Final thoughts on the Alaska Adventure

Finally, on the third try we made the trek to Alaska.  For us, it was a once in a lifetime trip and has created memories that will last for the rest of our lives.  I say once in a lifetime because I wouldn't drive it again unless it was in a vehicle that I didn't care about.  I would certainly return to Alaska but probably via cruise ship, train and rental car.  Fuel prices in Canada were less than we actually budgeted for as we paid a low of $4.36 and a high of $6.41 per gallon.  Fuel in Alaska was all over $4.00 per gallon.  The truck performed well and most of the time averaged nearly 10 miles per gallon.

I know that I did a lot of complaining about the roads and while it was justified in my own mind, the Canadian and Alaskan roads aren't really any worse than roads in the lower 48.  The advantage we had by unlimited time and the slow speeds we drove, gave us opportunities to see some awe inspiring vistas.  You'd round a curve or crest a hill and the scenery would be completely different and just jaw dropping in beauty.  Whether it be small mountain lakes, hills and mountains of trees or a glacier fed river, the beauty was incredible.

To anyone who followed us and thought we were impeding them please accept our apologies, but the first word on the speed limit signs is "maximum."  If 70 or 75 kph is too slow for you in a 100 kph zone you probably should have left sooner.  We were there to enjoy the beautiful scenery not to drive like a bat outta hell to get to the next stop.  After all, life is about the journey, not the destination.

A big thank you to our friends, Bill and Peggy and Bob and Ellen, who accepted that we are not fishermen but did indulge us.  We're sorry that you got "skunked" with us along.  We shall not bring bad luck to fishermen again and will confine our catching to Safeway, Krogers, or any seafood market that looks good. :)

Our entire journey was 7400 miles and just about 3 months.  We did everything we wanted to and saw more than we ever expected.  That said, we would have appreciated a little more cooperation from the big bull mooses, especially the ones who posed for the moose crossing road signs.  One of these days we'll get back to Yellowstone to see the big bulls again.  The number of bears that we saw really does make up for not seeing any big bull mooses.  We are grateful for other animals we did see, especially the herd of Bighorn Sheep that hung around and posed for us in Radium Hot Springs.

So, ultimately, I think driving to Alaska is something I will never regret doing and would recommend it to anyone who has the time, and the desire to see some incredible beauty.


Till the next trip, keep smiling.