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Doing it alone?

2hams2alaska
Explorer
Explorer
I am considering a fourth trip to Alaska and return for this summer. I wouldn't be leaving until late June due to a family wedding. But unlike the earlier three trips, I would be making the trip alone as I lost my DW last April. I wonder how many posters out there have done the trip alone? And if you had any unexpected complications due to not having a companion along? I would love to do the trip one more time while I am able, one never knows how much more time you have to do such things. I am 73 and in good health and do not take any meds other than for cholesterol control. But it would be just me and my two Shih Tzu, Jack and Diane.

Any suggestions or comments from those who have made the trip alone would be much appreciated.

Mike
Mike NA9Q, Retired Electrical Engineer
My Shih Tzu traveling companions Jack and Diane
Memories Of My Beloved DW & Traveling Companion for 51 yrs Arlyce NB9Q
and of Pookie Sue, Our Shih Tzu, Companion 10/26/1992- 04/27/2010
2000 Coachmen 285QB
19 REPLIES 19

Chiefelectusn
Explorer
Explorer
Long Roads wrote:
Chief are you retired Navy?

Thank you for the compliment

Take care. Lana & my Lily


I sent you a private message

And you take care

Long_Roads
Explorer
Explorer
Chief are you retired Navy?

Thank you for the compliment

Take care. Lana & my Lily

sljohnson1938
Explorer
Explorer
DO NOT FORGET YOUR SIGN. SO WE KNOW ONE ANOTHER ON THE WAY.
1999 Dodge 3500 CTD dually
Ham radio - WU4S

Chiefelectusn
Explorer
Explorer
Long Roads wrote:
My husband & I traveled to Alaska in 2008 and spent 3 months .He was very ill at that time. We did have a wonderful time and he wanted to take me....

He passed in November of 2013. I was mentally planning on an Alaskan re-do this

year, but 2017 is looking better--I did take the Class A to Florida this past winter for 6

months. Now this is quite a story talk about getting attention, friends say I should be

writing a novel. Had to buy gas & "nevered" done that before (motor home) my Son-In-Law does that for me! Good guy he is. I think my novel has started...

Sir: Take the trip solo & enjoy; myself & my Lily (minature poodle) she is so spoiled
are going in 2017 early in the season for a 3-3 1/2 months I will work my way with
the weather. I am 72 in good health our good Lord has blessed me.
Take care & enjoy from Lansing, MI. I am sorry for your loss






Beautifully said

Long_Roads
Explorer
Explorer
My husband & I traveled to Alaska in 2008 and spent 3 months .He was very ill at that time. We did have a wonderful time and he wanted to take me....

He passed in November of 2013. I was mentally planning on an Alaskan re-do this

year, but 2017 is looking better--I did take the Class A to Florida this past winter for 6

months. Now this is quite a story talk about getting attention, friends say I should be

writing a novel. Had to buy gas & "nevered" done that before (motor home) my Son-In-Law does that for me! Good guy he is. I think my novel has started...

Sir: Take the trip solo & enjoy; myself & my Lily (minature poodle) she is so spoiled
are going in 2017 early in the season for a 3-3 1/2 months I will work my way with
the weather. I am 72 in good health our good Lord has blessed me.
Take care & enjoy from Lansing, MI. I am sorry for your loss

2hams2alaska
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks to everyone who replied to my query. I appreciate the advice, suggestions and especially the information from those who have made the trip alone or camp alone. It has been 6 years since our last trip up the Alaska Highway and I am feeling the call of that long ribbon through the wilderness. With all there is to see and do I hope it will work out that I can go again. If all falls into line, the departure date will be around the end of June following a family wedding.

To 2lazy4u, I admire your ability to do all those things alone without all the creature comforts some of us seem to no longer be able to do without when traveling.

To sue.t, I just may take you up on your offer. I have always wanted to meet you as I have always enjoyed the photographic postings of Alaska, BC and especially the Yukon you provide for the group as well as the sound advice and information for those of us just passing through, not lucky enough to live there.

I'll post more when I am able to commit to the trip this year.

Mike
Mike NA9Q, Retired Electrical Engineer
My Shih Tzu traveling companions Jack and Diane
Memories Of My Beloved DW & Traveling Companion for 51 yrs Arlyce NB9Q
and of Pookie Sue, Our Shih Tzu, Companion 10/26/1992- 04/27/2010
2000 Coachmen 285QB

2lazy4U
Explorer
Explorer
I'm a 65-year old woman and pretty gimpy from breaking my back a few years ago. I went up last summer alone with two dogs. I car and tent camped and had a great time. I travel and camp alone all the time, usually going into Canada in the summer, as well as Montana and other points north. I spend the spring and fall camping in Utah and Colorado. My home base in in Colorado, but I'm rarely there. I just bought a small trailer, but I actually prefer car camping for the simplicity and ease of getting around. I plan to go back to AK again this summer and stay longer this time, also car camping. I did rent a place in Palmer for awhile, just to break it up and have a base camp for local sight-seeing.

sue_t
Explorer
Explorer
If you feel the need for a break & rest when you get near Whitehorse, let me know. You're welcome to park on our property for an extended period - we live 30 miles west of Whitehorse in the bush with no neighbours. Can't offer much in the way of services but could probably plug you into 15A electric at the very least.
sue t.
Pictures from our many RV Adventures to Yukon & Alaska from Vancouver Island. Now we live in Yukon!

lizzie
Explorer
Explorer
Have you checked out RVillage? They have a Caravan Group that is now talking about meeting up along the way to Alaska. This is not a paid group, requires no long-term commitment, just meet-up when and if you want to do so. lizzie

2gypsies1
Explorer II
Explorer II
I think if you enjoy other RVers you won't have any problems. Strike up a conversation and you'll find how helpful and friendly they'll be. You definitely won't be the only one traveling solo.

I hope you'll make the trip! Have fun!!!
Full-Timed for 16 Years
.... Back in S&B Again
Traveled 8 yr in a 40' 2004 Newmar Dutch Star Motorhome
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel

SBradley
Explorer
Explorer
First things first 73 is not old, last year a young couple in their mid 80s bought their first motor home and now traveling all over the country side.

Why not post your itinerary to connect with another solo traveler, a small group heading in your general direction.
S Bradley
Navion IQ 24V

Little_Kopit
Explorer
Explorer
Lots of us do it.

I was widowed in 1970. & started keeping my own dogs once I got off of a travel job in 1979. Since then I've learned how to enlist neighbors for the dogs when I traveled for work

I am now 73. Partly because of need for hip replacement I didn't do my biggest trip in 2014, but did so last year, after that surgery. I drove from The Martimes to Skagway, AK and back late summer 2015 through early fall 2015. 18,000.00. Dogs travel with me on personal travel.

& developed night driving problems with the cataracts during the trip. Op to happen this spring.

I previously lived in Newfoundland, thus, that trip made me a sea to sea person. I haven't updated my map in signature images yet.

Go for it!

:B
& I, I took the road less travelled by.

My Photo Album, featuring Labrador 2006

TOMMY47
Explorer
Explorer
I'm going alone in a month. Never even thought of issues by going solo. Last 3 years I took trips out west alone. Over 11,000 each time. It just never enters my mind.

PA12DRVR
Explorer
Explorer
I've taken 20+ trips on the Alcan plus a couple flying. It's really easier when flying to have a sidekick....with the current rules on border crossings, I wouldn't even attempt the flying trip today.

...but of the driving trips, only 5 - 7 of them were with someone. The rest were solo. I entirely agree with Joe....if you're solo, take the evening to plan where you'll go and where you want to stop the next day.

Other than a bit of additional evening planning, absolutely no operational reason not to do the trip solo. Not sure if there is any issue with driving/working your RV solo, but the trip itself is not a big deal.
CRL
My RV is a 1946 PA-12
Back in the GWN