Vancouver, BC to Anchorage, AK and back –
The Canadian Border Crossing
Step one of Border Crossings and Cruise from Anchorage back to Vancouver was to first cross into Canada. After so much time spent agonizing and purging my trailer for the Canadian border crossing it actually went ridiculously smoothly. Maybe less than 3 minuts total. A complete breeze.
This was starkly different than Wendy’s experience where she apparently upset the border patrol agent. She also proceeded to learn that if she didn’t (accidently) disclose that she had mace attached to her keychain that she could have gotten charged and sent to federal prison for bringing a weapon across the border. They told her she could have bear spray though. What’s the difference? Wendy: “One’s meant to protect you from people, the other’s not.” Yeah, so they tossed her airstream inside out. And searched her person right there along the road.
Parking for the rigs in Vancouver
We are very lucky that Wendy made it across the border for is trip! After that we go to our hosts location, fellow airstreamers Sheila and Duncan. However, the drama isn’t over. They live off, essentially, an alleyway. They do have a long driveway that can accommodate the rigs, but the directions to get to it led Wendy down a long one-way crowded with cars…. That dead-ended. She got to then back up for about 1/8th of a mile with folks honking at her. Step two of Border Crossings and Cruise is now complete! We’re parked!
That day was a lot of drama!
Flying into Anchorage
Getting to Anchorage, AK was an easy flight, where we met up with Krzyztofer and Beata. Step three of Border Crossings and Cruise now complete! We’re in Anchorage! We enjoyed a quick 4-hour cruise while there into Kenai Fjords National Park. Wow, it was so gorgeous. Really tons of natural beauty as well as lots of wildlife. Otters, sea lions, goats, humpback whales, harbor seals, and tons of birds.
Otherwise Anchorage seemed like any other town, just everything a bit more expensive. The breweries weren’t bad. The fish (halibut and cod) seemed pretty darn good. ALSO SO MANY MEXICAN PLACES. You can’t escape them! Some aren’t too bad either! Except when they have twists on the dishes. Such as putting crushed peanuts (I’m highly allergic) as a garnish. What a terrible evening that was afterwards…. I’m sure I was awful company to everyone not just because of that, but I was not sleeping very well at all. I think I got 8 hours total of sleep in 3 nights. New place, and Wendy and I were sharing a twin bed to boot.
The party is complete
Meeting Tod and Susie initially left me with a bit of an “Ok, boomer” impression. They showed up the night before the cruise. They’re neighbors of Krzyz and Beata in Orlando, and their ease of jumping into generalized political statements initially left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth (probably heavily flavored by my lack of sleep). Spoilers, though: I think we got along spectacularly and while I’m not sure Tod needs to be involved in Alaska road trip planning sessions between Wendy and I, I definitely love them both. We made it to the cruise! Final step of Borer Crossings and Cruise is complete! Great times chatting at the Wheelhouse bar as well as the One5 Club where they graciously listened to me complain about wanting newer music than 70s and 80s. Beata, I hope you forgive my terrible dancing the one time I was quite a bit drunk, stole Susie’s drink, and then went up onto the dance floor. Krzyz, I genuinely loved your company and hope we meet again.
Cruise time and Introspection
You know, it’s not lost on me that my first paragraph about the cruise is about people. I think that’s a good retrospective on my travels. I do love the places and the things I see, but what really presses upon me is the community and bonding with other people I get. This from a self-professed introvert that enjoys disappearing off into the forest / mountains / desert, but there ya have it.
I wonder if writing like this is my personal journal and that no one will ready it will ever come to bite me in the ass. Surely there’s a reason that people’s innermost thoughts aren’t always shared with the world and those around them.
I’ll try and plug some pics from the cruise. It was such a drastic whirlwind. I enjoyed it. But it was all so quick and so touristy.
Highlights
My first helicopter ride, where I land on a glacier and drank fresh glacier water directly.
Enjoyed chatting with the seasonal workers at Glacier Point, who live there essentially off-grid all summer.
Otherwise just continued to bask into he awesomeness that is the natural beauty and views of coastal Alaska.
Also, another shout out for Duncan and Sheila. There’s no way Wendy and I would be able to leave our trailers for free (or even cheaply) *anywhere* near Vancouver otherwise.