Tuesday, May 6, 2008

We made it! Yes, we are still alive...

Oh MY GOSH!!! Can I just say it's a darn good thing I have 5 months to regroup from that LONG ASS drive from Utah to Alaska. However, it was the funnest, coolest, and most spectacularist things I have done since sliced peanut butter pie! As you all know we left Kanarraville, Utah on Tuesday an hour later than planned - don't ask! We got on the road and drove strait to Idaho Falls, ID. As soon as we hit the border of Idaho snow began to fall. What the... Luckily, I was fast asleep in the back seat as Jessie pushed through the blizzard and safely got us to the Falls of Idaho. We stayed the night in a crappy motel, that wouldn't even serve us all breakfast (we cheated and said there were only two of staying so we didn't have to pay for three). That next morning we got up and drove past the temple and took a few pics of the grand structure, along with the falls that are in front of it. Did you know that those falls are like the Niagara Falls of the West??? IF you didn't know that I just made it up, but it sounds pretty good.

After we left the Falls of Idaho we got back on the stinking road and headed north bound for Montana - Big Sky Country. Drove through some major towns, ate some fast food - ugh, got gas...for the car, and continued onward. Once we got to Great Falls we decided to find the "Falls" of the town "Great". We got directions and found them, the falls - not so "great"? After that waste of time we headed towards Canada. What another long drive, and on a two lane highway. We passed by Glacier National Park then went to the Border. How funny it was to enter into Canada. I decided I should probably be driving, just to be safe. Audra was in the front seat and Jessie was in the back. Both Audra and Jessie were a little nervous - I was staying pretty cool. However, Jessie decided to take it upon her self to echo everything I said to the man. Once we got accepted into the land of Canada I turned around and said to Jessie, "What was that all about?" "The man was just asking me the questions." Okay, so I guess you had to be there for that, but we all had a good laugh about that. After passing the border we made it to Cardston and saw the cute little Mormon town. I felt like I was back in Utah with all the Mormon churches on every corner, not to mention that they have a huge Temple right in the smack of town. Good feelings were felt there!

We reached Calgary that evening to find some of the best beds we have ever slept in, in our entire life. It was so hard to get up the next morning and leave, but we did. We then headed on to Banff National Park - PEOPLE, you need to leave the U.S. of A and check this place out! GORGEOUS!!! Oh my, how we wish we could have spent more time here. We did take a few hours and took a Gondola ride, not Gandolfo ride, as I kept calling it. The funny thing was...Jessie is terrified of heights, so being the bratty older sister that I am, I started teasing her...well payback bites, because not three minutes up the steep hill guess who starts freaking out and has like a major panic attack...yeah, it was me alright!!! I was ever so happy to get to the top of the mountain. The minute I got off the Gondola I asked if there was another way down...yes, a one hour hike. We don't have time for that, so I closed my eyes and made it down the mountain in the Gondola.

Okay, okay, okay - that is enough about that. I'll have pictures put on shortly and you can check them out. It was a neat ride, and I keep waiting for my car to spontaneously combust all over the place. I also want all to know that Heavenly Father hears our prayers, because we were kept safe, and we never once fought. Sorry Ethan and Libby, Audra and I kept trying to catch Jessie on film having a break down...but she never did. Thanks everyone for keeping us in your prayers - that means a lot and I really appreciate it.

As for work, it started yesterday and I am so excited to be back, it feels like I have never left, and it was a sweet reunion to see everyone. I'm still holding out for another prayer to be answered, Noel and I sure do want to work together again, so add that in your prayers, please.

Alaska is still awesome as ever, the drive was bumpy - ask Jessie about getting thrown around like a tossed salad in the back seat because of the roads, tour guiding is a blast, and the peanut butter pie from Glacier Brew House is still better than sex, that is, if you ask me! ;)

6 comments:

Lucashell said...

I like the "Long Ass" Comment
shell

Klein said...

So were you trafficking drugs into Canada? Why all the nervousness? Were glad you guys made it safely, and that we don't have to deal with you for at least 5 months.YEAHHH!

Anonymous said...

So, how do you know that peanut butter pie is better than sex? You'll let us adopt the baby, right?

We're really glad you made it safe and sound to Alaska. Yes, a freakin' long drive, but I think it's also a great experience. But Alberta is ugly. Go through BC the whole way home--it's gorgeous. Amazing.

I'm also sad to hear you couldn't get one of Jessie's tantrums on film. Jessie needs to work one up for us to see. Maybe we won't surrender her Stephenie Meyer book signing tickets without her putting on a little show for us first...

Mrs Buchanan said...

I promise that I'll try, I'm really shocked that I didn't have one because Libby kept making fun of me along the way for some of the things that I did, like at the border. The trip was very interesting, I don't think that I would ever do that drive again.

Libby why do you always have to make fun of me and tell everyone all of the stupid things that I do, at least I keep most of the stupid things you do to myself. How about when you got us lost in Great Falls, Montana after saying "I know maps, and they know me." Who would have gotten you out of Calgary if I wasn't there to direct you, huh?

Those roads were so bumpy on the way up. I was riding in the backseat for most of that road, and I would try to fall asleep then Libby would hit a big bump. I bumped my head on the ceiling a couple of times, and got thrown around the backseat a ton, you would think that I wasn't wearing a seatbelt with how much I got thrown around, but I was. Audra later showed Libby what I was dealing with back there. When we got to the border there was a poster that called the Alcan highway "Rollercoaster roads" that is the best way to explain it.

Ron and Debbie said...

Libby, I'm so glad you made it but when I see you in person, we are going to discuss the mileage on your trip post.
Also, Libby, since I hope you haven't experienced 'sex' yet, I hardly think that a peanut butter pie could be as good as it is.
Aunt Deb

Anonymous said...

I, too, am thrilled you all made it. I feel it's the most amazing experience, in some of the most beautiful country on the earth.

And way to go, Debbie, you tell her...