Gine always wanted to go north see Alaska and the Yukon, it’s a long drive, and we decided the first year we are retired we will head north and take the whole summer. Finally that time is come – this year we will drive North hopefully as far as the road goes. We are ready for the Adventure, so what did we all do to prepare for it:

As you can go with the motorhome – we decided we will be so much more flexible with a truck and camper. Last year we got the camper and a truck, changed to a Diesel 4x4 truck and got all fixed up like we got now an exhaust and a spare tire, as well as new tires and organized inside during our short camping trips around the island.

To make sure we are the best prepared, the truck went into the shop to let them check it as we told them we drive to Alaska. Haha they were cute: they wanted to make our old 2002 truck as new as a brand-new one and would fix it for 6500 Dollars. Paul went over the list and decided what is important and need to be fixed, what we keep an eye on and what we will do if it breaks down (like our tie downs for the camper which are quite rusty). Still the engine once in a while stalled, so it is good that Paul and our neighbor Walter are both car lovers and so on his advise Paul changed the fuel filter again and we already have a spare one to bring along in case we need it. After changing surprise: the truck wouldn’t start – ok after a bit internet investigation Paul got it up and running again (it needed more gas) but we learned one thing: only do repairs when we have internet and phone access in case something goes wrong.

As per Gine the tarp needs to come off, so she can start to plan and prepare because you can’t pack in one day – you have to start and then think and then plan: as we want a clutter free camper that means everything needs it spot and that can be tricky when we want to bring along a lot but not too much, be prepared but have not too much extra weight. Planning is important. After some discussion it was decided Gine is the inside and Paul the Car planner and we won’t interfere in each other plans. It is so excited to get ready…

Ok, Paul changed the filters and it still went into limp mode. This time he called Kean and he advised him to go to B&D Diesel as they are the experts. A bit convincing as they are super booked out, but then they took us in, I think they understood that we have trouble since September and want to go. We brought the Truck back in and 3 days later got a call: the pump they put into the truck in Sept was defective and it got changed and it was still under warranty – so only labour and investigation cost. On the way back, Gine follows Paul and wondered why he turned into the QF parking lot and then turns back with 4-way-flash: still same problem. The technician was surprised, as they test drove it, and it all worked, so with a computer plugged in they went on a drive together: and see there Paul said during the drive all was fine and on the way back before the shop it went into the limp mode and this time they got 2 different error codes: we need another pump which needs to be ordered in…. you think we leave as planned????

After a long winter, we finally have some sunny days – so we are busy as we soon leave: Gine moves all the stones from our lower 40s, so we are ready for building, the trees are already down… now they only have to start (and I think they wait that our camper vanishes!!!).

And Paul: as we are gone nearly the whole summer, we are super happy that finally the sun is out, so we will on all sunny days take the Corvette out and enjoy it before we are heading out.

That means we are busy – and we can’t even pack …..

Ok the pump came in – we were hoping to get our truck by Friday and the pump was in by Friday, that is when they discovered that now with the pump and fuel all running perfectly, we have a stuck valve in the turbo and they were unable to loosen it… we decided to take the truck home, so we can load the camper on the weekend, when we got a call that they need to see the truck regarding what to do with the turbo. Back over and Brian checked and we discovered that we have a tuned up truck with more power (which is good), but that being the case as well as that we want to leave ASAP he said the fasted, cheapest and best way (with an aftermarket tuned turbo): they will take it out on Monday send it to Campbell River and then built it back in.  Ok, that means: #1 we can do something on the weekend: like packing and #2: we are not leaving on time as planned and will be behind schedule before we even leave…. Let’s hope all goes well and we are then finally on the road.

Today we put on the camper – it went super smoothly – maybe we are now more experienced…. So we can check out if all is working, loading and find secret storing spots. Our truck will be fully loaded and ready to go once we drop it off on Monday morning and then we have to wait again – hopefully not too long.

La Nina and El Nino are weather patterns in the Pacific ocean– so why do I mention that in my travelpod??? Because this year is a La Nina year: normally the trade winds blow west along the equador… but sometimes we have an interruption of this normal pattern those would be El Nino and La Nina: they normally last for 12 month (sometimes even longer) – they occur every 2-7 years. So who are those:

Ok so they were unable to fix the turbo, that means a new one got ordered, it arrived on Thursday and should be in by Thursday evening as it only takes an hour to put in – but then you should never rush and if the box is broken look at the part before putting in right??? Ok that didn’t happened so after it was in, they discovered the dent at 4.30. Turbo came out was driven to Campbell River, Brian picked it up the same afternoon and at 5 pm on Friday our truck was ready for the road again. In the mean time our not so cheap truck became a bit more valuable. But now we are ready

First thing Gine did was going on the BC Ferry webpage and there is one ferry available at 3.20 – let’s book. Checking right afterwards: all reservations were booked out – guess we got the last one. Then some more loading and checking and Paul was checking the electricity and fixing a bit more.

It was actually quiet perfect, as we could get up like normal, have breakfast, clean the house, load the fridge, fill up the water, double check that we have everything and then leave.

As normal for this year we have lots of rain and not a lot of sunshine, lucky for us, it didn’t pour and only drizzled and so we were heading down the highway… I may should mention when we put Paul in the truck, she didn’t stay in and jumped out and went back to the door, but then didn’t fuss when Paul put her back in the truck. Then she was coming once in a while to check on us or look out of the window – I guess she needs to get used to it.

At the ferry we left her through the window in the back of the Camper – which went easier than getting her back into the front after the ferry ride. With a seat in the first row we could see the clouds and the mountains…

Once we left the ferry it felt that we are finally on the road: Let the Adventure begin and we are now heading “North to Alaska”. We are driving on a Saturday Gine would like to leave the busy Squamish area behind and we headed all the way up towards Whistler. Some amazing views on Howe Sound and the snow capped mountains. I may should mention, that we saw today a beat near the road – on our first day. It is getting already late as the ferry was behind schedule and it was nearly 7 pm once we arrived at our first campsite.