This is the fifth in a continuing series about our trip through Canada to Alaska
All day long it felt like we were driving into a postcard.
Had there been more places to pull out of traffic, the 168-mile trip could have taken two days or more. We envy the bicyclists chugging up mountains on their overloaded bikes. They got to be in the moment for hours.
Monique called our route though the top of the Okanagan Corridor and into Canada’s Glacier National Park (not connected to the U.S. version) “Waterfall Alley.” The melting snow streaming and tumbling down steep mountainsides fed into jade-green shallow rivers. It seemed endless.
Add to that the picture-perfect blue skies and you couldn’t find more beautiful scenery. Last night as Monique and I sat around a campfire with four young travelers from Switzerland, we asked, “Why would you come here? It looks like Switzerland.” The response was, “There’s more of it here!”
Enough terrain-talk. Now for a few comments. I’m sure there are several readers who would like to have a map of our route included with these articles. That was my original intention, but there hasn’t been enough time to work on one … and then it occurred to me that a map isn’t a good idea. Going to Alaska is about exploring, and plotting a course based on our travels would diminish the adventure.
When you’re planning your trip, the first place to start is the book “Milepost,” which is an incredible source of information about every road and every stop along the way, plus lots more. Canadian and Alaska tourism offices are glad to provide information, and, of course, there’s the web. You can browse for hours finding out about what to see while moseying on up to Alaska and back.
And besides, traipsing along behind a caravan isn’t really fair to Adventure Caravans, is it?
Forget what I said yesterday about cellphone charges. There are apparently more options I didn’t know about until this afternoon. Check with your service for the right information.
Today we learned that the cost of a 7-day national park pass is $57.00 (Canadian) for seniors … and that’s per person. Then, there are provincial parks that have different fees. If no officers are around to put a ticket on your vehicle if you don’t have a pass, you can take a chance on stopping at some of the breathtaking sights. Otherwise, you need to pay.
Rushing Jade Waters
Speaking of cost, we’re still learning the conversions. I stuck a speedometer sheet on my steering wheel, e.g., 100 Km/H equals about 60 mph in the states. And, of course, all the distance signs are in kilometers, and everything has the French translation attached. We have a pocketful of $2 coins and some pretty paper bills. We’re using our ATM card when it’s more than $20 for fuel, food or a fishing rod & reel.
Our route today was dotted with massive construction projects, with heavy equipment operating even though it is Sunday. The road-widening work is impressive and didn’t cause us any delays.
Enjoying Our Trip With a Circle of Friends
We are continuing to enjoy all aspects of the trip so far. Gotta go. It’s 11:00 and finally getting dark up here.
From the “Never-Bored RVers,” We’ll see you on down the road.
Continue to Part VI – “Our Alaska Trip – Banff & Lake Louise”>>
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Les
Hello All,
To see the route they are taking, go to the Adventure Caravans web site.
http://www.adventurecaravans.com/
click on “Alaska” and then click on “route map” and you see where they are.
Have a great trip. Thanks for the info.
Shelia Whitten
I have know idea where you are. Where you have been and other than it’s an AK trip through Canada. Your blog is more like letting us know you are OK, like family, and having fun. If it is to be educational. A map or where you camp each night or something would help.
Shelia
Garry Scott
Hi there, Garry from England UK here again, following your blog with anticipation, very very good, but would really like a map to see where you have been, how far traveled on each day, and where to next, along with the blog, please put in map, Thanks, great blog very interesting, keep on trucking, Regards Garry ( UK )
Enaud Clinton
I am loving reading your blog. We are 4 years or less from retirement at which time we plan to go full time RVing…just bought the truck and trailer that will be our home and transportation when that happens and Alaska is high on my list of places I want to visit so thank you for sharing and safe travles to you.
Thanks again, Ron & Enaud Clinton
bbwolf
Barry & Monique, I agree with the other comments. As I read your daily posts to my wife, she asks , “Where are they now? Where did they just travel from?”. So, if it is not too much to ask, we’d sure like to know where you stop for the evening. That will help us track your travel and get a better understanding.
Thanks again!
Rick
I, too, feel a map of your trip would enhance your blog. Not being good a geography, unless I would take a look at a map simultaneously while reading your blog, I have no clue exactly where you have traveled. I don’t think it would hurt anyone planning on making a similar trip in the future. Yours is but one trip that was right for you but not be for someone else. If I was to make that trip, I’ll sit down and plan my own route but it would really help out when reading your blog to see where you are and have traveled.
Keep the blogs coming…I look forward to reading them despite not really knowing exactly where you are!!!! Happy Travels!!!
guy
I also think a map of your travels would inhance our experience as we follow along with you. Sometimes it is hard to determine where you are.
Just my mind speaking.
GK
Wow, you guys are definitely taking the long way around! You have chosen some beautiful locations, though (btw, you can buy annual group passes from Parks Canada that are good for up to 7 people in a single vehicle, those are $136, and a family is entitled to 2 of them if you have 2 vehicles registered at the same address).
Keep in mind the French and English signs are only in the Federal national parks. The provincial parks and the rest of BC and Alberta generally have English-only signs.
Hoping your next stop is Jasper. The drive up the Icefields Parkway is something else. The only downside is that there aren’t a lot of passing lanes, so a convoy like yours is going to stack up traffic a fair bit. Be prepared for some nasty looks :-(.