The HansRygmyrsons

Barb: So one of my all-time favorite movies is the 1985 Swedish film by Lasse Hallstrom  "My Life as a Dog". It's a sweet story of a young boy named Ingemar, who suffers a series of tragedies and setbacks, but manages to keep things in perspective because, as he says, "You have to compare". Things could always get worse, he supposes. At least he has not been relegated to the fate of poor Laika, the dog that the Russians sent up into space orbit all alone in a rocket ship.  And so it goes. As it turns out, the mechanic in Ft. St. John says we not only need new brake calipers, which the shop in Ft. Nelson had said were fine, it turns out that we also need new rear brakes, and a water pump. Ka-ching, Ka-ching. The RV repair bills are up to about $2,000 Canadian now, or $1520 U.S. (which only makes me wonder if Lance should have started a go-fund me page rather than a blog, but I digress..)   But it could have been worse, I suppose. You have to compare. Had we not n

What a day!  Full of promise and a long but happy road ahead.  We got up early in Fort Nelson, BC and headed on down the road with visions of Edmonton (potentially) dancing in our heads.  The road is getting much better and the landscape is smoothing out considerably.  Hello to rolling, green hills and goodbye (for now) to the Northern Rockies. Fresh blacktop!  Easy driving... Rosie and Tilly are hanging in there.  They really seemed comfortable with the hotel life but now relegated to the confines of the Roadtrek.  After about 240 miles, we stopped in Fort St John to gas up and hit the first Burger King we've seen since Anchorage.  After chowing down (COVID-friendly style in the parking lot), we sped on down the road.   Rolling hills with trees as far the eye can see.  Northern Rockies fading in the distance. We only got about 10 miles out of Fort St John when we smelled a strong, burning odor from the front brakes.  Yes, those front brakes.  The ones we just replaced in Fort Nels

Day 5 and 6 are combined because they were kind of a blur.  Day 5 began wistfully and quietly.  Happy to have a day off the road but looking forward to heading out after our brief respite.  Another dog walk and an extended check out time helped but eventually we were relegated to the lobby of the hotel after we had to finally check out at 1PM.  Waiting on (hopefully) good news from the garage. The Super 8 Hotel... "The Versailles of Fort Nelson!" Around 5PM, we got the news that the parts had indeed arrived and our hopes soared at the possibility of hitting the road and putting some miles behind us before it got too late.  Then the bad news... When road testing the Roadtrek, they discovered a severe vibration in the front end when the speed hit 50 mph.  One of the rotors was the wrong part.  Ouch.  Not only was it the wrong part, but the window to order the correct one to be delivered the next day (Saturday) had passed.  It could not even be ordered until Monday then delivere

Day 4 finds us safely ensconced in the Super 8 Hotel in Fort Nelson (woo hoo..)  First thing in the morning, we unhooked the trailer and dropped off the Roadtrek at the garage.  It was now time to sit and wait on the verdict... A few hours later, the garage called and said the front brakes had worn to metal-on-metal.  Ouch.  It would need at the least brake pads and new rotors and possibly a caliper on the right side, where the loudest noise was coming from.  They did not have the parts in town and would order them to arrive tomorrow.  We settled in for a second night at the hotel and actually happy to have the downtime off the road.  The van is comfortable, but a little tight with the two of us, Rosie, Tilly and all our stuff. Rosie and Tilly have been real troopers on the road.  Rosie actually seems to like it and Tilly enjoys sitting on the passenger's lap and looking at all the trees, birds and wildlife. We decided to make ourselves at home with a pizza from across the parking

Happy Canada Day!  Firetruck parade in Watson Lake, Yukon Territory.  Right in front of the "signpost forest" We woke up in a remote rest stop near Swift River, not sure if we were in the Yukon or British Columbia.  The road dipped into BC before coming back into the Yukon approaching Watson Lake.  We stopped for gas at a small, friendly (and open!) gas station at the junction of the Alaska Highway and Canada route 37. The proprietor was very friendly and eager to converse... with anyone.  I don't think he gets a lot of social interaction especially now during the COVID restrictions.  In case you're wondering, regular gas was $1.29 (Canadian) per litre which translates to $4.01 per gallon (I think).  About average.  Prices range from $1.14 CAD per litre to $1.59 CAD per litre (at Muncho Lake). We hit Watson lake in time for the local fire department's Canada Day Parade!  4 or 5 firetrucks adorned with Canadian and Yukon Territory flags passed by honking horns, smi

Wow. It's finally here. Really our first full day on the road and forever extricated from Anchorage and its woes.  This feels like the first day of our new life.  Heading home.  After arriving in Tok about 1:30 AM on Tuesday, 29 June 2020, we got up fashionably late, walked Rosebud, fed everyone and hit the road.  The Canadian Border is 83 miles away at which point we enter the Yukon Territory.                                                                                   Tilly enjoying the view! With COVID-19 raging all around, the Yukon had pretty strict limits on those like us that are considered "essential" (moving) but not Yukon or Canadian residents.  We must stop only for gas (pay at the pump only) and drive through food.  NO stopping in Whitehorse unless for gas and we cannot exceed 24 hours in the Territory.  The road was pretty rough.  Frost heaves dipped and rose causing a roller coaster effect that was not too popular with Rosebud and Tilly.  Most were mark