The RV Rally starts ---

Today was the "Opening Ceremonies" with the expected introductions, etc. and the parade of flags of the many Escapees' Chapters.  We had never seen before the two that carried in our chapter flag.  The founder Kay Peterson (husband Joe died a year ago) offered a few remarks and they were great, so funny, so true.  She is 87 years old and did a better job on stage than anyone else!  She said "everyone keeps asking me how I am, what do they think that I'm about to keel over and they need to know when to call for an ambulance.  I am fine, don't ask me again."  Afterwards was the Escapees traditional Sunday afternoon ice cream.  In the evening first many nice gifts were given away, value around $100 each.  We didn't win any and didn't expect to as we never win.  After that a couple who have a show in Branson entertained.  They are RVers and had songs they wrote that were so true about the trails of RVing.

Registration

Today was early registration for the RV Rally.  Why do some people think they are super special and have to push in front of the line?  The line was only about 3 deep.  One woman cornered me and complained about everything, I tried to ignore her.  We decided to have coffee and a donut and then saw some people we know, sat with them for awhile.

We went to Long John Silvers for dinner and came home to watch some TV.  Hope tonight the person down the street will not find it necessary to set off firecrackers at 11 PM.

Arrived at Gillette

We got to Gillette about noon for the Escapees RV Rally.  Even though many other RV's were parking it was a breeze.  The parking staff was very organized and knew right where they wanted us.  We had to first disconnect the car which I drove.  Someone just had to get between me and the  motorhome so I didn't see where Don went, it took a couple trips around to find the motorhome.  We are closer to our neighbors than I would want on a normal basis but it will work.  We only have 30 amps of electricity vs. the 50 amps we usually have but we can also make that work.  Also there is a busy train track nearby for trains hauling all the coal.

Later we drove around Gillette some and got our very dirty car washed.  Came home and had Mongolian Grill leftovers for dinner.

Wall Drug, Three Flags and to Rapid for dinner

We stopped at Wall Drug for lunch although because of the time change it was just after 10 AM but we were still on Central Time so it was 11AM to us.  The place was packed with tourists who didn't know where they were going or what they had just gotten themselves into.  We then moved on to Three Flags RV park west of Rapid City, good thing we had reservations.  Was good to get the air conditioners going as it was around 90 degrees.  In the evening we went back into Rapid for dinner at a favorite place "Mongolian Grill".

Moving the motorhome again

Today we got out of Dakotah Meadows about 8:30 AM and headed south and then west to half way through South Dakota.  It has been a HOT day with temps around 90 degrees.  We had dinner at Al's Oasis like we always do when traveling this way and are staying at Oasis Campground.  Still 88 degrees at 7:30 PM.

More rain

It just rains all the time.  Last night we had a storm come through around midnight and then another one about 3AM.  It rained from then to about 7 AM.  I heard we have had 3 inches of rain in the last two days.  There was a serious storm in north Minneapolis which left many people without electricity and there are many trees down.  We have a little blue sky now so it is officially hot and humid.  From snow when we got here in late April to rain now, not a nice spring.

Back to "real" life

The cruise laundry is done, things caught up on the computer, mail gone through - back to normal if I still wasn't so tired.

It is Minnesota hot and humid, maga storms scheduled for tonight.

Home, Laundry and Resting

It's good to be back to reality but not so good to have piles of laundry.  I have gone back for the last week and caught up on the blog.  We had very slow internet on the ship and just too hard to keep up.  I was almost sick tired last night but feel better today, need another day to catch up!

Into Vancouver and off the ship

It was time to leave the ship and head home.  We had a short flight from Vancouver, Canada to Seattle, Washington and then a 3 hour flight to Minnesota.

Vancouver, Canada

Last day cruising

Today was time to do things on board the ship and just relax until we had to pack up to leave.

Small village along waterway

Campground with a view!

Ketchikan Alaska

Today in Ketchikan we took a boat trip, how to trap crabs was demonstrated.  Afterwards we had an "all you can eat" crab lunch.  It was a late lunch so we were not too hungry at dinner!

Old salmon canning factory

Juneau

We pulled in to Juneau today.  We all went on a whale watch, Mendenhall glacier and salmon lunch.  We saw a lot of whales, they were doing "bubble feeding" which happens for about a week out of the year and rare to see.  It was over 80 degrees in Juneau, also very rare.

Bri watching whales

Eagles on cross

Mendenhall Glacier

Skagway Alaska

We docked in Skagway today.  Don and I went on a narrow gauge train trip into the mountains and to Canada.  Another beautiful day!

Glacier Bay

We cruised into Glacier Bay today, beautiful weather and great glacier viewing!

Cruising Glacier

Today is cloudy and overcast and not a great day for glacier viewing.  There was too much ice in the bay for the ship to get too close but we did get a view of the glacier.  We celebrated Bri's 13th birthday in the evening.

Glacier and ice field

Happy birthday to Bri

Coral Princess

After a two hour bus trip we made it to Whittier to board the cruise ship Coral Princess.  What a beautiful drive - snow covered mountains, glaciers, water.  We checked in and went to our cabin.   After a buffet lunch we went back and unloaded luggage, took a nap and got ready for dinner.  We had a good dinner,  I had prime rib.  Later we sat on our balcony and watched the ship leave the harbor.

Leaving Whittier Alaska 

Beautiful mountains along side ship

Anchorage

After a long flight we made it to Anchorage, Alaska today.  We are staying at the Captain Cook hotel with daughter Sheila, her husband Ken and three kids.   The weather is great.

2 days, 4 hours and 47 minutes

until we sail on the Coral Princess from Whittier (Anchorage) Alaska to Vancouver, Canada.  I am as packed as I am going to be and ready to be taken to the airport at 6:30 tomorrow morning!

Getting ready for Alsaka

Did the major packing today, what a job.  I feel like we are taking half of what we own.  We fly into Anchorage tomorrow and then board the cruise ship on Wednesday.

49th Anniversary

Today is our 49th wedding anniversary!  We ate out at Red Lobster, had a good meal and then came home and watched a movie.  Next week will continue our celebration ----

Gray Day

It is almost worse having such heavy cloud cover than a good old fashioned rain storm.  At least with the storm something is happening.

We ate at Bakers Square, we used to eat there a long time ago.  We had good hamburgers and seasoned fries and a slice of strawberry rhubarb pie for dessert.  Afterwards Don for a quick trip to Menards to return a light bulb that didn't fit.  

Rain again

We ate breakfast at Little Six Casino and then got haircuts so the cruise ship people won't kick us out.  Then we got a few groceries.  We went out later to get tacos to eat at home for dinner.  What an exciting day - not!  I keep thinking I should make a list or something so I will remember to pack everything, the time is coming fast, we leave a week from today for Anchorage.

Dentist for Don

Don had three fillings that were replaced today.  I was just happy to stay home and clean house!  Most of the day it looked like rain - again but didn't get any.  We stayed home the rest of the day, even ate dinner at home!

Fine day for a picnic brunch

We had our daughters and families to the motorhome for a picnic brunch this morning to celebrate Sheila's birthday.  We had egg bake, monkey bread, fruit and mimosas.  Also birthday cake and ice cream.  We sat around the campfire for awhile.  Was a cool but sunny day, some of us took off our wraps and ended up with a fine sunburn on our winter white skin.  The day was lots of fun for us.