That first night we found a motel in Haines Junction. We got in late. Like around 10.30pm. It was more then a 14 hour drive, more like 16 hours. I forgot to confess. ( I'm turning red now!)
I got lost! How can you get lost on the roads in AK? I have no ideal. I have driving out of state 2 other times and made the right turn. Somehow after I left Tok I missed the turn to Canada. I must have been yakking with my sister and both of us didn't see the sign. We drove about 50 miles on the wrong road.
I had quit my job on Apr 1st but I was still getting work calls. Work called me up with a question and while I was talking to me ex-employee she asked where I was at. I told her and she laughed and said that I missed the turn. I could not believe it! So we turned around and drove back to the right place. Big big sign where you need to turn. ( hang my head is shame) That's why it was 16 hours of driving.
All the motels had sign that said "no dogs" so I went to a dumpy looking place and told my sister to keep Abby down and checked us in and sneaked her in. And another confession. My dog barfed on the bed! Only on the comforter part. Not the sheets. I cleaned it real good. I promise.
I told my sister that I wanted to be on the road by 7am. I set the alarm for 6am. I got up the next morning and took my shower and pestered my sister till she got up and showered. We got on the road by 7.30a ( Just so you know, my sister is NOT a morning person and I am )
On Apr 20 ( Day 2 ) We drove from Haines Junction to Fort Nelson. ( About 715 miles ) On the way we stopped in Whitehorse and found a McDonald's and had a late breakfast and also went to the bank to get Canadian money and also filled up with gas. This is where I found out that my sister has a addiction. She needs to have a coffee mocha latte thing. We spent some time in Whitehorse looking for one. We found one. Finally we got on the road again.
We got to Fort Nelson at around 6pm (ish) and found a motel that said "Pet's OK" So we went there. It was on the 2nd floor and I got Abby up OK ( As she's gotten older she has developed a fear of stairs ) but I had to carry her down the next morning.
Also Day 2 was when I found out that my sister CAN'T STAY AWAKE IN A MOVING TRUCK!
We would be talking and I would ask a question and when I would look at her, her chin would be on her chest and she might have been drooling. I had her drive a few times and I would look at her and her eyes would be almost closed. I couldn't trust her to drive as she just could not stay awake. ( My Mom has the same problem.) So far the trip has gone good. We heard on the news that there was a storm in front of us that we would be in by tomorrow.
We did get into that storm, but that's for Day 3.
Have you ever been over the AlCan? Did you do long days also or did you take it slow and easy?
1 year ago
One time our family was driving back from Maryland and we took a northern route (through Canada around Lake Superior). We just kept driving and driving...like 16-17 hours. I thought I was going to die. That was the longest I had ever drove...never again.
ReplyDeleteI knew about the mocha latte addiciton, the sleeping while driving problem and the inability to get moving quickly. How did you not know? But to be fair - you have the "can't handle any little rustling noise" problem.
ReplyDeleteI have done the Alcan 5 times.ANC to MIA, ANC to MSO, MSO to ANC, ANC to MSO, SEA to ANC. The last time it was in January and we hit -60. I love road trips.
ReplyDeleteI've never been on the Alcan. I flew in and out via Anchorage both times. I'd have loved to have taken the Haines to Bellingham ferry just one time, but it wasn't in the finances.
ReplyDeleteAs a dispatcher, I've ordered drivers and trucks up and down the Alcan from both ends. I've been extremely frustrated at the rule changes that seemed constantly made by Canadian Customs and at one point I vowed to never like anything or anyone in Canada because of Customs. I've relaxed on that last bit after a couple years.
Rye to Anc 5/81--my Dad & I took 3 weeks via AZ, CA, OR, WA.. Was able to take our time and see a lot of the WWII stuff and relly enjoy it; Anc to Rye 9/94 kinda cramped at night w/4 adults a 4 yr old and 2 yr old in small camper but had great trip. Loved soaking in the Laird Hot Springs. Next trip up would like to take vehicle and do Inside Passage on ferry and come back Casear Hwy. And Krissy - I remember you snoozing on a lot of road trips in Lower 48!!!
ReplyDeleteThat funny about sneaking Abby in and then her barfing on the bed.
ReplyDeleteSounds like your trip here was filled with a bit of adventure. I hate long car rides. The longest trip I was on was a straight drive out to Wy with some friends when I was in collage. We drank alot of caffine and ate a lot of snacks to keep awake.