(2023 Alaska Revisited Ep 1)
We left Alaska for home in early September 2018. Although we had many wonderful experiences on the 12,000 mile trip (at that point), we didn’t look forward to the 5000+ miles ahead of us to get home.
Were we crazy for driving so far? Was it worth it?
These questions and more were answered as we crossed back into the US few weeks later. The long trip WAS worth it. The remoteness, the wildlife and the adventure of the trip was life changing.
And like many others who have driven to Alaska, we yearned to make the trip again.
It’s five years later and we’ve decided to act on our longing to visit Alaska again.
Some Updates
In January, we said goodbye to Max, our Chevy pickup truck.
Although we had significant repairs to Max in 2022, he took us on more than fifteen months of great trips, including:
Alaska in 2018 (link)
Grand Teton and Southwest in 2019 (link)
Michigan and Blue Ridge Mountains in 2020
Colorado, Utah and Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in 2021
Newfoundland in 2022 (link)
We replaced Max with a heavy duty pickup. This much larger truck would allow us to change our mode of camping.
During the above trips we camped in a travel trailer. The 2018 Alaska trip was in Pancake, a 16-foot Funfinder travel trailer.
The 2019-2022 trips were in Oscar, a 24-foot Shadow Cruiser travel trailer.
Views of Oscar
Both trailers served us well for many miles and nights of camping.
We desired a simpler and more flexible way to travel and camp, so we sold Oscar and purchased a Wolf Creek truck camper…from a dealer in Portland.
Portland OREGON – 3000 miles from home and almost half way to Alaska!
The new camper will rest entirely on the bed of our truck – it’s called a truck camper. It’s a bit smaller, but there is no trailer to hitch and pull, no slide to contend with and we will be considerably more nimble.
This now brings us to our newest journey: 2023 Alaska Revisited!
The Florida Hillbillies
On March 25 we started west with our truck packed with six months of camping gear and two bicycles.
A friend said we resembled the Beverly Hillbillies. So we wrote some lyrics as our trip gets underway:
Come and listen to my story about Pat and Ed Max was their truck and Oscar was their bed Traded them in and got something new A real big truck and a kangaroo Chevy that is, 3500 HD, truck camper too Well the first thing you know they’re making lotsa plans Their friends asked “are you touring distant lands”? Five years later Alasky was the place to go So they packed up their rig and hit the road. Denali that is. Icy glaciers. Alaska RabbiTRAILs! So say goodbye to Ed and Pat as they get underway And they would like to thank you for your prayers along the way Watch for weekly blog postings about their new abode Reminding you to follow as they take the long, long road! RabbiTRAILS that is. Browse a spell. See you real soon. And add some comments, y’hear!
NEXT WEEK: we endure the long 3000-mile trip to Portland and pick up our truck camper. After a couple days setting up the camper, our journey begins.
Take the LONG Road... 
We are excited for you folks starting off on your new re-adventure to the ‘Great White North’!
Our brother in-law Bob Gorsche and I spent 4 days in Terlingua last November for the CASI World Chili Cook-offs as judges.
A quick bit of news, Bobbi and I have formed a new LLC called ‘Twisted Lizard Mercantile’ and are on the way to see if we can market and sell Chili Powder Mix(s), Rubs and Seasonings, other handmade goodies and who knows. The Chili Powder blend I developed in 2017 got me to the finals in Terlingua in 2018 and 2019. And if memory serves, I think I sent everyone a seasoning rub called ‘Randsburg Miner’s Dust’ as a Xmas gift about 25 years ago. So we have 2 products for a start.
We are headed to Fort Stockton as course workers for BBORR open road race April 22 and and on to Fort Hancock to meet with Chipotle Texas to evaluate their co-packing services. There are outfits that will help in all facets of bringing products to market.
This company offers all of this and as a final clincher can handle ‘fullfillment’ functions.
If this works out, we will not have to get permits and licences, have a commercial kitchen, no inventory storage, no packing and shipping and a host of other requirements.
Wish us luck and of have a great trip!
Ciao!
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We look forward to hearing about your new venture. Is your Jeep almost finished to help promote the new brand?
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I don’t know if my reply made it so I’ ll say again .
I wish! J E E P………..Just Empty Every Pocket.
Thanks for support and wishing you both safe journeys and warm experiences!
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That’s the way to travel! Fabulous photo overview of past trips! And the upgraded truck is awesome : ) Will be watching my mailbox! Blessings!
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Hi Norm, it is a lot colder here (NE Oregon) than NH last August. Going south where it is warmer…then on to Alaska! E&P
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That Sunday was the hottest day of the year (I bet)! So glad you two came! Looking forward to your next adventure with your new wheels!
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So fun! I love the recap of trips past. Happy trails, mom and dad!
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Thanks, Lizzie! Give the kiddos big hugs for us.
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Wow! So happy for both of you on your renewed adventure to Alaska. Love your new rig also. Happy “rabbit trails.” to you. Bob and Maureen
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Hi, good to hear from you! Thanks for the kind wishes.
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Love your adventurous spirit. Praying wa great time for you both. Love seeing the pictures.
Ann
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Hi,
This is Elisabeth Arnold and I need to change my email address to 6arnolds@gmail.com
I don’t want to miss out on your travels.
On Tue, 4 Apr 2023 09:31:32 +0000
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Hi Elisabeth, we will see what we can do. WordPress is a bit odd, so if I cannot change, I will send you an email link. Your latest email was amazing. Praying for Arickson and Seanna, and the other items you mentioned.
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Thanks Ann. Tonight we are camped at the Idaho-Nevada border and it is COLD! Say hello to Bill for us. Blessings, Ed & Pat
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That’s a nice new set up! We hope it provides you many, many miles of fun and experiences,
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