Hello, adventure enthusiasts! James and Kay Pratt here, and we’re thrilled to share the start of a lifelong dream: a road trip from Edmond, Oklahoma, to Alaska! This journey has been on my bucket list for years, and now it’s finally happening. In this video we lay out the plan for this epic adventure, and we’re inviting you to follow along as we drive the iconic Alcan Highway, explore Alaska’s wild beauty, and make memories that’ll last a lifetime. Here’s the scoop on our upcoming trip!
The Plan: A Journey of a Lifetime
I’ll be kicking things off by driving my trusty 2015 Chevy Silverado from our home in Edmond, Oklahoma, to Calgary, Canada, where I’ll pick up Kay after her flight. The drive to Calgary is about five days, covering roughly 2,000 miles through the open plains and into the stunning Canadian Rockies. Kay wasn’t keen on the full drive from Oklahoma, and who can blame her? Instead, she’s flying into Calgary, and from there, we’ll hit the road together along the legendary Alcan Highway.
The Alcan Highway, built during World War II, stretches over 1,300 miles from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, to Delta Junction, Alaska. It’s known for its jaw-dropping scenery—think towering peaks, glacier-fed lakes, and endless forests. We’re planning to take our time, with about five days to reach Anchorage, stopping to explore gems like Banff and Jasper National Parks in the Canadian Rockies along the way. The route promises to be a feast for the eyes, and we’re ready for the adventure, wildlife sightings, and maybe a few bumpy gravel roads!
Exploring Alaska: RV Camping and Beyond
Once we reach Anchorage, the real fun begins. We’ll rent a pull-behind RV trailer for my Silverado, giving us a cozy base to explore Alaska for about a week and a half. Our plans are deliberately loose—we’ve got a general idea of where we want to go, but we’re leaving room for spontaneity. Top destinations include Denali National Park, where we hope to catch a glimpse of North America’s tallest peak, as well as Whittier and Homer for their coastal charm and stunning views. With the RV, we’ll have the freedom to roam on our own schedule, soaking in Alaska’s wild landscapes at our own pace.
After our Alaskan adventure, Kay will fly home from Anchorage, while I’ll hop back in the Silverado for the return drive. To mix things up, I’m planning to take a slightly different route home, sticking to the western side of the Canadian Rockies instead of the eastern route we’ll take on the way up. It’ll be a solo journey back, with plenty of time to reflect on the trip and, of course, more camping along the way.
A Love for Camping, Perfected Over Time
Camping is a big part of this trip, and it’s something I’ve always loved. From my truck bed setup (more on that in an earlier post!) to the RV we’ll rent in Alaska, I’m ready to embrace the outdoors. Kay’s a bit less enthusiastic about camping, but she’s a great sport and ready to join in. We’ve come a long way since our first camping trip together years ago, when we squeezed into a tiny two-person pup tent on a motorcycle adventure, sitting “crisscross applesauce” as rain poured down around us. That trip taught us a lot about resilience—and maybe a little about investing in better gear! Since then, we’ve camped on horseback, by motorcycle, and even by airplane, perfecting our setup with each adventure.
Why This Trip Matters
This journey isn’t just about the miles or the destinations—it’s about chasing a dream and sharing it together. Kay and I are excited to explore new places, from the rugged Alcan Highway to Alaska’s untamed wilderness, all while balancing work and play (stay tuned for more on how we’re staying connected with Starlink!). We hope you’ll follow along as we share stories, photos, and videos from the road.
Got a favorite road trip or camping memory? Drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear your stories as we get ready to hit the road! Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this North to Alaska adventure!
