Mom - Update

   I think that the last time I blogged we were trying to get to Fairbanks, Alaska.  We tried but the roads just got too bad to make it up.  So we lost our opportunity to go to the Artic Circle (darn it!!).  But we were able to go back to Girdwood to go snowmobiling!! I think that the kids updated you on that adventure.  We had a blast. 

    We had to take John back to the airport on Sunday evening and then we started out to Valdez.  Valdez was the site of the oil spill.  I will have one of the kids blog on that soon.  The drive down was beautiful!!  More huge mountains and lots of snow, but the roads were completely clear.  Which was great.  We spent the night there and went out to see the pipeline on Tuesday (I think, I am having major trouble keeping up with the days).  After leaving Valdez we went back up into the Yukon Territory and then back down to Skagway, Alaska.  The only way to reach Skagway from the rest of Alaska is by boat or by coming through the Yukon Territory. 

Leaving out of Alaska, we were treated to a veiw of a Lynx.  He was out in the middle of the road and then looked back at us then darted out to the woods.  It was shocking!!  Unfortunately, we had no time for a camera shot. 

We were then snowed in that night, but were able to leave out the next morning. 

We then headed back out the Alaska Highway.  Smooth sailing back to the Hot Springs, which felt amazing.  It was snowing but the springs were still 110 degrees.  Wonderful.  We all swam and played for a while, but had to leave to try to make it over the Canadian Rockies.  Boy was that a ride.  I have posted some pictures for you to see what our driving conditions were.  It was miserable!!  Remember all the beautiful mountains on the way out, well those are still here but now the road is covered in snow.  We made it over the rockies and slept in Fort Nelson last night.  The road there was great when we went to bed, but this morning we have a major storm coming through. 

We were only able to make 140 miles today and stopped off in Pink Mountain where hopefully it will stop snowing tonight and we can drive out again tomorrow.  We have about a foot and 1/2 on the ground today.  The plows are not able to keep up with the roads as is evidenced by the pictures below.  Please pray that we will get out of here tomorrow!! And back to the United States soon!!!!

Lots of love.

The sardines

Dinner Turn again Arm

Road side snow into Valdez

Pipeline going into Valdez

Avalanche remains in Valdez

Alcan Highway Caribou

Alcan Buffalo

Roadside Cabin in Canadian Rockies

Road we were attempting to cross