Day 10 June 18

Weather is good.

We decided to go to Barrow Ak. The most northern point in the US.

We stopped in Deadhorse for fuel, then on to Barrow.

Barrow we finally did it. Normally the weather is not so it hard to fly there and back. Fog always rolls in from the ocean and can be days before you can get out, when you fly VFR. Barrow is not much, natives town just like indian res back home, but interesting. Returned to Deadhorse for fuel and to pick up pizza for the Kavik Camp. Pizza delivery by plane what a deal. Landed back at Kavik for the rest of the day and overnight. Susan had fuel delivered by a C46 air tanker, that was real cool.

I am experiencing things that words can’t say!

Thank you to my wife and 3 girls for supporting me, with out them this would not be possible. That’s the hardest thing about the trip, is being away from them. We plan on leaving tomorrow back to Fairbanks and stay at the pilots camp ground.

Day 9 June 17 th

Finally we traveled hard and made up a little ground.

We cleared customs at Northway, Ak.

We then stopped for fuel at Tok, Fairbanks and Bettles.

We had lunch picked up some food from Bettles Lodge and flight planned for the final push to Kavik River Camp.

We arrived at camp 2 1/2 hrs later.

Was greeted by Susan, her grandson Nathan, and Rick camp hand.

The wildlife is great with Fox, ground squirrels, caribou at you finger tips.

We are in the Article Circle it stays light out 24/7.

This is no doubt, a very special place.

Wow- this place is cool. 500 miles north of Fairbanks, Alaska. Susan’s website is www.kavikrivercamp.com.

We spent 2 days here and from here we hit Barrow Alaska, quickly, we did not want to get stuck there.

We saw hundreds of caribou yesterday. The red foxes sit on her couch and hang out, they are not afraid of humans since Susan is the only person who lives here.

Day 8 June 15

Departed Watson Lake for White Horse.

Oil changed the aircraft, downtime caused us to not have enough time to clear customs. We flew to Beaver Creek for the night, hopefully clear customs in Northway, Ak, then onto Kavik River, which will make for a long day, possibly 9 to 10 hrs in the plane. Other than slow going every thing else is working fine.

Day 6 June 13 th

We rented a car and drove to Edmonton.

We toured the air museum there and ate lunch, museum was good.

Drove back to Red Deer and did laundry.

We ate supper at the Keg steakhouse, may have been the best  that I have eaten . Rain in the afternoon evening.

Vern said he will be here at 10:00 on Friday.

Looking at weather we may have to dodge some storms.

I am hoping to make Grande Praire and then Fort Nelson by night fall.

I hope luck gets better, as we lost precious time, but that’s what makes a trip.

Love Dad

Day 5 June 12th

Vern called and said he will be back at noon on Friday.

This is very frustrating. We will have spent a 1/3 of the trip grounded here in Red Deer. We toured Buffalo Air and was really cool.

Also toured Air Spray next door. They fight fires.

We put the planes in their hanger as storms were popping up.

Probably try to wash clothes, and maybe go to the museum in Edmonton tomorrow. It rained at night, I slept good.

Day 4 June 11

Tried to get to get to Ram Falls airstrip to sight see.

The elevation is 5300′ . It is 70nm west of Red Deer airport.

We flew to the entrance it was overcast at 6000′ making it not safe to continue. Bummer may next time. Vern informed us he may be back sometime Thursday,so hopefully we can resume the trip. At least we are in good spot for this down time. Buffalo Air is here which is featured on TV as Ice Pilots.

They have several  planes here, hope to tour their hangers before we leave. I feel good and all my equipment has been excellent.

Day 3 June 10

Stayed at the airport all day.

Vern had some medical issues and had to go back to Florida.

We are using the Red Deer Flying Club facilities. Great place.

Hot showers, kitchen, wifi and bathrooms.

We all tented under the planes.

For most the day it was real windy, so we would not have flown till late in the day.

There is also a cafe next door as well.

Met many great folks that were willing to help us.

Have a hot tip to fly to a grass strip, next to a river, possibly trout fish!

Just east of Banff in the Rockies. I hope it pans out.

Day 2

Started late in Rolla,ND due to weather.

We cleared customs at Peace Gardens, then west to Estaban, Swift Current, ending in Red Deer Alberta Canada. We had 15 knots headwind all day.

Today looks good to get to Fort Nelson in Yukon, if we get lucky maybe Watson Lake in the Yukon. Very windy this morning, here in Red Deer.

We at late last night at Smittys, I had a Burger and fries. Not bad.

Red Deer Alberta Canada Ice Planes

Red Deer Alberta, CANADA Buffalo Ice Jets

Alaska 2013

Left KAXN at 11:30 250nm to Rolla, ND

Farming town ,and very wet conditions.

Stayed in motel $76. Vern put fuel in $6 per gal.

We had nice tail winds 2:30 hrs flight time.

Had pizza and beer at local bar, not bad.

Good company laughed so hard that my sides hurt.

This was June 8 2013