Scenery Along I-10

Texas is HUGE, as anyone knows who has driven across the state. I don't think we are even half way across but the environment has changed several times.

This is what the countryside looked like around El Paso.

When we looked west across the Rio Grande River toward Mexico we saw this horrible pollution.  It was very cold and many people in Mexico use wood fires for heat.

Gradually the amount of vegetation increased.

It got thicker.

We saw this sign announcing that the town of Fort Stockton was ahead.

Then we saw the statue that is depicted in the sign.

Texas is rich in energy resources.  Of course there are lots of oil wells.  An oil field has recently been developed near Fort Stockton.

West Texas is also windy.  And the state is harnessing that resource as well.

It is fall in Texas, not winter like up north.  The oak trees on the hills are turning subtle colors of red and yellow.

The first two years we volunteered, we came to Texas and fell in love with the state. We are enjoying our month here.

Alaska -- Day 32

Another long drive--280+ miles from Dawson Creek to Fort Nelson. First, the highlights. We saw lots of wildlife. A moose, several deer and a fox, none of which I took pictures of. However, I did capture this black bear along the side of the road.



And even better, we spent about 10 minutes watching and photographing this blond grizzly.



When he stood up, I wondered if I had gotten too close and strayed too far from the RV.



But, not to fear, he (she?) went right back to eating.

The scenery was beautiful. This is Mount Yakatchie.



There is lots of logging up here, which is no surprise. They also have a lot of oil and gas exploration. In fact, Fort Nelson has the largest natural gas processing plant in North America. We kept seeing signs like this, saying open camp. Some said dinner, some room and board.




Finally, we figured out they were temporary buildings that provide housing and meals for oil field workers. In Texas and other places we have seen RV parks set up for those workers.



We have seen quite a few electric poles with these orange and white stripes. I wonder what they mean?

Alaska -- Day 12

Today we drove into Canada, where we will be for about a month before going into Alaska. At the border crossing into Coutts, Alberta, everything went smoothly and we were soon continuing on to Park Lake Provincial Park near Lethbridge. Waiting at the border crossing, I checked our mileage and discovered we have driven 3,077 miles since leaving Alamo, Texas.



The landscape was much the same the whole trip, with lots of wheat and hay (we think) fields.
In both Alberta and Montana, the land is dotted with oil rigs.




At one point, we drove down a 7% grade to cross the Marias River, then back up again. What a pretty place.



And we saw a huge number of grain silos of all shapes and sizes.



We were very glad we were only driving a truck and trailer, not this farm machinery.



Lethbridge is the site of the longest and tallest train trestle bridge of its type in the world. It is over 100 years old.



This American flag seems like a fitting end to my Memorial Day blog. This is a day to thank those who have served our country in the military and to remember our friends and family who have died. May they rest in peace.