The beginning of the Northern Exposure Caravan 2015

We met in Great Falls, MT on June 14th with 22 RV's, 44 excited adults, all ready to see the wilds of Alaska and the Northwest Territories of Canada, the Yukon! Unfortunately, the second day we were in Great Falls, one of our very own Arkansas Diamond members, Phyllis Barnes, fell at Walmart and broke her left arm, both bones, right below the elbow. The doctor decided that it couldn't just be set and would require surgery, so the very hard decision was made that they wouldn't go on the caravan. So, we are down to 21 rigs and 42 (still excited) adults.

On June 14th we had our official Welcome Dinner at a place called Clarke & Lewie's, arrangements made by Tom & Sandy, our tail gunners. The dinner was very good and the desert was excellent!!

On Monday, June 15th we had our Welcome Meeting where we went over all the details our members needed to know, with a fine tooth comb. Tom did his presentation on the Milepost, how to read it and make the most use out of it. Phil covered the Caravan Book and the turn by turn maps and Sandy covered the important numbers that everyone may need to know throughout the trip.

The rest of the time was spent with people doing repairs, changing out tires and seeing the sights of Great Falls.

June 17, 2015

Finally, after a year of planning, we are on our way!! Phil and I led the first group out of the campground at 0800. Heading north on    I-15. 

The scenery is much like the rest of the mid west, miles and miles of green pastures, cows and antelope, with the occasional town here and there. One new item is Missile Silos. Phil recognized them because when he was in the Air Force and stationed in Cheyenne, WY, that's what the base did, was care for the silos. For me, it's part of our nations defense system, but since I don't see them, where we live, I don't think about them. It was sobering to see lots of them as we drove through the area.

The border crossing for most was anticlimactic, most of us were ask the same thing, do you have any guns?? There was some variation on fruits, plants and raw chicken. All but one couple drove on through. This couple had a parrot with them, and the paperwork required to take it across the border changed two weeks ago. So, they had to go back to Great Falls and put the bird on a plane home, where her sister will take care of it. 

Our first night on the road was spent at Ft Macleod, AB, at Daisy May Campground, nice little park with grass sites. That made it a little tricky as it rained heavily today. Grass + rain + lots of heavy vehicles = lots of mud. But we got everyone in and settled!