July 3 written by Ellen

What I (Ellen) learned in 2.5 months living in a RV and driving thru Alaska

1.     there is no such thing as a long hot shower in a RV

2.     Verizon Wireless lies – they do not cover “all of Alaska”

3.     the “MiFi” is not the miracle solution for travelers on the road

4.     wearing camouflage pants in Alaska is cool

5.     it’s ok not to get hi-lights in your hair every two months when on a long RV trip – all women my age doing the same trek are in the same boat (RV) 

6.     I can cook a whole dinner (appetizer, main course and dessert) over a fire pit in a camp ground

7.     mosquitoes in Alaska are the size of small birds – hence the saying “the mosquito is the national bird of Alaska”

8.     in a campground you either get water, sewer or WiFi – not all three at the same time

9.     it’s ok to sneak out in the middle of the night in your long underwear to pull the grey and black water tanks – you ”need to go” and the tanks are filled to the rim after two showers and all day dishes – most likely you will see your neighbor doing the same thing

10.  if the ad in the Milepost for WiFi is BIG with BOLD letters it usually means that you get 1 hour free WiFi on the Tango-internet and after that you get booted out for the rest of your stay

11.  if the campground gives you a big chocolate cookie when checking in you only get ½ hr free on the Tango-internet and still get booted out for the rest of your stay

12.  rapid dissolving toilet paper is just that “rapid dissolving” do I need to say more?

13.  I will never eat pasta again!!!

14.   in Alaska it is all about cinnamon rolls and fish or fish and cinnamon rolls

15.  gloves are a must even in the summer

16.  potable water is not up to human standards consume at your own risk – according to signs in some Alaskan State Parks

17.  I will not pay $9.99 for a 12 pack of Coca-Cola

18.   “Top of the World Highway” is over rated and under paved

19.  in the small communities of Alaska doing laundry at the local laundromat is the social event of the week – everybody gathers there for showers, laundry and WC. 

20.  it’s ok to wear your jeans until they stand up by them self  - if somebody notices look guilty and say “it was a mad scene at the laundromat” Alaskans understand.

21.  in some small communities and campgrounds there are no flush toilets but plenty of outhouses J

22.  it is true what they say about Alaska – it is cold!!

23.  your neighbors at the campground can be your best friends forever in 1 hour and you spend the next day with them hiking, biking, cooking, drinking and telling each other your life story and the next week while driving down the Alaskan Highway you need to ask your husband “remember those people next to us at the campground what are their names again??”

24.  Alaskans are the warmest, friendliest, kindest, down to earth and most helpful bunch of people I ever met.

25.  and the most important thing – make sure you kinda like your travel companion because 24/7 for 2.5 months in a 25 ft RV is a long time :)  H. thanks for going with me.