... continuing, travels from August 2022 thru May 2023

April 2023 - Alaska

In a highly unusual moment of generosity, and perhaps some selfish interest reasons, we volunteered to drive Karly's car from Portland to Anchorage.  She and Zan are moving to Anchorage and are driving a UHaul with his car on a trailer, and we offered to get her car up there.  I've never been on the AlCan, and this was a golden opportunity to drive it.

But Portland to Anchorage is about 44 hours of driving -- that's the hard way to do it.  We "cheated" and took the Alaska Marine Highway, catching the ferry in Bellingham WA and disembarking in Skagway AK.  From there is is only 14 hours of driving.  We were on the ferry in a cabin for 3 nights.

First we had to get to Portland.  Fortunately Amtrak provides direct service, and we have points to use.  The morning ride along the Columbia River is always pretty.



In Portland we got to meet Karly's dog Zephyr, who actually played an important role in part of the travel, considering he did not travel with us!




We drove up to Bellevue, outside of Seattle to visit Bob and Mary.  I know Bob as we worked at Adobe together, though I don't think we ever actually worked together on the same project.

From there it was an hour drive to Bellingham, and then in to the bowels of the ferry.

During the trip access to the car deck was allowed for half an hour at a time a few times during the day, so people could access belongings in their vehicles, but mostly to let their dogs out of the vehicles to stretch.




The cabins were nice.  All bunk beds, with a private shower/bathroom.  Much roomier than Amtrak's sleeping compartments.





Sandy was "disinterested" in the camping on the deck adventure.




Quite a few frugal travelers slept in sleeping bags under the Solarium, which had radiant heaters on the ceiling.  In the peak summer season this must be packed.  No smoking, drinking, or drugs allowed!




Unlike Amtrak, meals are not included as part of the sleeping accommodation.  We had a large cooler with fixings for breakfast and lunch, but did have dinners in the restaurant.  That was the only place on the ferry one could purchase beer or wine.  There were crossed out signs onboard that pointed to a cocktail lounge which must no longer exist.  I had brought enough Cold Smoke in the cooler in the cabin to see me thru the trip.

Tipping was not allowed!  All employees are State of Alaska government employees.




We were traveling the last week of April, so no crowds in the off season




Typical Pacific Northwest for the 3.5 day journey.  Cloudy and drizzle at times.  Some occasional clearing which gave hints of the snow covered coastal mountains.









It was a very relaxing way to travel.  No WiFi on board, with sporadic cell service.
We eventually reach our destination of Skagway ahead.




The old west gold rush town retains that same feel, though perhaps a bit touristy in the summer season.
It is a beautiful setting



After one night in town, we are on the road.  The first 10 miles head uphill to White Pass, which is the Canadian border.
A very curious observation about timezones on this day's drive.  All of Alaska is on one timezone, including Skagway.  In April with daylights savings, it is on ADT.  As we cross the border in to Canada, we enter British Columbia which is on Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).  About 40 miles further on the road we cross in to the Yukon Territory, which is year round on Mountain Standard Time (MST).  So within 2 hours of driving we passed thru 3 timezones!




We could not have ordered better weather for our driving if the devil himself provided it!  😉




The summit, at 3292 feet on the US side.
I could not locate the elevation marker on the Canadian side which was very surprising to me, as I was always told everything is easier in metric.



Just brilliant and very bright.








I believe this is the frozen Tutshi Lake








We spent the night in Haines Junction at the not so charming but adequate Stardust Motel, on the first day it was open for the season.
Awesome view from the deck!




The next day we drove to Tok. A large portion of the time was alongside Kluane Lake




As we passed by we said Boo but they did not Care
(dad humor)

The only other wildlife we saw were 2 moose in a shopping center parking lot in the city of Wasilla AK



We spent the night in Tok at a AirBnB.  It seemed rather nice.  On entry there was a table with a note and our name on it providing instructions room instructions, and that breakfast as at 8am.  At 8am the next morning we went downstairs for breakfast, but no one was there to greet us.  There was a pot of hot water, no coffee except some instant decaf, some cereals, and bagels and cream cheese in the refrigerator.  Not quite the breakfast we were expecting!  As we made do with what was there for breakfast, and I dug out my AeroPress and coffee from the car, another couple who were guests with a dog emerged from their room for breakfast.  While talking with them, they asked where we were traveling, and we explained about driving the car to Anchorage for a friend.  They mentioned they had been driving behind a UHaul pulling a trailer with a car for a number of miles, and when it stopped to get gas they stopped as well, and their dog Foxtrot had a great time playing with Zephyr  -- lo and behold they had met Karly and Zan!!  They too were moving to Anchorage.  Quite the coincidence.  I texted Karly, and she was thrilled because they had not exchanged contact info and wanted to meet up in Anchorage with them.  And thus we were able to reconnect Mitch, Sara and Foxtrot with them





The next day's drive went along the endless ranges of Alaska mountains.  Just outstanding, especially with the weather's cooperation.  I look forward to coming back to this area.













Simply endless.  Just wow!

After a night in Wasilla we had a short one hour drive to Anchorage to meet up with Karly and Zan and deliver the car.  When we did that, they related on how the two of them went out to the Anchorage Brewing Company for dinner the prior night, and who should happen to be having dinner there none other than Mitch and Sara!  They obviously were destined to be friends.

Karly then dutifully delivered us to the airport, where we flew to Fairbanks with a planned 6 hour layover.  Nadine picked us and we were able to have a great Thai dinner before catching the 1am red eye flight back home, thus ending the Alaskan car delivery story


May 2023

Yet more travels, albeit just for extended weekends.  Sandy and her cousin were able to get away for a 4 day weekend to Fairbanks, under the guise of helping Sally plant her garden.  I think the real reason was they wanted to go play with the dogs.

While she was away up north, I took the opportunity for an extended weekend in the Bay Area.  With the Covid Reign of Terror's painfully slow demise complete, this was an opportunity to meet up in person with people I had not physically seen in 3 years.  In order of appearance, it was great to see Dorothy, Janice, Charlene & Ian, Lily & Dennis, Mike, Dejan, Nabeel, Serena, Tam, Janet & Joe, Julie & Bill, and Geoff & Lisa. 

I also had a chance to visit Seacliff State Park, where all traces of the pier out to the cement ship have been removed.  When the kids were very small, we used to go for walks with them on the pier, and in those days one could walk onto the front portion of the ship, which is now turned at an angle.  Such memories!




And saving the best for last, I finally got to meet "Rusty", Dorothy & John's restoration project.





And that concludes all our travel from last August to the present.

Now it is your turn to travel to Montana and visit the Last Best Place.  In my very humble opinion there are no bad months or seasons here, and I've got the photos to prove it!
We look forward to seeing you.