13 Days and Counting ... Alaska Here We Come

Yes, we are only 13 days away from departing our condo and hitting the road for seven months.  We have two weeks to get to the Sacramento area, with quick visits in Arkansas, a day trip up to Missouri to see Ryan, and in Phoenix.  After a month or so visiting family in Sacramento (including both mom and dad’s birthdays), then we are off to Utah for a few days to see Stephanie, and then we start our trip up north.

The last time we were in the Tetons, in 2012, the smoke from all the fires in Oregon, Idaho and other Western States did not make it the scenic, pleasant trip we had expected. 


After a few days in this area, we plan to move north east to visit the western portion of North Dakota, specifically Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  North Dakota is one of the three states which I have never been to…the other two are Alaska and Hawaii.  I will wait until they build that highway to Hawaii…

From there we plan to head to the Banff and Jasper National Parks in Canada.  This are is one of the most scenic areas of Canada.  It is very busy in July and August.  It can be a bit cold at night in May, but the mountains will be full of snow, and the crowds will be small...can't wait to get some pictures 

              

Assuming all goes well, by late May we plan to be in Dawson Creek.  The town has a population of just over 11,000 people.  The “Creek” was named Dawson Creek in 1879, and it soon became a farming community.  By 1912 homesteads were being issued, and by 1921 the community was incorporated.  Today Dawson Creek is known as “mile zero” of the Alaska Highway.  If all goes well, by June 1st we will be on the Alaska Highway.


By the time we have reached “Mile Zero”, we will have already driven nearly 6,000 miles…and we have around 1,200 miles to go before we enter Alaska.  Once in Alaska, well, it will be another 4,000 miles before we are back in the lower 48 where we will spend more time in Sacramento, then across I-80 to see Stephanie in Utah, Ryan in Missouri, and my Doctor in Arkansas. By the time we make it back to our Condo in Florida, we will have driven between 14,000 to 15,000 motorhome miles.

 “IF” we traveled every day, that is only 70 miles a day.  In reality, we will have some long travel days, and some short travel days.  It is a lot of miles but as they say, it is a trip of a lifetime.

The Alaska Highway started in 1942 shortly after Pearl Harbor was bombed. February of 2017 will be the 75th anniversary of when they started…so this is the 75th year of the highway.  (If you have trouble with the math as it comes to the year, think of a baby's first year starting the day they are born.)  This is our third year in a row that we have planned this trip…and I feel real good that this is the year it will happen.  With the 75th year of the highway, with gas prices at the lowest in 16 years, and a favorable exchange rate…I think the stars have aligned for a wonderful trip this year.