Well we have made the plunge to move to Alaska. If you are reading this for entertainment you came to the right place if you are looking for literary genius wrong you might need to move on. My wife decided in march this year not to retire from teaching. My daughter and I told her that Louisiana wasn't the only place to teach pick a place and apply. 2 weeks later she had her Alaskan teaching certificate came in WOO we are moving going to a place that we had only seen on the internet and pictures from friends and family that had been there.
Ok now I am 61 years old have never been on a airplane took a lot of people there to get on one but I never been on one. Now if you know a friend or relative that is a atheist tell them to write me because GOD is alive and has sense of humor he is sending me to a place that you can mainly get around by float plane not a 747 I call them puddle jumpers. I am not a fan of water or beaches unless I am fishing I don't go on cruses because I don't have enough line on my reel to fish off the boat and if I did I know if I catch one the cruse ship captain won't stop and let me land it.
We flu to Alaska the first week of June got on the Prince of Wales Island and just fell in love with it. It brought me back to my childhood when my mother would tell me to take your bike and go to the store I need some flour do not stop at the school yard and play tether ball for a hour I need to get these bisques on for supper. They played 60's and 70's music in the grocery stores eating places and even the library. It was great but still not a fan of flying.
We are driving to Alaska 50 HOURS that ain't counting the 2 ferry rides. Me my wife and 2 dogs. Now I not a coonass I am from central Louisiana I am a pure redneck but my wife is coonass She is registered has papers and certified to prove it she was born in a little town 64 miles south of New Orleans. Just wanted to threw that in.
Back to the move we packed everything that we wanted to bring. Then went through that and tossed some more out. We decided on what we want to bring. Her mountain and my mole hill. I even had to leave my favorite thing my 52 in flat screen. I didn't have room. I will let you know later how that developes. We bought a tow dolly for her car and used it as a uhaul trailer then filled my 2007 f150 that has 240000 miles on it. I did change the oil and put a new front end on it. See pure redneck it looked like the Clampets come town if you are old enough to know who they are. Only thing missing was Granny setting on top of the cab.
Ok day 1 I packed everything in both car and truck with the help of my son. She had too much in some of them tubs I couldn't pick up myself. Saturday 4:30 in the afternoon we took off. We made it 4 miles down the road I ran over a plastic bag. It had a wire in it and wrap around my drive shaft. Had to stop and cut it off the shaft. 90 miles down the road pulled of the brand new tarp was flapping in the wind. I pulled off the interstate now there were no one on the road but when I stopped every body and their brother wanted to use the exit I thought I was going to have to get my flash light out and direct traffic. By this time I though man this might take awhile to get to Alaska. I made it about another 50 before I pulled in to homedepot and bought and 100 foot of rope to tie the tarp back down. So we off again 50 miles down the road loose again. I ain't stopping it will just flap until I get north of Dallas. Finally got there but not before I needed to take some of my wife's little white pills. Saturday night 10 at night and everybody had a place to go and they were 1 hour late. I got passed on the left and the right and I was in the right lane. It was nuts. We finally made it to the hotel at 11 that night. But 337 miles closer.
Day 2 well she just ain't moving fast enough for me come on we need to get on the road. She told me she was tired to much stress from the drive last night. I didn't remember her driving I do remember her telling me how too. We finally got on the road well everything went our way until we decided to pick a town to stop in. It was about 200 miles to far. By the time we got there we were to tired to argue over anything and that saying something. But in the morning I won't be complaining we have made it almost half way. 5 states in one day Texas Oklahoma Kansas Colorado and now in Wyoming. Thank God for spell check you wouldn't have known what states we when through. See chalk up one more for him.
Well I shouldn't post when I was that tired the trip was fine it just to long driving 16 hrs . I will give you a few details of Day 2 Oklahoma was fine Kansas was great for driving really nothing exciting to look at but the roads was great I-70 was smooth as a babys butt. Then we got into Colorado I-70 was like riding a wash board the trailer took a beating truck took one and also my butt. We were here 15 years ago and the road was good. I think Kansas is making alot more money on sunflower seeds than Colorado is making on their dope or they feel so good that they don't care how bad the roads are. Just got in to Colorado and ran into a bad storm and yes I forgot to get wiper blades. You know turn them on and nothing but bug smear so now it is poring and can't see knuckle heads driving think they can still drive 80 in the rain. I seen the grass it had a lot more brown than green that tells me they forgot how to drive in the rain. After the storm I had to get gas pulled off and filled it up. then back on the road we got on I-25 and the truck was knocking spit and sputtering but it was dark by then I just pluged along. When we finally made it to the hotel I was concerned I check oil transmission it was ok well we fill up again this time I found the problem at home regular is 87 octane here 85 that was the problem had to buy the higher price gas.
Day 3 I fill like crap and tired and the hotel ran out of coffee I was just like the truck moving sluggish thoughts were not there. Didn't want to move during the night the gas pedal leg got a cramp in it at 3;45 am then at 5:30 the same thing cramp. But then I looked outside it was pouring rain I thought great more bug juice. Well by the time I got moving check the truck it had stopped the sun was shinning bird was singing and I wanted to kill something I was that tired. We wanted to make it to Great Falls. I wanted to make a slight detour to see my Aunt and Uncle that were traveling across South Dakota into Montana to meet up and eat a meal before we started into Canada. Everything was great until about 2 o'clock traveling through Montana on I-90 the Indian reservation the road was flat and smooth no traffic as far as I could see in front and back no cars.The crap hit the fan all of a sudden we started to go across the road I looked back and the trailer and car wanted to pass me on the left. I finally got it straight looked at the other side and the tire was shredded. I limped of to the shoulder and got out. I had to take the car off the trailer and lift the side of the trailer where the wife could put the jack under. The longest red light must have let all the 18 wheeler and cars in Montana go thru. I damn near had to do the same thing as the first day flag traffic. I would wait until I could get a break to get in and out of the car. I got it fixed one thing it was only 88 degrees out and dry. Well that put us back 30 min. You know how this works something like that happens you here every noise and creek checking everything after that. I back off 70 and went to 60 and 65. Just like I told you God was watching out for Idiots I had just gone through some of the steepest roads about 30 min before 6.5 grade on the down hill. When you start up the mountain 18 wheeler's started putting on their emergence flashers to make sure a Idiot didn't run into them. We were talking during the morning drive that we were not going to drive at night wasn't going to do it again. Carol called for a hotel in Great Falls got one. We made it to see our family 1.5 hours late had to run all over the town to get a spare found one after a hour I bought 2 just encase I had another one. Well I am typing this at midnight just as tired as I was last night. I will probably have to make adjust the 3 Day tomorrow.
adding to day 3 I told you it is not good to write that late and that tired. But I an't a good writer any way if I could spell I would finish in about 10 min. Well adding the trip from the family was great until dark I had to drive 45 up and down the mountains the grade was steep I got lucky that know one but a dumbass's would be driving on that road at that time of the night but there were a few so I drove in the middle of the road. We say in Louisiana I am taking my part of the road taxes in the middle.
Day 4 got up just as tired as day 3 just a little meaner I haven't use the pot sense I left Louisiana I know to much info but you need to know how it was going. Ok we ain't talking don't look or ask me anything. I was going call my daughter and tell her I would be home in a few days Mama fell off a mountain don't ask any questions I won't tell you any lies. I think that is a song verse. I was stressed to the max about the border crossing. I heard the horror stories that they unload you stuff out of your car or truck go trough it and tell you when you get it loaded back you can go. If that happens I am sorry I guess I am going to Canada jail. They don't know what I have been through and what I feel like. If I go maybe I can get some rest. Because I know who is going to load it back and I know who is going to tell me where it all goes. I didn't see anybody but me and my son when I loaded it and he is 2000 miles away. WELL we went through with ease I couldn't believe it did't take 30 min to get on our way I felt like the world just got off my shoulders. I telling you it had been on my mind for a day or two. On the road again hit the gps to go to the hotel and it said 350 kilometers to go.What the hell I forgot everything I remember about the metric system. I just kept driving I had to stop so she could take pictures I had promised that I would stop when we crossed the border. Before then it was take them out he window as we go by. driving down the road I look at the gps It had a circle with a arrow at the end I thinking I hope I don't have to do that. Yep a traffic circle in the middle of a wheat field don't ask me why I couldn't see a house no where around. I finally got back on a 4 lane the clouds were black and almost look like they were touching the ground. It started to sprinkle rain 10 seconds later it was hailing so hard I couldn't see I couldn't find the road. I didn't even know where I was on the road. Carol had to crack open the door just to tell me how far I could go to the shoulder. We sat there for at least 20 min. The hail was so thick that the windshield wipers couldn't go all the way down. We were scared that the next thing the hail was going to get bigger and start doing damage to the truck and car. The pitbull was scared she wanted get in the front. The catahula cur was sleeping and said don't bother me. well after that was over I had to stop and do a britches check still nothing. Back on the road between the hail and the rain storms we got into Calgary but 5 o'clock traffic road construction everywhere. We were going down town to the hotel made about a dozen wrong turns because I couldn't get in the right lane to turn. In Louisiana I just wave them they are number 1 and give them a few toots on the horn. I realized I don't live here and I am not from this country. I just griped the wheel a little harder and kept moving on. I got to the hotel I will tell you photoshop can do wonders and this hotel got their moneys worth and that all I will say about that. I think I heard that before too. Tomorrow the mountains the bad ones if I make it there will be a day 5
Day 5 Ok we made it still no luck on the other end but I know why. Going up and down the mountains we say tenpenny nail up there but it was a finishing nail. Started just like the other days I wake up mad. During the night they had blocked me in. I almost started knocking on the doors. To get somebody to move. I just jackknifed the trailer and finally got it out. I had to walk around the hotel to load the truck. So by the time I get ready I am wore out. She needed breakfast I needed gas guess who went first. I know you guess it. Off we go traffic just like yesterday packed up. When we got out of town I stopped and got gas. Got out put the card in rejected card unknown see attendant. Went in I had to prepay for gas. Now it is in leters not gallons I ain't got a clue how much. I told her 60 dollars paid and pumped. Didn't come close to filling up. Went back in 60 more I did finally filled up 120.00 cad dollars. Came out to be about 4.75 a gallon. Crap I might just run out of money crossing Canada. Well the picture taking started out the window at first no problem still headed to Prince George. Not to far along we had to stop at what looked like a toll booth. You had to pay to go down the road it was a park. I said I am just going to George he said you have to pay to go down the road. I even had to pay for dogs. I don't know why they didn't care all they wanted was eat and crap not sight see. Down the road went. Now just remember I am towing a car the whole thing is 39 feet long. Stop she said it was a pull off about 30 feet long and 6 cars already there. I told her no way. Then it started you told me that we would stop and take pictures. I told her you have to be reasonable about where we stop I ain't driving VW it's a 18 wheeler and the first huff. Before the day is over I will here that quite a bit. I have to be fair just like I said at the first I can't see what athist think I am looking at some of the most beautiful country it just about brought me to tears to think God created all this for us to see. I was amazed at the beauty. Ok we have went up and down these mountains this is suppose to be a 8 hour drive straight through. I knew it was going to be longer. But when you turn the wrong way and go a 100 miles and you figure the GPS ain't working. The day turns to crap. I stopped to check the GPS for the hotel 5hrs to go it said I already have drove 8. I had book a swanky hotel had a restaurant in it. I was looking soo much for a great meal not a chicken salad sandwich. I got there restaurant was closed and they had prime rib for the special. I was so mad I just went to bed.
Day 6 the last leg. I guess not eating not taking my blood pressure medication and going to bed mad and hungry I woke up with a migraine. So you should know how I feel. I stop 3 times for coffee on the way I stop 6 times to let it out. This time I booked another hotel with a restaurant. I am going to make it today I don't care how many huffs l hear I be damned if I going to eat chicken salad sandwich or go to bed hungry. We are traveling on the hottest day in British Columbia a record setting day. I guess traveling being that hot the truck decided to start missing. It was the coil patches try to go out. That still wasn't stopping me from getting there on time. I figured out if I stopped for a little while it would run good for awhile. So I tried to kill two birds with one stone. I stopped for her to take pictures and I killed the truck to let it cool off. It did work I got with in a 100 miles and we got down low elevation and the temp dropped 10 degrees. After that it was fine. I wasn't stopping to change it I had 3 in the console but I knew it was going to take 2 hours to change it. I will change it when I get to Alaska. When i make this leg I have to drive 2 miles to the ferry and ride for 6 hrs. I paid 540 for that ferry ride I think that was the best money I spent on this whole trip all I have to do is get on and ride. After 6 days 3300 miles behind a wheel. I am going to enjoy it. Oh by the way I ordered fried fish maybe that might get me going. If it don't I am still going to feel good just knowing I don't have to get up early face another 10 to 12 hour day behind the wheel.
Notes on Canada the road signs are about the size of a post card. The roads don't go north or south and another one goes east and west. Like you have in the US. Hwy 55 goes north and south and hwy 56 goes east and west you have hwy 16 it goes north,south,east,and west in really small letters. They have them flashing signs in all the little towns that flash when you are going to fast at least they did for me. Don't think that they don't pay attention to the the little signs I saw plenty pulled over. I think they just felt sorry for me seeing what I was pulling. Oh by the way pedestrian have the right away in the crosswalk other than that they are fair game. They also park any where on the street either side as long as they are not parked on the yellow it is ok. I will give you a update on the ferry ride Sunday I just want to take it easy for a day or two.
Day 7 Well I lied it didn't go the way we planned. We sat around the hotel until 1 went to Walmart what is a trip with out going to Walmart. I hate them but I don't have time to get on my soap box and read out of the book of Tim. Got in line for the ferry. Only two trucks in the line I ask one of the guys if I was in the right line. He said sure but the ferry won't be able to make it until 10 pm. Now it's supposed to leave at 3:45 it broke down in Ketchikan. I got two female dogs and a wife do you think I am going to stay here for 9 hours. I would go insane. We went to eat stayed at a park for a hour then went to another park for a while. Got back in line. Found out that we have to stay for another 5 hours. That ain't gonna happen either. So I booked a room at a hotel a half a mile from the line. Well add that to the budget. I just wanted let you know I love my wife dearly bless her soul for 42 years but when things don't go her way she just panics. She gets flustered and just don't think clear simular to a panic attack says things out of the norm.She don't think before she says something. I have got use to it in 42 years. I think it is funny SOMETIMES. So now we are going to get to Ketchikan at 8 or 9 in the morning. Might have to call home and them that she fell off the boat. I had to cancel my reservation at the hotel in Ketchikan so no sleep unless on the boat. I will keep you posted I ain't got nothing else better to do. I think writing this is better than therapy I hope.
We we got to Ketchikan at 7:30 am. We got on the boat about 1:30 am and took off at 2:30. It was a rough night I got in couple of cat naps. Between the wife and the other guy on the floor snoring and by setting by the windows freezing my butt off I did doze off a few times. We were able to get breakfast just sit down with no dogs and eat. I put the tray down on the table and the speaker goes off 20 min to unloading get you stuff ready. Great breakfast I say it looked good but I had to eat it so fast didn't taste it. But we're here. I went to the hotel and just checked they kept my room open they let us check in until 1 and gave me a discount off the room. Well at 3:30 this afternoon we get on the last ferry to OUR ISLAND. Sure will be glad. Tomorrow I will let you know how the last 30 miles went.
Day 8 Well we made it it has been a great journey even with the ups, downs, and sideways things that happen I wouldn't change a thing. Little things make life great and trouble down the road makes you stronger. Woke up this morning and reality hit we are no in Louisiana anymore. I will try to fill you in as the weeks go by. I hope this entertained you a little I really enjoyed writing it. I will try to add pages for the weeks when I figure it out I not a very smart man. I think I heared that once before too.
Side Note Day 7 fried fish worked felt 10 lbs lighter.
