Tom and I discussed when to take the long trip to Canada and Alaska and when to take another long trip to Asia. Some of our considerations had to do with our 2004 truck and camper – if we left it too long, they’d be unreliable for a wilderness trip. So, knowing that we would want to go to Alaska again, we sold the truck and camper, deciding to wait a few years before buying another camper. We planned a journey to Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, but then started to look at Miss Maggie (her official name is Magnificent Magnolias, believe it or not). She’s 10 and – Tom’s concern – might not be able to jump up into a camper for many more years. Bingo – Alaska and a new camper. For ... read more

OK, kids – go get a map of Canada. When we completed our drive along the north shore of Lake Superior and left Thunder Bay in western Ontario, we traveled west (mostly) on the Trans-Canada Highway, leaving the eastern and relatively populated region and headed into the prairies. Canada is the second largest country in the world, a little larger than the US, even including Alaska, though much smaller than Russia. However, there are few people living in “the frozen north” (Nunavit and the NW Territory) and even in the southern provinces, the population is spread very thin. I did my Google homework: Manitoba has 250,116 square miles with 1.272 million people. That’s 6 people per square mile. Tennessee has 42,143 square miles and 6.716 million people or 153 people per square mile. I’d always thought ... read more

Right now, we have so many plans that our plans have plans. We have packing lists, checklists, and to do lists. (And you already know that we’re pathologically organized.) But having a plan – or plans – when you’re going away for five months is critical. So – how do you go about planning a trip like this – and why? Here are some considerations. · The basics. What do you really want to see or do? Question 1: what do you want to do? Question 2: where will you do it? Question 3: when? And Question 4: what do you need to do to make it happen? For example, the salmon spawning (i.e. fishing) season is short and changes with the type of salmon, the tide, the moon, and the year. If you want to ... read more

After enduring/enjoying the coldest weather yet, we have finally found cherry blossoms: on Sado Island, almost the last stop on our journey. We first visited Nyuto Onsen, staying at Tsurunoya Onsen, a tiny, old collection of rustic buildings that reminded me of Camp Nakanawa, the place used for the Tennessee Scenic River Association’s Whitewater Rendezvous. One big difference was that the place has sulfur water hot springs and baths for everyone. Tom and I enjoyed a “private” bath, which has a tub plenty big enough for two people, but we could have used the outdoor baths, either for women and men separately or for both together. We decided that we’d visit the mixed-sex bath only after dark, but by the time it got dark, it was so cold that we weren’t going anywhere outdoors! We escaped ... read more

Hotel lodging pros and cons: · They sometimes have coin laundries with washers and dryers. On the other hand, if they don’t and all your clothes are dirty, it might cost you $50-75 to get your laundry done. (And that’s if you only have things washed and folded, not pressed and no dry cleaning.) Anyone who travels with clothes that must be dry cleaned is nuts anyway. · They offer buffet breakfasts, where you can get just fruit and toast if you want. And their coffee is usually better. On the other hand, Japanese breakfasts are amazing! · Gives you the chance to go out and find your own food at local restaurants. On the other hand, Japanese dinners, often served in your tatami mat room, are amazing. About the ryokans: · In the US, some ... read more