A Trip To Alaska
Circus Circus
My trip actually began a few days before I left. I was staying with my son in Reno, hence the photo of a local casino. I thought this would be a great way to start this story. My departure date of October 15th had been delayed one day. I spent the two days prior packing up my SUV. I was leaving the lower 48 for good, this time.
I would be traveling up to Palmer, Alaska to stay with my sister, who had said she could get me a job on the North Slope working for an oil company. I have been out of work for 8 months, except for one writing job I got with Discovery Channel writing for a new Shipwreck Series.
The money I made was paying for this trip. Other than that I have been staying with friends and writing. But at this point, I really needed a job and I would be willing to drive all the way to Alaska for a chance to make some serious money.
My plan to drive through Canada from Reno, stopping in Edmonton, Alberta to see a good friend and spend a few days before finishing the 3400 mile trip. I was planning to drive through Nevada on Hwy 80 to Winamucca and then head north to Idaho and cross the border not far from Sand Point. So that was the plan.
I checked out the Canadian Immigration site online, to find out what I would need for entry. I was traveling with one small dog and my cat. My car packed with clothes, books, my computer and lots of blankets. All I needed was a passport and certificates for the animals. It seemed effortless. I have traveled all over the world and I have never had a bit of trouble, but I had heard stories about Canada. They would turn people back for this reason and that. I wanted to be clear of the legalities before I left, as a precaution
I was not planning on camping along the way. Mostly driving and stopping for a good nights rest and dinner along the way. Then taking a few days to visit with my friend Sal, then finish the trip through the Yukon Territories taking photos and spending a night or two in a small hotel or hostel along the way. I had researched the potential and it looked promising. I had made plans to stick by. Before I left, I decided to put an ad on Craig’s List looking for a rider to share some expenses and maybe help drive.
Looking for Rider Reno to Alaska, my ad was answered the next morning. A young woman named Jennifer. We talked on the phone, she needed a ride to Olympia, Washington, she asked, “are you taking Hwy 5.” “I was not planning on it”, I told her. She said she really needed a ride, she had $30.00 dollars. I am such a sucker for a sob story. I told her that I would check out the mileage and see what the difference would be and let her know.
The difference in mileage would be about 344 miles. I could drive across Washington to Idaho, I was on a quest to take lots of pictures and I had never been to that part of Washington. I was hoping for fall colors. I called her back and agreed to take her to Washington, a 11 hour drive. I asked if I could stay at her house the night and I would take the $30.00, it would be a sweet thing for both of us. So that’s what we did.
We left the morning of October 16th, I picked her up in downtown Reno, I passed through the Biggest Little City, and took the photo of Circus Circus, the title for my journey.
