In 1980 I took almost the same route, Chicago to Seattle, north on the Yukon highway through Whitehorse, then over and down into Anchorage. On a 850cc Yamaha motorcycle. Solo. I PCS'd from Chanute AFB to Elmendorf AFB and had 30 days to get there. I was young (18) and stupid and didn't know 1800 miles of the route was gravel road. (At that time) Turned into an adventure of a lifetime! Damn, I'm jealous.
You're going to have a great trip full of memories and experiences. Good luck! You'll be fine.
Sounds epic! I’m adventurous but your trip has way too many variables for my liking/risk factor (yes I am a girl😁) However, I’m looking forward to reading about your progress along winding journey. Bon Voyage!
Well almost all the risk is that we hit a 1-2 day delay and then have to drive another 15 hours around whatever road is closed.
We're budgeting extra days, so if it all goes well we'll have leisurely days to chill out or explore neat sites... and if it doesn't go well then it becomes a high adventure mad burn to get back on schedule
Been living in Alaska most of my adult life. Been up and down the AlCan a dozen times or more. Three pieces of advice: (1) bring it with you; you won't believe how costly things can get at the fringe of civilization, so anything you can bring with you, do so. You will get butt-raped plenty even if you do bring all you need. (2) Never let your gas tank get below half. (3) Bring lots of film/digital chips for pictures and videos. You will be amazed at how the world was before the Hand of Man marred it.
When I drove from Anchorage to Minneapolis, three Canadian truckers gave me excellent advice: the Mounties are strict, so never drive over 5km/hr beyond the posted limit. I met them at a Tim Horton’s in Fort Nelson and found them to be charming fellows.
I think reading about the history of the area you travel while you travel is a great idea. When you take the black ball ferry read about the black ball line. It’s interesting how bits of history live on in sometimes small ways. Also I sing the idiot every morning while I’m being a wagey in a refinery.
At one time I was interested in setting up a campground at the tip of Vancouver Island. Then it dawned on me that I would be anchored in a business which was the very reason I wanted to travel like a nomad. Ultimately, when I planed a trip I planed to travel unencumbered so lightly and efficiently I would not even give free baggage to a fly.
Can't wait to read about your trip. It's one that I've always wanted to make. And to read a post that mentions both Stan Rogers and the Franklin Expedition! Wonderful.
Regarding The Terror, I didn't see the miniseries but I read the book. It's left up to the reader to decide whether certain events are either supernatural or psychotic experiences. At least that's how I read it.
In 1980 I took almost the same route, Chicago to Seattle, north on the Yukon highway through Whitehorse, then over and down into Anchorage. On a 850cc Yamaha motorcycle. Solo. I PCS'd from Chanute AFB to Elmendorf AFB and had 30 days to get there. I was young (18) and stupid and didn't know 1800 miles of the route was gravel road. (At that time) Turned into an adventure of a lifetime! Damn, I'm jealous.
You're going to have a great trip full of memories and experiences. Good luck! You'll be fine.
Any chance you're going to meet with some of your readers in some cities this trip? Like Calgary or Edmonton?
Yes. You can dm me here if you’re on the route or join the Discord server and dm me there, I’m also going to try an arrange some meetups
https://discord.gg/BSMNp8Cq
Sounds epic! I’m adventurous but your trip has way too many variables for my liking/risk factor (yes I am a girl😁) However, I’m looking forward to reading about your progress along winding journey. Bon Voyage!
Well almost all the risk is that we hit a 1-2 day delay and then have to drive another 15 hours around whatever road is closed.
We're budgeting extra days, so if it all goes well we'll have leisurely days to chill out or explore neat sites... and if it doesn't go well then it becomes a high adventure mad burn to get back on schedule
Been living in Alaska most of my adult life. Been up and down the AlCan a dozen times or more. Three pieces of advice: (1) bring it with you; you won't believe how costly things can get at the fringe of civilization, so anything you can bring with you, do so. You will get butt-raped plenty even if you do bring all you need. (2) Never let your gas tank get below half. (3) Bring lots of film/digital chips for pictures and videos. You will be amazed at how the world was before the Hand of Man marred it.
When I drove from Anchorage to Minneapolis, three Canadian truckers gave me excellent advice: the Mounties are strict, so never drive over 5km/hr beyond the posted limit. I met them at a Tim Horton’s in Fort Nelson and found them to be charming fellows.
I think reading about the history of the area you travel while you travel is a great idea. When you take the black ball ferry read about the black ball line. It’s interesting how bits of history live on in sometimes small ways. Also I sing the idiot every morning while I’m being a wagey in a refinery.
At one time I was interested in setting up a campground at the tip of Vancouver Island. Then it dawned on me that I would be anchored in a business which was the very reason I wanted to travel like a nomad. Ultimately, when I planed a trip I planed to travel unencumbered so lightly and efficiently I would not even give free baggage to a fly.
I used to listen to Stan Rogers when I was a kid. But I had no idea he had died so young!
Skip about halfway down this page https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/sitrep-7224-ukraine-bleeds-troops
and see how your ideas about motorcycles are being take VERY seriously by people who understand war, and take victory very seriously.
Thanks for all you do.
Good luck!
I'm interested to hear about your car prepping article.
Don’t think you should worry about the frequency of your posts - the quality is amazing!
The Stan Rogers road trip! Always wanted to do one of those, I'm very jealous. Godspeed!
Can't wait to read about your trip. It's one that I've always wanted to make. And to read a post that mentions both Stan Rogers and the Franklin Expedition! Wonderful.
Regarding The Terror, I didn't see the miniseries but I read the book. It's left up to the reader to decide whether certain events are either supernatural or psychotic experiences. At least that's how I read it.
Happy Trails … maybe read this book en route
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatal_Passage
Good luck buddy. I'll be real bummed if you die.
Bon chance!