Will thought we should end the blog in Deadhorse but I always loved books that told you a little more about what happens afterwards so thats what I’m going to do. The Dodge with all its problems was still drivable and we really wanted a vehicle for our time in Los Angeles so the plan was to drive the 5,300km to LA in twelve short days (the entire drivable length of New Zealand is only 1600km). This meant driving all day everyday for the majority of that time, though we had scheduled in a few stops to visit people we had met on the way up.
Leaving Fairbanks we had big driving ambitions but we also knew our friends the Overland Birds were due to cross into Alaska the same day. We kept a look out for them and tried to keep in touch as we both traveled in and out of wifi zones. It was in the evening close to the border that we finally spotted the Land Rover and after a bit of a chat on the side of the highway we decided to camp together at a nearby quarry. The Dodge dutifully clambered up the old overgrown road of the quarry and the Birds with their new BF Goodrich tires followed not far behind. After about five minutes of manoeuvring into the perfect flat spot Neil immediately got out and started muttering concerns for the drivetrain after not locking the centre diff. Honestly… Land Rovers… Will and I smiled at each other we would have never done anything or seen anything if we were worried about a bit of off roading. We did however graciously accept Niels offer to cook us dinner while we caught up on each others travels under the crisp cloudless evening. In the morning we said our good byes once more and hit the road in opposite directions.
Leaving Fairbanks we had big driving ambitions but we also knew our friends the Overland Birds were due to cross into Alaska the same day. We kept a look out for them and tried to keep in touch as we both traveled in and out of wifi zones. It was in the evening close to the border that we finally spotted the Land Rover and after a bit of a chat on the side of the highway we decided to camp together at a nearby quarry. The Dodge dutifully clambered up the old overgrown road of the quarry and the Birds with their new BF Goodrich tires followed not far behind. After about five minutes of manoeuvring into the perfect flat spot Neil immediately got out and started muttering concerns for the drivetrain after not locking the centre diff. Honestly… Land Rovers… Will and I smiled at each other we would have never done anything or seen anything if we were worried about a bit of off roading. We did however graciously accept Niels offer to cook us dinner while we caught up on each others travels under the crisp cloudless evening. In the morning we said our good byes once more and hit the road in opposite directions.
Crossing back into Canada was no problem, then came the hours upon hours of driving through the vast Yukon territory. Our determination to reach the turn off for the Cassiar Highway meant breaking a promise to ourselves about not driving in the dark or in snow storms. Unfortunately this evening brought both but we took it slow as the snow came drifting down heavier and heavier. At some stage before midnight the Cassiar turnoff came into view and a convenient rest area provided our accommodation, efforts to get gas before bed were in vein as the gas station was closed.
Up at dawn we had a quick snowy breakfast and began down the Cassiar Highway, the snow had already been ploughed but we still had to be careful. Eventually we outdrove the boundary of the nights snow storm and the ground become clear with fresh spring growth shooting up. Making the most of this spring growth was a black bear that we pulled over and watched for a while. He seemed friendly enough and certainly looked cuddly as he meandered along the roadside. We couldn’t help but get out of the Dodge to get a closer look. At one point I stood a few meters away for a photo that I later posted on Facebook and received so much ridicule for it that I had to delete it. Yes it looks like we were guilty of being stupid tourists who got too close to the bear...
On the 25th of April we continued south through Prince George stopping only momentarily to sell our ski gear to the Kamloops Consignor Sports. Usually they sell sports gear on your behalf but the guy was very understating and offered to buy our gear outright. We couldn’t believe the price he offered us either, buying the gear and reselling it had worked out much cheaper than hiring. It was 5pm when we left Kamloops and we could have stayed with Brad and Julie who were in town visiting their daughter or we could have stopped in at Shelly and Ron’s in nearby Merritt but we had a schedule to keep and that meant crossing back into the US that evening. We made it to the Huntinhgdon border around 10pm after spending up the last of our Canadian dollars on dog food and booze. There was a bit of a queue at the border so we attempted to use up our remaining Canadian 3G data by calling our parents for a catch up, both were glad to hear that we were making progress and so far the Dodge was running well. The US was happy to have us back in the country for a little longer so we pushed on until reaching the Bellingham Walmart to spend the night.
In the morning we were amazed to see over thirteen other vehicles of all kinds parked in the carpark with people obviously sleeping inside of them. It was however a very picturesque place with leafy green trees dotted all around and a feeling of springtime excitement in the air. There was everything from flash buses towing trailers, to old 1970’s RV’s and the likes of us in an SUV. Some were up and stretching their legs or walking their dogs and some like us made the trip into Walmart to use the bathrooms and buy breakfast.
In the morning we were amazed to see over thirteen other vehicles of all kinds parked in the carpark with people obviously sleeping inside of them. It was however a very picturesque place with leafy green trees dotted all around and a feeling of springtime excitement in the air. There was everything from flash buses towing trailers, to old 1970’s RV’s and the likes of us in an SUV. Some were up and stretching their legs or walking their dogs and some like us made the trip into Walmart to use the bathrooms and buy breakfast.
We only made it one and a half hours further south to Seattle that day as I had a job interview the following afternoon to prepare for. I did a heap of preparation and the interview was delayed a few times but I felt that I interviewed well. A week or so later I found out that I didn’t get the job mainly because I couldn’t start as soon as they wanted me to but it was their loss I had another interview arranged for when we made it to LA. While in Seattle we were again welcomed into the home of kiwi family the Templeton’s, who cooked us dinner made us drinks and enabled us to have a general clean up of the Dodge and ourselves. Another fun household… another set of goodbyes.
In Portland on the 28th Will dropped off his Sorell winter boots to see what could be done about the cracked rubber. I walked Scout outside in the now 25 degree heat while Will explained the story inside. I was skeptical about them having them fixed or replaced in time for our flight less than a month away but once in LA Will chased them up and in the end a brand new pair arrived via courier a day or two before we flew out. Since then we sold them online back in NZ as Will had no need for them anymore. Also in Portland I brought some much needed jandel’s and also splashed out on some new running shoes, Will got a treat too in the form of a nike head band to keep his ever growing hair out of his face. He looked lovely!
In Portland on the 28th Will dropped off his Sorell winter boots to see what could be done about the cracked rubber. I walked Scout outside in the now 25 degree heat while Will explained the story inside. I was skeptical about them having them fixed or replaced in time for our flight less than a month away but once in LA Will chased them up and in the end a brand new pair arrived via courier a day or two before we flew out. Since then we sold them online back in NZ as Will had no need for them anymore. Also in Portland I brought some much needed jandel’s and also splashed out on some new running shoes, Will got a treat too in the form of a nike head band to keep his ever growing hair out of his face. He looked lovely!
Again we slept in a rest area and in the morning hit resume on the cruise control before turning the air-con on high as we cruised southwards on the massive interstate 5. We saw thousands of RV’s on the road as the summer camping season was gearing up, at one point Will spotted a bus towing a Ford Raptor which then had two flash quad bikes on the tray! Americans and their toys we exclaimed but really we were just jealous.
By the 29th we had been driving for seven days it was like a full time 12 hour job, wake up have breakfast, drive, have lunch, drive, take a pee, drive, dinner, drive more, stop, sleep, repeat. Lucky that evening we made it back to Ewan and MJ’s sunny home near the beach in San Francisco! Here we took the chance to unwind and enjoy the weather. Starting by stripping of all those layers we had been wearing since Alaska and going for a run in the sunshine! It was crazy hot for Scout who couldn’t just take his coat off but we helped him to cool off under the hose or in the ocean. Will and Scout even played a spot of basketball, I tried too but Scout was too good at getting the ball off me. We had a fabulous time at Ewan and MJ’s who again looked after us like family but we also wanted to spend a little more time with the Riedinger family.
We had to be in LA by the 4th of May for Scouts first export vet check but that still gave us a few days back at Camp Turlock staying in our favourite trailer. When we pulled up to the Riedinger house we saw a classic old GMC pickup in the drive and wondered who’s it was. Turns out Alex had brought it after her brother Zach a car salesmen had a guy trade it in on a newer model. The pick up was in mint original condition though and parked next to the American flag it epitomised everything that is America and we loved it! Alex even let us drive it! Scout passed the time bobbing for balls in a paddling pool while we spent our days shooting bows and hanging out. We had a BBQ one night over at Zach’s house, ate way too much and then watched a game of basketball.
Sunday the 4th came around all too soon and it was time to say good bye once again. We had almost had enough of good byes but it was a necessary part of the trip. We sure were sad to be leaving Turlock but eager to begin Scouts export and continue our journey home. We gave our best wave as we puled out of the driveway and with that we were on the road again.
Rochelle & Will
Rochelle & Will