Alaska 2019.

[gungriffin]

Alright.

So this trip seems to take up most of my daily thought. And how to make it all happen.

Original plan was to have 2018 as the year to prepare. Get everything in order. 4runner, budget, etc. But then things went a different direction. Where health was the #1 priority-Can't thank you all enough for the support and friendship through it all! So I lost a year. And now have to make it all up. I've been stressing on logistics. Moving out of my apartment. Only having a few months to save (when I should have had a year), paying for storage (and other bills), having money for trip. What will I do when I get back? Where will I go?

Dad told me the other night over my b-day dinner that this is evolving. Was what I needed to here. Current thought is to take 2.5 months and just go, enjoy being up there. Have enough saved for rent etc. But just go. My lease for 2019 is signed. I have a place to come home too, as well as work.....

Good luck in your planning! I carry a thought that applies here: When you reach the end of your life regret often forms more from what you didn't do than from what you did do. It strikes me as unlikely that you would regret taking this trip when you are looking back on your life.

You might look into an AirBNB situation for your place while you are gone. This would be contingent on your lease allowing it. You could just hire one of the professional cleaning companies to turn your property for you in between renters. This could help you to generate a bit of cash to offset rent.

 

[bh4rnnr]

Perry, you spent this year getting ready to have the time of your life. it will be great. I know you aren't making dumb financial decisions so that's great. having a place to come home to is really good.

But on another note, I remembered:

you'll want good mosquito repellent and a place to seek refuge from them. If its some sort of tent make sure it is like solidly sealed. they will sneak in anywhere and torment you. I have to admit that we left AK running away from the mosquitoes. They were like carry you off kinda bad. Squat to poop, all over your a$$. Pee... attacking your wenus. Eating walking in circles kinda bad.

Yeah, i've heard the bugs can be bad. Probably should get one of those mosquito nets and lots of bug spray...

 

[bh4rnnr]

Hey Perry, sounds like a good plan so far. So, if you keep your place in Denver and go for 2.5 months, would you still plan to work up there, or just go up and explore?

Martin, with this plan, i'd just go up there and explore. Not work.

 

[bh4rnnr]

Good luck in your planning! I carry a thought that applies here: When you reach the end of your life regret often forms more from what you didn't do than from what you did do. It strikes me as unlikely that you would regret taking this trip when you are looking back on your life.

You might look into an AirBNB situation for your place while you are gone. This would be contingent on your lease allowing it. You could just hire one of the professional cleaning companies to turn your property for you in between renters. This could help you to generate a bit of cash to offset rent.

I can't sublet my apartment. Stated within the lease that I sign that I can't do that. I figure either way i'm going to AK. With all that's happened this year, cannot not go.

 

[bh4rnnr]

So pretty excited. Just got the time off/ok from the boss to go do Alaska next summer. "Sounds like fun Perry" is what the boss told me.

Planned departure date is August 18th, return back to work November 4th.

 

[baileyfj40]

Perry, enjoy this trip, I've driven up 2 times and flown in 1 time. Including Mark Whatley's crusier trek in 2001. One suggestion would be to start your trip little earlier in the summer winter does come very quickly up there and make roads difficult or close down. Some areas don't have road maintenance from labor day weekend into the winter. What ever you do it WILL be a great trip. Look forward to the pictures. Wish I could do it again. Real soon! Have fun.

 

[BVCOTaco]

Make sure to take time to drive through the Canadian Rockies on the way up. The road through Lake Louise, Banff and Jasper is amazing. Also check out Laird Hot Springs. Super fun trip to make when you make time for camping and exploring!

 

[bh4rnnr]

Perry, enjoy this trip, I've driven up 2 times and flown in 1 time. Including Mark Whatley's crusier trek in 2001. One suggestion would be to start your trip little earlier in the summer winter does come very quickly up there and make roads difficult or close down. Some areas don't have road maintenance from labor day weekend into the winter. What ever you do it WILL be a great trip. Look forward to the pictures. Wish I could do it again. Real soon! Have fun.

Thanks Mike!

Make sure to take time to drive through the Canadian Rockies on the way up. The road through Lake Louise, Banff and Jasper is amazing. Also check out Laird Hot Springs. Super fun trip to make when you make time for camping and exploring!

We drove those roads and checked out the hot springs during the last trip North. Definitely worth it!

So I thought i'd give an update with all this. i've been going over the budget for the past few weeks. Writing and re writing everything down that I can think of for expenses and trip budget etc. I have a basic number I need to save to make this trip happen. Basically one of my pay checks (full time status), pus some. Loosing December and January to restrictions hasn't helped with getting money put away.

So, i've decided that i'll continue to work towards the intended goal of getting to AK, but come August 18th, if i'm not quite there financially, i'll just take off and make a road trip through the West. I got the time off. Might as well enjoy it.

 

[rover67]

Also check out Laird Hot Springs.

Oh yeah I remember those, that was a great stop!!