveled Interstate 5, you'll know it's not the most scenic drive of the Golden State. I-5 begins at the SanYsidro  port of entry at the Mexico border. It continues north into Washington before ending at the Canadian border near Blaine Washington.  Obviously a massive highway construction project ...built in stages between the 1950'sand 1980's.  YIKES!!! We are older than most of the interstate.  Trivia  question- What does this have to do with Redding you ask? The last segment of I-5 opened just north of Redding.    While here we visited the world famous Subdial Bridge   The sundial bridge is a cantilever spar cable  stayed bridge.  This pedestrian/bicycle bridge crosses the Sacramento River. It's a working sundial and one of largest in the world, PST time. The gnomon' shadow is cast upon a large dial to the north of bridge. Ok...this trip is a vocabulary lesson.  ( Hope the g...

First day of retirement...a special shout out to my community family.  Not only did they treat us to a delicious lunch, but gave the perfect gift.... The Most Scenic Drives in America. Included within were sticky notes with suggested trips.  We will definitely take your suggestions •John- Grand Canyon, we want to go river rafting there •Leslie- Connecticut-we are definitely going east and do want to visit Mystic Seaport and Yale •Cindy- Louisiana definitely "laissez les bons temps roulet" - let the good times roll. •Melissa- Florence and Bandon..wish we were there now.....escaping the summer heat.  Can't wait to visit the Oregon coast • Choua- Yosemite a visit to see Bridal Veil, another spectacular drive •MLiz- Austin Texas a trip to all the state capitals is on our wish list A recent quote I read said it best...RETIREMENT IS NOT THE END OF THE ROAD ....ITS THE BEGINNING OF THE OPEN HIGHWAY.   Thanks for being a part of the journey

Getting ready for future hikes.  Joined a hike group to see the Avila Beach Lighthose .  A "moderate" 3.6 mile hike on the Pecho Trail.  A beautiful blue sky in May.  This is not a hike for newbies, lots of up and down trail.  Our guide was a host of random info.  For those native Californians...QUIZ time: 1. What is the state rock?  Nope....not gold, it's serpentine 2. What is the state lichen?   Before you even answer that, do you even know what lichen is?  And it is not a plant.  You'll have to google definition or give Jerry Brown a call.  He signed the bill in 2015 designating  the Lace Lichen as the official state lichen. The next 2 questions are easy for native californians 3. What is state flower?  Yep, still the poppy 4 what is state animal? Think about our flag.....the grizzly 🐻 Moving on to the main attraction of our hike - the lighthouse.  Built in 1890. Decommisoned in 1974.  Local voluntee...