While traveling by motorcycle is an excellent way to see Canada and Alaska, we found that we often wanted for some additional equipment to more fully enjoy the experience that the land has to offer. We regularly thought that it would be nice to have a kayak to paddle on some of the most fabulous, clearest lakes completely devoid of any boats. Or a fishing pole to angle some of those beautiful fish. But, where to put the salmon once caught? Where do we put a cooler?
Wouldn't it be nice to just hang out here for 4 more days, or even a week? Where do we stash a week's worth of food? The nearest town is 120 miles away!
Our chosen mode of transportation did not provide room for much more than the essentials required for getting around and making a (reasonably) comfortable camp.
Like many others, we have already decided that we will one day return to Alaska, but next time with some kind of RV that would allow us to carry more stuff and conveniently overnight in less-than-ideal situations (thinking about mosquitoes and rain here).
We heard multiple times that 'Alaska changes a person'. Well, it changed us!
Now it is time to close this adventure with a couple of quotes from Harry Gannett, Chief Geographer, U.S. Geological Survey, 1899:
"The scenery of Alaska is so much grander than anything else of the kind
in the world that, once beheld, all other scenery becomes flat and
insipid."
"If you are old, go by all means; but if you are young, stay away until you've grown older. The scenery of Alaska is so much grander than anything else of the kind in the world that, once beheld, all other scenery becomes flat and insipid. It is not well to dull one's capacity for such enjoyment by seeing the finest first."
