A trip in the offing

Our "home" for our travels

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated with travel and I have been fortunate enough to have traveled fairly widely. This blog is titled "If I Were Going...," a name I lifted from a favorite elementary school reading book that told tales of exotic places (such as hot springs billabongs). I have never come across a copy of the book or met anyone else who remembers it, but it had a huge impact on me.

I recently retired so that I can travel while I am able. Our first trip begins next Monday as we set out to drive the Alaska-Canada (Alcan) highway. Although it is now paved so it doesn't actually present wild challenges like it used to, it still represents frontier to be conquered. Scott and I have recently purchased a silver shadow teardrop camper and plan to spend about half the time "roughing it" in our bed on wheels (with a lovely galley).  

Cool digs

We'll be pursuing scenery and animals and - of course - we will take many, many photos. 

I do not know how faithfully I'll post stories and photos of our adventures, but I will try to stay current.

Packing

Packing is the hardest part! I am, by nature, a Girl Scout. I want to be prepared for anything and everything. 

 

You have to be ready for anything

Our trip will probably span temperatures from below freezing to 90 degrees. 

It will probably rain - possibly a lot. Possibly a whole lot.

We will tramp through mud.

We will be on glaciers. Very cold glaciers.

Mosquito nets! 

We might swim. 

We might get (slightly) dressed up (but probably not much). 

We will fight off mosquitoes. We will travel by boat (need my pressure wrist bands). 

We may go for some days with no access to laundromats. I will hike and I might get to work out. 

Lots of my photos are in Alaska

Plus, it's the ONE time I actually get my picture taken.

So, I am trying to take enough but not too much. I am failing on point two. 

Still, no matter what I pack, Scott will have more in camera equipment alone. So, I guess I shouldn't worry.

I have a comprehensive list; otherwise I will forget things. I have a lot packed, but the rest must wait until closer to departure.

I'll let you know if I forget anything important.

I am very organized

Checklists

Planning a trip like this requires lots of planning and lots of checklists!

• Itinerary? Check!
• Packing list? Check!
• House sitter details? Check!
• Bills paid? Check!

Now, all we need to do is wedge a few more things in the car and take off. 

Tomorrow is the day!

Trip date: June 3-July 20, 2013