By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers
FROM TOP: A beautiful Alaskan glacier; Bears Crossing the Road; Fireweed; Downtown Skagway
This past summer we made an arduous 17,050-mile trip to the Canadian Maritimes, starting and ending in California. A wonderful excursion, rivaling our 14,000-mile trip to Alaska (which began in Key West). While in the Canadian Atlantic Provinces, we were asked several times, “Which was better? Tough question since we’ve loved all our journeys, and exactly what does “better” mean? I’ll give the simple answer – Sometime in your RV life, do everything possible to drive up along the Canadian Rockies to Alaska and spend as much time as your schedule and resources allow in the “Land of the Midnight Sun”?
It’s daunting, but I don’t think we’ve found any trip in our years on the road as rewarding. Honestly, the plan to drive up there was a spur-of-the-moment decision. Knowing that with age comes health problems, we realized the formidable trek to Alaska needed to be at the top of our list. In early 2010 we decided NOW IS THE TIME!
Having heard stories from many of those who have RVed through western Canada into Alaska returning with stories of severe road hazards, high prices, long drives and bad weather we could have asked ourselves, “Is it worth it?” I would answer that by saying that among those who have made the trek, none would say, “Don’t do it.” It’s not just seeing Denali, the Yukon, the Kenai or glaciers up close, or experiencing the untamed vastness framed in magenta fireweed, the rustic towns, or roadside fishing for salmon that is the attraction. There’s something special about having a fresh perspective on our world as it was a century ago and a millennium ago.
Monique and I drove all that way to check Alaska off the list of states we’ve visited. Oh, sure, we had things we wanted to see, but there’s plenty we have yet to see in the Lower 48, so why bother? On about Day 35 of our 58-day trip north of Washington State, we heard ourselves saying things like, “When we come back …”
That’s what the trip is all about. Alaska — and its approaches through British Columbia and the Yukon Territory — is compelling. Every mile, whether scenic or sparse, is part of an adventure that can’t be duplicated. Of the hundreds of people we’ve spoken with about visiting Alaska, all of them had either been there more than once or were already thinking about their return.
In the next edition of “Why Alaska …” I’ll explore (a very appropriate word) the plusses and minuses further. But before signing off, below are a few comments from earlier blogs:
From the “Never-Bored RVers,” We’ll see you on down the road.
© All photos by Barry Zander. All rights reserved
Because of the numerous Spam comments on this site, the comments section has been deactivated. Please email us at [email protected] and I will pass along your comments. Learn about Alaska and see travel photos at ontopoftheworld.bz (and much more to come when time allows).
FROM TOP: A muskox; the outpost of Chicken; Mt. McKinley in Denali; The Alaskan Pipeline
COMMENTS TO MY RECENT BLOG about getting into nature before winter sets in [ blog.rv.net/2013/10/autumn-journal/ ]:
FROM MICHAEL — Wonderful stuff! But, my cynical mind suggests that “Anonymous” is used so one of your favorite state parks doesn’t get overrun with the likes of me… Regards, Michael
FROM “A faithful reader,” GARY — You know, some people do not even realize the really good stuff that is out there. You can find close to the same by sitting in a yard (if the noise of traffic or kids doesn’t interfere) and, if you listen….
But you are very correct in stating that “away” is preferable as new sounds and sights are there for the taking. Thanks for hopefully getting people to relax and enjoy, as even a city park can bring solitude and comfort.
FROM Joyce & butterbean carpenter
Howdy Monique & Barry, Thanx, Barry, for the reminiscence about the ‘sounds’ in nature. When I was young I used to lie out in the pastures & creek banks and hear the sounds of nature; from insects to fauna and as long as I was still and made no noise they would keep it up. It was such a goood feeling. We live in nature out here on the ranch and LOVE IT!
Sure do hope y’all are having a HAPPY DAY in ANONYMOUS STATE PARK!
