2019 Drive to Alaska

Genesis 1:1 (NKJV): 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

A few introductory notes. This trip had an overriding goal. Get Brent and Bregitte’s RV from MS to AK. A trip that would cover more than 5,000 miles! A secondary purpose was to visit some places we hadn’t been beforev hence the starting point of El Paso.

This was the earliest in the year that any of us had ever driven to AK. We were concerned about the weather. It turned out to be beautiful! One or two nights in the higher elevations temperatures were in the 20’s. We ran into a little bit of rain but nothing too bad. Faced some stiff winds on occasion but nothing dangerous. Brent did have a friend make the trip a week earlier from AK and he hit some big time snow.

Road conditions. You still hear a lot of people saying they don’t want to drive to AK because the roads are too bad. Again because it was so early we didn’t know what to expect. But the roads were fine until… The last 200 miles in the Yukon and the first one hundred miles in AK. Pretty tough but not dangerous or destructive if you pay attention. Lots of frost heaves and some potholes. Just slow down. There was some road work off and on all the way to Palmer.

• The Ride Through Texas

Gail and I leff out Friday, April 19. We were headed to El Paso, TX where we were to pick up Brent, Bregitte and “the crew.”

First stop Cedar Hill State Park “in” Dallas. I was dreading driving through the “Big D” as last time we did it was crowded and I was intimidated. But things went well this go round. Very nice campground.

Second stop Abilene State Park just outside its namesake. RV tip: Norcold Fridge was giving us a “low voltage” display “C.” Checked out stuff on the inner web and came to the conclusion it was the battery. Replaced battery and it seems to have fixed the problem.

• He Is Risen

Spent a great night at ASP and got up ready for church. It’s Easter and “He is Risen.” As the good Lord would have it the First Church of the Nazarene Abilene was not 15 minutes away and right on our way to our next destination.

Met some very nice folks had a wonderful time of worship and ended with communion!!!

Next we landed at Monahan Sandhills State Park, TX. On the way…

Tons of wind generators… And then about a 100 miles down the road in Midland and Odessa oil wells everywhere. I think I know which one will win out.

Isaiah 44:2–3 (KJV): Thus saith the Lord that made thee, And formed thee from the womb, which will help thee;
Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; And thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty,
And floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed,
And my blessing upon thine offspring:

Monahan Sandhills

Sending these ahead to AK 😁

There really are some “mountains” in Texas. Jeff Davis Mtns.

Live action report!! Thunderstorms in El Paso!!!

We picked Brent, Bregitte and the grandchildren up at the El Paso Airport on Tuesday the 23rd. That’s me flying the chopper NOT!

• Into New Mexico

Some pretty stunning views just outside Las Cruzes heading into the White Sands missile range.

First stop was the White Sands National Monument.

Lots of sand!

Lots of thunderstorms! Just like in the Old Westerns you can hear and see them coming a long time before they get to where you are.

At the KOA in Alamogordo. Could you sleep like this? B, H, H, …

Went back to White Sands, Wed. 24th for another romp in the sand. And its not really sand but gypsum!

• Next Stop Arizona

We rolled out of New Mexico and into AZ on Wed. April 24. Stopped over night at a mom and pop RV park for less than 17 bucks. Very nice.

Headed to Tucson. Thursday the 25th.

We spent the night with some of Brent and Bregitte’s friends from AK who are now in Tucson.

Friday the 26 we headed to Phoenix and Brent, Bregitte, Rosemary, Caroline, Andy and his family went to see the Cubs play the Diamondbacks. The Cubbies lost.

• California Here I Come

Saturday, April 27. Welcome to California!

The southern part of the state was way to busy and way to crowded!

(Monday the 29th more of California.)

The northern part of the state not so much.

Tuesday, April 30. Our first look at the Redwoods!

Psalm 1:1–3 (NKJV): Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

• Traveling Up the Oregon Coast

Wednesday, May 1st we head up the Oregon coast. The clam chowder in Newark Beach was epic!

World famous cheese!

• The State of Washington

Thursday, May 2nd. Visiting Seattle was one of the high lights of our trip.

Gail heads back to MS. Miss you Marme!

Friday, May 3rd more of Seattle.

• Oh Canada! British Columbia.

Saturday, May 4th through Wednesday May 8th we flew, almost literally, through Canada.

Dawson Creek, BC marks the offical beginning of the Alaska Highway.

In 1966 my father drove “us” to Alaska. From Dawson Creek to the US border is 1, 200 miles. In 1966 is was a gravel road all the way! We did the entire trip in a month.

This us what the road looked like then!

The mountainous part of the Canadian journey begins just outside of Fort Nelson. It is hard to describe and pictures do not do it justice but here we go.

We began to see a lot of animals, bears, caribou, moose and my favorite buffalo!

Some say brown bears (grizzly) don’t climb trees? What say ye?

And oh yes. Big Horn Sheep, you will have to look close.

Laird Hot Springs was a big hit!!!

• Into the Yukon

Check your gas gauge often when you hit the Yukon. It’s pretty uninhabited country. But also where we saw a lot of animals.

Whitehorse is right on the border with BC.

• Arrival in Alaska

We entered Alaska, Wednesday May 8 and landed home in Eagle River on Thursday, May 9. We did not let any grass grow under our feet!

Romans 1:18–21 (NKJV): For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Our only night camping in AK was at Buffalo Lake a few miles outside Glenallen. First and only fishing of the trip. Rosemary and Caroline both got multiple rainbows on the fly-rod.

• Addendum

Friday, May 10, Brent and I took the RV up to Wasilla for a good washing off. From there we took it to its resting place in Houston.

After that we headed to Montana Creek for an early season shot at some bows. Our only chance to fish this time.

For my friend Kirby… Montana Creek Baptist still going.

Still some ice on Montana Creek.

The only fish of the afternoon but it came on a mouse pattern!

Brent goes back to work Monday. I head back to MS Friday. What happens in between?

• Final take

No trip would be complete without a look at Denali.

Eagle River just down the road from the house.

Leaving on a jet airplane!