Alaska, Take Two: How We’re Planning Our Return to the Top of the World

In 2023, we set off on one of the biggest road trips of our lives: a 6,300-mile journey from the Lower 48 all the way to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska — and back — in just over two weeks.

On paper, it sounded like the ultimate adventure: rugged roads, towering peaks, endless wilderness, and the ultimate bragging rights of touching the Arctic Ocean. But here’s the thing: just because something is possible doesn’t mean it’s enjoyable.

That trip became the one we now call our “never again” trip — the one that taught us hard lessons about pace, priorities, and expectations. And now, as we prepare to return to Alaska, we’re determined to do things differently.

🌲 The Pain Points We Won’t Forget

Looking back on that first trip, we can laugh — but at the time, it was rough.

We mapped the route carefully, calculated our daily mileage, and knew exactly where we had to be each day to pull off the loop. What we didn’t plan for?

• Unrealistic expectations: We wanted to squeeze in every sight, every landmark, every bucket-list stop. But when the weather socked in Salmon Glacier under a heavy blanket of fog, we had no time to wait. We had to keep moving, hopes crushed.

• Mosquito warfare: We were prepared for bugs, but the reactions we had — especially compared to what we experience in the Lower 48 — were on another level. Let’s just say, the itch was real.

• Food fails: Good luck finding fresh groceries when your main shopping options are glorified gas stations. We made do, but meal planning was a constant challenge.

• Overpacking: We brought way too much stuff, which made setup, breakdown, and organization a chore. Lesson learned.

But the hardest part? We pushed too hard, too fast — often driving up to 10 hours a day. I remember looking in the backseat, feeling guilty as our boys sat strapped in, hour after hour, missing out on museum stops and gold panning signs we breezed past. We were mission-focused, not moment-focused. And when the road trip ended, we looked at each other and said, “Never again like that.”

🚗 What’s Different This Time

A little over a year ago, we met Josh and Vanessa of @destinedforwild — an incredible couple from British Columbia who completed the Pan-American Highway from southern BC all the way to Ushuaia, Argentina. This summer, they’re setting out to finish the last piece: heading north to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.

We bonded fast — the kind of friendship that turns into family — and now, we’re beyond honored to join them on this chapter of their journey.

But this time, we’re not just checking off miles. We’re soaking it in.

🛣 Our Route + Mindset Shift

We’ll take the inner BC route north, with Tuktoyaktuk in our sights — the only Canadian Arctic Ocean settlement connected by road. Unlike Prudhoe Bay, Tuktoyaktuk is a living, breathing community, lush and full of life.

From there, we’ll head east to the Yukon Territory — hands-down, our favorite northern destination. The wild, untouched landscapes, the towering mountains, the feeling of smallness in the best possible way — it’s the real Last Frontier. We’re especially excited to explore Dawson City, with its historic charm and old-world streets. A quick ferry across the Yukon River will launch us onto the Top of the World Highway, where last time we hit an epic thunderstorm (a photographer’s dream, honestly).

🛞 The Dalton + Prudhoe Bay (A Love-Hate Relationship)

Next, we’ll dip into Alaska, aiming for Fairbanks before making the intimidating push north on the Dalton Highway — nearly 500 miles of rough, remote road to Prudhoe Bay.

This is the land of semi trucks that rocket past, hurling rocks at your windshield (ask us how we know), trailer failures (RIP to our last axle), and limited fuel stops with eye-watering prices ($9/gallon, anyone?). Coldfoot is the last fuel stop before the final push, and last time we were there, we heard wolves howling in the distance — a beautiful but humbling reminder of how deep into the wilderness we were.

Atigun Pass will be the last dramatic landscape before the flat, industrial sprawl of Prudhoe Bay — a town that’s all function, no charm. But that’s the point, right? Travelers come here to stand at the top of the world, dip into the Arctic Ocean (for a cool $70 shuttle fee), and earn the certificate saying they did it. Just, uh… watch out for the rusty barrels and wires in the water.

🎣 The Adventure South

The return journey is where we’ll slow down and truly explore. This time, we’re allowing space for fishing in Southeastern Alaska (maybe even a charter if the budget allows), visiting family property, and dreaming about a possible future there (as long as I’m not signing up for winters — I told Patrick I’m in!).

We’ll loop south via western British Columbia, getting our second chance at Salmon Glacier and stopping at the grizzly wildlife viewing area that left us speechless last time.

If time allows, we hope to finish the trip by finally exploring Vancouver Island — a place that always felt just out of reach when we lived in Washington.

💛 What We’ve Learned

We used to think long trips justified comfort — that it was only worth “nesting” in a camp setup or investing in better plans if we were going to be gone a long time. But the truth is, every trip deserves comfort, joy, and presence — whether it’s a weekend getaway or a multi-week expedition.

We’ve learned that expectations can destroy a trip. Build it up too much in your mind, and you’re bound to get let down. Focus on the experience, not the checklist.

This trip will be more than a bucket-list check. It’s a privilege — to accompany dear friends as they complete a once-in-a-lifetime journey, to return to places that taught us hard lessons, and to explore new landscapes with open hands, not tight plans.

🌲 Final Thoughts

Adventure will always come with discomfort — that’s part of the deal. But with the right mindset and some intentional planning, we can blend the wild with the wonderful, the rugged with the restful.

This summer, we’re not chasing miles. We’re chasing meaning.