My plan was to keep a daily journal during my 3 month road trip, but as we can see that did not work out too well. Internet is not very accessible on a daily basis while driving, camping, and hiking as I should have guessed, but then again all my assumptions about this trip proved me wrong. Like how many clothes I thought I would need, how much I believed trixie (my dog) loved road trips, and my fearlessness of bears to name a few. But then again that is why we travel, right? To learn by experience, to see the unseen, and to discover more about who we are...
So here are some things Alex and I learned while on this journey to Alaska...
1. The first applies to solely me: Do not bring a suitcase full of clothes.
2. Make sure to always travel with plenty of water, like a 5 gallon jug.
3. Make sure the truck's camper you might be sleeping in is water tight before leaving on a trip.
4. Do not give your dog Benadryl, even if the vet recommends it.
5. Make sure to pack your hiking boots first!
6. Do not expect to find a coastal campsite on a summer weekend along Washington, Oregon, and California!
7. Do not bring ANY cookbooks.
8. Avoid dirt roads unless you do not mind dust all over your stuff.
9. When it rains take advantage of dirt roads.
10. Make sure to bring mosquito coils.
11. Pack Uno and Scrabble and any other games you might fancy.
12. Always have extra batteries for lantern and headlamps.
13. Always bring wipes they are super handy.
14. Think more than twice about taking your dog on extended road trips.
15. Do not let your dog drink from puddles, streams, or lakes.
16. If your dog poops four times a day make sure to always carry poop bags.
17. Stock up on Starbucks instant coffee it is great for backpacking.
18. Bring plenty of firewood and water on the Denali Highway.
19. In National Forests you can camp for free along the road, excluding major highways.
20. Driving to Alaska is an awesome experience.
