Cantwell......... In The RAIN.... will it ever stop?

Monday, July 3rd .....  Just in case anyone is wondering..... IT IS STILL RAINING!!! 

Checked into Cantwell RV Park and guess who I ran into..... the couple from Virginia that camped next to me on the River Bank!  We reminisced about how loud the ATVs were all hours of the night and they couldn't sleep either.  Met another lady.... already forgot her name... anyway, she lives here at the Park in a little cabin.

I did 2 loads of laundry ($3.00 to wash and $2.00 to dry one load) costing me $10.00 -- they have a captive audience with this. Used their hot showers for a long shower and washed my hair (limit on door states no more than 45 minutes in shower -- to me, that's a LONG time). Grabbed a book out of their little library and after I finish this will starting reading. It is so good to be here (with hot showers, laundry, and full hookups). Tomorrow they are having a Bar-B-Cue PotLuck dinner for everyone which ought to be interesting. Wonder what kind of meat they will cook?  I'm taking baked beans -- ya know, Bushes Maple Honey Baked Beans in the can dumped in a crock pot.

Wish my photographs were better........ wish the sun would shine........ People that have already left Alaska are commenting on Facebook how the weather is 100% better in Canada and the views are beautiful.  Am beginning to looks forward to that drive.

Hurricane Gulch -- can't walk on bridge so I turned around and stopped in the midle to take this.  I sure wish you could see how pretty this really is.

Hurricane Gulch Bridge

Just another beautiful view that I could NOT see

This was interesting..... One man's dream to build a hotel in the shape of an Igloo.  It was never finished and sits boarded up.

Signs on the road state this is one of the most photographed sight on Denali Highway -- wouldn't it be great if we could see what is so wonderful about it?

 I'm going to go read a book..............

 

And On To Denali..... In The Rain.....

Sunday,  July 2nd .....  What a night!!!  I've figured out people are coming here to have fun for the week-end and more than likely on into the 4th of July meaning Monday, Tuesday and maybe more. And by fun.... I mean they are running up and down the bank on ATVs well past midnight ('cause it ain't dark) leaving those who want to try and sleep irritated (like ME). Not to mention, around midmight, came fireworks and it's not 4th of July yet!  The big boom kinda -- pretty but LOUD!

Yesterday afternoon I saw someone drive in with FLORIDA plates.... the excitement of seeing that.... oh my! Didn't want to waste time putting on socks and walking shoes just jumped into my flip flops (big mistake on road with lots of large rocks). Introduced myself and we chatted for a bit-- they were from Deerpark or something and are traveling..... hitting all the National Parks in USA, Canada and South America. Said they have a 3 year plan (and must have some bucks to do it with -- they appear to be in their late 40's). 

Winds kicked up a lot yesterday, making it real dusty and the ATVers did help the sand flying everywhere,  light rains came about 8:00pm. That didn't stop the ATVers -- nothing did!!! This morning work up to light rain and clouds (I would not want to live here). Made a pot of coffee and noticed coffee running everywhere but in the pot and the grounds were all over the countertop so I figure, "Great.... 200 miles from a Wal-Mart, in the Alaska wilderness and my coffee pot breaks --- just throw me to the bears!" Cleaned up the mess and tried again... said a little prayer right before hitting the button and it worked perfectly.  Thank you GOD.

Decided I've had enough of "family fun and ATVers" so I packed up and pulled out heading toward Denali National Park. When I was growing up this was called Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in North America. The people from Virginia left this morning, also. Drove in light rain but lots of low hanging clouds so it was impossible to see the mountains. Decided I didn't want to drive through the whole park area and not see anything so I pulled off to spend the afternoon and night. After all, Denali National Park is one of the main reasons Alaska is on some many bucket lists.

Was given some sage advice about pulling off the road to spend a night. First, decide your general location (Denali) then find a signal on your phone then locate your pull off location. There were several on the way to where I am now but no signal so I kept driving. One spot was great except it was really surrounded by woods and I kept hearing ole Faye telling me not to let a bear get me so.... I moved on!  Found a spot with enough for maybe 4 or 5 RVs, it has Verizon signal and kinda decent view -- if the rain and clouds will stop. It's 1:30pm and kinda early for people to start stopping for the night -- am the only one here now.  Will move on, around 9ish, if no one else parks.  Tomorrow I plan to check into Cantwell RV Park for full hookups (electric, water & sewer) as I need to do laundry and just want electricity for awhile. Gonna stay there 4 nights and plan my return route home.

Off to make lunch -- hot dogs and chips..... yummy!!   Then see what happening things are on the internet.... maybe read up on my soaps (GH, Y&R, B&B) to catch up.  

Alaskan Denali Memorial to WWII

Faye, this was the view from my window at the place I left 'cause I kept hearing you in my thought, "don't let a bear get you"

This is my view now..... from my Pull Off stop -- you can see mountains in the background with lots of low clouds and there is a path for better viewing -- to wet for me to get out now.   Maybe later.

This is how miserable the day is with light rain and no ability to view anything -- this is at a location famous for taking photographs -- you can barely see a mountain peak.  Maybe tomorrow.............

Fellow from Virginia trying his luck fishing -- NO LUCK....

It's July Folks..... Still down by the River!

Saturday, July 1st Morning.....  Yesterday, the sun did finally come out - after 5pm

The couple, from Virginia, parked next to me are originally from Poland. I wondered where their thick almost broken accents originated. Anyway, the wife wondered why "Alaska" is the place every wants to come to because after being here, it is just like everywhere else. I giggled as I feel the same way. Each state.... yes, I'm gonna say it again.... has its own beauty. She likes Canada better and gosh.... I think I feel the same way -- the Western part of Canada anyway.  Don't get me wrong.... glad I came to Alaska 'cause I've always wanted to.  It's on most all bucket lists.... and now I wonder why? Other than plain and simple, "it's Alaska".

This place I'm parked by the river is a popular site for week-end families, people with kids and ATV vehicles. Young men with big dogs and ATVs -- and they were still coming in at midnight. It's the week-end and I'm not sure what today will bring as there must be at least 25 ATVs in the area (even though they are all at the other end -- sound carries!. Last night one loner kept riding up and down the bank -- at midnight!  We'll see how today goes if I stay longer here. Might drive through Denali Mountains and find a place to spend a couple of nights there. Am checking into Cantwell RV Park on the 3rd for 4 nights of FULL HOOKUPS.... meaning I will have electricity, water and a place to dump my tanks. After boondocking for 9 days this is a necessity.

Anyway, woke up about 4:30 to RAIN.... Yes...  RAIN!  Rolled over and went back to sleep since the rain keeps the sun out of the windows. Got up at 5:30 and no rain with blue skies, white and dark clouds PLUS the sun! Woo Hoo....  got up, heated the water, took a shower, made coffee put my outside mat down and brought out the chair. Brenda, if you read my blog -- I still use my coffee cup you gave me! It's 6:30 now and I don't see anyone moving around. Lots of RVers, people in tents and a few sleeping in vans. Makes ya wonder..... those not in RVs -- what do they do for "bathroom time"?  Big signs in all places like this not to do your "business" in the woods -- BEARS. I need to get a photo of that sign. 

So I'm up and gonna post this blog since I've not called and checked in with Dianne in a few days (I am fine). Debbie got a new ride so I talked with her yesterday and of course Linda is texting about my mail -- yes, I still have bills to pay.

 

This Morning with my mat and chair waiting on me! Woo Hoo -- SUN

This is probably 3/4 of the campers this morning -- ATV people are around the bend.

By me and the Folks from Virginia are some bikers that came in about 11ish last night