May 3, 2010 to May 27, 2010 … Drove a mere 4,185 miles from Central California to Wasilla, Alaska.  We averaged 11.8 miles per gallon.  Not bad considering the different routes and terrains that we traveled.  Google maps will tell you that it’s 3,201 miles and that is true if we had taken the most direct route.  By going up the Cassiar Highway and going up to Dawson City we increased our distance but enhanced the experience a thousand fold.  We actually didn’t spend much time on the Alaskan Highway but we figure we’ll be going back down the Alaskan Highway on the way home .

There are advantages and disadvantages to traveling to Alaska during the early parts of May.  The biggest advantages is that everything is still covered with plenty of snow and provides spectacular views that you will never see in June or later cause most of the snow will be gone in lower elevations.  Also, there is relatively little traffic to deal with.  Most of the times we had the roads to ourselves and were able to take full advantage of any sightseeing, animal sightings, etc. without affecting anyone cause we rarely had anyone behind us or in front of us.  The major disadvantage is that a portion of attractions, tours, parks, restaurants, etc. are not yet open or are just starting to open and their hours or services can be limited.  Doesn’t pay for them to open till the tourists start to show up in droves.

Our last day on the road took us from Gakona, AK to Wasilla, AK.  Glad we decided to take 2 days to travel from Tok to Wasilla cause one day would have been a push.  Since we were not in a hurry it made more sense to take our time and limit the amount of time on the road.

Last leg … Drive to Wasilla, AK

Home base for the next 3 months – Matanuska Air Service on Anderson Lake in Wasilla, AK

Originally we were going to drive from Tok, AK to Wasilla, AK but we needed to do some laundry and unwind so we chose to drive to Gakona, AK and spend the night.  The drive was relatively uneventful except we finally got to see a beautiful swan.  The RV Park we chose had laundry facilities and we were able to back into a spot right on the Gakona River.  Our view of the river was enhanced with a  beautiful rainbow.  The park was empty but I’m told that by mid June when the salmon start running that it’s wall to wall campers/fishermen.

Photos of drive from Tok to Gakona, AK

Goldpanner RV Park, Chicken, AK

Tour of original Historic Chicken, AK

Chicken, AK to Tok, AK