Thursday, March 3, 2016

13 Days and Counting ... Alaska Here We Come

13

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.
tetons

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. 


Theodore Roosevwlt NPAfter 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…


Jasper NPBanff NPFrom 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 

               Dawson Creek
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.

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.

75 Years

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.

14 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks...we are looking forward to getting back on the road again.

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  2. It does look like the stars have aligned this year! I'm predicting a wonderful trip!

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    1. Thanks Karen...sure would like to cross paths again soon.

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    2. I feel badly I had to post this as a reply, but there was no link for me to make a comment. I am so very happy for you both, that you'll be making this trip, this year. Praise God! I'm sure you'll be happy and safe. Praying! Blessings, Lynn

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    3. Thank you Lynn. Don't know why the comment box did not show up for you.

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  3. Very nice logo for the 75 year highway recognition. My old eyes seem to see Eighteen forty-two instead of Nineteen forty-two...

    I enjoy traveling vicariously with you. I watch for when you travel through Reno/Sparks

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    1. I see what you say about the date on the logo, must be from the shrinking and converting it to a blog picture.

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  4. When we visited Lake Louise in 2013 in mid May, it was still frozen over. The upside was not too many people. It was still worth the visit.

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    1. Yes, I expect that it will be frozen, and the nights cold...but as you know, the scenery is something else.

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  5. You're going to have a GREAT time! Watch out for those icy roads. Keeping my fingers crossed the weather is perfect for you!

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    1. Thank you Nancy. Been looking over the weather, and I think this winter has been fairly mild, considering, up in Alaska...perhaps the roads will be in better condition than other years. :)

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  6. You will love North Dakota's Teddy Roosevelt Park, we especially like the Mustangs. Also Banff. We go back to Alaska next year. When there in 2014 we had to cut it short when I had a mild stroke. Yup, hope fuel stays cheaper. We paid equivalent to $7.45 a gallon in Canada. Waiting to hear further about your trip of a lifetime!

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    1. $7.45 a gallon! No wonder you had a mild stroke!!

      I will try to post every day that I can, I am sure there will be a day here and there where we have no Internet both in Canada and Alaska. I hear that AT&T is better than Verizon in Alaska, and we are not going to use phones or air card in Canada, but will use free WiFi of course.

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