Alaska Life

The Adventure Begins

Story and Pictures by June Jefford

Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Alces Browser, Blue Moose. I found myself in the “Land of Enchantment,” New Mexico, the chile state. But I needed to get to the “Last Frontier,” Alaska, the chilly state. What’s a moose to do? I hitched a ride for a drive of 4,185 miles from Albuquerque to Anchorage, and these crazy people did it nonstop in 70 hours. It's hard to type without opposable thumbs, so here's my trip in pictures...

Traveling Through the Lower 48

Here are my two canine companions. They slept most of the way, so I will tell you the story.

From New Mexico, we zipped through colorful Colorado. I’m sure it is a beautiful state, but I was on a mission to get home.

Wyoming was interesting because of their horses. We don’t see as many of them in Alaska as in Wyoming.

As you can see, I made the acquaintance of a real horse.

Here I am entering Montana, a very large state when you are driving through it.

I finally got into Canada in the province of Alberta. If you go, don’t forget your passport.

The journey took me right through the large city of Calgary in Alberta where they hold the stampede each year.

Now we are getting very close to the start of the Alaska Highway as we enter the province of British Columbia.

Mile Marker “0"! The beginning of the 1,390 mile road. This is in the town of Dawson Creek, British Columbia.

The Alaska Highway

There it is: the official start of the Alaska Highway. The highway was completed in 1942 to provide a link between Alaska and the rest of the U.S. during World War II. It was opened to the public in 1948. It was named an International Historical Engineering Landmark in 1996. You have to drive up and over the Rocky Mountains, providing some spectacular scenery.

As we enter the Yukon, I know we are getting closer. This is the last Canadian territory before we get home to Alaska.

This is a fun diversion in Watson Lake, 635 miles from Dawson Creek. The Signpost Forest was started by a highway engineer in 1942, and now numbers over 61,000 signs.

Here I am with my favorite sign, an Alaskan license plate.

This pretty scenery is just outside of Whitehorse, capital of the Yukon. That is snow on those mountains.

Shortly before the border with Alaska, we came to Burwash Landing, home of the largest gold pan in the world. Burwash landing was one of the earliest lodges on the Alaska Highway.

I made it! After 70 hours with no sleep and 4,185 miles, I am home.

Here I am in the town of Wasilla, home of Alaska’s governor when she isn’t at the state capital, Juneau.

It is a beautiful day and I have stopped to enjoy Lake Wasilla. You can see snow-covered Pioneer Peak in the background.

I’m paddling my own canoe around Lake Wasilla, a playground on a beautiful day for a lot of Alaskan residents.

Anchorage, Alaska

You wouldn’t think of finding so many flowers in Alaska. This garden is planted by the City of Anchorage every year. This year, it has “Alaska” and “50” spelled out along with the state flag. Alaska joined the union 50 years ago. Happy Birthday, Alaska!

In downtown Anchorage, the Visitor Center is a log cabin with a sod roof. More flowers!

Egad! even the salmon have antlers. This sculpture is from the Wild Salmon on Parade Festival.

Anchorage is a long way from many places, as this sign and this moose can testify.

Now I feel right at home. A store named for me: Once in a Blue Moose, right across from the Visitor's Center.

The Moose is Loose

The Adventure Begins

Traveling Through the Lower 48

The Alaska Highway

Anchorage, Alaska

Something Here

Anchorage Weather