Summer Alaska RV Journey Begins

Our decision to RV to Alaska in the summer of 2012 began with a question; “If not now, when?”

Alaska, the last frontier, was on our to-visit list since forever. Bob had driven the Alaska Highway with a small travel trailer in tow in the mid-1970s. Mary had never visited and wanted to go. 

Kenai Peninsula from the Seward Highway, south of Anchorage

In the mid-1990s, we had bought a Milepost, the Alaska map and guide book, and we were not able to make the journey. In 2007 we started making plans again and, just as circumstances challenged so many people, we too abandoned ambitious travel and instead hunkered down. In the winter of 2012, we made the decision.
 

The Alaska Highway, May 2012

One way to offset the high price of the long journey would be to work. We researched like crazy. Our choice was Anchorage. It is Alaska’s largest city, just under 300,000 people, with services right at hand. A coastal city, it has access to the regions we especially wanted to visit such as the Kenai Peninsula to the south, and to the north Wasilla, Palmer and the entire Matanuska-Susitna Valley, the Denali region including Talkeetna, the town with a cat as its elected mayor.

There were natural wonders to see, from sapphire blue glaciers to churning bore tides. Wildlife viewing was high on our list, from moose, bear and whale sightings to eagles, puffins and salmon runs.

Ship Creek, Anchorage, Alaska

We discovered a posting for a job at Alaska Travel Adventures’ Anchorage Ship Creek RV Park, and it looked nearly ideal. There was a variety of work, with some responsibilities indoors and others outdoors. In late winter we applied for a job as workcampers. We were hired.