Alaska to Argentina; the beginning.

Our Alaska to Argentina (Polar Bears to Penguins) journey needed quite a lot of preparation. This was not just a journey but another life changing event. We decided to downsize and live more simply. So we sold our large luxurious acreage. We had loved living in the shadow of the majestic Rocky mountains just west of the bustling city of Calgary . This had been our home for the last 13years. Now the kids were gone and the place was much too big for the two of us. So with a heavy heart we put it on the market and a few months later it belonged to another lucky family. I thought I would feel envious but instead I felt free and excited.

We then took possession of our new home. A  2009 Titan with a pop-up slide in camper we designed and had built.

This would be our residence and mode of transport for our 18 month journey from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska to Ushaia at the southern tip of South America. We named her ‘Chinook’ which is the name given to the Pacific wind that warms Calgary on the mind numbing -30deg winter days. May she carry us safely.

It was quite a change. 35 sq ft. We would have to figure out how to make it work.

 The pop-up provides ample headroom and a comfortable sleeping space over the cab. When it is retracted the vehicle has a lower profile and fits into a shipping container.

A skilled metal worker fabricated and installed carriers for our jerry cans. They also provided extra security. He did a fabulous job.

We removed the bench rear seat and installed a lockable customized lockable storage unit.

It took us ages to find the steel Jerry Cans we wanted. We eventually located some in Faribanks Alaska. Everything is made of plastic nowdays.

We would be spending hours on the road. A functional, comfortable and spacious cab was mandatory.  The Titan seemed to fit all of those criteria.

We decided to do an extended road trip through the states to get familiar with all our new equipment, the feel of driving our rig and adapt to living on the road again. So we headed for Nogales on the Mexico-Arizona border to attend the Overland Expo gathering. On the way we visited a few of the West’s iconic sites.

Janet and I really enjoy exploring new places and spending quality time together. Being on the road really feeds our souls and replenishes our love for each other and the world.

A surprise  fall snowstorm gives us the opportunity to test the cold weather capabilities of the camper

We are drawn the incredible landscapes of the Western and Southern Western US.

On returning to Calgary it was time to pack-up move out and head north. Possession date was July 1st, Canada Day. No more excuses time to head north. We spent the first night on the road with friends at their lakeside campground and celebrate Canada’s birthday.

We toast to a successful, fun-filled and exciting overland adventure.

Prudhoe Bay or bust! Our Alaska to Argentina overland journey started at the norther tip of the American Continent. It was a 5000km 1 month road trip from Calgary through western and Northern Canada and then Alaska simply to get to there.

Janet and I really enjoy being on the road and exploring new places. Being on the road means that we can spend quality time together, replenish our love for each other and experience the world through our own eyes.

We took as many small forestry trunk roads as possible. Provincial campsites are wonderful. Simple, affordable and remote they are the perfect overnight stops.

On a short hike we stumble on a rock tucked away under a tree which has a message which is a powerful reminder of why we are doing this trip. Life is short and relationships are precious.

The mighty Peace River has gouged an wide fertile river valley within which a thriving farming community lives.

Every summer thousands of square miles of forrest are destroyed by fires. This is part of the natural process whereby the vegetation rejuvenates itself by cleaning out the dead trees to make way fro the new. Climate change however is possible affecting the natural order of things by making the fires more intense and more frequent, thereby threatening this fragile ecosystem.

Canada is a ridiculously large country, it goes on forever. Endless vistas, comprising of forests, mountains and skies. The days are getting longer as we move north.  We have to cover our skylight with duck tape so that we can get some sleep.

Dawson Creek is located in the dry and windy prairie land of the Peace River Country. As the seat of the Peace River Regional District and a service centre for the rural areas south of the Peace River, the city has been called the “Capital of the Peace”. It is also known as the “Mile 0 City”, referring to its location at the southern end of the Alaska Highway.

For over fifty years, the famed Alaska Highway has been a significant draw for visitors and residents alike. The building of the Alaska Highway is an epic tale that involves mystery, romance, and intrigue.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour. This significant event forced the American and Canadian governments to reevaluate their security. There was an obvious need to shore up and protect the sovereignty of North America.

Toad River, originally Toad’s River Post, is a highway service community in northern British Columbia, Canada, located at historic Mile 422 on Highway 97, the Alaska Highway, near the confluence of the Toad and Racing Rivers.The Toad River Lodge boasts a “world famous” collection of over 10,000 hats (2016) thumbtacked to the ceiling, many of them donated by passersby on the Alaska Highway.

A unique wedding invitation.

The historic town of Dawson City is famous for its association with the Klondike gold rush. It has been lovingly restored.

The ‘Roof of the World’ highway will take us to Alaska.