Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Left Jasper this morning and headed north. 
Never saw a “caribou crossing” sign before. As we left the Rockies, the landscape was all pine trees for timber – some fields cut and replanted. Occasionally we would still glimpse a snow-capped peak in the distance. Although we didn’t see any caribou, we did spot a black bear and a mule deer and a moose. As we climbed to a pass, the prairie spread out before us. The RV has been giving us a little trouble – the reduce engine power light and the check engine soon light came on. Our manual said it could be the gas cap wasn’t put on correctly and to check that and shut down the engine and restart and see if the lights go out and things run ok. We did that and the lights went out and we were on our way again. This has happened a couple of times – suspect it is more than the gas cap. Drove about 300 miles and stopped in Grand Prairie in northern Alberta. The campground was down a dirt road with ruts in some places and washboard in others – not fun to drive in an RV. The campground was ok – looked like a lot of seasonal workers (pipeline maybe?).
Alberta, Canada Thursday, June 26, 2003
Left Grand Prairie and the engine quit again. We called Workhorse and they suggested we try to get to Dawson Creek where a Chevy dealer than can put the engine on the computer to figure out what is happening. Called Dawson Creek and they couldn’t take us until next week, but suggested that a dealer right in Grand Prairie might be able to help. Called them and they said sure, bring it in after lunch. They put it on the computer, but still couldn’t pinpoint the problem and asked us to bring it back next morning. Went to a campground run by the Rotary Club that is very near to the dealer. They offered a free tour of the town in the evening (not dark, of course) that we took and saw everything there is to see in Grand Prairie.
Alberta, Canada Friday, June 27, 2003
Back to the dealer first thing and ended up deciding to order three parts, but they need to come from the USA and won’t be here until Wednesday, next week. Grand Prairie isn’t a bad place to be stuck – there is a mall and shopping centers and parks and movie theaters. Stayed at yet a different park – much nicer than the other two. Good place to call home for a week – shaded sites, they have a nice laundry, folks are friendly and they have internet access.
Alberta, Canada Saturday, June 28, 2003
Wandered around town and visited a local reservoir where they have trumpeter swans, but didn’t see any. Did some grocery shopping and checked out the mall – same stuff, just different names on the stores. Went out for a pizza dinner and back to watch TV – they have satellite cable, so we can get US stations here.
Alberta, Canada Sunday, June 29, 2003
Drove to a lake about 10 miles away and we christened our new boat. It worked great – very stable and easy to maneuver. 
It was a beautiful day – about 80 degrees and sunny with a little breeze.
Alberta, Canada Monday, June 30, 2003
Jack played golf this morning, but could only get in 9 holes before the rain. Met some nice local folks. While Jack played golf, I did the laundry and talked with some folks from Arizona on their way to Alaska. We thought we had problems – one of the guys from Arizona is having medical problems and had to go the emergency room and it sounds like they’ll be here for a while, too. Our skylight is leaking again – we’ll have to get it replaced in Fairbanks where there is a Winnebago dealer. Tonight there will be fireworks to begin the celebration of Canada Day (July 1) that is sort of the equivalent of our 4th of July. The fireworks start at midnight because they have to wait until it gets dark – way past my bedtime!
Alberta, Canada Thursday, July 3, 2003
Still waiting here in Grand Prairie for parts for the RV. They are supposed to be in today. Tuesday was Canada Day (also called Dominion Day) and we wandered down to the park in town where they had different bands playing at the amphitheatre, face painting for the kids and lots of other family activities. Very nice set-up for a small town and people seemed to be enjoying themselves. They opened the local museum-original prairie village with all hands-on exhibits and were giving rides in an old model T or A – don’t know the difference. Fixed the skylight by applying superglue to the cracks and then applying a good sealant all around that didn’t leak with some heavy rain we got yesterday. Getting all our food shopping done here as there are two good-sized supermarkets and prices are supposedly much more reasonable here than further north. We’ve been taking it slow (even Jack!) and relaxing, but now we’re ready to move on. Sure hope those parts get here today and fix the problem.
Alberta, Canada Monday, July 7, 2003
Still waiting….the first shipment of parts was lost – they sent another and supposedly it should be here tomorrow. We’ve been killing time here, but enough! The weather has not been cooperating much – rainy or windy and not very warm. Yesterday we took a drive to a county park, and while traveling along a dirt back road while lost, we spotted a lone moose and a bison herd. Jack played golf again today – he really likes the local golf course here. I worked a good part of the day today, so I guess our being stranded here where there is phone and email coverage isn’t all bad. We’ve been talking to folks here that are on their way to or from Alaska and have received lots of tips and advice. We are sure looking forward to getting out of here tomorrow.
