Some stats and thoughts from the trip:
- Traveled for 30 days. Aug 18 to Sept 18, 2016.
- 11,853 miles on the truck.
- 7,500 combined miles on the bikes.
- Alaska is a long way away from Ohio.
- Three tire punctures on truck - thankfully no major mechanical failures, accidents, or illness.
- Rain on 5 of 30 days.
- Temps from 28f to 78f.
- Ate at restaurants only three times.
- Marked all the Walmarts on gps ahead of time.
- In Homer I hit 'home' on gps = 4360 miles.
- Alaska is a long way away from Ohio.
- 10 bear sightings, 1 black wolf, eagles, moose, elk, caribou, mountain goats, buffalo - lots of critters...
- Witnessed a stunning aurora borealis.
- Spent under $300 on lodging (campgrounds).
- Consumed ~1000 gallons of diesel fuel.
- Alaska is a long way away from Ohio.
- Keep in mind that this was a trip covering a lot of ground, not a photo outing. That being said, I'm pleased with what we brought back.
So this is our route.
This is the rig.
Made some steps for Dad (73/bad knees).
And a storage box on the trailer.
My strategy was to push hard miles the first few and last few days so we could slow down in the good stuff. We covered 2400 miles (to Banff/Lake Louise) non-stop the first 50hrs and 1800 the last 30hrs home. The rest of the trip we did 150-450 mile days, getting going around 10am and stopping at 7pm. The camper was key, we could stop and make lunch wherever we found ourselves and camp almost anywhere. Showers were every 2-3 days when we were at proper campgrounds. Thankfully the pace was never too much for Dad (or me) - it was a concern I had.
First installment of pics is home to Waterfowl Campground north of Lake Louise. We departed Cinci 8:30pm Friday evening and arrived at Lake Louise 8:30pm Sunday evening. I've got to think 2460 miles in 50hrs elapsed time is close to a record
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Wildlife overpass near Banff
Icefields Parkway at the bottom
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