Today marks exactly one week from when we leave for "the great road trip"...38 days, over 9,000 miles, from San Diego to Alaska and back by car. This trip will fulfill a lifelong ambition of Dick’s to drive the Alaskan Highway and explore the Land of the Midnight Sun.
The prep for the trip has been intense over a long period of time: the idea, getting the time (and time "off") on the calendar, putting the intention out, telling people that we REALLY are going to do this, and then starting with the concretes....that included ordering all kinds of promotional materials, DVDs, guidebooks, and novels about Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, the Yukon and British Columbia. Finally, it was time to start putting together the route and they schedule. 
This was Dick's area, and he put together an AMAZING day-by- day guide as to where we will be in the morning, at night; would we sleep in a hotel, resort, friends' home, or camping. Next, it was time for reservations for many of the places. Patti also found that there is an amazing AlaskaTour Savers book with lots of cool buy one-get one free offers (great for a boat trip, museums, a couple of overnight stays.)
The prep for the trip has been intense over a long period of time: the idea, getting the time (and time "off") on the calendar, putting the intention out, telling people that we REALLY are going to do this, and then starting with the concretes....that included ordering all kinds of promotional materials, DVDs, guidebooks, and novels about Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, the Yukon and British Columbia. Finally, it was time to start putting together the route and they schedule. 
This was Dick's area, and he put together an AMAZING day-by- day guide as to where we will be in the morning, at night; would we sleep in a hotel, resort, friends' home, or camping. Next, it was time for reservations for many of the places. Patti also found that there is an amazing AlaskaTour Savers book with lots of cool buy one-get one free offers (great for a boat trip, museums, a couple of overnight stays.) Of course, there was also a need for shopping. We are Truly going on an expedition and need a lot equipment. Some new camping gear, clothes, and prep for the car. The car is spent a day at Firestone for an oil change and really good check-up. We don't want to blow a hose in the serious middle of nowhere. Upon recommendation, we are also getting a full-sized spare tire. AAA may not be able to rescue us with a flat tire on a gravel road 150 miles from anything. We also ordered covers for our headlights and a 'mask' (or "bra") for the front of the mini-van to protect the paint.
We have a map on the hallway wall with push pins outlining the route and helping to keep us clear as to where some of these places are. (Where the heck IS Dawson Creek?)
THEN there is the special platform Dick built to fit into the back of the mini-van. This is about 5'x4', 18 inches high, made out of plywood that will allow us to both pack all of our gear, but also have, with foam rubber and sleeping bags underneath, a place to sleep.
Patti sewed cool cloth coverups for the foam rubber, so they are now ready to go, too. We will be able to do this even when the other of us is driving without having to snooze in the car seat or unload everything. Patti is amazed as it comes together. This will also give us some extra flexibility to spend the night at a roadside rest stop or sleep in the van if the mosquitoes or the rain are too much.So, many, many more things are on the list of things "to get done" before we leave. But the time is getting closer. Stay tuned for the adventures!
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