June 30, 2009

Happy Canada Day! We went through customs today. We were asked a bunch of questions and then told to pull under the canopy for inspection. They did a thorough search of our vehicle and all bags. I think we were searched because of Amber, not because of our answers to their questions . Oh yeah, and Bear Mace is considered a weapon. Thankfully there were no body cavity searches. Whatever, we have nothing to hide, but we did lose a good hour or so. We drove most of our way through Ontario this afternoon. One of the first signs we saw was "All rivers from this point flow north to the Artic". Then we saw a lot of signs with moose on them saying "Night Danger!" and "Moose on the Loose." Shortly after, we saw the biggest bull we have ever seen just grazing on the side of the road. He was magnificent. We also saw a yellow and burgendy Westy passing us the other way. Speaking of Westy, Amber is running beautifully (knock on wood). Apparently US Cellular and Sprint do not work in Canada. Wifi-Yes. For all our friends and family out there, this will be our means of communication for the next week or so.

Love you all!!!

June 29, 2009

Rain, rain go away! We woke up and today was work day. Mike worked on "Canadianizing" the van and I did laundry. We drank Lynchburg lemonades while doing our chores. I met my first rubber tramp today. She was traveling alone to escape the city. Kind of like us, but weirder (if that is possible). Had a fire and pudgie pies-too wet and cold. Tomorrow-Canada!

June 28, 2009

We drove to Grand Portage today. Mike and I visited Grand Portage National Monument. It is a reconstruction of an 18th Century North West Company Fur Trade Post on the shore of Lake Superior complete with people in period clothing. It had a beautiful log great hall, kitchen, and canoe warehouse. It also had an Indian village that overlooks Isle Royale. In the parking lot we saw a Eurovan Westy parked right next to us. We reserved an RV spot at the marina lodge and casino. Then we drove to the state park and hiked 3.5 miles to High Falls (largest waterfall in MN) and Medium Falls. Both of these falls are located on the Pigeon river along the US/Canadian border. To end our afternoon we saw an awesome "Viva Alaska" rainbow. Then Mike and I headed back to our campsite and went to eat dinner at the casino. We got into an exclusive 50's and 60's sock-hop tent. We were the youngest people there by at least 30 years, but we drank free beer and listened to some great music (security did not notice our lack of a yellow wristband). We gambled $20 on slots and lost it in 5 minutes. Then we called it a night!

June 27, 2009

It has been cold and rainy all day. We packed up and said goodbye to our outfitters Mike and Lynn. They congratulated us happily. We are camping in Grand Marais tonight and then setting off towards the Canadian Border tomorrow. We will try to update our blog once a week, but please keep in mind we are traveling large distances without internet access. We miss you all and we hope you have enjoyed Wheels, Whiskey, and Wilderness so far. Now we are off to check out the local watering holes-so long!!!

June 26, 2009

The Perfect Day... We wake up in BWCA and it is gorgeous outside. It is sunny, warm and not a cloud in the sky. We have breakfast, coffee, and a morning dip. Mike and I pack up the canoe with a cooler and fishing rod. I fish with a trolling motor that operates on alternative fuels-Mike runs on Leinenkugels Original. It is very eco-friendly; thats how we roll in the wilderness. I caught two small mouth bass. We take a break and swim to the middle of the lake. It was so refreshing. Then Mike fishes while I act as the trolling motor. He, of course, catches the biggest fish. We also catch an awesome sun burn. Mike and I head back to our site and make dinner. Then we take a nap. After our rest Mike asks me to come out of the tent. In the middle of our beautiful spot, he asks me to take a deep breath. As he gets a box out of his backpack, he kneels on one knee, and asks me to marry him! I said...YES of course!!! What a perfect ending to our perfect day.

June 25, 2009

We got up and packed for Boundary Waters. We toasted a beer at 10:00 am to our trip. Amber drove us to Rockwood Outfitters to get our canoe. This was our 4th year coming here and Mike and Lynn were wonderful as usual. Amber looked at home with our canoe on top of her. We set off at Bearskin Lake and portaged 60 rods to Daniels Lake. I carried the cooler with 42 beers :) We got the best spot on Daniels Lake. No one else was around. Mike skinny dipped after we arrived. While he was swimming the largest beaver I have ever seen popped out of the water 6 feet in front of him-no kidding! At the same time I hear something big rustling around up at camp. Mike runs out of the water yelling, "Oh great, just my luck I have to chase a bear while I am bare assed!" As he runs up there, we discover it was just a red squirrel running off with one of our empty miller lite cans. What could he possibly want with that? We end our day with a campfire and the most beautiful big dipper I have ever seen.

June 24, 2009

Wake up and leave Crapface's place at 9:30. Go get car alarm for Mike's van (early birthday present). While they were installing it, we head to a Wifi hotel and start our blog. Mike gets a Juicy Lucy and I have two bloody marys. We book our campground and set up our BWCA trip. When we are finished, we pick up the van. Mike and I are once again excited to be back on the road again. We go two blocks and realize the headlights are not working. We take the van back and wait another 2 hours-total 4 1/2 hours! Mike looks at me and says "Maybe we should not go on our trip. Maybe I should just sell her." I told him that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. We are not throwing the towel in yet. In the end, the alarm is installed, the headlights work again, and they even fixed Amber's sassy turn signal. We set off again. Mike gets flipped off and an old bitter lady waves her cell phone at him for going too slow...seriously! We arrive at Grand Marais at 9:30. We set up in five minutes, change into our PJ's, and sip wine down by the shoreline of Lake Superior. As we listen to the waves roll in on the rocky shoreline we realize that we are finally in our element!

June 23, 2009

We wake up in Marshfield and enjoy fresh brewed coffee with Bailey's. I text Brenda and wish her a good day at school-Hee, Hee. It is hot, humid and 95 degrees!!! A beautiful crane cheers us "happy trails" as we head back onto the road. We drive several miles. Amber passes an Amish carriage (only vehicle she can pass). Mike fixes muffler in parking lot while I drink a summer shandy in the back. It is so stinking hot!!! We enjoy a great barbeque at Brian and Dawn's house in St. Paul. We meet their new baby girl Audrey. She is a beautiful angel!!!

June 22, 2009

After spending a few days with Linz and Josh (creating Mike's song "He's a vanagon man") at the cabin in Waupaca we are still waiting for UPS. We stay the weekend and have a wonderful time celebrating father's day with the Hambergers. Monday morning we woke up, showered, pack up the van, and wait. A magical butterfly was helping us pack; good omen we decide. Finally at 3:30 the UPS man arrives. We are pumped. Take a few pictures, say goodbyes, and then we are off. I look at Mike, he smiles, and begins Amber's song "Jessica" as we head towards the road. Oh shXX! We almost get hit by a car going way too fast as we pull out of the driveway. Bad omen? No-I said almost! We proceed to North Woods County Park just outside of Marshfiled. Al advises we take site 91 and helps us with wood. It is 88 degrees, hot, and humid. It has been a frustrating and stressful day. As we unpack we realize that our magical butterfly has hitched a ride for 100 miles with us. We send her off into new territory and decide it is a good omen again. We bike to the swim area-just a crappy marsh hole. We decide to bike around the campground, shower, and have a campfire. Mike and I pour some cabernet from a box into our plastic wine glasses and enjoy the fire. As we sip Jack Daniels we come up with the name for our blog: Wheels, Whiskey, and Wilderness. The three things we will enjoy throughout our trip!!!

Starting Out...

How do you begin a blog for a trip that you have been planning for all year? Amber will be taking us on this journey. She is our 1982 Diesel Vanagon Westfalia. She has a new engine, new brakes, new fuel lines, new tires, new bra, bike rack, and car alarm (for the bears, not people). Everything was going smoothly until the last week before we left. Problems with UPS, addresses, and wrong parts set us back four days. Our plan was to go from Milwaukee to Alaska and then down the Pacific Coast Hwy to Los Angeles and then back home for ten weeks. Will we make it? Will we have enough time? Will we kill each other? Follow us on this blog and together will see where these next weeks take us!!!