Thursday, January 23, 2014

Alaska Prep Time


As with any our our 7+ month trips, we always leave prepared.  This time we will be headed to Alaska, and this will bring a few more considerations than our other trips.  And I am sure that as we enter the famous Alaska Highway, we are going be thinking, “Gee, I think we should have brought this or that.”  One thing I hope we don’t have to face is snowy roads like this….if so, it will just be time to wait until it thaws out more.

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Wednesday we went to Sam’s Club to stock up on paper goods.  A case of septic safe Scott Toilet Paper, case of paper towels, two sizes of paper plates, case of tissue paper…now one of our dinette booth storage area is completely full.  We have also started a mental list of things we are going to leave behind that we did not use last time…including our printer/scanner.  Our first year out we needed the printer/scanner because I was still technically working, and I also knew that I had some important retirement papers which were emailed to me that I had to print, sign in front of a notary, and send back via regular mail.  This past year we did not take it out of the box…so it will stay home along with a few other items.

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We will also need some warmer clothing for the anticipated colder spring, and some cool Alaska nights.  That means that Marcia will need much more winter clothes…I will need two more pair of long pants and two long sleeve shirts.  Unless it is “real” cold, like down under 40, I am typically fine wearing short pants and a T-shirt.  It has been a bit colder in Florida this year…yesterday it was around 52 degrees as I pumped gas into the HHR.  I looked around me and people had heavy coats on, some with hoods, one with gloves…I was in shorts.  I stopped and thought, “Is it really cold out?  I feel a little cool, but it surely is not cold…what is it with these people?”  All of this while they looked at me thinking, “What is with this dude?  Shorts, sandals, T-shirt and he isn’t even shivering….what is with this guy?”  My mom said that I have always been this way…

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Today we met Marcia’s cousin Mary at Rodie’s Restaurant in Tarpon Springs.  Normally we would meet her at “Nanna’s”, but unfortunately this favorite restaurant did not make it through the summer last year…after a dozen years or so the owners decided to close up shop.  Not sure what the full scoop is, but I know it was not due to a lack of business because when we left in June last year, they still had a very steady business.  Mary is in her early 80’s, and she is in remarkable health and shape.  About 18 months ago she went on the Paleo Diet and she not only lost weight, but finds it much easier to get around.  We spent two hours in the restaurant catching up.

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Yesterday I took the dogs to a park, and today we picked them up after breakfast/lunch and let them spend some time with us in the car as we traveled around doing errands.  When I went up to the door to get them, I left the back door to the car open.  Skruffy jumps up on my leg a couple of times and shoot off for the car while I hook Bubba up to the leash.  By the time we got to the car, Skruffy was up in the front on Marcia’s lap just giving her lots of kisses.  Marcia said that she nearly flew from being outside the car to up on her lap…which is hard since she had to jump up into the backseat first with those short little legs.

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I think they are just looking for life to get back to normal again….back to a 240 foot inside environment….

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…..and a world of adventure just a few steps out the door.

9 comments:

  1. I'm so happy you spend as much time as you can with those cuties. The 240 square foot area I'm sure doesn't bother them at all. As for paring down and stocking up I think it's a never-ending phenomenon of motor home life!

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    1. It sure is hard to wake up and not see that wagging tail, hear that bark bark bark of wanting to go outside...and now I have to eat my morning bagel all by myself!

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  2. Ha,ha - we're the ones all bundled up wondering how you can be out in that cold with shorts on! You would think that we never lived through the cold, cold winters of SW PA.

    Your puppies are going to be so excited to be with you and back on the road. Going to Alaska really is a wonderful adventure! Stocking up in the larger cities is easy just remember to top off your gas tank before heading into the countryside. We found that we were able to buy everything that we needed in the cities except during our first visit which was in the height of summer. Tony had trouble sleeping because of the long hours of daylight and we searched all over for a sleep mask - never did find one. Have fun planning!

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    1. I think by having Reflectix over the windows we will be dark enough, Marcia needs night lights on so that she doesn't trip over anything in the middle of the night anyway. Topping off the gas tank is going to be something I will have to remember....wonder if AAA works up there if we do run out of gas in the HHR? Thanks for the input.

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  3. It's wonderful that you are able to plan together, your trip to Alaska. Sometimes planning, is almost as much fun/enjoyment as the actual trip. Enjoy! Blessings...

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    1. You know what they say? Man plans and God laughs...he's in charge, and we just hope he allows us to fulfill our plan....if not, it is his will.

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  4. I'll be really interested in your posts of the trip. I've flow to Alaska for a fishing trip, but never driven. I've never thought about going there in my RV, it seems like such a huge trip. But I'll sure enjoy your trip! :)

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    1. We will definitely be posting...not sure how well it will be while in Canada. Looking into how we might get an air card sim in Canada to put in one of our air cards...but so far it does not look cost effective. I might just have to save my posts in Live Writer and post them when we have free WiFi, or when we get well into Alaska and pick up Verizon service again.

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