Alaska Bound…

It’s been several years since we first talked about driving the motorhome to Alaska. It always seems like for whatever reason it’s not the right year, or we have other obligations… But this spring we finally said let’s go… or at least head in that direction and see what happens.

I’ll try to post highlights or lowlights as we go along but with the internet being slow or no connection at all, there may be many days in between updates.  We are presently in Everett, Washington. Tomorrow we will be moving closer to the border and perhaps even go into Abbotsford in Canada in the afternoon.

We have The Milepost, several camping books, and many maps.  Funny how we have become so accustomed to just looking on the cell phone or laptop for tips, directions or faster routes, etc.  I’m going to have to reintroduce myself to paper maps and hoping I have taken enough notes. Sure, I have Verizon and AT&T cell phones as well as MIFI’s with International calling plans for both, but there is no guarantee there will be a signal in the vast outbacks of Canada and Alaska.

Crossing the border into Canada comes with a lot of items to remember “To Have” and “Not Have” with you.  It’s one thing to fly into another country and go through customs and be asked to declare or unpack your suitcase for the agent. But when you are driving over the border in your House, it becomes a bit daunting. We hope we have done our homework well. I’ll have a report in a few days.

For those personal friends who have the link to our SPOT locator, you will know where we are just about every few minutes using your SPOT App or computer. Others will have our Check-In notice at the end of the day or when we quit driving for the day. Technically, you will know better where we are than We will unless our GPS stays tuned in.

 We have heard some people plan all their stops and make reservations well in advance.  We haven’t done that. We’ll head that direction and see as much as we can see and I hope to get a few amazing photographs along the way.

I did make a cover for the Jeep windshield, in hopes we won’t have a rock break it. We’ve already had two windshields replaced and the Jeep is just a little over three years old.  We’ve read that cracked or broken windshields are a common occurrence.

The cover I made fits nicely over the windshield and tucks into the doors. I first made a pattern using a product called “Dura-Skrim.”  I used a six mil think Yoga mat and sewed Ripstop Nylon over the top. I applied  3M snaps called  “SNADS” onto the top of the windshield in three places.  I aligned three studs attached to the mat cover so the whole mat snapped to the windshield.  The snaps are removable, so at the end of this trip we can take them off. I purchased the “Snads” and Ripstop nylon and Dura-Skrim from Sailrite. The same company that I got my fabric for the tire covers and sunshade.

The only other rock deterrent I applied to the Jeep was INVISAShield.  It is a clear plastic film that protects the front of the hood. There are three different options. I chose the medium gauge. It is 99% invisible.  With the installation kit and their detailed videos, it is not a difficult job. The cost is around $75.00

Probably seasoned Alaska visitors will think it is overkill.

I’m armed with my Canon camera and several lenses; Mark is completely outfitted with fishing gear. Stay tuned for more updates on this adventure as time, and Internet signal allows.  

We are now heading to the border crossing at Abbotsford BC. 

The Border crossing went well, lots of questions but then we were free to cross. Staying in Abbotsford for our first night.