90 to 50 degrees in a 6 hours plane ride. Drive 2,300 miles in 4 days, jump on a plane the next day.... another plane 5 days later, drive more - on high alert this is moose country of course (elk, caribou, deer, bear, fox -did I forget something??), and 12 hours on a ferry. Roll me in a sleeping bag, 2 blankets, a comforter, socks, vest, and let me sleep for 3 days and I will be human again sometime. Brrrr I was cold and tired for 4 solid days, my body was lethargic and in shock.
In the middle of nowhere, somewhere
I had arrived in Seattle for a couple days on the 25th, got to see Chelsea and Kris, the Grandkids, Rob, Krista, and Isabel, and of course we did some shopping. Big mistake, I let Brenda go into Ikea alone....
3 Ikea boxes in back....
2 Ikea boxes on top with the rest of the "stuff"
After re-packing the truck we hit the road.
North to Alaska
Princess Shantell snuggled in her nest of pillows and comforter in the back seat, my sis Brenda riding shotgun looking for bear (literally),
Here bear, here bear, grrrr. Yes that is really what my sister yelled to this bear by the roadside then she yelled "floor it!" Silly me, I had foolishly stopped at her request.
and Mario Andretti at the wheel...the entire 2,300 miles.
We made great time (thus the nickname...truth be told my kids have called me this for years, but Bren and Shantell had fun calling me names).
There was only one "O-crap" moment, where I hit a bump too fast and my niece went airborne in the back seat. In future years I am sure this will be the only moment remembered about the entire trip. Let me say seatbelts are made to mitigate such circumstances...I am just saying. Sorry for the bump on the head dear.
The weather was outstanding. Mostly clear and dry with patches of sun. We hit snow early in the morning as we departed Whitehorse, YK, then again patches in the passes as we head south to Anchorage from Tok. Glorious frozen lakes, and stunning mountains.
The Alcan highway was so much nicer than I anticipated. The Canadian road system is VERY well maintained. Much better than what I have experienced other places.
Baits Motel, those crazy Canadians and their sense of humor...wait its FOR SALE!
The highways/mountain ranges are such that you head way north and your latitude is almost level with Fairbank's before turning south heading towards Anchorage.
We arrived in Anchorage in the PM on cinco de mayo, 2015 (May 5, muchachos y muchachas) leaving the SUV in Anchorage as the Ferry cancelled our reservation. Whirlwind trip to Costco, then a plane to Kodiak. Sleep for days, and try to get warm. Morris arrived non-stop from PV late the 6th, and we headed back to Anchorage to pick up the SUV, drive to Homer, then catch the 2AM ferry to Kodiak. And here we are....Nice to see family again. Had to hit the store for Vitamin D no way the rainy blues will defeat me.
We will be in the good old USA for 4 months. Here in AK until early July, then back to Seattle, then onto Oregon to see the rest of the family. We will even make the family reunion this year YEAH!!
Impulsive is in good hands while we are gone. Morris got her into Hurricane preparedness mode before he left, and we have a great maintenance company watching her. Sure do miss her, the sunshine, and all our friends. We will head back south the end of August. Should be smoldering hot still then, and we will go through the reverse climate shock. Take care all of you enjoying the north Sea of Cortez, and looking forward to reading your blogs. Chao.