THE REAL JOURNEY BEGINS

 

Days 0 - 1

 

    We are calling it day 0 because our return from Red Wing took us to Minneapolis/St Paul Airport where we would meet the bus to Forrest City.  Part of our reservation and agreement with Great Alaskan Holidays was they would transport us from the airport to Forrest city and we would be able to spend the night in our Motor Home.   We would not receive the keys but we would be able to familiarize ourselves with the coach.  Hence day 0.

    Our rental car had to be returned by 3:00 PM and we were scheduled to board the bus at 5:30.   Oh joy, a 2.5 hour waiting period.  Our instructions were to meet the bus at the Bus transportation Area.   Only problem is there was no place or sign that says Bus Transportation Area!  So like rats in a maze, we started walking about, carrying all 72 pieces of our luggage.  We got lost several times going up and down elevators and escalators making turns in corridors that were dead ends.

    Eventually we noticed several groups of people congregated in an area that was adjacent to where it appeared a bus might stop.  Being our shy retiring selves, we walked up to one of the groups to see if they might know where we should go.  One of the men of the group jumped up and before we could say a word asked if we were going to Alaska!   It seems they too had difficulty locating the meeting area.

     For the next 2.5 hours, people staggered in, all with a bewildered look on their faces wondering if they were at the right spot.  In short order, we became seasoned veterans welcoming our fellow travelers.  This became a great way to strike up conversations and meet new friends.  Eventually 2 buses arrived and there was a mad rush to board and make sure all the luggage got on board.

    Naturally, we were the last to board, causing concern that there was enough space to stow our luggage.  The bus drivers were unfailingly polite and patient and proceeded to stack all the suitcases, ice chests, boxes and fishing poles in the underneath compartments.  Just as it appeared that there was no more room, the driver closed the compartments and walked to the other side of the bus.  You got it, there was a whole storage compartment that was empty and only 3 adventurers left with luggage.  Ours was last, on top and nothing got smashed. 

     Having traveled all day in our rental car, we were not looking forward to 2.5 hours on a bus.  As nice and clean as this bus was, it was a bit cramped and crowded.  Thinking we might be able to catch a nap, we settled in and prayed the bus trip would go quickly.

    After 30 minutes or so of a relative quiet, peaceful ride, the inevitable happened.  First someone asked where you from, then how long will you be on the trip and etc.  Pretty soon the entire bus seemed to be caught up in conversation.  We were fortunate to be sitting close to a couple younger than us with 2 daughters aged 8 and 9.  They were from Hawaii, and really looking forward to the adventure.  The youngest daughter fell immediately asleep while the eldest joined in the conversation.  She was quite engaging and extremely bright. 

   We were so caught up in conversation with our fellow travelers that the bus trip seemed to go by very quickly.  Occasional glances out the windows did not show any remarkable vistas or scenery, so we did not seem to miss much. 

    Arriving at Forrest City about 8:40 pm, we passed what appeared to be warehouse with quite a few Mini Winnebago’s parked out front.  Not sure that it was actually part of the Winnebago factory or not as there were no signs announcing it.  We drove past about 200 yards and turned left where we saw another group (gaggle, pride, herd, school, flock?) of RV’s parked in a very large grassy field.  Thankfully our driver pulled in and parked adjacent to the RV’s.

     To our surprise, a Great Alaskan rep boarded and asked us to stay seated for a few minutes while they discussed procedures for getting our assigned motor home.  Wanting to get off the bus, you could hear the collective sigh of everyone on board.  Fortunately, the talk only lasted about 5 minutes while all the luggage was off loaded and positioned for easy pick up.

    This “bonus” night in the RV was a terrific deal.   We were able to acquaint ourselves with the rig and put all of our clothes and equipment away. Great Alaskan provided us with a beautiful, spiral bound instruction manual on how to operate the motor home and all of its features.  We made the bed, and we played with the various features like the generator, lights, heater, and the slide out.  Finally went to bed, excited as all get out about 11:00.

    One of the situations we had to figure out was what to do for food for Dinner on Day 0 and Breakfast for Day 1.  We would not be able to provision prior to getting the RV and there was no advertised store within walking distance of the factory.  Before dropping off the rental car at the airport, we stopped at a small store and bought a Deli Sandwich, a couple of Bananas, 2 pints of milk and 2 single serving containers of Raisin Bran.

    After breakfast,  at 8:15 we met in a large conference center for an orientation meeting, continental breakfast and  a 30 minute video presentation of how the Motor home worked, what to watch out for and quite a few safety tips.  Following a Question and answer session, we were turned loose on our own.   It is hard to not gush about how friendly, thorough, professional and helpful Great Alaskan Holidays are.  We have the utmost confidence that if something should go wrong, they will have the answers and ability to help.

    So after battening down all the hatches, taking a visual inspection tour around the outside of the RV to make sure all is put away and locked, WE ARE FINALLY  OFF.  Our first stop will be at a Wal-Mart in Fairmont, Minnesota, to provision about 65 miles away.  Our original intent was to go to one closer to Forrest City until we were informed that one did not have groceries.  Ok, not hungry just yet anyways.

   Leaving Forrest City, we traveled on a very well maintained 2 lane highway that seemed to go as straight as an Arrow.  Irene said she would do some of the driving, but only on a straight road, with no traffic and it had to be on a freeway.  Although not on a freeway, this seemed like a perfect place for her to try her hand at driving.  Her first response was no, not yet maybe a little later.  Ok, no problem.  2 minutes later, she said ok, I want to drive.

    At first intimidated, it took her about 5 miles to get really comfortable and she now drives like a long haul truck driver. Looks prettier, smells nicer, and doesn’t cuss.

    Finally made it to Wal-Mart in Fairmont.  We dug through our stuff and finally found our provisioning list. This was a huge store and it took us about 2 and half hours to shop.  Finally went to the checkout stand with 2 baskets completely full.  It took the cashier about 20 minutes to ring everything up.  Irene swiped the credit card and…….  It locked up. 

   The cashier tried to clear the machine and let her swipe the card again. No go.  Called the customer service manager for assistance, 15 minutes and no show.   Told us that she could clear it all out and we would be able to pay.  Instead she wiped the entire transaction out of the system.  We had to start all over.  Nah, we were calm, cool and collected, did not get frustrated and were not tempted to wring somebody’s neck. Over 3 hours in that __________ Store.

   Finally out of Wal-Mart and out to the RV to put everything away.  While in the store we ran in to 2 couples we recognized as being on the same adventure as us.  Once outside we saw a total of 6 motor homes with the Great Alaska logo on.  Great minds think alike?

    On the road again about 1:00 pm, we made haste to our first planned destination, American Creek Campground in Chamberlin, South Dakota.  We drove an additional 250 miles through country that is best described as having unobstructed views.  Hundreds of miles of crop land with that can only be described as stubble that we imagine were once corn crops.  Our minds conjured up images from the movie Field of Dreams with tall corn growing on gently rolling land and the farmhouses off in the background.

   American Creek Campground was on the banks of the Missouri River with a great beach area that would be super for kids and playing with dogs.  Next time Sadie and Buster get to come.  As we were checking in at the office, 3 more Great Alaskan RV’s pulled in behind us.  By the time we left in the morning there were a total of 7 fellow adventurers. Showers and restrooms were clean and well serviced.  With easy access off of Interstate 90 we recommend this campground.