Barbara, Larry & Ray Striver

Barbara, Larry, & Ray Stiver are enjoying these Alaskan Husky Puppies on Godwin Glacier near Seward, Alaska.  This tour flew them up by helicopter and landed on this beautiful glacier.  They also rode on a dog sled pulled by a whole team of Huskies before departing this massive river of ice and snow.  

Beth Brady

Have you ever “kissed a moose”???  Well Beth Brady did in Palmer, Alaska.  This 4 year old Moose was abandoned when he was a baby and taken in by a nearby Reindeer Farm.  We were given a wonderful tour of this farm where we also got to hand feed a herd of Reindeer and learn all about their life here and in the wild.  We enjoy another great day here in the land of the midnight sun.

Tom & Gayle Williams, Ginny Test

Whitehorse hugs both banks of the Yukon River.  Its history dates back to the Klondike gold rush days, because it was the first place to get supplies before moving on to the gold fields near Dawson City.  The flavor of life in Gay 90’s abounds everywhere.  There are several museums in town to visit, a Wal-Mart, Canada Tire Store, even a Starbucks.  It is the capital of the Yukon Territory and 20,000 of the 30,000 people in the Yukon reside here.

Fantasy planned a tour of the city for us and the guide knew the history and area well.  Whitehorse has always been a transportation hub.  It was the end of the White Pass Railroad, has a cute little trolley, and the weather vane at the airport is a retired DC 3. The paddle steamer SS Klondike is beached downtown.   The group had a great time touring this historic boat which plied the Yukon River between here and Dawson City.  It was another exciting and interesting day.  

Larry Price

After a great home cooked meal provided by our RV Park owners, Fantasy provide us transportation the Frantic Follies Revue.  What another toe tapping fun filled evening.  I am again so happy that I am letting Fantasy do all the work and I am just having a ball.   The weather was outstanding, the tour fascinating and the revue a great nightcap.

Up to the top Summit Pass, the highest pass on the highway at 4,281 ft our bus climbed or should I say trudged.  Stone sheep slowed us down on more than one occasion, sometimes for photography and sometimes because the just want to stand in the road.  Then, Muncho Lake, a blue gem spreading out at the base of snow-capped peaks came in view.  A herd of buffalo halted us just before Liard Hot Springs.

Liard Hot Springs is a must stop on any trip for weary travelers after miles of mind-bowling scenery.  Fantasy arranged our camping right at the hot springs so we could come and go for a warm relaxing soak in the water as often as we wanted.  Just to sit and feel the warm water taking away the cares of world as if there are any on this trip.    

I did mention that modern communication is available, but the internet is sparse.  So, my travels will be posted slowly as I get internet.  The group placed a sign in the sign post forest today and soon we will arrive in Whitehorse. Whitehorse’s history and beginning are tied to the famous, but short Klondike gold rush of the early 20^th century.  Maybe Sargent Preston of the Yukon with his dog King will be there, only the “Shadow” knows.  I am sure the activities that Fantasy has lined up will keep us hopping.

Dawson Creek is the official start of the Alaska Highway and it is tradition to have a group photo under the Mile 0 sign.  Fantasy had a professional photographer come, so the whole group is in the photo.  So, often the photographer is missing.  The group appreciated this.  The day was spent visiting historical sights on the original road and meandering around the small museum about the highway.  Tomorrow our official Alaska Highway RV adventure begins, but tonight we feasted on a Fantasy Tour staff catered dinner.  It was delis! 

We met at our snow coach, hopped on board and off we chugged up the mountain.  Our driver guide explained the geology of the Icefields as we climbed to the Athabasca Glacier.  We hopped out of the bus and the temperature had dropped 20°.  I get cold easy, so I took the wagon master seriously when he said to bring a warm jacket.  Anyone who wished was invited to drink cold crystal clear glacier water.   It went down mighty tasty.

After this we hit the Icefields Parkway again with our homes and headed on down to Jasper National Park.  We will stay at the park campground for a couple of nights and Fantasy has some more excitement lined up for us.  Tonight we just sat around a campfire and exchanged stories about the day fantastic drive and boasted how much wildlife we had seen through the day.

We headed out of Calgary and all that rip-roaring, toe tapping excitement to the beauty of the Canadian Rockies.  Our first stop lovely Lake Louise.  It is peaceful here in what I now call one of the prettiest spots on this earth.  People are comparing this area to the Alps of Switzerland.  It is best if one experiences this place themselves.

So, here is what Fantasy lined up for us the time we are at Lake Louise.  A comfortable air-conditioned bus arrives with a local driver-guide.  We head for Johnston Canyon.  Here a short easy walk takes us to a loud gushing cascade of water.  The clean crisp forest air fills my lungs and the mossy, fern lined trail is an incredible sight.  The creek beside the trail gurgles and crashes over mossy rocks.  Yes, I am in love!  Then on to Natural Bridge, Takkakaw Falls and for the train buffs a view of a freight train twisting through spiral tracks in the Rockies.  Now how did this take to build?  I know, but I am not sharing.

Oh did mention how I waddled out of Chateau Lake Louise after brunch.  My eyes have never feasted on so much well prepared and fantastic food.  The deserts, well, the old saying is “Eat desert first, life is short” is just what I practiced.  There was an array of cakes, cookies, pies, cheese cakes and the list could go on and on.  Well, tomorrow is another day and what does Fantasy has on the agenda next.  Only the shadow knows.

Carmine Salvatore

Have I mentioned how much fun I am having here in Calgary?  Well, if not let me assure you that it is all fun, fun, fun!  We are enjoying the 100^thbirthday of the Stampede.  Yep, 100 years ago a few ranchers and local first nation peoples got together to have a harvest celebration.  They exchanged ideas, showed crop successes and just had a good time.  Well, today they are sharing that tradition with the world.  Yesterday the fun just kept coming at Rope Square.  Today is the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”. 

Gary & Ginny Test

I grew up following small town rodeos.  I went to many and found them hot, dusty and boring.  This rodeo is none of this.  It is heart pounding, rip-roaring excitement with the announcer giving us all the details what we are seeing.  Can you imagine riding in the back of a pick-up truck going 50 mph and grabbing a mailbox?  Well, that is what it is like for a steer wrestling cowboy.  The stakes are high, $10,000 to win first and the broncs and bulls get a prize for best performance, also.  Thinking about it excites me, again.

Fantasy capped off the evening with the ever-famous chuck wagon races.  They sure didn’t disappoint me at all.  They were more exciting being here than any video I have watched.  Then, a large stage was pulled in front of the grandstand and music filled the air.  It was a dance and singing show that was as spectacular as any Vegas or Broadway show.  Afterwards it was a thrilling fireworks show beyond anything I had witnessed before.  Fantasy, you really know how to wow your guest!

Larry Price & New Friend

The excitement is definitely in the air today as we head down to Stephen’s Avenue and some rodeo parades.  Fantasy got us reservations at the Sky Tower for breakfast.  Wow!  Did I say breakfast with a fantastic view?  Calgary is similar to Denver as it is nestled at the base of the Rockies.  From the Sky Tower we could see those hills in the background and, also, the Stampede grounds where we will be able to attend many events besides the rodeo.

Later in the morning we not only attended the parades, but Fantasy made it possible for us to be able to ride on some buckboards in the parade.  Oh, my gosh, so far this is exceeding my expectations and I am having a rip-roaring time here in Calgary.  The people here are determined that we have a great time.  They have several chuck wagon breakfasts during the week and at the parade they were passing out more food.  The people attending this event are very friendly and Larry Price, one of our new Fantasy friends, met a nice lady during his buckboard ride. Boy, he was having a blast along with the rest of our group.

I fear tonight I will be plum worn out, but tomorrow I ready to go to Victoria Park where the main attractions will be held.  The shower back at McMahon Stadium will be warm and relaxing and a good night’s sleep will be in order. 

Carmine & Brenda Salvatore

Calgary is a bustling modern city and we feel the excitement of the Stampede in the air.  Fantasy created a great campground just for its guest here at McMahon Stadium.  There are clean showers and bathrooms right here on site, just for us.  As I gazed out on our homes on wheel and see the lines of temporary electrical cables, I realize the coordination and effort this took to make us comfortable and place the group within minutes of all the excitement.  Fantasy RV Tours certainly has it together when it comes to guest satisfaction. 

We have been given C-train tickets (local, quick and clean mass transit system) so we do not have to drive in this busy city, but have individual access to any stampede event we want to see.  Of course, they provide buses to our Sky Tower breakfast. I’m for one looking forward the thrill of the chuck wagon races.  I can remember as a child my mother talking about how fun this would be to see.  Well, she never made it, but I will.  Sadly, sometimes we forget to get out of the talking mode and “just do it”.

Tonight we were entertained by the funny, toe-tapping experience of the Miss Molly show.  I laughed myself silly along with everyone else.  We sang along with those familiar songs of our childhood and just enjoyed a rip-roaring, cowboy song fest time.  Did I mention that Fantasy welcomed us to Calgary with a feast of grand magnitude?  Yep, I am now an honorary Calgarian, bought my white hat, hitched up my jeans, put on my boots and I am ready to go!