North To Alaska

At 4:30 this morning, we were up and getting around to head north. The goodbyes are never fun, but goodbyes to family who have carried you through the darkest times in your life are the roughest. We survived the goodbyes, barely.

After a slow start, we finally started making decent time about Sparks/Reno. A day that should have finished around 7:00 tonight, is finally done at 8:45.

We’re in a Red Lion in Idaho Falls. A quick nights sleep and we will be back on the road at 6am.

This part of the journey was beyond what I could dream about just a couple of weeks back. Now Denise, Anthony and I are on THE adventure together.

We’ll hit the border at Coutts, AB tomorrow after approximately 7.25 hours and 479.47 miles.

If Denise wasn’t so intent on sleeping, she would be typing now, too.

Had to post this. The pic is a great example of my Family Heritage. I’m VERY blessed.

(click the image for the full size picture)

Well, my wife, THE Proverbs 31 woman, has been working like a crazy woman. Well, she is crazy, but she’s working while being crazy. Anyway, she sold our towncar for a GREAT price and did an excellent job of picking out a used truck for us. Thanks go to dad for negotiations and helping it all come together.

Truck specs:
1991 Ford F250 Ext Cab 4×4 XLT w/ Shell
V8 460/7.5 Liter Gas Engine
156k miles
Just over 7,000 miles from last major tune-up
Rebuilt Automatic transmission
TOWING PACKAGE (Electronic trailer Brake setup, Extra Heavy Duty rear springs)
AM/FM Cassette Radio AND CB Radio
Power Windows and Door Locks
Tilt Wheel
Cruise Control
Overdrive
Running Boards
Bed Liner
A/C was converted to R134 last year

A few pics for your viewing pleasure…

My Grandpa Cox and Caleb, 5 generations represented here.

Grandpa and Caleb

(Thanks Jessie)

Good grief.

I think I got 3 hours sleep. I checked the floor this morning and yup, while it wasn’t cleaner, it was SOFTER than the bed. And Beth and Cedric (that was one of MANY names she called him) must have dozed off – they aren’t yelling anymore.

I never sleep good the first night away from home so it’s no big deal really.

Plan for today – make it through customs without a strip search. Oh – and make it to Hixon, BC (right close to Prince George. Yesterday, 774.72 miles and 15 hours all told. Today will be 584.77 miles and about 11 hours of drive time.

The updates will go dark somewhere around 7:30am I THINK. Then it will only be when I find wi-fi. A friend has sent me a link of Starbucks near Hixon.

For those of you that posted to FB or emailed me and I haven’t responded, I’m sorry. I’m typing too slow.

Y’all have a great day – I have to get going.

Left the house this morning at 6am. Arrived in Kent, WA at an extended stay studio at 9pm.

Lots of nice phone calls, texting and facebook updates.

Had a VERY nice visit with Mike and Kim Bellm. Talked guns and a little business, and just got to catch up like old friends do.

Couple of pics…
Northern California

Portland, OR

Had to say goodbye to my family this morning. I’d rather have a colonoscopy with an old VHS video camera.

And with that, I’m on the road – North, to Alaska.