Haines, Alaska

Here are some more photos of our arrival to Haines, AK.  You can now follow us on Facebook or via email.  Thanks for coming with us on our journey to Alaska.  It was long, hard, but well worth it! 

The harbor in Haines, AK

First day of school outside our cabin at Bear Creek

We made it!

Sorry about the lack of posts the last two days.  We have had spotty (at best) internet connections.  I wanted to let everyone know that we arrived in Haines, AK yesterday (Sunday) around 2:30 pm (Alaska time).  The last day of driving was easy and short compared to the previous couple of days.  We went from Whitehorse, Yukon to Haines, AK in about 4 hours.  We crossed the US border 35 miles from Haines, in the middle of the Chilkat pass.  The kids jumped out and had their photos taken at the Welcome to Alaska sign.  I cannot post any photos today, but will try tomorrow.  We spent today getting the kids enrolled in school (Haines School) and they both met their teachers.  The school is only about two years old and it's beautiful.  The mascot is the Glacier Bear.  Avery said that is a big difference from last year being the dolphins!  We got settled into the small cabin (Bear Creek Cabins) we will be living in until our duplex is ready to move in.  They are about a mile from the school and my new office.  Once we move on September 1st we will only be about two blocks from town.  We are going tonight at dusk to watch the bears feed at the Chilkoot River.  I will post photos as soon as I get my account set up at work. 

Thank you for keeping up with us, and I will do a couple of more posts with pictures soon!  FYI - it's cold here (how come no one told me it would be cold here)..... ha ha ha :)

Yukon Territory

The inscription on this statue says, "This statue is dedicated to
all of those people that follow their dreams".... :)

Here are some photos of our time in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.













 It's Sunday morning and this is the last leg of our journey.  We are only 250 miles from Haines, AK.  We will cross the US border again and then it's only 35 miles to our new home.  We will update you again once we arrive.  Love you and miss you all!  kk

This one's just for you, Uncle Andrew...

Main Street Whitehorse, Yukon Territory

Wildlife....

Herd of Mountain Bison on side of highway

Mountain Bison

Day 8 - The Continental Divide

Today was our eighth day on the road and unfortunately, it was the longest (and most difficult) part of the entire journey.  We left  this morning at 7:30 am (we are now in Pacific time) and drove from Fort Nelson, BC to Whitehorse, Yukon.  We arrived at our motel at 7:30 pm.  We stated earlier that our favorite part of the US drive was through Wyoming.  Well....today we saw the most amazing scenery we've ever seen in our lives.  This long day was by far the most beautiful! 

The best news of all is that we only have about 250 miles left until we get to Haines....yippee!!!  Here are some photos from todays drive.

Day 7

Today we drove from Whitecourt, Alberta to Fort Nelson, British Columbia.  We entered the Canadian Rockies and they are magnificent! 

The most exciting part of the day was getting on The Alaska Highway (HWY 97) in Dawson Creek, British Columbia.  That means only 1000 miles left until we reach Haines, Alaska.  I know that sounds like alot of miles, but after 3600 we are thrilled!!! 

New Experiences

We have all had some new experiences today:  1) It was COLD this morning when we woke up, 2) NO humidity (good hair for Kelly), 3) NO biscuits at McDonalds (seriously, not even on the menu), 4) we had to turn the heat on in the truck (that's a first - in August), and 5) a picture is worth a thousand words.....

You gotta' love it!  :)

Whitecourt, Alberta

The weather has definitely changed since this morning.  We are in our motel room in Whitecourt, Alberta with the windows open right now.  It's still daylight outside!  We took the kids swimming in the pool and this is a photo I took as we left the building at 9:00 pm. 

Avery swimming in Whitecourt, Alberta

Eli swimming in Whitecourt, Alberta

Day 6

Today we drove from Shelby, Montana to Whitecourt, Alberta.  This drive included our crossing the US/Canadian border.  The border crossing was so easy, it was almost scarey.  It took less than two minutes, and we were on our way!  We started seeing what we thought was fog just outside Calgary.  It got worse as we drove further north.  We finally discovered that there are over 275 forest fires burning right now in British Columbia.  The high winds are pushing the smoke into the cities.  These are some photos I took just outside of Edmonton (the capital of Alberta).

Day 5

On Wednesday, we started from Buffalo, Wyoming and drove to Shelby, Montana.  We all agreed that Wyoming was our absolute FAVORITE state to drive through.  The kids got to see snow at the top of some mountains in the distance.  Avery spotted some pronghorn sheep grazing in a field.  The scenery was amazing, and breathtaking.  We ate dinner in a small family owned place on Main Street and walked through town before retiring early.  Bill and I spent the evenig finalizing our manifest and documents for crossing the Canadian border first thing the next morning.  Shelby, MT is only 35 miles from the border, and we want to get an early start just in case we have to let the customs officials inspect the truck and trailer.  We are trying to prepare Avery that they might not let Maggie the rat through customs (even though all the research we did says it's not a problem).  We are trying to be prepared as possible..... Wish us luck!

O Canada!

It's that way Daddy....

We just crossed the border into Canada at Sweetgrass, Montana.  No problems with the Clampett mobile!  The Customs guy didn't even ask about Maggie the rat.  He was really only worried about whether we had guns with us.  He did want to know where us Floridians had made a wrong turn.... :)

Day 4

We left Seagent Bluff, Iowa and drove all the way to Buffalo, Wyoming.  Very long day of driving, but extremely beautiful.  We stopped at the visitors center at Mt. Rushmore and found out that we could not bring the trailer into the park.  We did not want to pay to leave it somewhere, nor did we feel comfortable just leaving it unsecure somewhere for a few hours.  So, unfortunately we did not get to see Mt. Rushmore.  The kids were disappointed, but understood our dilemma.  We made it to Buffalo around 9:00 pm (now we are in mountain time) and the kids both swam in the pool for about an hour.  It was our first night of rather cool weather, and it was refreshing.  I've somehow

Halfway to Alaska!

We made it to Rapid City, South Dakota a little while ago.  Bill says that's the halfway mark in our trek to Haines, AK.  Here is the kids (and mine) reaction to the landmark....

Fun in South Dakota

We stopped for lunch today in Oacoma, South Dakota.  Bill had a buffalo burger.  Eli and Avery thought that was a "disgusting" idea.  Here are some photos of our stop.

Day 3

Today we drove from Wentzville, Missouri to Seargent Bluff, Iowa.  We did not get in as much driving as we would have liked, but we needed to stop.  When we made what we thought was a rountine gas stop, Bill discovered something wrong with the truck.  Thank goodness for AAA and really nice Iowans!  The truck was fixed by 9:00 the next morning, and the kids got the chance to play outside for a while before bed and in the morning before hitting the road again. 

Day 2

We made it to Satesboro, GA on our "first" night.  Not very far, but we were all exhausted and wanted a good rest for the upcoming drive.  We got started early on Sunday morning and drove through Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri.  We stopped in Wentzville, MO to spend the night.  We drove 14 hours and were ready to hit the sack!  We let the kids get out and run through a corn field in Illinois.  They thought it was great!   

Maggie the Rat

The only Williamson pet to make the trip across the country is Maggie, Avery's pet rat.  Here she is "enjoying" her ride. 










Maggie made her way to the front seat and rode in the winow sill with Mommy for a while.  Good thing it wasn't the drivers side! 

The Hernandez Clan

Here we are with the Hernandez peeps.... Thank you Natalie & Gwen for such a nice sending off party.  We love you more than you know.  We hope to see you in Alaska soon! 

The Hamilton Clan

Here is us with Kelly's parents and grandmother.  Thank you for everything.  We miss you already..... k

The Williamson Clan

Here is a photo of all the Williamson's that were able to make it to our going away party.  Thank you to each of you for your love and support.  We miss you already! 

Illinois

At the end of Day 1, we stopped in Illinois for some dinner and some "exercise" for the kids. 

Eli & Avery in a cornfield in Illinois

Getting Ready to Leave

Us with my cousin Laura and her family (hubby Tommy, and kids Bailey & Jackson).

On Friday, August 13th, Gwen Hernandez and Natalie Otwell (my late husband's mother and sister) hosted a going away party for us at Gwen's house.  It was attended by the following friends and family:  John & Sherry Hamilton (my parents), Margie (Nanny) Isbell, Sandra and Ray Williamson (Bill's parents), Gwen Hernandez,  Maria Green,Natalie, Joe, Courtney, Austin, Caris and Nathan Otwell, Wanda, Ray Jr, Pam, Jonathen and Kayla Williamson, Mary Lou, Dale, Adrianne and Lee Ann Dallmann, Yvonne, Travis and Kailey Hogan, Laura, Tommy, Bailey and Jackson Walker, David and Kelly Hall, and Greg Sharp.  We grilled out burgers and dogs, had good fellowship and took alot of photos.  I cannot begin to express the gratitude toward everyone that came and showed us your love and support.  Thanks guys!  We love you all.... kk

Day 1

Bill, Kelly, Eli and Avery left Jacksonville at 6:30 pm Saturday, August 14th.  We drove away from Holmesdale Road in St. Nicholas eaving behind John and Sherry Hamilton (my mom and dad), Ray and Sandra (Bill's mom and dad), Wanda (Bill's sister), Adrianne Dallmann (our niece) and Marcus (our beloved 8 year old boxer).  We cried as we left, but were happy to start the trip across the country to Haines, AK.