Alaska
Updated: 29 minutes ago
The adventure has begun!
March 24th was the date my journey began! I am driving from Florida to Alaska, taking 2-3 weeks to do so.
Charlotte (my pup) will be my travel partner and through these 2-3 weeks I'll be sharing our adventure each day.
I am very excited/scared/nervous for this journey but I know it'll be packed with a great experience!
March 24th, 2025
Day 1
I had spent time with my friends Sailour, Jon, their baby Dahlia, and Bobby! I didn't think our friend Bobby would be able to visit since he had told me time and time again he wouldn't be able to since he had so much going on in his life at that moment. I spent 4 days with everyone and let me tell you, those will be times I will not forget. We did hike and then went to a restaurant called TWO Urban Licks. The best food I have had in a long time, I was not disappointed! The following day Sailour gave me a beautiful tattoo to help add to my sleeve - theme based off of my dark past blooming into something beautiful. On the morning I had decided to leave and head north, Jon insisted that I have breakfast before I hit the road. I am beyond happy that I had spent more time with them. It's moments like these that make our lives! It's not about finances, it's not about having the biggest house, it's about spending time with the people you care about. You can't beat that OR put a price on it. They are truly wonderful people whom I am so grateful to have in my life.
Unfortunately we didn't take any pictures together, but I did get a few from our hike.
March 27th, 2025
Day 2:
Today was my first day back on the road since Sailour's. I would have to admit, driving those long hours are not the best. It might be lack of sleep, food, and water, all of the essentials (no big deal lol). I didn't have a real meal since breakfast with my friends and I kept my water intake to a minimum because I didn't want to keep stopping at the exits. It was funny because I noticed a little boat symbol on the Google maps route but I didn't think anything about it until I made a left turn onto a road and noticed a sign that listed the hours of operation for the ferry. I put two and two together and realized that I would have to take a ferry! I then got flooded with all of the "what if" scenarios - what if it wasn't operating, what if I had to pay, what if it was locals only, what if my truck sinks? Luckily, I made it. No cost, it didn't sink, I made it across. I was just in time to find where I'd be sleeping. Unfortunately the campsites were taken but I was able to find a parking area where I could sleep and not be bothered.
March 28th, 2025
Day 3:
I started the day with a hike. Indian Point Trailhead. It was only about 2 miles. It was quiet, peaceful, just what I needed to help ease myself back into hiking. We all know how flat Florida is. Once finished, our day had started.
About a 7 hour drive today. I was headed towards Rockford Illinoi. This is where I'll be camping for the night.
Luckily only $8.00 for the campsite. I found a nice little spot surrounded by woods after I had relocated further away from the giant pines because the wind was so heavy I was worried about one of them falling onto my truck - with all of my belongings in there. I made a fire that lasted until sun down - I got started early because I knew that once the sun set I would be getting ready for bed.
March 29th, 2025
Day 4:
I had a major decision to make today, one that I didn't really even realize I had to make until last minute. Before all of that, Charlotte (my dog) and I had gone on two hikes that morning: Castle Rock North Trails and Devil's Lake via West Bluff Trail. Castle Rock was scattered with lifeless trees white Devil's Lake was covered in scenery and a lot of hikers (we didn't complete the hike since I felt pressed for time). Once finished with the hike, we hit the road to our next destination. There was something in me that told me to check the weather while on in route to the next location. Thank goodness I did! There was a winter storm coming from the west making it's way east into Minnesota (my next destination) and Wisconsin (my current location). I am a native Floridian, we don't check the weather - not even during hurricanes. It's either really hot or it's going to rain. Checking the weather is not something that I do daily or even weekly. I had to make the choice of either staying in Minnesota OR keep trekking onward to North Dakota - as far as I was willing to drive that day.
March 30th, 2025
Day 5:
North Dakota is bare land, just farm and snow. Ice and snow covered the shoulder of the roads. Luckily the roads were clear of ice, my number one fear out here. I saw many birds migrating southeast. I couldn't make out what kind though. But, there were plenty of them throughout this drive. I also saw two bald eagles.
I took a small hike today just to get the blood flowing. It was in a small city and it was paved. But, Charlotte was able to see her first bit of snow. She didn't really seem to give it much attention.
My biggest hurdle today, entering Canada. I was afraid that they wouldn't let Charlotte in, I didn't even think about my criminal history. I didn't think that it'd affect me in that manner considering I've been in Canada two other time. For one, I entered the portal from the wrong lane - I used the truckers lane not even thinking about how high the window was. But, there were two large trucks in the other lane where I was supposed to be. Not sure why they were there, but it threw me off. He asked me questions about what I was carrying - alcohol, plants, food, tabacco. I said zero, other tha my sncaks and Charlotte's food. He then proceeded to ask my about my criminal hisotyr. Of course I had to be honest. I told him about my past offenses. Honesty is the best policy, I couldn't lie about it. He said that I "might be good" considering it happened before 2018. Any crimes that occur after 2018 make it really hard to get into the county. He gave me my papers and told me to park my truck and go into the building on the left. I was then met by a guy who interrogated me about my life. Where I was from ,why I was moving, who I was meeting there ) he wanted the name), what I did for work and how I ended up in that field, and questions about my family. Finally, he came to the questions about my criminal history. That's when I told him everything, every detail he had a question about I told him what he needed to know. He then told me that I may have to enroll into a rehabilitation program in order to cross the border but that would be based on his findings once he looked at my entire criminal history. This process took at least 20 minutes. Every bit of anxious, I stood in the waiting room anticipating bad news and planning my drive back down to Georgia. He waved me over and told me that we would discuss things in the office. He buzzed me through and I took a seat. I was waiting for him to tell me bad news, but he said that my crimes don't add up to the necessary points for denial into the country, however, he could request final depositions of the cases since he wasn't able to look that far into it. He said that I was very forthcoming and honest throughout the entire process that he used his discretion to let me through. HOWEVER, I should have those papers handy for when I cross the border back into Canada as I leave Alaska next year. I was in tears! I couldn't believe that I was able to get through.
Next stop, Walmart parking lot where Charlotte and I will be sleeping in the back of the truck in 12 degree weather!
March 31st
Day 6:
We survived the night! But woke up to a lot of frost inside the truck . There was ice on my windows and end of my sleeping bag. I only woke up like 10 times lol. I kept checking on Charlotte to make sure she wasn't too cold. I had a heating blanket that saved our lives. Hotels in the area wanted $240 for one night! Despite the cold, we made it through. I poured water for Charlotte and it instantly froze. My truck was completely covered in ice and thank goodness I had bought a scraper before I left - I didn't think I would need it until I reached Alaska.
April 1st
Day 7:
I made it to my Uncle's! That means no more sleeping in the truck in 12 degree weather AND I won't go hungry! I haven't had any real meals - if you don't count Chic-fil-A. 3-6 inches of snow has fallen since I arrived on Monday. Friday April 4th is when I make my way further north!
