The next day we headed east. We were definitely back in civilization: lots of cars, trucks and radio stations to be found. I had no idea that the oil industry was so big in Alberta. There were wide loads constantly moving up and down the highways there, every one with one-ton pickups as lead and trail cars.
We all stopped in Grand Cache for the start of the Alcan's last TSD section. There is a great visitor information center there.
After a tricky (12 speed changes, including a 4 mph one!) TSD, we started our final transit into Jasper National Park. The park is beautiful, and reminds me in many ways of Yellowstone.
At one point, a trucker was not satisfied with our 10 over the limit speed and passed four of us in a row!
We arrived at the Jasper Inn about 3 in the afternoon, and after some souvenir shopping, retired to the Inn's hot-tub, (hot!) and then the steam room, (even hotter!) After an impromptu champagne spray, courtesy of the Sirius Rally Team, we all headed to the awards banquet.
As a precautionary measure, the organizers had arranged a no-host, cash bar for our celebratory needs. Dinner was included with the entry fee, and was one of the nicer meals we had along the way, I especially dug the salmon!
Team D handed out some special awards to various teams, including one to Doug and I for pulling one of there comrades out of a snow bank. We are now the proud owners of a dash-to hula girl, and two "Team D" stickers.
After the banquet, we stayed up until midnight swapping .jpg and .avi files, which made the morning seem earlier than normal when it came. Doug had filled up the night before, so after planting some carrots and oranges on one of the Mitsu vehicles to aid them in crossing the border, we were on the road.
Doug drove us to Kamloops, and I took us across the border to Sumas, where we got (relatively,) cheap diesel. I drove us through Seattle, and thank god for HOV lanes. Doug took over south of Tacoma and brought us home.
750 miles, 13 hours, including 1 fuel and 2 food stops. I don't want to do that every day. But it got us home in time to read to our kids before bed!
Thank you all for your support and encouragement. I really appreciate it. It was nice to wake up in the morning to all of your nice comments!
I especially want to thank Kricket and Joy for letting us go, and Frank and Delphine for the mode of transport! We were probably the most comfortable competitors on the Alcan. Thank you Dad, Aunt Kelly and Uncle Bob, Papa Art and Clare, and Mom and Peter! Thank you Abby for the "I love you so much Daddy!" when I got home.
I'll leave you with a couple pictures, compliments of the Sirius Rally Team, that I really liked, but didn't post up earlier.
Some Subaru owner, who shall remain nameless (though we have him on video!) modified our "Subaru Recovery Vehicle" sticker.
Doug and I parked above the frozen MacKenzie
-Bill
