The Journey to Juneau - Ava to Bellingham
The journey to Juneau began shortly after noon on Saturday, October 21, 2023, from Flubchenhaus. The first day was mostly uneventful with the exception being a short stop at Wal-Mart to pick up a few items to outfit the “In the Mood” (Jeep) in case I got caught in the middle of some of the winter weather that was predicted for the Northwestern United States. After a few stops for gas, I stopped for the night in Percival, Iowa, around 10 p.m. for a good night”s rest.
Day Two (October 22nd) was largely a journey through a familiar area of the country (from previous family travels out West). This included traveling past Mitchell, South Dakota, (home of the Corn Palace), Wall Drugstore, and Devil’s Tower. Along the way, one rest stop had a concrete tepee, while another had a sculpture of a Native American Shawl Dancer and a trail to a nice view. This portion of the journey took me within about 30 minutes of Colstrip, Montana, (the location of the other job offer I had received). It ended up being a bit longer of a day than anticipated. as about the time I was planning on finding a hotel to spend the night, I came to the most rural part of my journey where there were deer everywhere (like 40 in 20 miles) and no gas stations, towns, civilization, and minimal cell service. I finally made it into Hardin, Montana, close to midnight and pulled into a hotel to get rest for the night. This is where I saw the first of several vehicles in my journey towing airplanes. I found it both interesting and unusual (at least not something that is seen often in Southern Illinois).
Day Three (October 23rd) took me into new territory and a new adventure. I continued my westward journey out after a little extra sleep and a warm meal. The drive was mostly uneventful, but it did include a stop at the Ringing Rocks in Montana. Basically the Ringing Rocks are a pile of rocks that when struck with a hammer or object, ring. No one is sure why they ring, or why if you remove a rock from the pile and strike it, it sounds just like a normal rock. I was very glad to have a Jeep as the road out to the Ringing Rocks was pretty much a sand and rock road, but definitely worth taking the time to stop. The drive for the day ended in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Day Four began after a warm hotel breakfast and took me all the way into Bellingham with a stop for gas at Sprague, Washington, and a meal at the Viking Drive-In. The drive was uneventful with some amazing scenery along the way reaching Bellingham, Washington, around 9pm.
I want to take a quick moment and thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers for my journey. I have made it safely to Alaska and am getting settled. I hope to have weekly updates with how things are going and my adventures in Alaska. I am working on getting a secure way to have my address on the site, and hope to have that done before the week is over!
What a great description of your journey! I can’t wait to hear more. How was the ferry to AK? Traveling on the Maritime Ferry is part of the plan for our next trip.
Thank you for taking us along with your adventure. Looking forward to seeing more in the coming days. God’s blessings. Keep up with your bible devotion. We are keeping you in our prayers.
Joseph, I so admire what you have done.
Everything in your life has prepared you for this grand adventure.
Embarrass your new life in Alaska!!
Embrace your life in Alaska
So glad you have chronicled your adventure – you are a great guy and God has plans for you! Keep the posts coming … they are thoroughly enjoyed!