On April 27th I flew from Portland to Salt Lake City, jumped on the overnight Amtrak to Winnemucca and spent two days preparing for the most ridiculous road trip of my life; 2,340 miles of empty, winding two-lane roads across the high desert of northern Nevada and eastern Oregon, through orchards and vineyard in central Washington and southern British Columbia, and along the Alaska Highway through boreal forests and over mountain passes into the sub-arctic territory of the Yukon....all done solo, pulling our 34', triple axle Airstream.
Huge bison, moose, elk and a lone white wolf were but a few of the obstacles along the way. In the end, it was the long days driving, culminating with a final 256 mile stretch of rough gravel on the Robert Campbell Highway, that nearly broke my spirit. I landed in Faro, YT 4 1/2 days after leaving Nevada, coming to rest with only 3 of the 6 tires I normally have beneath the Airstream.
I can't say I'd recommend doing this if pressed for time, or traveling alone. I did both and doubted my decision almost the entire way. But, for as long and difficult a trip as it was, I know the only thing I would have regretted was not doing it.
SLC baggage claim is quiet as I wait a few hours before taking a cab to the train station.
Pouring rain in Salt Lake City - The California Zephyr is running on-time tonight. Scheduled arrival time in Winnemucca is 5:30am.
Truck and trailer in Winnemucca, nearly ready to start our long drive.
Nevada, just north of Winnemucca..."along a dusty Winnemucca road...so much dust and sand" - Johnny Cash.
My first roadside break in northern Nevada.
Beautiful snow covered sage in eastern Oregon.
Kamloops Lake in southern BC.
The Alaska Highway was desolate, but a smooth ride for me. I think here, in northern BC, I first enter the land of boreal forests. Stunted spruce and quaking aspens for as far as the eye can see. Sasquatch live here I'm sure.
I think I spent the night here, somewhere within Muncho Lake Provicial Park. A hot shower and sleep in your own bed in the middle of nowhere cannot be beat!
Muncho Lake in northern BC is regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world...because of the copper colored, green-blue water, which I did not get to see. Lots of rocks in the road here!
Tire repair time on the Robert Campbell Highway...figured this would be the time to see my first grizzly, but didn't happen.
A sad site. I rolled this tire off the rim on the curb as I pulled to a stop upon arriving in Faro.
A nice little spot for me to call home for the summer.
Not me, but where I'll get to spend a good deal of time over the coming months.
I've had a week or so now to rest, get my tires patched and move into a nice camping spot for the summer. My time will soon be spent with the family exploring as much of the Yukon and southeast Alaska as time allows. Michelle and the boys will join me here before long and I'm really looking forward to that.
Stay tuned as I've only completed half the journey and won't know until I head south for the winter how this story ends.
Thanks for sharing the journey - such amazing views! That's A LOT of driving and a lot of alone time...good job! Keep us posted!
Posted by: Lisa | May 12, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Nice pictures, I'm sorry I missed this drive (except for the NV portion), but it just wouldn't have been a good ride for a baby.
Silas says he likes the view of your work site & he is pretty sure you'll get more flat tires, so don't get hopes of these being your last, especially when we drive to the Arctic Circle. Silas also says he is excited to go on the 3 planes.
The boys & I are getting excited for our adventure to the Yukon, although Levi seems more interested in returning to Nevada. ???
Where are the pictures from your helicopter ride?
Posted by: Michelle | May 12, 2011 at 11:39 AM
I'll do another post on the chopper ride. I also need to put photos of my trip in an album...there are so many.
Posted by: Mark | May 12, 2011 at 12:17 PM
This is great Mark! Thanks for sharing! We kept up with you, or the lack of your ability to keep up...with Michelle. We were all relieved when she heard from you! We remember the isolation and that cell phone and internet service was scarce! Our conversations with you inspired us and made us (almost) miss our Alaskan highway adventure. Keep up the blogs!
We love your campsite, beautiful!
I know you are going to love it when Michelle and the boys are there with you!
Posted by: Deb | May 12, 2011 at 04:02 PM
Dang man...this is awesome! You are a cowboy!
Posted by: al | May 12, 2011 at 06:19 PM
Mark, stop gallavanting around and just come home. I miss you. Brad
Posted by: Brad | May 13, 2011 at 01:06 PM
I hope you will continue to record your adventure. Very interesting and wonderful photographs. Please watch out for bears!
Love, Mom
Posted by: Nenny | May 14, 2011 at 11:25 PM