We are on the Alaska Highway!! We got into Dawson Creek, BC on Saturday night and instantly one of the trailer tires decided it was done and went flat. I thanked it for waiting until we were at the hotel, and promptly got rid of it!

We wanted to stay an extra day there anyway because of the historical things to see and, to be honest, I needed a break. I went to Canadian Tire on Sunday morning and found out they had tires in stock, but couldn't put them on until this morning. So we headed out and saw the local historical village.

We then let the kids go to a park for a bit and grabbed something to eat. Ashley found an aquatic center in town, so we took the kids there. It was awesome! Huge pools, diving boards, slides, the works!

I went ahead and got 4 new tires on the trailer for the last 1500 miles, and I'm glad I did. The Alaskan hwy is definitely not I75!! There were a couple construction areas with gravel roads for a few miles. Other than that, it was a very nice drive and got more and more beautiful as we for north.

We are now in Fort Nelson and will be heading to Watson Lake and then Whitehorse before finally crossing into Alaska at Beaver Creek. I can't wait! Thank The Lord for keeping is safe... Just a bit longer.

After staying in Shelby, MT and going to Glacier National Park last night, we're heading into Canada. We won't have cell or data service except at the hotels, so posting will be difficult. Thanks for all the prayers!

I think we'll be in Canada for 5 or 6 days, so see y'all on the flip side!!

God Bless!

We're in South Dakota!

After such a terrible start to the week last week and losing 2 days, we've had 5 good days and have made it to Sioux Falls, SD. We had to cut a couple stops and I drove a couple 11 hour days, but we're hopefully back on track with a couple "cushion" days.

We got to stay in Rome, GA and spend time with Pastor Nick and Leslie, and Josh and Deanna! God has seriously touched their lives and ministry and you can see the fruit of it in the church they are pastoring,(www.romefirstag.org). I have extremely enjoyed the couple times we've been able to join in worship with them! Rome is an amazing town too, and it was extremely hard to pull away on Friday. Although I am excited about Alaska, part of my heart is there!

God is good and the trailer has been great! The kids have been relatively good and have been an excellent audience when it has come to seeing the cool new sites... giving great oohhhh's and aahhhh's and wow's when seeing things like the St. Louis arch, a huge Silo and a chipmunk! Haha!

Tomorrow we're heading out to Mount Rushmore and then on to Cody, WY to stay so we can drive to Yellowstone and possibly Jackson Hole. This is the part of the trip I've really been looking forward too. I remember going to these places when I was around Ralphie's age and they're still the best memories I've ever had. I hope this is as memorable for them as it was, and is for me!

Time to get some rest, God bless!

I just want everyone to know that my wife is also blogging on her website, and usually has more time to get to it then I do. You can check her out at RKRcreations.com

Milo Elver set out to move across the country with his 3 children, the youngest being 4 yrs old, and all his possessions in the trailer being pulled behind him. Shortly after leaving his home, he was forced off the road where the trailer flipped and all his possessions were lost.

The year was 1957. My grandpa, Milo V. Elver was heading south from Wisconsin. The only differences between his and my stories is that he didn't really know where he was going, had no job lined up, and no house to go to. Because of medical reason from serving in WWII, he had to move to a warmer climate.

I guess I was born with this and as my dad said, I should have seen this coming! But, just as he kept going, made it to Florida, and raised an incredible family, I will also keep going and will make it to Alaska, God willing!

Yesterday, a couple of the lugs were not tight on the trailer and just south of Ocala the wheel blew off, snapping all the studs. It all worked out and we had a nice evening in the hot tub at a local holiday inn. It'll be fixed around noon today and we'll be back on our way. It puts us behind a bit, but it could have been much worse!

God Bless!

This will be short. It's been a long weekend and even longer day today. We had a "going away" party today at my brother's house and had a lot of friends and family come out! It was a really, really good time, and of course, GT and Justin stole the show with their BBQ. Seriously, when my brother and his family come to Alaska, he just needs to open a BBQ joint... He'd make a killing. It was really good to have the cousins together again and a good many of them made me tear up! And then there was Tracy... Ahhhhh, talking about making my heart yank out of my chest. Love love love my sister-in-law!

Sarah and Amy, thank you soooooo much for those pictures! They are packed and will be on the wall in our new house right away. Love you!

Well, we just finished boxing some last stuff that we're just going to ship in the morning and we're heading for bed. Gonna be a long 3 weeks starting tomorrow.

Here we go!

Milo

Yep, that's an empty room! It felt like it would never end, but after tacking on an extra day because we had a bit more stuff left than I had planned for, we are finally done and back in Fort Myers. There is a bit more work to do until we leave, but we'll mainly be resting up and making sure the trailer and Explorer are ready to leave on the 12th.

I have to say, when I pulled out of Bartow, my heart was a bit heavy. We absolutely loved that house. The age and woodwork gave it a great personality. And its location was awesome for walks downtown to eat or go to the antique show or Friday Fest. We always said, if you have to live in Florida, this was the place to be! So, even as excited as we are about the road ahead, it was hard to drive away yesterday.

But, as the Bible says, there is a time for everything... a season. Some shorter and some longer than others. Bartow was a great season and we are trusting in The Lord and expecting awesome things in the season ahead.

Which brings me to a song I've been singing and playing during the last few days. It has really become my theme song in all of this and is one of my favorite hymns.

"I Know Who Holds Tomorrow"

I don't know about tomorrow;
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from it's sunshine
For it's skies may turn to grey.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said.
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden's getting lighter,
Every cloud is silver-lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.

I don't know about tomorrow;
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.
And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me,

And I'm covered with his blood.

Amen.