2019 Alaska Trip - Day 148 - The End

Part of an Alaska RV trip is the drive through Canada, so I've included that as part of our 2019 Alaska Trip as far as counting days, and today it comes to an end after almost five months.

We left Lethbridge, Alberta around 10:00 a.m. and had a 180-mile drive to Great Falls, Montana. We were a little nonchalant about our border crossing as we forgot to get our passports and didn't really think about it too much. Less than a mile from the crossing, we pulled over to put a slide out and grab our passports out of a drawer.

Then we got in line. Crossing the border mid-day on a Saturday wasn't the best planning.

 

 

We had to wait about 30 minutes before getting to an agent. We were asked all the usual questions, and then the agent asked about produce "from any sources". Linda started listing all her vegetables and then said "Oh, and I have one lime". Uh oh. I knew citrus was an issue, but I didn't know we had any.

So, we had to pull over and go see the Agricultural Specialist. Linda bagged up her veggies and her lime and went inside. Fortunately, they were quick and confiscated her lime and sent her on her way. They said they probably would have let it go if we hadn't been in Canada three weeks which I suppose was evidence that it was perhaps a Canadian lime. Sheesh.

We were back on the road within minutes and back in familiar territory.

Eventually, we pulled into Dick's RV Park in Great Falls, Montana. We had stayed there in late April to do our final staging before heading into Canada. We told them to just go ahead and assign us the same spot we parked in before.

As soon as we got parked, Linda started a few loads of laundry and I emptied the Jeep. You see, on our way through here in the Spring, we got a small storage unit to store things we knew we wouldn't need in Alaska like golf clubs, luggage, rally supplies, a big bag of clothes and shoes, and more.

So, I went to the storage facility and cleaned it out. Fortunately, there was less than I had pictured, and I was out of there quickly.

Back at the RV park, I took everything out of our huge motorhome trunk. We needed to rearrange and re-pack everything. I should have taken a picture of all the stuff outside our rig that had to go back in the motorhome, the Jeep, or the Roof Bag on top of the Jeep.

I started with fishing gear. To let you know how important fishing was on our Alaska trip, we now own five fly rods, two spinning rods/reels, two spin-casting rods/reels, and one small collapsible/telescoping spinning rod/reel combo that I can fit into a backpack. Yep, we have ten fishing rods. Getting them all taken apart, broken down, and ready to be stored for travel took a bit of time.

And while I had out our air compressor, I topped off all 10 tires on the motorhome and Jeep. I was very impressed that we never needed to add air to our motorhome tires the entire time we were in Canada/Alaska/Canada. I probably should have added some air to our front motorhome tires once we added the chest freezer full of fish, so I did that while I was at it today.

Just before dark, we got everything packed in an organized fashion, and we're good to go. Whew. I was dreading this day for that reason, but we knocked it out, and I was proud of both of us.

Now, we just have to get it all to Florida by November 1 where we have reservations through March. Yep, we're going to be staying put for a good long time before we travel to our 2o20 Spring Rally in Tennessee in April.

 

And, that my friends is THE END of our epic 2019 Alaska Trip. We drove the motorhome 7,158 miles, and sailed it on ferries several more nautical miles. We had unforgettable experiences and it was everything we thought it would be and more. There is very little we would change in our approach, although I'm a bit scared to total up all our expenses - we weren't exactly frugal and, for once, I didn't keep an ongoing spreadsheet.

Thank you for tagging along, and we hope that you enjoyed our reports and perhaps we offered some insight on things to do on your own trip or we inspired you to make the journey. I'm sure we'll be doing some kind of summary report, an epilogue if you will, but this is the end of this particular five-month book of our life on the road. What a ride!

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Comments

[Casey (kathy)]

You trip look and sounded amazing! I really enjoyed all the pictures, and the information was very helpful. We are planning a trip to Alaska but it won’t be for at least 2 years (after my husband retires), but I’m doing as much research as possible, and you provided me with a wealth of information that I was looking for, thanks so much for sharing your trip!!
I recall in one or two of your entries you said Linda makes rugs, right? What kind of rugs does she make, and what does she do with them, sell them?? I do crafts myself so when you mentioned the rugs I have to say it peaked my interest. Hope you don’t mind me asking 😁 I also noticed you will be in Myrtle Beach South Carolina the same time we will be there, very cool!! Safe travels, Casey 😁

[Bill and Nancy]

ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR TRIP!!! Thanks so much for all the detail and sharing this great adventure. Hope to catch up with you two in Florida this winter.

Thanks again for all you do for all of us!!!!

Safe Travels and Happy Trails........

[bob schmader]

Thanks for taking me along on the ride. 3 weeks ago we ended our fulltime adventure but never made it to Alaska but you brought it to my laptop.
Health stopped our fulltimimg and I am not able to do the things that you treated me to on your entries.
I thank you.

[Kay Pihl]

Thanks again!!!

[jenny Johnson]

Enjoyed every minute of the time I got to ride along with you ---You had some spectacular adventures --Epic trip for sure - thanks for taking me along ---Will you be coming thru TN on your way to FL???? I can snag you a place to stay her in MCTN if you need one --

[Howard]

Hi Casey (kathy),

The rugs Linda makes are through a process called locker-hooking. Just Google it and there are some good videos and webpages. She has used fabric, yarn, flannel sheets, etc. Thus far, she's just made rugs for herself and she's given a few away to friends.

[Cpascci]

I enjoyed reading about your trip and especially enjoyed your pictures. Thank you so much for your excellent writing and photos.

[John Winston]

The Best Journal .....

of your travels to Alaska. Amazing pictures.!

Well done!!

[Howard]

Bill & Nancy, Thanks so much, and yes we do hope to catch up with you in Florida this winter. It's been too long. :)

[Howard]

Bob, Thank you so much for those kind, heartfelt words. Glad we could bring this part of the world to you in some form.

[Howard]

Jenny, So glad you enjoyed our trip, and thanks for tagging along. We're not sure yet what route we'll be taking to the RV show in Myrtle Beach, but if we get close we'll let you know.

[Howard]

Cpascci, Thanks so much for the kind words, and we're glad you enjoyed it.

[Howard]

John, Thanks! Hope to see you again down the road.

[John Brown]

Sounds like you had a great trip, but you still need to come back and see Peyto Lake, it is a must-see. As for the lime, I am betting it came from somewhere other than Canada, probably California or Mexico.

[John]

Thank for taking me along. It was fabulous!

[Denise]

I looked forward each day to your adventures! Thanks for taking me to Alaska from afar. You and Linda have helped pave the way for This bucket list must do.