The Adventure North in Dora the Explorer - The Final Chapter

Tuesday, Day 17.

Happy to be home smile :) 

A blonde wanderlust with the pack of amazing canines has returned to a cottage called Footprints in Homer, Alaska. Day 17, the final leg of the trip is short with only 220 miles added to Dora’s odometer. The dogs barely had enough time to settle in for their mid-morning nap when we pulled into our snow-crunchy, yet somewhat melted, driveway.

We were not expected home until 3:00 PM so we meandered around Anchorage for the better part of the morning having coffee at Kaladi Brothers on Brayton Drive and catching up on emails and writings. Gas is needed for Dora and it is nice to see the prices have decreased dramatically from what we have grown accustomed to in just four short days – from $7/gallon to $3.89!

View from the Couch

Lunch sounds like a good plan before hitting the road and one of my favorite burger joints is just up the road – the Arctic Roadrunner! They have been in business for 50+ years and offer Cheeseburgers beyond belief. Since it appears beef is once again okay with my system I order one for the road, fries and of course a Diet Coke. The aroma in Dora wakes the dogs and they assume the position of begging for a scrap, or at least a fry. The sun is shining and the open road is calling us home. One of the most scenic rides in the Universe is ahead.

I reflect on our time driving from Hendersonville, NC to Homer, Alaska and am grateful for the amazing adventure, albeit longer than anticipated. The Universe is telling me that this particular trip is probably best on the back burner for a few years, maybe even forever. I have counted these miles off at least nineteen times over the past 25 years, and feel like that is more than enough for one lifetime. An airplane ride to Seattle with a VW waiting for us sounds like a more relaxing, economical plan for the future.

the view

As we drop over Baycrest Hill I am once again in awe of the sheer beauty of the landscape that is so embedded in my soul. The blue/green waters of Kachemak Bay with the snow-capped mountains jutting out of the water, is breathtaking. I am blessed to live in this unique community. Although I complain about the long winters, the snow, and the darkness in this captivating place, I can’t stay away. Like the womb Homer has sucked me in and swallowed me up. I am safe here and leaving permanently is not possible. Homer is Home and no matter where I travel or how long I stay, she is always here waiting for me with open arms.

Footprints with VeVe in Foreground Snowpile

It’s perfect to be Home for a time. We are greeted by Gabby, a Belgium Terrier Puppy; Sugar, a French Bulldog Puppy; and Otis, a Boston Terrier that is happy to not be in Boston at the moment. The cottage is immaculate and fresh lilies adorn the table. We don’t have to do anything more today but soak it up and relax. Dora is snoozing in the driveway and the dogs and I are thinking about a nap by the woodstove where the sun is streaming in the windows.

Welcome Home Lilies!

The Journey North in Dora the Explorer has come to a peaceful end. We are here until the wanderlust once again takes over and leads us to another foreign place. I have accepted this life in motion. Whatever and whyever it is - this need to be moving, experiencing, and questioning, it’s okay. I am happy to go with the flow of my destiny as long as my four-legged friends are with me on the journey.

Namasté

The Adventure North in Dora the Explorer

Saturday, Sunday & Monday, Day 14, 15 & 16

DoDog rests her head on BunBun's butt

For the next two days we are content to rest with the family and spend some time in a real house, outside the van. Dora is ready to be off the road as well. The sun is shining and the snow is melting. Saturday is a glorious, laid back day of doing anything that does not involve getting in a car, like watching movies and eating nachos with a Corona light, something that was not possible last night!

Sunday is another beautiful, sunny day and the dogs enjoy a long walk through the neighborhood. I meet my bunkmate from the Unbelizeable Sailing Excursion for martinis and lunch at the Trout House. Something didn’t set well with my tummy, and it wasn’t the gin!  So, I spent the rest of the afternoon napping in hopes of not throwing up. It didn’t work - after three hours of sleep it was inevitable so I made it happen. After that I felt so much better it was euphoric! Ever since I did the vegan diet for a few weeks, eating beef is difficult. I keep thinking the French Dip Sandwich is what did me in, and I’m suppose to have a filet tomorrow night. That’s a big maybe at the moment.

Monday, Monday is the day to take care of some Anchorage business and meet a friend for dinner at the Club Paris, for the best steak in Alaska along with their famous Bloody Mary’s. It feels so good to be back in the usual foodie routine of eating and drinking life.  I told her my stomach couldn’t handle the spicy Mary’s and probably not the steak either. I might opt for seafood instead. After a Glenlevit on the rocks the words automatically flowed out of my mouth: “I’ll have the petite filet injected with blue cheese, a baked potato, and a salad with blue cheese dressing, please.” I cannot imagine going to the Club Paris and NOT ordering their famous filet. I will eat it slowly, chewing it thoroughly and hope it does not upset my stomach and have another Glenlevit to wash it down. As usual the steak was so tender you could actually cut it with a fork. Scrumptious! I’ve never had a better steak anywhere. I only eat half of the 8 oz. petite portion deciding to save the rest for tomorrow. And my stomach is just fine.

a dogpile

We parked in our friend’s driveway to camp for the night, knowing that this will be our last night on the road for a time. Tomorrow we will travel to Homer town and resume responsibility of Tails-By-The-Bay Dog Camp where a Boston Terrier named Otis, his side-kick a French Bulldog puppy called Sugar and a Belgium Terrier puppy named Gabby will greet us. They all sleep in the bed so tomorrow night will obviously be a nine-dog night.

But for now I will once again sleep in the Dora Explorer bed with a down comforter along side six canines that continue to hog the bed and snore, providing music to my ears and peaceful sleep. Stay tuned for the final 220 miles south to Homer, Alaska and a cottage called Footprints with a VW named VeVe under a pile of snow in the driveway. Life is good in the Greatland!

The Adventure North in Dora the Explorer

Friday, Day 13  

real mountains

And thus became the true Marathon Day. It didn’t start out that way but hey, shit happens. The goal was to reach Tok, Alaska – 90 miles after crossing the US border. In total about 450 miles from Whitehorse, in the Yukon Territory. After doing 600-700 miles per day, that was too short a day so we continue on to Glennallen, another 130 miles, bringing the grand total to approximately 580 miles on this Friday afternoon, give or take a mile. I am back in US cell phone range and enjoy talking to friends while driving. Reaching Glennallen is a disappointment because well, there is nothing open. I want  a beer to celebrate reaching Alaska, plus I want dinner. Only one restaurant open in town, the Caribou Inn and they don’t sell alcohol. What? After all this way I can’t enjoy a beer? Guess not, but I do have to eat. I order a chicken salad and catch up on some emails.

Goodbye Canada, once again

The one option for sleeping here tonight is the parking lot of the restaurant. It is extremely cold with a chill factor of 8 below, and the wind is rocking Dora. This will never do, so we get back on the road hoping to make Wasilla tonight rather than tomorrow as originally planned – another 150 miles in search of warmer weather. We set out at 9 PM in what becomes a marathon with the mantra “are we there yet?” It is not only completely dark, but the road is dreadful. There are no lines indicating the center or the edge of the highway.  Because of the huge frost heaves, we are only able to go 35 MPH otherwise Dora will be airborne. After $2,600 for a transmission I definitely don’t want to damage the suspension going too fast. Did I mention how dark it is out here?

he always hogs the seat!

There are few cars and we are in the wild, cautious of any large animals that might cross our path. My body aches and my eyes are seeing double. But, there is no place to pull off. Finally the frost heaves ease up and we are able to speed up to 60 MPH safely, but then comes the construction! OMG, road equipment is parked everywhere, and  side barriers create an obstacle course on the highway. Another 20 miles at 30 MPH, are we there yet? Finally I reach Sutton, the town just north of Palmer and things are looking up. I must stop at the first place I see. I text the Wasilla connection to say we can’t make it after all, even though we are only 25 miles out. I need sleep. We see a gas station, I run in and ask if I can sleep in the parking lot and he said sure, have a nap. I told him I need a big sleep, not just a nap. And so we curl up for our long winter nap in temperatures that are definitely warmer than in Glennallen. And the good news? There is no wind.

Hello Alaska!

We were on the road approximately 18 hours today, entirely too long. But, we are in Alaska and will be back in Homer town in a few days after spending the weekend resting up with family. This enormous 5,000+ road trip is finally behind us and we are happy and sated to be back in the Greatland, albeit at a gas station somewhere near Palmer where six snoring dogs keep a blonde wanderlust warm and sane for yet another night. Being responsible for these adorable wigglebutts makes it impossible to wig out at any given time even when the urge is sometimes there.

Namasté

The Adventure North in Dora the Explorer

Thursday, Day 12  

the open road

Another peaceful night, a full tank of gas, and six happy canines ready for their morning nap. We are once again on the road. This is getting repetitive; it’s the same drill for how many days? As few as possible is my motto. No need to sightsee, I have seen this road and terrain so many times; I could almost do it in my sleep. Speed and distance are the operative words here.

The sun is shining and the roads are still dry. I can’t believe it. I am actually warmer than I have been all winter in North Carolina. Something about the humid cold chills me to the bone! The first four hundred miles are easy, but then it gets a bit monotonousness. I begin to think of my reward for driving 650 miles today. Ah, the Airport Chalet in Whitehorse, a Glenlivet on the rocks and something yummy to eat. That’s it!

Sleeping dogs

We finally arrive after filling us with gas three times at the tune of (highest) $1.67/liter. So there is 4+ liters in a gallon so the price of gas here is? You do the math, I don’t want to know. We must get off this highway so the goal tomorrow is to get into Tok, Alaska another 500+ miles. But in the meantime I stop at the Airport Lounge and enter like the lounge lizard I really am.

“Do you have Internet?”

“ Yes.”

“ Do you have a table with a plug-in for my laptop?”

“Yes.”

“Can I get drinks and food in here?”

Another “YES.”

running with the Bisons

Sign me up. I have a blog to update! And so it was, for the next couple of hours I have Scotch on the Rocks, which incidentally is 2-for-1 because it is ladies night! Imagine that. Never mind how many, it’s not that important! I then order a glass of Cab with my dinner. A French Dip sandwich that isn’t all that great because well, it is microwaved beef. I can always tell by the temperature and the texture, UGH. But the drinks are obviously good, the blog is updated and I am happy because I can still walk.

morning nap

I return to the van for another night of comfortable (well sort of) sleep. The dogs prefer to hog the bed and it’s hard to stretch out unless I get aggressive about it and then I feel bad. After all they didn’t have the luxury of hanging out in the lounge and having cocktails (how many?) for a couple hours, so I will put up with them stretching across the bed while I curl up in my postage stamp spot. But don’t think about taking all the covers! What’s a dog lover to do, anyhow?

another herd

Tomorrow we will be out of Canada after only two nights on the Alaska Highway and three nights in total from Woodinville, WA. This has to be a record. As I muse about the driving it occurs to me that I am done with this long-ass trip. I want to fly out next time and buy a car wherever I go. I will miss the Adventures with Dora but hey, all things are subject to change. After all she just might enjoy her Golden Years in a more relaxed fashion in town with an occasional camping trip in the Greatland.

Dora, Dora! The Explorer

Or, she might enjoy being a Glamping alternative for a time. What does the new buzzword Glamping mean? It’s a combination of glamorous and camping, one-step up from tent camping but without the hassle and expense of an RV. It can really mean whatever you want it to mean. With her surround sound, comfy bed with a down comforter and lots of pillows, a VCR that plays old movies, a corkscrew and bottle of wine waiting – Dora is the perfect alternative to tent camping, and so much more comfortable. Plus she has the wheels to move you around. The girl just might be on the market this summer for anyone wanting a cozy place to sleep in Homer after a hard day halibut fishing on Kachemak Bay. Dora, Dora the Explorer will show you a truly fine time! After all, she now has a heart of Gold - I have the debit card slip to prove it!

The Adventure North in Dora the Explorer

Wednesday, Day 11 

dry roads

Determined to reach the Alaska Highway today we are on the road at 7:30 AM after sleeping like babies along side a freeway. The traffic slowed down after 10 and we were out like lights and didn’t rally again until 6:15 this morning. We fill Dora with petrol and set out for Fort St. John via route 29, where we will once again enter the Alcan Highway. Déjà vu, haven’t we done this before – how many times? The first 250 miles passed in a flash. A full gas tank will get us 400 miles, but we stop every 200 for a potty break. Today the roads are dry, the sun is out and the temperature is a balmy 45 degrees.

sunbathing

We reach Fort St. John and turn left onto 97N, next stop Fort Nelson where it all began last fall. We know it well having been stranded in a snow blizzard for three days. Boston Pizza, a cold beer, and an Internet connection await us. I can’t believe the difference in weather since our fateful trip out only six short months ago. The Canadian Rockies are beautiful, the roads are dry and there is minimal brown snow on the roadside. Instead of the 25-35 MPH on this stretch between Ft. Nelson and Fort St. John, we are now cruising at 65-70 MPH and there is absolutely no traffic! Last time we saw a slew of cars that had lost control and rolled over the side of the cliff. Every time we saw one, our speed reduced another 5 MPH, making our traveling speed for this 200 mile trip as low as 20-25 MPH and it took forever! My neck was stiff from clenching the steering wheel so hard. What a contrast today! We arrive at our destination around 7 PM after a half-marathon run. Tomorrow will be the full Monty, a 650-mile run to Whitehorse. Yikes!

But for now, the dogs are walked and fed. It is my turn to sit down with a White Ale, a salad and my laptop. Things are simple in a van called Dora and I am content to enjoy the little things such as a beer and a writing exercise to relax. It is so warm here that we won’t need to turn Dora on tonight to stay warm. Again, we are looking forward to another night of good sleep. The dogs are troopers with their minimal exercise program but they have done this before and know the drill. There was some excitement in Dora today when we passed a herd of Bisons on the road. 

The Big Boy

the herd

Zippy giving her opinion

We will once again get up and hit the road first thing in the morning. Only 1200 more miles to reach Tok, Alaska – is this normal or am I insane? Although I am content knowing the wanderlust will never end, I wonder when will this road trippin' with six dogs in a van called Dora stop? I'm exhausted and my nails are a mess!

The Adventure North in Dora the Explorer

Tuesday, Day 10

two cocker girls

A van called Dora, loaded with five cocker spaniels, a basset hound named DoDog and a blonde wanderlust rolls out of Woodinville around 10:30 AM in search of Alaska.  We say our goodbyes to our Woodinville connection and squeeze a box of specialty foods into the back of Dora, destined for L’aroma’s Bakery in Anchorage. Determined to make record time and get on with it, we cruise along country road 542 looking for the border. Near Abbottsford, Washington we slide through Canadian customs without even a hiccup, and there definitely could have been one regarding the illegal canines onboard. I always get health certificates for the dogs – they are only good for 30 days and cost lots of money. When I arrive at the border I have them ready to show customs but they just ignore me and wave us on through. Grrrr! I have taken this trip at least nineteen times and have only been asked for their papers once, and then I don’t think they knew what they were looking for. They barely glanced at them, just wanted to be sure I had them. Last fall the health certs were $264 for six dogs. This time I decided to just hope for the best and wing it. Well you guessed it, they didn’t ask. Yippee! We are in Canada!

border crossing in Abbottsford

We make it all the way to Prince George and I am reminded of a childhood prank that goes something like this: Call the drugstore and ask: “Do you have Prince Albert in a can?” When she says yes then the reply is: “Well, you better let him out!” Of course I never did this, only heard about it. Memory is interesting. You never know when some thing is going to jolt you back to another time. Getting back to the Prince at hand.

Canadian flag

The billboard about thirty miles back said: Super 8, Truck Parking in Prince George. So, we stop at Super 8 to park along side the eighteen wheelers like always, but there are no trucks anywhere. I go inside to ask the attendant and he said truck parking is only for his customers. “Where do the truckers park around here?” I want to know.  “I have no idea but my lot is only for my customers,” he replied.  Okay, but truckers don’t usually rent hotel rooms. Never mind, this is going nowhere so we leave, in search of a place to sleep since it is now after 9 and very dark on the road. 

It’s a busy highway and there is absolutely no place to pull over and park Dora. I finally pull into a gas station right on the freeway with a teeny spot off to the left. We are tired and desperate, and determined to make this work. We pull forward and back in as close to the railing as we dare and as far away from the highway as we can get. Two girls are working, this is the part of Canada that still pumps gas for the customer and I love it. I ask if we could stay over and they both said sure. They explain the station is closing at 10 PM but will be open again at 6 AM. No worries I will be asleep by 10 and won’t need the potty again until past 6 AM tomorrow morning. “Is it safe here,” I wondered? “Oh yes,” she said. “No one locks their doors around here.” Enough said . . .

So as it were, a van called Dora is parked near the freeway where 6 happy dogs are walking out back on the grass, and will have dinner under the stars, and next to the cars. We will soon be tucked in under the down comforter for a much needed rest so we can wake up and do it all over again! Tomorrow, we will reach the Alaska Highway, only 1,500 miles to go!

Goodnight!

The Adventure North in Dora the Explorer

Saturday, Sunday and Monday - Day 7, 8 and 9. 

  My Sidekick

Dora, Dora the Explorer, you ROCK! Somewhere off I-90 at a truck stop near Missoula, MT. Dora waits for her passengers to get ready for the Marathon Run to Seattle. She is so ready and is determined to get us there. 6:30 AM and we are off.

In hindsight I must admit, I suspected a transmission problem way back in October. I even put fluid in once because I thought it was slipping. But now she is fixed and ready to continue our trek north. I point her nose northwest and we are off! Seattle is in our horizons but first we pass through Idaho. The mountains are beautiful and I am so home. I can feel it. The Pacific Northwest, there is no place more perfect.

We cruise into Washington and the fields are so green that it hurts my eyes. Spring is here with wildflowers galore and green grass, the first I have seen since leaving North Carolina. We slide into familiar Woodinville around 3:30 PM and head straight for the pipeline trail along the horse corrals. The dogs love it and remember, all except Bunny & Anne, this is their first trip. Back to the house of the Woodinville connection – a couple of free spirits much like myself. It’s been too long, having wine and remembering when my last visit was in 2009. They have a birthday party to go to and so do I. After feeding the dogs and a quick shower I am off to Daniel’s Broiler on Lake Union, downtown Seattle. Yahooo! Back with my girlfriends for a truly fine dinner and drinks out – a night of “girls gone wild.” Something that is so lacking where I have been. The only experience I had this winter was with an Alaskan that came to visit me in Hendersonville. We ate and drank because well, we are foodies. After she left I was lucky to find someone to have a cup of soup and water with. It’s just not a priority to eat and drink out as much as I am used to. Of course I did it on my own because I got tired of the Thai special for $5.95 – it’s all about the bargain in North Carolina and I am so accustomed to living Large.

Welcome to Idaho

Daniel’s was a wonderful time. I was able to sneak up on my friend from behind who never in a million years expected to see this face on her 50th! So much fun, and the tab? Well it was $400+. But we had a generous boyfriend that supplied us with four one hundred dollar bills so all we had to leave was the tip. OMG life is good and I have missed it! My buddies are staying at a hotel in downtown Seattle and have a taxi. Am I okay to drive? Oh sure, no worries. I head out and get onto I5 North and exit 522 east and then, well: Where am I became the question?

Nothing is familiar. I told myself if I continue to head north and/or east I will eventually find something that I recognize or if not? Well, I can always park and sleep in Dora. The dogs are absolutely no help, they are sound to sleep and no one rallies as I continue to ask them what they think? Finally, I realize where I am and make it home without incident. I should have been on 520, not 522 so there lies the confusion. I manage to drive through the many towns leading north, and of course eventually find something I recognize. I can be so blonde after a couple glasses of red wine. . .

Bunny rests on Anne

For the next three days we rest, hike the pipeline trail, have lunch at the Maltby Café in well, Maltby, the dogs play with kids (did I mention how much Anne LUVS kids), we have a family dinner, eat more, drink more, and have another lunch at Wild Fin’s in Issaquah. In just a couple days I have so much fun! I am sorry to say goodbye and hit the road but I will return next fall. The dogs and I just had too much fun to stop here.

Tomorrow, we are off to Alaska in Dora the true Explorer!